Northwest Territories Knowledge Test Coach
Speed and stoppingQuestion 100 of 202

A downgrade is very steep. What do you do before you start down?

  1. Shift to neutral and coast.
  2. Speed up to keep control.
  3. Turn off the engine.
  4. Adjust your speed and shift to a lower gear.
Show answer

Correct answer: Adjust your speed and shift to a lower gear.

On a steep downgrade, reduce speed and use a lower gear first. Your braking distance gets longer.

Source: Driver's Manual: A guide to safely operate cars and light trucks (Government of the Northwest Territories, revised August 2022), Chapter 5, Curves and hills, page 96

Practice speed and stopping

Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026