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 is the first thing to do at an accident scene to keep another crash from happening?

   Correct answer: Protect the area with flashers and warning triangles

   Protect the area first: get your vehicle to the side if possible, put on your flashers, and set out reflective triangles to warn other traffic.

   Source: Minnesota CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Protect the Area)

2. 2. In an emergency when there is not enough room to stop, what is often the better choice than braking?

   Correct answer: Steering around the obstacle

   You can almost always turn to miss an obstacle more quickly than you can stop, so steering away is often the safer action.

   Source: Minnesota CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Steering to Avoid a Crash)

3. 3. If your hydraulic brakes lose pressure and the pedal goes to the floor, what is one action you can take?

   Correct answer: Downshift to help slow the vehicle

   You can downshift to a lower gear to help slow the vehicle, pump the brakes to build pressure, and use the parking brake, while looking for an escape route.

   Source: Minnesota CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Loss of Hydraulic Pressure)

4. 4. When fighting a vehicle fire with an extinguisher, where should you aim?

   Correct answer: At the source or base of the fire

   Aim at the source or base of the fire, not up into the flames, and stay as far away as possible.

   Source: Minnesota CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Extinguish the Fire)

5. 5. During the stab braking method, when do you release the brakes?

   Correct answer: When the wheels lock up

   In stab braking you apply the brakes fully, then release them when the wheels lock up, and reapply once the wheels start rolling again.

   Source: Minnesota CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Stab Braking)

6. 6. What are the three basic steps to take at any accident scene?

   Correct answer: Protect the area, notify authorities, and care for the injured

   The basic steps at an accident are to protect the area, notify authorities, and care for the injured.

   Source: Minnesota CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Accident Procedures)

7. 7. Why should you avoid braking while making a quick emergency turn?

   Correct answer: You may lock the wheels and skid out of control

   It is very easy to lock your wheels while turning, and locked wheels can make you skid out of control.

   Source: Minnesota CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (How to Turn Quickly and Safely)

8. 8. When driving through deep standing water, how can wet brakes affect the vehicle?

   Correct answer: Wet brakes can be weak, grab, or pull to one side

   Water in the brakes can make them weak, apply unevenly, or grab, causing loss of braking power, wheel lockups, pulling to one side, or a jackknife.

   Source: Minnesota CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Wet Brakes)

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

   Correct answer: Let the vehicle slow by easing off turning and braking

   The only way to stop a front-wheel skid is to let the vehicle slow down by stopping hard turning or braking, since the front end goes straight regardless of steering.

   Source: Minnesota CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Front-wheel Skids)

10. 10. Which type of fire extinguisher should NOT be used on an electrical fire?

    Correct answer: Water

    Do not use water on an electrical fire because it can cause shock; a B:C or A:B:C extinguisher works on electrical fires.

    Source: Minnesota CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Use the Right Fire Extinguisher)

11. 11. What is the first step in correcting a drive-wheel braking skid?

    Correct answer: Stop braking to let the wheels roll again

    Stop braking so the rear wheels can roll again and stop sliding, then counter-steer to keep from skidding the other way.

    Source: Minnesota CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Correcting a Drive-wheel Braking Skid)

12. 12. If your brakes fail on a long downgrade and an escape ramp is available, what should you do?

    Correct answer: Use the escape ramp

    Use the escape ramp; drivers who lose their brakes going downhill should use an escape ramp if one is available, or the ramp risk is far lower than continuing.

    Source: Minnesota CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Brake Failure on Downgrades)