New York driving lesson · Special Driving Conditions
Rain, fog, snow & winter driving
A 4-minute lesson from the New York course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Winter is the hardest season to drive in: snow and ice plus fewer hours of daylight. Even a little rain, snow or ice, or wet leaves, makes roads slippery. Slow down, leave more following distance, and take extra care on curves, turns and expressway ramps.
Hydroplaning
In heavy rain, tires riding on a layer of water on the road, which can cause complete loss of traction and steering. Likelier at high speed or with worn or underinflated tires.
New York requires headlights whenever weather requires wipers to clear rain, snow, sleet or fog; daytime running lights don't qualify. Use low beams: high beams reflect off rain, fog and snow. Signal turns earlier and brake early.
Fog lights must be an approved type and correctly installed. Front fog lights may be amber or white; rear fog lights must be red. Switch them off when visibility improves so they don't glare at others.
Before winter, make sure your vehicle is in good condition and put good snow tires on before the first storm. Never mix radial and non-radial tires on the same vehicle.
During ice or snow storms, don't drive unless you must. If you do, clear ice and snow from the lights, wipers, hood, roof and all windows, and fill the washer reservoir with freeze-resistant fluid. Drive slowly, but don't go faster than the flow of traffic.
A rear-wheel-drive car usually lets you feel a slide beginning; a front-wheel-drive car may give no warning. Front- and four-wheel drive handle better but still skid without warning, so don't let them tempt you to go faster.
To prevent skids, brake early, carefully and gently: press in slow, steady strokes so the wheels keep turning. If they begin to lock, ease off the pedal. You can also shift to a lower gear as you slow.
On an icy curve your car's rear end swings out to the right. Ease off, steer right, toward the slide, and if it whips back left, steer left. With ABS, hold steady pressure on the brake rather than pumping it.
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.
During what months are studded snow tires legally permitted in New York?
Year-round, with no restriction
November 1 through March 1
December 1 through February 28
October 16 through April 30
Answer: October 16 through April 30
Tires with metal studs can be used in New York only from October 16 through April 30.
