Skids, blowouts and hydroplaning

Key points

1. If the rear of your car starts to slide, do not brake. Steer in the direction the rear is skidding.

   Source: Handbook p. 115

   “If the rear of your car starts to slide, don't use your brakes. Steer in the direction in which the rear end of your car is skidding.”
   Louisiana Class D and E Driver's Guide, Handbook p. 115

2. In a skid, stay calm, ease off the gas and steer where you want the front of the car to go.

   Source: Handbook p. 115

   “If you do find yourself in a skid, remain calm, ease your foot off the gas, and carefully steer in the direction you want the front of the car to go.”
   Louisiana Class D and E Driver's Guide, Handbook p. 115

3. If you hydroplane, do not brake or turn suddenly, or your car could skid.

   Source: Handbook p. 116

   “If you find yourself hydroplaning, do not brake or turn suddenly. This could throw your car into a skid.”
   Louisiana Class D and E Driver's Guide, Handbook p. 116

4. If your wheels slip off the edge of the road, do not try to turn back onto the pavement right away.

   Source: Handbook p. 116

   “If your wheels should slip off the edge of the road, do not try to turn back onto the pavement right away.”
   Louisiana Class D and E Driver's Guide, Handbook p. 116

5. If the shoulder is much lower than the pavement, slow to about 10 mph before turning back.

   Source: Handbook p. 116

   “If the shoulder is much lower than the pavement: a. Slow to a very slow speed (10 mph)”
   Louisiana Class D and E Driver's Guide, Handbook p. 116

6. After a blowout, hold the wheel firmly and keep your car in its lane.

   Source: Handbook p. 117

   “Hold the steering wheel firmly and keep your car in the same lane.”
   Louisiana Class D and E Driver's Guide, Handbook p. 117

7. Do not brake after a blowout until you have slowed to about 30 mph.

   Source: Handbook p. 117

   “Don't use the brakes until you have slowed to a safer speed, (around 30 mph).”
   Louisiana Class D and E Driver's Guide, Handbook p. 117

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Louisiana practice test

1. 1. If a car begins to skid, which response follows the driver's guide?

   1. Turn the wheel as far as possible in the opposite direction
   2. Lock the brakes and hold the steering wheel straight
   3. Accelerate sharply toward the shoulder
   4. Ease off the gas and steer carefully where you want the front of the car to go
   Show answer

   Ease off the gas and steer carefully where you want the front of the car to go. A skid calls for calm, gradual control rather than a sudden correction. Release pressure on the accelerator and guide the front wheels toward the intended path, making only enough steering input to regain alignment. Locking the brakes can worsen the loss of traction, and acceleration toward the shoulder adds another unpredictable force. A full opposite turn may overcorrect and start a skid in the other direction. Think of the cue as tires first: reduce power, look where you want to travel, and steer smoothly.

2. 2. What is the safest initial response when a tire blows out?

   1. Hold the wheel firmly and keep the vehicle in its lane
   2. Slam on the brakes before steering
   3. Turn sharply toward the nearest shoulder
   4. Shift into reverse immediately
   Show answer

   Hold the wheel firmly and keep the vehicle in its lane. A blowout can pull the vehicle to one side, so the first priority is preserving directional control. Hold the steering wheel firmly and keep the vehicle in the same lane while it slows. Slamming the brakes can worsen the loss of control, and a sharp turn may send the vehicle into another lane or off the road. Once the speed has fallen to about 30 mph, brake gently and pull into a safe area. Think control, coast, gentle braking, then a safe exit from traffic.

3. 3. What causes hydroplaning as speed rises on a wet roadway?

   1. The brakes lock because the road is too dry
   2. The engine becomes flooded by rainwater
   3. The tires ride up on a layer of water and lose pavement contact
   4. The steering wheel automatically turns toward the shoulder
   Show answer

   The tires ride up on a layer of water and lose pavement contact. Hydroplaning begins when water cannot be removed from the roadway quickly enough by the tires. The tires then ride up on the water like skis, reducing or eliminating contact with the pavement. That loss of contact means the driver cannot rely on normal braking, acceleration, or steering. The explanation involving a flooded engine confuses a roadway traction problem with a mechanical problem. Reduce speed on wet roads, maintain recommended tire pressure, and keep usable tread so water can escape through the grooves.

Source: the Louisiana Class D and E Driver's Guide, Chapter 8: Driving Hazards and Emergencies. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.