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. Why should you avoid using the brakes while making a quick emergency turn?

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

   Braking during the turn makes it easy to lock the wheels, which can throw the vehicle into a skid.

   Source: Wisconsin CDL Manual, Section 2.17.1 — How to Turn Quickly and Safely

2. 2. If your hydraulic brakes lose pressure, which action can help slow the vehicle?

   Correct answer: Downshifting and using the parking brake

   Downshifting, pumping the brakes and using the separate parking or emergency brake can all help slow you down.

   Source: Wisconsin CDL Manual, Section 2.17.3 — Brake Failure

3. 3. In controlled braking, how hard do you apply the brakes?

   Correct answer: As hard as possible without locking the wheels

   Apply the brakes as firmly as you can without locking the wheels, keeping steering movements small.

   Source: Wisconsin CDL Manual, Section 2.17.2 — Controlled Braking

4. 4. What is the purpose of an escape ramp on a steep downgrade?

   Correct answer: To safely stop a runaway vehicle

   Escape ramps use a long bed of soft material, sometimes with an upgrade, to stop a runaway vehicle safely.

   Source: Wisconsin CDL Manual, Section 2.16.4 — Escape Ramps

5. 5. A B:C fire extinguisher is designed for which fires, and what should you never use on an electrical fire?

   Correct answer: Electrical and liquid fires; never use water on electrical

   A B:C extinguisher handles electrical fires and burning liquids, and you must never spray water on an electrical fire.

   Source: Wisconsin CDL Manual, Section 2.21.3 — Use the Right Fire Extinguisher

6. 6. What color is the ABS malfunction lamp used to warn of a fault?

   Correct answer: Yellow

   A yellow malfunction lamp on the instrument panel or trailer warns that the ABS may not be working.

   Source: Wisconsin CDL Manual, Section 2.18.3 — How to Know if Your Vehicle Is Equipped With ABS

7. 7. When there is not enough room to stop, what can often be done more quickly than stopping?

   Correct answer: Steering around the obstacle

   You can almost always steer around an obstacle faster than you can bring the vehicle to a complete stop.

   Source: Wisconsin CDL Manual, Section 2.17.1 — Steering to Avoid a Crash

8. 8. How is the stab braking method performed?

   Correct answer: Fully apply, release on lockup, then reapply when wheels roll

   Apply the brakes fully, release them when the wheels lock, and reapply fully once the wheels start rolling again.

   Source: Wisconsin CDL Manual, Section 2.17.2 — Stab Braking

9. 9. After you have steered around an obstacle in an emergency, what must you be ready to do?

   Correct answer: Countersteer back the other way

   Be prepared to countersteer, turning the wheel back the other way, so you regain your original path.

   Source: Wisconsin CDL Manual, Section 2.17.1 — How to Turn Quickly and Safely

10. 10. What is true about antilock brakes (ABS) and stopping distance?

    Correct answer: ABS does not necessarily shorten stopping distance

    ABS keeps the wheels from locking so you can steer, but it does not necessarily shorten your stopping distance.

    Source: Wisconsin CDL Manual, Section 2.18 — Antilock Braking Systems

11. 11. How do you stop a front-wheel skid?

    Correct answer: Let the vehicle slow down

    Because the front end slides straight, the only remedy is to let the vehicle slow down by easing off steering and braking.

    Source: Wisconsin CDL Manual, Section 2.19.3 — Front-Wheel Skids

12. 12. To correct a drive-wheel braking skid, what is the first thing you should do?

    Correct answer: Stop braking to let the wheels roll again

    Stop braking so the rear wheels can roll again, then steer where you want to go and be ready to countersteer.

    Source: Wisconsin CDL Manual, Section 2.19.2 — Correcting a Drive-Wheel Braking Skid