Qar Quiz:
Questions They Don't Ask
on the Driver's License Exam
but That They Probably Should

1949 Cadillac.

The driver's license you carry means you know most rules of the road. But how comfortable are you with your vehicle? And how comfortable are you with the behavior of other drivers. Here's a little checkup on your car knowledge and your driving attitude.

Try to choose the answer that most nearly describes what you actually do, not what you should do.

1. How often do you change your vehicle's oil. Every:
    a. 1,000 miles.
    b. 3,000 miles.
    c. 5,000 miles.
    d. 10,000 miles.

2. Compared to the manufacturer's recommended pressure, what is the air pressure in your car's tires?
    a. 2 lbs. below.
    b. Same
    c. 3 lbs. above.
    d. 6 lbs. above.

3. On an interstate highway in the country with moderate traffic that is mostly moving 5 miles per hour above the posted speed limit, what is your speed?
    a. 5 miles below the limit.
    b. the speed limit.
    c. same as that of the traffic.
    d. 10 miles above the limit.

4. You and three other cars arrive simultaneously at a 4-way stop sign intersection. What do you do?
    a. Wait.
    b. Motion the car on your right to proceed.
    c. Look left and right, then proceed.
    d. Proceed immediately.

5. On a city street at rush hour, the car in front of you is driving 10 miles per hour slower than everyone else. What do you do?
    a. Nothing.
    b. Put on your turn signal and try to change langes.
    c. Honk.
    d. Honk, flash your lights, and drive as close as possible to the bumper of the offending car.

6. At a red light, you are the first car in a long line. After two minutes the light has not changed. People behind you begin to honk. What do you do?
    a. Continue to wait.
    b. Wait another minute, then proceed with caution through the
         intersection.
    c. Honk, throw up your hands, and proceed through the
         intersection.
    d. Flip off the people behind you, and proceed through the
         intersection.

7. How recently have you checked the tread wear on your tires. Within the last:
    a. week.
    b. month.
    c. 6 months.
    d. never.

8. What is the highest speed you have driven your car, ever?
    a. 70.
    b. 80.
    c. 90.
    d. Over 100.

9. How certain are you about how many cylinders the engine of your car has?
    a. No idea.
    b. I think I know.
    c. Pretty sure.
    d. I know for sure.

10. How certain are you about whether your car has ABS (automatic breaking system) for emergencies stops?
    a. No idea.
    b. I think I know.
    c. Pretty sure.
    d. I know for sure.

11. On which part of your car would you see this important series of numbers and letters: 205/55 R 16 ?
    a. Battery.
    b. Tires.
    c. Radiator.

12. Where on your car are you likely to find platinum?
    a. No idea.
    b. Catalytic convertor.
    c. Spark plugs.

13. You are driving on Interstate 80 in Wyoming, where the speed limit is 75. You are driving 80 and are passed by a school bus full of children. What should you do?
    a. Get the license number and call the state police on your
        cell phone.
    b. Nothing.
    c. Increase your own speed to match that of the bus (you figure
        a local bus driver must know something about Wyoming
        radar that you don't.
    d. Overtake the bus and flip off the driver.

14. How many speeding tickets have you gotten?
    a. One, for driving below the minimum.
    b. None.
    c. Between 1 and 3.
    d. More than 3.

15. What is the voltage of your car's electrical system?
    a. No idea.
    b. 12.
    c. Maybe 6, but it could be 12.
    d. Of all the stupid questions!

Scroll down for scoring.

SCORING:
Give yourself 1 point for each "a" answer, 3 points for each "b", 5 points for each "c", and 10 points for each "d".

15-45: You are Mr/Ms Milquetoast behind the wheel. It is possible that your are the reason some freeways have minimum speed limits. You'd probably be happier-- and your fellow drivers certainly would be-- if you used mass transit.

46-75: You are the Dudley Do-right of drivers. Knowledgeable and cautious, you are surely the apple of your Allstate agent's eye.

76-100: Your Sweaty Palms when behind the wheel are a sure giveaway. You seem to be overcompensating for automotive-- and possibly other-- insecurities. A subscription to Car and Driver might help.

101-150: You are a Tom/Tomasina Petty, or at least, that seems to be your fantasy. Your failure to face and accurately appraise automotive reality is no doubt reflected in other areas of your life, such as your weekly attendance at Hooters/Chippendale, not to mention your fondness for the WWF, the NRA, and Patrick Buchanan. You may want to pull in at the next HMO and get your testosterone level checked. Your raging hormonal imbalance is going to get you in a lot more trouble than it already has.

END

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