Utah CDL General Knowledge Practice Test

If your vehicle starts to hydroplane, the best action is to ease off the accelerator and steer straight. Hydroplaning occurs when a layer of water builds between the tires and the road surface, causing the vehicle to lose traction. By easing off the accelerator, you reduce the speed and allow the tires to regain contact with the road, which is essential for regaining control.

Steering straight helps to maintain stability and prevents sudden movements that could exacerbate the loss of control. If you were to apply brakes hard or turn sharply, it could lead to skidding or further loss of control, particularly since tires are already not effectively gripping the road. Speeding up is counterproductive as it increases the chances of hydroplaning and further complicates the situation.

Maintaining calm and allowing the vehicle to slow down while staying straight is critical to safely navigating out of hydroplaning conditions.