Theory Mastery

Releasing the seat belt as step 2 (car in the water)

When a car ends up in the water, releasing the seat belt is step 2: first open the window (while that is still possible), then release the belt as fast as you can, then free the children and climb out through the window. The doors usually will not open because of the water pressure.

Source: RVV 1990 art. 31 · checked 2026-10-23

How the exam asks it

About Car in water — the complete escape sequence: which statement is WRONG?

  1. Do not try to smash the windscreen, it is extra strong and therefore almost unbreakable.
  2. If the side window fails, wait until the car has mostly sunk; then the pressure inside and outside is equal and the door opens by itself.
  3. Swim away facing the car at first; only once at a safe distance from the vehicle do you turn around.
  4. If your car ends up in the water, the very first thing you do is undo your seatbelt.
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Correct answer: If your car ends up in the water, the very first thing you do is undo your seatbelt.

Step 1 is lights on: switch on interior and exterior lights for orientation and visibility to rescuers. Only step 2 is the seatbelt

Why learners get this wrong: In a car in water, you are best off smashing the windscreen — it is the biggest and easiest to reach.

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About Car in water — the complete escape sequence: which statements are correct? (multiple answers possible)

  1. If the side window fails, wait until the car has mostly sunk; then the pressure inside and outside is equal and the door opens by itself.
  2. If your car ends up in the water, you always wait until it has sunk completely before trying anything.
  3. Once you have escaped from the car, you had best stay in the water right by the car so the rescuers find you quickly.
  4. Step 1 is lights on: switch on interior and exterior lights for orientation and visibility to rescuers.
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Correct answer: If the side window fails, wait until the car has mostly sunk; then the pressure inside and outside is equal and the door opens by itself.; Step 1 is lights on: switch on interior and exterior lights for orientation and visibility to rescuers.

The book makes waiting conditional: only if the side window does not work. Trying to open or break it first is step 3, not waiting straight away

Why learners get this wrong: If your car ends up in the water, you always wait until it has sunk completely before trying anything.

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About Car in water — the complete escape sequence: which statement is WRONG?

  1. Step 1 is lights on: switch on interior and exterior lights for orientation and visibility to rescuers.
  2. If the side window fails, wait until the car has mostly sunk; then the pressure inside and outside is equal and the door opens by itself.
  3. As soon as you are out of the car, you immediately turn around and swim straight for the shore.
  4. Do not try to smash the windscreen, it is extra strong and therefore almost unbreakable.
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Correct answer: As soon as you are out of the car, you immediately turn around and swim straight for the shore.

Swim away facing the car at first; only once at a safe distance from the vehicle do you turn around

Why learners get this wrong: If your car ends up in the water, the very first thing you do is undo your seatbelt.

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Swim away facing the car at first; only once at a safe distance from the vehicle do you turn around.

  1. False
  2. True
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Correct answer: True

Swim away facing the car at first; only once at a safe distance from the vehicle do you turn around

Why learners get this wrong: As soon as you are out of the car, you immediately turn around and swim straight for the shore.

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Your car ends up in the water by a canal in Heerenveen. Put the four steps in the correct order, from first to last.

Answer options: Exit the car, facing it · Lights on · Open or shatter the side window · Seatbelt off

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Correct answer: Lights on; Seatbelt off; Open or shatter the side window; Exit the car, facing it

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