Fitness to drive: vision, fatigue, health & emotions
A 3-minute lesson from the Delaware course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Being 'in shape' to drive means seeing clearly, being rested, sober, generally healthy and emotionally fit. If any of these slips, your driving slips too—often without you noticing.
Have your eyes checked every year or two. If your license requires lenses, always wear them—even for a short trip—and keep a spare pair in the vehicle. Avoid dark glasses or tinted contacts at night.
Drivers who know they have hearing problems can adjust and drive safely; studies show hearing-impaired drivers have driving records as good as drivers with good hearing.
You got four hours of sleep before a long drive to the beach. Have someone else drive or postpone. If you must go, stop every hour or so, and pull over to sleep if you become drowsy.
Check your understanding
Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.
What is the minimum acceptable vision, with or without corrective lenses, to hold a Delaware driver license?
20/20
20/40
20/60
20/100
Answer: 20/40
You must have at least 20/40 vision in at least one eye, with or without correction.
According to the handbook, which of these could lead to an insulin reaction or blackout for a diabetic driver who takes insulin?
Driving after dark
Skipping a meal or snack
Drinking a caffeinated beverage
Driving for more than an hour
Answer: Skipping a meal or snack
Diabetics on insulin should not drive when a reaction is possible; this can result from skipping a meal or snack or taking the wrong amount of insulin.