Mountain driving — Colorado Permit Test

Shift to lower gears to control speed when driving down steep hills or mountains.

Riding the brakes down a long grade heats them until they stop working. A lower gear holds the speed with the engine instead.

Shift to lower gears to control speeds when driving down steep hills or mountains

In the mountains you should be aware of steep hills, changing weather, bicyclists, wildlife and rocks on the roadway.

Five different hazards share one road, and any of them can be round the next bend. Expecting them is most of the preparation.

As a driver, you should be aware of steep hills, changing weather, bicyclists, wildlife and rocks on the roadway.

It is illegal to use the oncoming travel lane to pass others when approaching the crest of a hill, a curve, or in any other situation where visibility of oncoming traffic is obstructed.

On a blind crest, whatever is coming arrives at combined speed with no time for either driver. There is no version of this that works out.

It is illegal to use the oncoming travel lane to pass others if you are approaching the crest of a hill

Vehicles going uphill have the right-of-way over vehicles going downhill.

A vehicle climbing loses everything if it has to stop, and a descending one can hold its place. Uphill keeps the momentum it needs.

Remember, vehicles going uphill have the right-of-way over vehicles going downhill

If your vehicle has difficulty traveling up steep roadways, pull off the road at the first place you safely can, or stay in the right lane to let other vehicles pass.

A slow climb is safe as long as everyone else can get by. The right lane and the pullout are the two places that allow it.

If your vehicle has difficulty traveling up steep roadways, pull off the road at the first place you can do so safely or stay in the right lane to allow other vehicles to pass.

Be prepared for intersections hidden by trees, brush or crops and for animals on or near the roadway.

A hidden intersection gives you no warning that anything can come out of it. In the mountains and the country both are common.

Be prepared for intersections hidden by trees, brush or crops and for animals on or near the roadway

How should you control speed on a long steep descent?

Shift to a lower gear. Riding the brakes down a long grade heats them until they stop working. A lower gear holds the speed with the engine instead. Colorado Driver Handbook, p.17: “Shift to lower gears to control speeds when driving down steep hills or mountains”