Running off the pavement — Delaware Permit Test

If you run off the pavement, Delaware's manual says not to jam on the brakes, but to brake carefully or not at all.

Slamming the brakes with two wheels on dirt spins the car or pulls it toward the ditch.

Don’t jam on the brakes. Brake carefully or not at all.

After running off the pavement, Delaware's manual says not to try to get back on until the vehicle is under control, your speed is 15 mph or less, and you have checked traffic behind.

Steering back at high speed makes the car jump the lip of the road and shoot across the road.

Don’t try to get back onto the pavement until you have your vehicle under control, your speed is reduced to 15 mph or less, and you have looked for traffic behind you.

Once slowed and clear, Delaware's manual says to turn the front wheels sharply toward the pavement, taking care not to cross the center line.

A shallow, creeping turn lets the tire scrub along the lip of the road instead of climbing over it.

Then turn the front wheels sharply toward the pavement.

If your wheels run off the pavement, how should you brake?

Carefully or not at all. Slamming the brakes with two wheels on dirt spins the car or pulls it toward the ditch. Delaware Driver Manual, p.136: “Don’t jam on the brakes. Brake carefully or not at all.”