Practice question

What should you do if your vehicle starts to skid?

  1. Brake hard to stop the skid
  2. Steer in the direction you want to go
  3. Turn off the engine
  4. Accelerate to regain control

Answer: B — Steer in the direction you want to go

When your vehicle starts to skid, the most effective response is to steer in the direction you want to go. This technique helps to regain control of the motorcycle. When skidding, the tires lose grip on the road, and braking hard can further destabilize the vehicle and lead to a loss of control. By steering into the skid, you align the motorcycle's wheels with its direction of movement, allowing the tires to regain traction and stabilize the vehicle. Steering into the direction you want to go is a fundamental principle of handling skids, often referred to as "steering into the skid." For example, if you find yourself skidding to the right, you should steer right. This action will help correct the pathway of the motorcycle and can assist in recovering from the skid. While other options may seem like they could help, such as braking hard or accelerating, they can actually worsen the situation. Braking can cause the tires to lose even more grip, and accelerating typically sends the bike in an unintended direction, further complicating the situation. Turning off the engine does not contribute to regaining control in a skid and may even complicate your ability to maneuver. Thus, steering in the direction you want to go is the recommended course of action.

Practice more: NZ Motorcycle Learner License Practice Test →