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

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

Your vehicle is in neutral

The brakes are fully applied

Your front wheels are straight

The steering is locked

2 / 30

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

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

At the 6 o’clock position, gripping tightly

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

At the 3 o’clock position, with fingers only

3 / 30

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

Ensure mirrors are adjusted and the camera is clean and operational

Fold the mirrors in and turn the camera off

Ignore them and only look over your shoulder

Point them downward at your tires

4 / 30

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

It makes the steering wheel harder to turn

It can damage the steering column

It disables the power steering

It limits how well you can see out the back window

5 / 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

6 / 30

What is a key advantage of the palming technique?

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 automatically recenters the steering wheel

It prevents tire wear while turning

7 / 30

Before backing up, what should you always do?

Honk the horn continuously

Open your door and look out

Check behind your vehicle to be sure the path is clear

Turn on your hazard lights

8 / 30

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

Turn off the engine

Shift to a higher gear and accelerate

Declutch and brake gently

Apply the parking brake only

9 / 30

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

Hold engine speed constant and control motion with the clutch

Rapidly alternate between gas and brake

Use no throttle at all

Constantly pump the gas pedal

10 / 30

Why is front end swing important to understand?

It reduces tire wear

It is the cause of many backing collisions

It increases braking effectiveness

It improves fuel economy

11 / 30

How should you move the vehicle while backing?

Slowly, looking and steering where you want to go

In short bursts with frequent stops

Quickly, to spend less time in reverse

Without looking behind, using mirrors only

12 / 30

Why are collisions while backing so common?

Backup cameras are unreliable

Most vehicles are unable to steer properly in reverse

Laws do not regulate backing maneuvers

Many drivers underestimate the risks because backing is low-speed

13 / 30

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

They are illegal to use in parking lots

They only work above 30 km/h

They replace the need to turn your head

They are only aids; you must still visually confirm surroundings

14 / 30

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

At the 9 o’clock position

At the bottom (6 o’clock position)

At the 3 o’clock position

At the top center (12 o’clock position)

15 / 30

How should you treat alerts from backup sensors?

Ignore them because they’re inaccurate

Use them instead of looking around

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

Turn them off when backing

16 / 30

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

Your palm remains stationary and the wheel does not move

Your hand lifts off and re-grips repeatedly

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

Your palm slides quickly around the rim

17 / 30

How should all backing manoeuvres begin?

With the transmission in neutral

With the vehicle angled to the curb

With the vehicle and front wheels straight

With the steering wheel fully turned

18 / 30

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

Head restraints block all rearward vision

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

Traffic laws require you to leave the driver’s seat

The rear window is always dirty

19 / 30

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

Whether the engine warning light is on

Your fuel level

Whether the front of the vehicle is moving straight back

The outside temperature

20 / 30

Palming is best described as what type of technique?

A way to shift gears without the clutch

A braking method for emergencies

A basic steering method for highway driving

An advanced steering technique used only when backing

21 / 30

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

The clutch

The accelerator

The steering wheel

The parking brake

22 / 30

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

It provides a better overall perspective of your surroundings

It automatically steers the vehicle

It eliminates blind spots completely

It replaces the need for mirrors

23 / 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

Use the parking brake instead of the foot brake

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

24 / 30

How should blind spot monitoring systems be used when backing?

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

Only when driving forward on highways

Only in good weather conditions

As the only method of checking behind you

25 / 30

Where should you focus your eyes when backing?

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

On the dashboard

Straight down at the rear bumper

Only on the backup camera screen

26 / 30

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

Sit in the center of the front seat

Turn fully around and kneel on the seat

Lean forward onto the steering wheel

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

27 / 30

How should backup cameras be used?

As the only tool needed when backing

Only at night

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

Only in parking garages

28 / 30

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

One-finger steering

Knee steering

Hand over hand

Elbow steering

29 / 30

What is “front end swing”?

A type of suspension system

A steering defect at high speed

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

The motion caused by sudden braking

30 / 30

In what situation is the palming technique particularly useful?

When parking facing downhill

When both straight line backing and sharp turning are required

When driving on gravel roads

When driving at high speeds on the highway

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.