Off road recovery — Rhode Island Permit Test

When your wheels go off the pavement, ease up on the accelerator so the vehicle slows gradually, and avoid braking if possible.

Braking with two wheels on loose gravel can spin the car or pull it into the ditch.

Ease up on the accelerator and all the vehicle to slow down gradually.

Before returning to the road, position the vehicle so it straddles the roadway edge.

Jerking back from far out on the shoulder sends the car across the lane and into oncoming traffic.

Position your vehicle so it straddles the roadway edge.

Choose a place to return to the roadway where the shoulder is nearest the level of the roadway.

A high road edge catches the tire, and the car jumps back across the road when it finally climbs out.

Select a place to return to the roadway, where the shoulder is nearest the level of the roadway.

Steer sharply toward the roadway, then counter-steer sharply the instant the front tires touch the pavement.

Without the counter-steer the car keeps turning, crosses the lane, and meets oncoming traffic.

Counter-steer sharply the instant the front tires touch the roadway.

Back on the road, center the vehicle in the lane closest to where you left, cancel your signal, and speed up to match traffic.

Drifting across several lanes after a recovery puts you in front of cars that never saw you leave.

Center the vehicle in the lane closest to where you left the roadway and re-establish your target.

Your right wheels drop off the pavement onto the shoulder. How do you slow down?

Ease off the gas; avoid braking. Braking with two wheels on loose gravel can spin the car or pull it into the ditch. Rhode Island Driver’s Manual, p.44: “Ease up on the accelerator and all the vehicle to slow down gradually.”