Curves skids and hazards — Illinois Permit Test

A driver should slow down before entering a curve, should not brake suddenly because it may cause skidding or locked wheels, and should never drive over the center line.

Braking in a curve is what breaks traction, so the slowing happens before it. Drifting over the line is the other half of the same mistake.

Curves Slow down before entering a curve. Do not brake suddenly, as this may cause skidding or locked wheels. Never drive over the center line.

Where a vehicle is approaching head-on in the driver’s own lane, the driver should slow down, pull over to the right and sound the horn.

Pulling right is the move everybody is taught, so the other driver is most likely to go the same way. The horn is what wakes them up.

Head-on Approaches When a vehicle is approaching head-on in your lane, slow down, pull over to the right, and sound the horn.

Skidding happens when tires lose traction, and a driver should ease off the gas pedal or the brakes, steer into the direction of the skid until traction returns and then straighten the vehicle.

Steering into the skid points the wheels where the car is already going, which is what lets them grip again. Fighting it keeps them sliding.

If your vehicle starts to skid, ease off the gas pedal or brakes, steer into the direction of the skid until regaining traction, and then straighten the vehicle.

Where the wheels drift off the pavement onto the shoulder a driver should grip the wheel firmly, ease off the gas, brake gently, check for traffic behind and steer back on gently without jerking the wheel.

Jerking the wheel to get back on is what throws the car across the road into oncoming traffic. Everything about the fix is gentle.

If your vehicle’s wheels drift off the pavement onto the shoulder, grip the wheel firmly, ease your foot off the gas pedal, and brake gently. After checking for traffic behind you, gently steer your vehicle back onto the pavement. Do not jerk the wheel to correct the steering. This may cause the vehicle to drive into oncoming traffic.

When should an Illinois driver slow for a curve?

Before entering it. Braking in a curve is what breaks traction, so the slowing happens before it. Drifting over the line is the other half of the same mistake. Illinois Rules of the Road 2026, p.87: “Curves Slow down before entering a curve. Do not brake suddenly, as this may cause skidding or locked wheels. Never drive over the center line.”