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Oklahoma driving lesson · Driving Tips and Emergencies

Headlights, standard transmission and posture

A 3-minute lesson from the Oklahoma course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

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Read time
3 minutes
Course unit
Driving Tips and Emergencies
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
59, 60

Headlights help you see and help others see you, but high beams can blind other drivers. Knowing when to dim them, how to shift smoothly, and how to sit and grip the wheel all make you a more controlled, less tired driver.

1,000 feet

Dim high beams to low beams within this distance of an oncoming vehicle

Handbook p. 59 ↗
600 feet

Dim high beams to low beams within this distance of a vehicle you are following

Handbook p. 59 ↗

Use your headlights:

  • When a road sign says headlights must be used
  • From 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise
  • High beams in open country when no other cars are nearby
  • Low beams where there are streetlights, and in fog, rain, snow or other adverse weather
Handbook p. 59 ↗

Know the rule

At night your speed should be slower than it is by day.

Handbook p. 59 ↗

A standard (manual) transmission lets you control the gear-speed ratio and use the gears, rather than the brakes, to help slow the car.

Smooth, effective shifting:

  • Hold the clutch all the way down when starting the motor, shifting, and below 10 mph when stopping
  • Don't "ride the clutch" (drive with your foot resting on the clutch pedal)
  • Practice smooth coordination of the clutch and accelerator
  • Don't coast in neutral or with the clutch pushed down, except when shifting
  • Put the car in a lower gear going down steep hills
Handbook p. 59 ↗

Know the rule

Coasting on a downgrade with the clutch engaged or the vehicle in neutral is a violation of Oklahoma law (Title 47, §11-1107).

Handbook p. 59 ↗

Good driving posture:

  • Adjust the seat so you reach the pedals easily and have good vision
  • Adjust the rearview mirror to see the road behind
  • Check and adjust your left outside rearview mirror
  • Make sure nothing on the front seat can fall to the floor and distract you
  • Fasten your seat belt
Handbook p. 59 ↗

Know the rule

Use a solid, strong grip with at least 1/3 of the wheel between your hands. Think of the wheel as a clock: left hand generally between 9:00 and 10:30, right hand between 2:00 and 4:00.

Handbook p. 60 ↗

Know the rule

Don't drive with your elbow out the window: you don't have full control of the wheel, and a sideswipe could take off your arm.

Handbook p. 60 ↗

Put it into practice

You're driving on high beams on a dark highway and see headlights coming toward you about a quarter mile away. Switch to low beams before the car is within 1,000 feet. Later, catching up to another car, dim before you're within 600 feet of 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.

Within how many feet of an oncoming car must you dim your high beams?
  1. 1,000 feet
  2. 600 feet
  3. 300 feet
  4. 2,000 feet

Answer: 1,000 feet

Dim high beams within 1,000 feet of an oncoming vehicle.

Handbook p. 59 ↗
Within how many feet of a vehicle you're following must you dim your high beams?
  1. 1,000 feet
  2. 600 feet
  3. 200 feet
  4. 1,500 feet

Answer: 600 feet

Dim high beams within 600 feet of the vehicle you're following.

Handbook p. 59 ↗
You must use your headlights beginning 15 minutes after sunset and until 15 minutes before sunrise.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: False

Use your headlights beginning 30 minutes after sunset and until 30 minutes before sunrise.

Handbook p. 59 ↗
When should you use high beams, according to the manual?
  1. Whenever it's raining
  2. In open country with no cars nearby
  3. In heavy city traffic
  4. Whenever following another vehicle closely

Answer: In open country with no cars nearby

High beams are appropriate in open country when no other cars are nearby.

Handbook p. 59 ↗
What does 'riding the clutch' mean?
  1. Shifting too quickly between gears
  2. Using the clutch only when starting the car
  3. Braking and clutching at the same time
  4. Resting your foot on the clutch pedal

Answer: Resting your foot on the clutch pedal

Don't 'ride the clutch,' meaning don't drive with your foot resting on the pedal.

Handbook p. 59 ↗
Where should your left hand generally be positioned on the steering wheel?
  1. Between 12:00 and 1:00
  2. Between 9:00 and 10:30
  3. Between 6:00 and 7:00
  4. Between 3:00 and 4:00

Answer: Between 9:00 and 10:30

Think of the wheel as a clock: left hand between 9:00 and 10:30, right hand between 2:00 and 4:00.

Handbook p. 60 ↗
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