Chapter 4-9: Low speed skills

The “Low speed skills” section of the Saskatchewan Driving Practice Test focuses on a driver’s ability to control a vehicle precisely at slow speeds.

Saskatchewan Driving Test - Chapter 4-9: Low speed skills

1 / 30

What is the recommended body position when preparing to back up?

Lean forward onto the steering wheel

Rest on your right hip and support yourself with your right arm

Turn fully around and kneel on the seat

Sit in the center of the front seat

2 / 30

How should backup cameras be used?

Along with head and mirror checks, not as the only source of information

Only in parking garages

Only at night

As the only tool needed when backing

3 / 30

Where should you focus your eyes when backing?

Only on the backup camera screen

Well back along the path you want to go, through the rear window

Straight down at the rear bumper

On the dashboard

4 / 30

Palming is best described as what type of technique?

A basic steering method for highway driving

A braking method for emergencies

A way to shift gears without the clutch

An advanced steering technique used only when backing

5 / 30

What should you do with your mirrors and backup camera before backing?

Fold the mirrors in and turn the camera off

Point them downward at your tires

Ignore them and only look over your shoulder

Ensure mirrors are adjusted and the camera is clean and operational

6 / 30

Where should your left hand be on the steering wheel when backing using the basic technique?

At the top center (12 o’clock position)

At the bottom (6 o’clock position)

At the 9 o’clock position

At the 3 o’clock position

7 / 30

When using the palming technique, how should you place your left hand at the start?

At the 6 o’clock position, gripping tightly

At the 3 o’clock position, with fingers only

At the 9 o’clock position, with a loose grip

At the 12 o’clock position, with your palm pushing against the wheel rim

8 / 30

Why are collisions while backing so common?

Backup cameras are unreliable

Laws do not regulate backing maneuvers

Many drivers underestimate the risks because backing is low-speed

Most vehicles are unable to steer properly in reverse

9 / 30

What is the benefit of a 360-degree camera system when backing?

It replaces the need for mirrors

It provides a better overall perspective of your surroundings

It eliminates blind spots completely

It automatically steers the vehicle

10 / 30

How should blind spot monitoring systems be used when backing?

Only in good weather conditions

Only when driving forward on highways

As an aid to help detect vehicles or objects you might not see

As the only method of checking behind you

11 / 30

In an automatic-transmission vehicle, how should you typically drive at very low speeds?

Shift to neutral and coast

Press the accelerator lightly and avoid using the brake

Keep your foot resting on the brake and let engine idling move the vehicle

Use the parking brake instead of the foot brake

12 / 30

What is the main limitation of driver-assistance technologies when backing?

They are illegal to use in parking lots

They replace the need to turn your head

They are only aids; you must still visually confirm surroundings

They only work above 30 km/h

13 / 30

If a manual-transmission vehicle is on a slope and moving faster than you want, what should you do?

Shift to a higher gear and accelerate

Apply the parking brake only

Declutch and brake gently

Turn off the engine

14 / 30

What is “front end swing”?

The increased turning of the vehicle front while backing because the front wheels pivot around the rear wheels

A type of suspension system

A steering defect at high speed

The motion caused by sudden braking

15 / 30

How should your palm move on the steering wheel when using the palming technique?

Your palm stays on the same place on the wheel rim while the wheel turns

Your hand lifts off and re-grips repeatedly

Your palm slides quickly around the rim

Your palm remains stationary and the wheel does not move

16 / 30

If the front of the vehicle swings to the left while backing, how should you correct it?

Turn the steering wheel to the right to straighten

Do nothing and continue backing

Stop and pull forward only

Turn the steering wheel to the left to straighten

17 / 30

After straightening the front wheels while backing, what does it mean when your hand is at 12 o’clock?

Your vehicle is in neutral

Your front wheels are straight

The brakes are fully applied

The steering is locked

18 / 30

What is one reason you must check behind your vehicle before backing?

The rear window is always dirty

Head restraints block all rearward vision

Traffic laws require you to leave the driver’s seat

Children, pets, and objects may not be visible from inside the vehicle

19 / 30

What is a disadvantage of using hand over hand steering while backing?

It can damage the steering column

It limits how well you can see out the back window

It makes the steering wheel harder to turn

It disables the power steering

20 / 30

Why is front end swing important to understand?

It is the cause of many backing collisions

It reduces tire wear

It increases braking effectiveness

It improves fuel economy

21 / 30

How should all backing manoeuvres begin?

With the vehicle and front wheels straight

With the vehicle angled to the curb

With the steering wheel fully turned

With the transmission in neutral

22 / 30

When you begin backing slowly in a straight line, what should you check within the first foot or so of movement?

Whether the front of the vehicle is moving straight back

Whether the engine warning light is on

The outside temperature

Your fuel level

23 / 30

What is a key advantage of the palming technique?

It automatically recenters the steering wheel

It allows sharp turns while ensuring the front wheels are straight when your hand is at 12 o’clock

It eliminates the need to look out the rear window

It prevents tire wear while turning

24 / 30

What is one recommended steering method for backing that provides good control?

One-finger steering

Knee steering

Elbow steering

Hand over hand

25 / 30

How should you treat alerts from backup sensors?

Pay attention to them but don’t rely on them alone

Ignore them because they’re inaccurate

Turn them off when backing

Use them instead of looking around

26 / 30

When moving a manual-transmission vehicle at very low speed, how should you use the engine speed?

Rapidly alternate between gas and brake

Use no throttle at all

Hold engine speed constant and control motion with the clutch

Constantly pump the gas pedal

27 / 30

In a manual-transmission vehicle at very low speeds, which control is used almost entirely to manage speed?

The accelerator

The parking brake

The clutch

The steering wheel

28 / 30

In what situation is the palming technique particularly useful?

When driving on gravel roads

When both straight line backing and sharp turning are required

When driving at high speeds on the highway

When parking facing downhill

29 / 30

How should you move the vehicle while backing?

In short bursts with frequent stops

Without looking behind, using mirrors only

Quickly, to spend less time in reverse

Slowly, looking and steering where you want to go

30 / 30

Before backing up, what should you always do?

Check behind your vehicle to be sure the path is clear

Open your door and look out

Honk the horn continuously

Turn on your hazard lights

Your score is

This section assesses essential maneuvers such as parking, reversing, three-point turns, and navigating tight spaces. Drivers are expected to demonstrate smooth steering, effective use of mirrors, and accurate judgment of distances. Mastering low speed skills is vital for safely performing everyday tasks like parallel parking and maneuvering in crowded areas. These skills help prevent minor collisions and property damage. Practicing low-speed control builds confidence and ensures drivers can handle challenging situations on Saskatchewan’s roads.