A 3-minute lesson from the New Jersey course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Every owner is responsible for keeping the vehicle in proper working condition. Check it before you drive: brakes, lights, horn, steering, tires, signals and glass. A defect can cause a crash, and it can also get your car turned away at the road test.
Know the rule
Backup lights should be on when you drive in reverse. It is against New Jersey law to have any backup lights on while moving forward.
Test anti-lock brakes (ABS) with steady pressure. Never pump ABS brakes or jerk the wheel. On loose gravel or unpacked snow, ABS may lengthen stopping distance.
Check tire pressure often, especially when tires are cold, using the owner's manual or driver's door jamb. Tires must match (don't mix radials with other types).
A thumping sound starts while you drive and the car pulls right when you brake. Check the tires for bumps or cuts and have the brakes inspected; both are warning signs the manual says not to ignore.
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.
A motorist testing their brakes in an empty parking lot at 20 mph should be able to stop within what distance?
50 feet
25 feet
10 feet
100 feet
Answer: 25 feet
A motorist should be able to stop within 25 feet at 20 mph.