Colorado CDL Practice Test

What happens to tires during hydroplaning?

1. Tires lose contact with the road and have little or no traction

2. Tires gain extra traction on wet roads

3. Tires become excessively warm

4. Tires increase in pressure

The correct answer is: Tires lose contact with the road and have little or no traction

When a vehicle hydroplanes, tires lose contact with the road surface due to a layer of water that forms between the tires and the road. This loss of contact results in little or no traction, significantly impairing the driver’s ability to steer, brake, or control the vehicle. Hydroplaning occurs when the water on the road exceeds the tires' ability to channel it away, causing the tires to skim over the water rather than grip the road. This situation can lead to dangerous driving conditions, making it crucial for drivers to reduce speed during wet weather to minimize the risk of hydroplaning. Other options, such as gaining traction or increasing pressure, do not accurately represent the consequences of hydroplaning.