Handling Emergencies

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.

1. 1. What does 'controlled braking' mean during an emergency stop?

   Correct answer: Braking as hard as possible without locking the wheels

   With controlled braking you press the brakes firmly, just short of locking them up, while keeping steering inputs small.

   Source: Tennessee CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Driving Emergencies)

2. 2. With an engine fire, what should you avoid doing?

   Correct answer: Opening the hood

   Turn off the engine and avoid opening the hood if you can, since opening it feeds the fire more oxygen.

   Source: Tennessee CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Fires)

3. 3. How do you correct a drive-wheel braking skid?

   Correct answer: Stop braking and counter-steer

   Stop braking so the rear wheels roll again, then counter-steer to keep the vehicle from spinning the other way.

   Source: Tennessee CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Skid Control and Recovery)

4. 4. Why should you not apply the brakes while making a quick emergency turn?

   Correct answer: It can lock the wheels and cause a skid

   Braking during a hard turn makes it easy to lock the wheels and skid out of control.

   Source: Tennessee CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Driving Emergencies)

5. 5. When you must leave the road to avoid a collision, when should you begin braking?

   Correct answer: Not until your speed drops to about 20 mph, then brake gently

   Hold off on the brakes until you have slowed to roughly 20 mph, then brake softly so you don't skid on the loose surface.

   Source: Tennessee CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Driving Emergencies)

6. 6. What does 'heavy' steering usually indicate about a tire failure?

   Correct answer: A front tire has failed

   Steering that suddenly feels heavy is usually a clue that a front tire has blown.

   Source: Tennessee CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Driving Emergencies)

7. 7. What is 'counter-steering' in an emergency maneuver?

   Correct answer: Turning the wheel back the other way once you've cleared the hazard

   Counter-steering means turning the wheel back the other way right after you've passed the obstacle, as the second half of one steer-counter-steer action.

   Source: Tennessee CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Driving Emergencies)

8. 8. How should you return to the pavement after driving onto the shoulder?

   Correct answer: Turn sharply back on, then counter-steer immediately

   Grip the wheel firmly and cut back onto the pavement with a sharp turn, then counter-steer; do not try to ease over gradually.

   Source: Tennessee CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Driving Emergencies)

9. 9. When there is not enough room to stop, which action can usually avoid an obstacle faster?

   Correct answer: Steering (turning) to miss it

   In most cases you can turn away from an obstacle faster than you could brake to a halt, though top-heavy rigs risk tipping.

   Source: Tennessee CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Driving Emergencies)

10. 10. Immediately after a tire blows out, what should you do with the brakes?

    Correct answer: Stay off the brake until the vehicle slows down

    Stay off the brake after a blowout until the vehicle slows, because braking then could cause a loss of control.

    Source: Tennessee CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Driving Emergencies)

11. 11. Which type of fire extinguisher should not be used with water?

    Correct answer: An electrical or gasoline fire

    Never use water on an electrical fire, because it can cause a shock, or on a gasoline fire, because it spreads the flames.

    Source: Tennessee CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Fires)

12. 12. If your hydraulic brakes lose pressure and the pedal goes to the floor, what can you try?

    Correct answer: Downshift, pump the pedal, and use the parking brake while seeking an escape route

    You can downshift to slow the vehicle, pump the pedal to build pressure, and use the parking brake, while looking for an escape route.

    Source: Tennessee CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Driving Emergencies)