How Much of an Off-Road Expert Are You?

By: Ruby Scalera
Estimated Completion Time
4 min
How Much of an Off-Road Expert Are You?
Image: Shutterstock

About This Quiz

Auto enthusiasts have been going up against nature for more than a century, nearly since the very beginning of the car, and for those who love the thrill of navigating tough terrain, the feel of the wind in their hair and the exhilaration of a real race, it's not hard to see why. 

From days when there was more dirt path than road to the role of the army vehicle, to the modern-day sport and invention of the off-road machine and, even more, the consumer production of trucks and SUVs, off-roading has evolved and changed to fit the world around it. Military vehicles are produced as street-legal machines, companies like Jeep and Land Rover offer a wide inventory of exciting and capable off-road accessories just built for adventure, and off-road races from the desert to the mountains abound. Off-roading has gone from niche and specific to widespread and commercial, and with each new generation of enthusiasts, it becomes a safer, more exciting and more competitive sport. 

Whether you're a race car driver who takes muddy turns with ease or a hobbyist who loves to tinker, this quiz will put your knowledge of the off-road to the test to see if you have what it takes to be considered an off-road expert. 

Tire marks in mud
WIN-Initiative/Neleman/Stone/Getty Images
If you're fording mud, what's the first thing you should do?
Drop your tire pressure
Put your vehicle in 4WD
Turn off traction control
Select a higher gear

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Stuck in mud
Hans Neleman/Stone/Getty Images
If you could only bring a single recovery tool, what would it be?
A tow straps with fabric loops
A winch
A shovel
A snorkel

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3 off road vehicles
davingphotography/Moment/Getty Images
What does Ivan Stewart's acronym C.A.R. stand for in reference to off-roading?
Comfortable, Accurate, Relaxed
Careful, Anchored, Right turns
Constant, Angles, Rifts
Clockwise, After, Running

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Woman on top of vehicle
Brunomsbarreto/E+/Getty Images
What got you interested in off-roading?
I'm part of an off-roading family. I've followed it all my life.
I started following it when I was young and got more interested.
My friends like it and it caught my attention.
I came to it recently on TV or online.

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Pedals
Ray Lego/Photodisc/Getty Images
Do you know how to left foot brake?
Of course, it helps me maintain vehicle control.
Yes, it saves me time on the trail.
I have some experience, but I need to practice.
I've never tried to left foot brake before.

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Pickup truck
Ozgur Donmaz/Digital Vision/Getty Images
What do you consider the best truck for off-roading?
Ford F-250 Baja Boss
Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Chevrolet Colorado ZH2
Ford F-150 Raptor

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Overturned vehicle
Kypros/Moment/Getty Images
How do you respond in emergency situations?
I think calmly and rationally and find my way out.
I look at my tools and resources and use them to my advantage.
I tend to get nervous, which can be distracting.
I don't do very well in emergencies, to be honest.

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Jeep
Davin G Photography/Moment/Getty Images
Which 2020 Jeep would you most want to take off-roading?
Jeep Wrangler
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Jeep Renegade
Jeep Cherokee

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Off road race
David Bailey/Nashville/Digital Vision/Getty Images
If you could participate in any off-road race, which one would it be?
Baja 1000
Dakar Rally
Mint 400
King of the Hammers

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Off road tires
Arctic-Images/Iceland/Getty Images
How would you upgrade your off-road vehicle?
Lift the suspension
Add skid plates
Add a front grille guard
Add off-road tires

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Mechanic
GrapeImages/E+/Getty Images
Do you work on your off-road vehicle?
Absolutely—I do all the repairs and upgrades myself.
I do a lot! I will call in professional help when I need to, though.
Sometimes! There's a lot I don't know but I'm trying to learn.
I don't know enough to work on my own vehicle yet, but I'd like to!

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Motorbike
simonkr/E+/Getty Images
If you could take any bike off-roading, which would it be?
Ducati Multistrada 1260 Enduro
Yamaha Super Tenere
Honda XR650L
BMW G310GS

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Driving through mud
Peter Starman/Photographer's Choice RF/Getty Images
What do you consider the toughest off-road terrain?
Rocks
Sand
Mud and dirt
Snow

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Road trip
Jamie Kingham/Image Source/Getty Images
How far have you ever driven on a road trip?
I've driven cross-country.
I've covered a big region.
I've taken a weekend trip.
I haven't had much opportunity to travel.

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Couple in car
Plume Creative/Digital Vision/Getty Images
Would you get your friends or family interested in off-roading?
They already are! I bring them to every race!
I would love to! I think everyone will enjoy it.
I want to show them clips on TV and answers their questions!
I don't think they'd be interested.

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Dakar
Dakar via YouTube
What's your favorite Dakar winner?
MINI John Cooper Works Buggy
Toyota Hilux Dakar
Peugeot 3008 Dakar Maxi
Volkswagen Race Touareg 2

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Racing
Matthew Micah Wright/The Image Bank/Getty Images
How long do you like your off-road races?
I like the long-distance tough driving races.
I like long races, but I like to see what's going on.
I prefer rock racing.
I prefer the races quick and exciting.

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Leaning out of car
rudi_suardi/E+/Getty Images
How often do you go off-roading?
Almost every day
Every weekend
At least once a month
I've never been before, but I'm excited to try it.

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Truck crossing river
Arctic-Images/Stone/Getty Images
If you know you're going to be fording water on your off-road adventure, what do you need most?
A snorkel
A winch
Snatch Straps
Bumpers

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Driving up boulder
Karen D'Silva/Digital Vision/Getty Images
What's the most important thing for an off-roader to understand?
How to maintain traction
How to drive slowly
How to direct torque
How to winch a vehicle

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Water splashing
Jose A. Bernat Bacete/Moment/Getty Images
When fording water, where should you angle your vehicle?
Slightly upstream
Slightly downstream
Directly ahead
It doesn't matter.

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Hands on steering wheel
Klaus Vedfelt/Digital Vision/Getty Images
You can avoid whip by keeping your thumbs:
Outside the steering wheel
Inside the steering wheel
Off the shifter
On the shifter

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Tire in sand
by Tatsiana Volskaya/Moment/Getty Images
If you feel yourself sinking while driving in sand, what do you do?
Drive faster
Drive slower
Maintain speed
Drive left or right

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Splashing through mud
WIN-Initiative/Stone/Getty Images
You're stuck in the mud — what do you do?
Turn the wheel left and right
Maintain speed
Brake quickly
Accelerate faster

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Jeep fording water
PeopleImages/Royalty Free/Getty Images
How far will you drive for the perfect off-road adventure?
There's no limit!
I'd go hundreds of miles for the right trail.
I'd drive a few hours, at least.
I'd rather stay closer to home.

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Driving with dog
supersizer/E+/Getty Images
Who are you taking on your next off-road adventure?
My best friend
My significant other
A family member
I'm going alone.

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Driving on sunny day
Morsa Images/Digital Vision/Getty Images
What kind of weather do you most enjoy off-roading in?
Sunshine
Fog
Snow
Rain

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Beach camping
Justin Lewis/Stone/Getty Images
How are you celebrating a day of off-roading?
With a camping trip at my final destination
With a dip in the lake
With a night out with friends
With a good night's sleep

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Sitting in front seat
RichLegg/E+/Getty Images
Which off-road vehicle are you most excited about?
SUV
Truck
Motorcycle
ATV

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4x4 on rock
Per Breiehagen/Stone/Getty Images
What do you think off-road vehicles will have more of in the future?
Capability features
Safety features
Performance features
Technology features

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You Got: