Vermont CDL — General Knowledge practice
Vermont 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
12 questions · pass with 10 correct. You get instant feedback and an explanation after every answer.
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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.
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1. By the manual's class-of-fire chart, which pairing of fire class and method is NOT correct?
Correct answer: Class D (combustible metals): plain water
Class D fires, in combustible metals, are put out with specialized extinguishing powders. The other three pairings match the chart.
Source: Vermont Commercial Driver's Manual — Section 2.21.3, Fire Fighting
2. The hand-held phone restriction has an emergency exception. Does the manual give a similar exception for texting?
Correct answer: Yes; texting is allowed when needed to reach police or other emergency services
The texting rule has its own emergency exception: a driver may text if it is necessary in order to reach police or other emergency services.
Source: Vermont Commercial Driver's Manual — Section 2.9.5, Texting
3. Your hydraulic brakes will not build pressure. Which of these is NOT among the things the manual says you can do?
Correct answer: Shift to neutral and coast until the vehicle slows
The manual's steps are to downshift, pump the brakes, use the parking brake while holding its release, and look for an escape route. Going to neutral would throw away engine braking.
Source: Vermont Commercial Driver's Manual — Section 2.17.3, Brake Failure
4. As part of the fire prevention vehicle inspection, what does the manual say to check about the fire extinguisher?
Correct answer: That it is charged
The inspection covers the electrical, fuel and exhaust systems, the tires and the cargo, and it ends with making sure the extinguisher is charged.
Source: Vermont Commercial Driver's Manual — Section 2.21.2, Fire Prevention
5. Which of these is NOT one of the manual's points for making a quick evasive turn safely?
Correct answer: Shift to neutral before you start the turn
The points are: do not brake while turning, do not turn more than needed to clear the obstacle, and be prepared to counter-steer. Shifting is not part of the maneuver.
Source: Vermont Commercial Driver's Manual — Section 2.17.1, Steering to Avoid a Crash
6. The fire prevention list tells you to follow correct safety procedures for certain activities that can cause a fire. Which activities does it name?
Correct answer: Fueling the vehicle, using brakes and handling flares
The list names fueling the vehicle, using the brakes and handling flares, along with other activities that can start a fire.
Source: Vermont Commercial Driver's Manual — Section 2.21.2, Fire Prevention
7. How do the manual's two emergency braking methods differ?
Correct answer: Controlled braking stays just short of lockup; stab braking brakes fully, releases at lockup and reapplies
With controlled braking you brake as hard as possible short of locking the wheels. With stab braking you apply the brakes all the way, let go when the wheels lock, and put them fully on again once the wheels start rolling.
Source: Vermont Commercial Driver's Manual — Section 2.17.2, How to Stop Quickly and Safely
8. A Vermont driver's only interstate driving is responding to pipeline emergencies such as leaks or ruptures. Under the manual's self-certification rules, does this driver have to hold a federal Medical Examiner's Certificate?
Correct answer: No; that is an excepted interstate activity
Responding to a pipeline emergency is on the list of excepted interstate activities. A driver whose only interstate operation is on that list operates in Excepted Interstate Commerce and does not need the federal certificate.
Source: Vermont Commercial Driver's Manual — Commercial Driver's License Medical Self-Certification
9. Which pairing of vehicle type and ABS-required build date does NOT match the manual?
Correct answer: Converter dollies: on or after March 1, 1995
Converter dollies are grouped with the other air brake vehicles (trucks, buses and trailers), which need ABS when built on or after March 1, 1998.
Source: Vermont Commercial Driver's Manual — Section 2.18.2, Vehicles Required to Have Antilock Braking Systems
10. As part of fire prevention, what does the manual tell you to monitor while driving?
Correct answer: Gauges for overheating, and mirrors for smoke from the tires or vehicle
Keep an eye on gauges and instruments for any sign of overheating. The mirrors are for spotting smoke from the tires or the vehicle.
Source: Vermont Commercial Driver's Manual — Section 2.21.2, Fire Prevention
11. Which of these does Vermont's manual list among the authorized emergency vehicles whose operators are exempt from CDL requirements?
Correct answer: A public or private ambulance
The exemption covers emergency vehicles that are authorized: those of law enforcement and fire departments, public or private ambulances, and volunteer rescue squads.
Source: Vermont Commercial Driver's Manual — Commercial Driver's License Exemptions
12. An emergency forces you off the road at highway speed. Which of these is NOT one of the manual's guidelines?
Correct answer: Brake hard at once to scrub off speed on the loose surface
Stay off the brakes until you are down to roughly 20 mph, and then brake very gently. Keep the wheels on one side on the pavement where you can, and stay on a clear shoulder until the vehicle stops.
Source: Vermont Commercial Driver's Manual — Section 2.17.1, Steering to Avoid a Crash
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