Handling Emergencies

Study questions with answers

6 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 can a heavily loaded vehicle take a long distance to stop once the spring brakes apply on their own?

   Correct answer: The spring brakes do not act on every axle

   Spring brakes are not on all axles, so a loaded vehicle stops poorly with them alone; that is why you stop earlier while foot brakes still work.

   Source: Section 5.4.7 - Low Air Pressure

2. 2. If the low-air pressure warning activates while you are driving, you should:

   Correct answer: stop and safely park as soon as you can

   A low-air warning may mean a leak. Controlled braking only works while air remains, so stop and park while you still have foot brakes.

   Source: Section 5.4.7 - Low Air Pressure

3. 3. After you release the brakes during stab braking, the wheels can take how long to begin rolling again?

   Correct answer: Up to one second

   It can take as much as a second for the wheels to start turning; re-applying before they roll keeps the vehicle from straightening out.

   Source: Section 5.4.3 - Emergency Stops

4. 4. When using the stab braking method, you release the brakes:

   Correct answer: the moment the wheels lock up

   In stab braking you apply fully, release when the wheels lock, and re-apply fully once they start rolling again.

   Source: Section 5.4.3 - Emergency Stops

5. 5. In a vehicle without ABS, locking the front (steering) wheels during a hard stop will:

   Correct answer: cause you to lose steering control

   Without ABS, locked steering wheels mean no steering control; locked drive or trailer wheels can lead to a skid, jackknife, or spin.

   Source: Section 5.4.2 - Braking with Antilock Brakes

6. 6. When only the tractor of a combination is equipped with ABS, you should:

   Correct answer: watch the trailer and ease off the brakes if it swings out

   Tractor-only ABS keeps steering control and cuts jackknife risk, but you should still watch the trailer and let up on the brakes if it starts to swing.

   Source: Section 5.4.2 - Braking with Antilock Brakes