Theory Mastery

Aquaplaning risicofactoren profiel snelheid breedte rijstrook

Besides speed, the course material explicitly names tyre tread and tyre width as their own risk factors, independent of how fast you drive

Source: RVV 1990 art. 19 · checked 2026-10-23

How the exam asks it

In heavy rain on the A37 near Borger you suddenly feel a free play in the steering. What do you do?

  1. I hold the steering wheel still and do nothing else, until it passes by itself
  2. I brake firmly to lose speed
  3. I ease off the accelerator, press the clutch, do not brake, and keep steering in the direction I want to go
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Correct answer: I ease off the accelerator, press the clutch, do not brake, and keep steering in the direction I want to go

Braking locks the wheels on a surface without grip; easing off and continuing to steer is the correct response

Why learners get this wrong: During aquaplaning it is best to hold the steering wheel still and do nothing else, until it passes by itself.

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Braking during aquaplaning locks the wheels on a surface without grip and makes steering impossible; the correct response is easing off, clutch in, not braking, keep steering.

  1. False
  2. True
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Correct answer: True

Braking during aquaplaning locks the wheels on a surface without grip and makes steering impossible; the correct response is easing off, clutch in, not braking, keep steering

Why learners get this wrong: During aquaplaning you should brake hard to lose speed.

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About Aquaplaning: what to do — and not do — when the tyres start to 'float': which statement is WRONG?

  1. Besides speed, the book explicitly names tyre tread and tyre width as their own risk factors, independent of how fast you drive.
  2. Braking during aquaplaning locks the wheels on a surface without grip and makes steering impossible; the correct response is easing off, clutch in, not braking, keep steering.
  3. Wide tyres actually carry less weight per cm² of road and therefore increase the risk of aquaplaning.
  4. During aquaplaning it is best to hold the steering wheel still and do nothing else, until it passes by itself.
Show the answer

Correct answer: During aquaplaning it is best to hold the steering wheel still and do nothing else, until it passes by itself.

You keep actively steering in the direction you want to go; holding the wheel still is not the same as 'not braking'

Why learners get this wrong: Aquaplaning is purely a matter of driving too fast; tyre tread or width makes no difference.

Open this question

You keep actively steering in the direction you want to go; holding the wheel still is not the same as 'not braking'.

  1. False
  2. True
Show the answer

Correct answer: True

You keep actively steering in the direction you want to go; holding the wheel still is not the same as 'not braking'

Why learners get this wrong: During aquaplaning it is best to hold the steering wheel still and do nothing else, until it passes by itself.

Open this question

On the A7 near Joure it is raining hard and there is a lot of water on the road. You suddenly feel free play in the steering. What do you do first?

  1. Release the accelerator and hold the wheel still until the tyres regain grip by themselves
  2. Off the accelerator, clutch in, do not brake and keep steering where you want to go
  3. Brake firmly, so that you lose speed as quickly as possible and regain grip
Show the answer

Correct answer: Off the accelerator, clutch in, do not brake and keep steering where you want to go

False — braking is the wrong reflex here. The tyres are floating on the water, so braking locks the wheels and you can no longer steer; ease off, clutch in, do not brake and keep steering

Why learners get this wrong: During aquaplaning it is best to hold the steering wheel still and do nothing else, until it passes by itself.

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