Arkansas Commercial Driver License (CDL) Practice Test

What happens during a rear-wheel braking skid?

1. The vehicle slides sideways in a slideout

2. Front wheels lock, causing a skid

3. The vehicle continues to move straight ahead

4. The vehicle accelerates

The correct answer is: The vehicle slides sideways in a slideout

The situation described in a rear-wheel braking skid involves the rear wheels losing traction, which causes the back end of the vehicle to slide outward. This phenomenon is commonly referred to as "oversteer," where the rear of the vehicle swings out more than intended, leading to a sideways slide. In contrast to the correct option, the front wheels locking does not directly contribute to a rear-wheel skid; instead, it primarily affects steering and handling control. The vehicle moving straight ahead is not characteristic of a skid, as it implies a lack of lost traction, which is not the case in this scenario. Lastly, acceleration in a skid would be both counterintuitive and unsafe, as it would further exacerbate loss of control. Thus, the best representation of what occurs during a rear-wheel braking skid is the vehicle sliding sideways in a slideout.