Arkansas CDL — General Knowledge practice
Arkansas CDL — General Knowledge: Handling Emergencies practice test
What to do when things go wrong — brake failure, tire blowouts, skids, and stalling on railroad tracks.
Content reviewed against official driver handbooks · August 12, 2026
17 questions · pass with 14 correct. You get instant feedback and an explanation after every answer.
Study questions with answers
12 sample Handling Emergencies questions with the correct answer, a short explanation, and the official handbook reference. Read through them, then take the quiz above.
Show all 12 questions with answers
1. Besides speed, what can cause a front-wheel skid?
Correct answer: Too little tread on the front tires or too little weight on the front axle
Most front-wheel skids come from too much speed for conditions. Worn front tire tread, or cargo placed so the front axle carries too little weight, can also cause them.
Source: Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 2.19, Skid Control and Recovery
2. With the controlled braking method, what do you do when a bigger steering correction is needed?
Correct answer: Release the brakes, then reapply them as soon as you can
In controlled braking you apply the brakes firmly, short of locking the wheels, and keep steering movements small. For a bigger steering change, or if the wheels lock, let off the brakes and reapply them as soon as possible.
Source: Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 2.17, Driving Emergencies
3. The wind is blowing while you fight a small vehicle fire with an extinguisher. How should you position yourself?
Correct answer: Upwind, so the wind carries the agent to the fire
Position yourself upwind and let the wind carry the extinguisher's contents to the fire. Keep going until whatever was burning has cooled, since a fire with no visible smoke or flame can still restart.
Source: Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 2.21, Fires
4. In an emergency you must drive onto the shoulder. What helps you keep control?
Correct answer: Keeping one side's wheels on the pavement, if you can
When leaving the road, hold off braking until speed drops to about 20 mph, try to keep the wheels on one side on the paved surface, and stay on a clear shoulder until you stop.
Source: Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 2.17, Driving Emergencies
5. After a tire failure you have stopped safely, and the vehicle seemed to handle fine. What should you do?
Correct answer: Get out and check all the tires, since a failed dual may be found only by looking
Once stopped, inspect every tire even if handling seemed fine. If one tire of a dual pair fails, getting out to look may be the only way you find out.
Source: Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 2.17, Driving Emergencies
6. Your brakes fail on a downgrade and there is no escape ramp. What should you look for?
Correct answer: The least dangerous way out, such as open ground or a side road that levels off or climbs
Without a ramp, take the safest escape route available, like open ground or a side street that levels off or climbs, and do it as soon as you realize the brakes are gone; waiting only adds speed.
Source: Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 2.17, Driving Emergencies
7. You are in an accident and have a cell phone or CB. When should you call for help?
Correct answer: Before you get out of the vehicle
With a phone or CB, call for help before leaving the vehicle. Without one, protect the scene first, then call or send someone to call the police, giving the exact location.
Source: Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 2.20, Accident Procedures
8. Your hydraulic brakes fail and you use the parking brake to slow down. How should you apply it?
Correct answer: Hold the release button or lever while applying it, to control the pressure
The parking brake is separate from the hydraulic system, so it can slow the vehicle. Hold the release button or lever while applying it so you can vary the pressure and keep the wheels from locking.
Source: Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 2.17, Driving Emergencies
9. Truck tractors with air brakes must have ABS if they were built on or after what date?
Correct answer: March 1, 1997
DOT requires ABS on air-braked truck tractors built on or after March 1, 1997, on other air-brake vehicles built from March 1, 1998, and on hydraulically braked trucks and buses of 10,000 pounds GVWR or more built from March 1, 1999.
Source: Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 2.18, Antilock Braking Systems (ABS)
10. Your drive wheels start to spin on ice because you gave too much power. How do you usually stop this skid?
Correct answer: Take your foot off the accelerator, and push in the clutch if it is very slippery
Acceleration skids usually happen on ice or snow and can be stopped by easing off the accelerator. On very slick surfaces, push in the clutch so the engine doesn't keep the wheels from rolling freely.
Source: Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 2.19, Skid Control and Recovery
11. When helping an injured person at an accident scene, which step does the manual give?
Correct answer: Stop heavy bleeding with direct pressure and keep the person warm
Don't move a badly hurt person unless fire or passing traffic makes it necessary. Use direct pressure to stop heavy bleeding and keep the injured person warm.
Source: Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 2.20, Accident Procedures
12. Your vehicle starts to thump and vibrate heavily. What might this mean?
Correct answer: A tire may have gone flat, and with a rear tire this may be your only clue
Heavy thumping or vibration can signal a flat tire. When the failed tire is at the rear, that may be the only warning you get.
Source: Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 2.17, Driving Emergencies
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