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. A front tire blows out at highway speed. What should you do first?

   Correct answer: Hold the wheel firmly, stay off the brake, and let the vehicle slow

   Hold the steering wheel firmly and keep the vehicle straight, stay off the brake, and let it slow on its own. Brake gently only after you have the vehicle under control, then pull off the road.

   Source: Florida CDL Handbook — Driving Emergencies

2. 2. When using a fire extinguisher on a vehicle fire, you should aim it:

   Correct answer: At the base of the fire, staying upwind, using short bursts

   Aim at the source — the base — of the fire, stand upwind so smoke and heat blow away from you, and use short bursts. A B:C-rated extinguisher works on electrical and burning-liquid fires; keep back from a fuel or tire fire.

   Source: Florida CDL Handbook — Fires

3. 3. Which of these can be a sign that one of your tires has blown out?

   Correct answer: A loud bang, heavy vibration, or the vehicle pulling to one side

   A loud bang, a sudden vibration, or the vehicle pulling to one side can all signal a blowout. Because you may not always hear it, stay alert to how the vehicle feels.

   Source: Florida CDL Handbook — Driving Emergencies

4. 4. To recover from a drive-wheel (rear) skid caused by too much acceleration, you should first:

   Correct answer: Stop accelerating and steer in the direction you want to go

   Stop accelerating (and press in the clutch to remove engine power), then steer in the direction you want the front of the vehicle to go. Be ready to countersteer as it straightens out.

   Source: Florida CDL Handbook — Skid Control and Recovery

5. 5. Which statement about ABS is TRUE?

   Correct answer: ABS does not let you drive faster or follow more closely

   ABS does not let you drive faster, follow more closely, or brake later, and it will not always shorten your stopping distance. Keep driving as carefully as you would without it.

   Source: Florida CDL Handbook — Antilock Braking Systems

6. 6. When you must quickly steer (swerve) to avoid a crash, what should you avoid doing?

   Correct answer: Braking hard at the same time you swerve

   Do not brake hard while you are swerving — braking and hard steering together can lock the wheels and cause a skid or rollover. Swerve first, then brake once you are back in control.

   Source: Florida CDL Handbook — Driving Emergencies

7. 7. What most often causes a commercial vehicle to skid?

   Correct answer: Driving too fast, over-braking, over-steering, or over-accelerating

   Skids usually come from driving too fast for conditions, braking too hard, steering too sharply, or too much acceleration. Smooth inputs and a safe speed are the best prevention.

   Source: Florida CDL Handbook — Skid Control and Recovery

8. 8. Your brakes have failed on a long downgrade and you see an escape ramp ahead. What should you do?

   Correct answer: Use the escape ramp to stop the vehicle

   Escape ramps are built to stop runaway vehicles safely. If your brakes fail on a downgrade, use the ramp — it will stop you far more safely than trying to ride it out on the road.

   Source: Florida CDL Handbook — Driving Emergencies

9. 9. In many emergencies, why can steering around an obstacle be better than hard braking?

   Correct answer: Because you can often steer around a hazard faster than you can stop for it

   A vehicle can usually change direction faster than it can stop, so steering around a hazard may avoid a crash you could not brake in time to prevent. Keep a firm grip and do not over-steer.

   Source: Florida CDL Handbook — Driving Emergencies

10. 10. If your vehicle starts to hydroplane on a wet road, you should:

    Correct answer: Ease off the accelerator, keep the wheel straight, and avoid hard braking until the tires grip again

    In hydroplaning, the tires ride on a film of water and lose contact with the road. Take your foot off the accelerator, hold the wheel straight, and do not brake hard; as you slow, the tires regain traction.

    Source: Florida CDL Handbook — Skid Control and Recovery

11. 11. If there is a fire inside a cargo trailer, why should you usually NOT open the trailer doors?

    Correct answer: Opening the doors lets in oxygen and can make the fire flare up

    Opening the doors feeds oxygen to the fire and can make it flare up in your face. Keep the doors closed, use an extinguisher where you safely can, and get help — after pulling off the road, away from others.

    Source: Florida CDL Handbook — Fires

12. 12. At the scene of a crash, what is generally the right way to help an injured person?

    Correct answer: Avoid moving them unless there is danger, and stop serious bleeding

    Unless there is danger such as fire, do not move a seriously injured person — moving them can make an injury worse. Keep them calm and warm, stop heavy bleeding, and wait for trained help.

    Source: Florida CDL Handbook — Accident Procedures