Minnesota · Speed Limits · Question 7 of 8
When driving downhill, you should:
- A. Coast in neutral to save fuel
- B. Shift to a lower gear and avoid riding the brakes Correct answer
- C. Apply the brakes continuously to control speed
- D. Turn off the engine if the hill is steep
Why this is the right answer
Coasting in neutral is illegal in most states. Use a lower gear to let engine compression hold your speed and avoid overheating the brakes from continuous use.
How this question shows up on the Minnesota permit test
Questions in the speed limits category are common on the Minnesota learner permit exam. The exam tests your knowledge of the Minnesota Driver Handbook, and topics like this one show up in multiple forms: sometimes as a direct rule, sometimes as a real-world scenario, and sometimes as a "which of the following is NOT correct" question, which trips up readers who skim. Read every choice carefully and watch for the words "always," "never," and "only."
If you missed this question, do not just memorize the answer — re-read the explanation and try to put the rule in your own words. Study research consistently shows that explaining a rule out loud locks it in much better than rereading the same text.
For a deeper walkthrough of speed limits on the permit test, read our complete guide to Speed Limits.