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. Because your vehicle has ABS, you can:

   Correct answer: Drive with the same care as always, since ABS only helps during hard braking

   ABS does not let you drive faster, follow closer, or brake later. It only helps you keep control during hard braking, so drive with the same care as always.

   Source: Texas CDL Handbook — Antilock Braking Systems

2. 2. How do you recover from a front-wheel skid?

   Correct answer: Ease off the accelerator, stop turning and braking so hard, and let the vehicle slow

   In a front-wheel skid the vehicle keeps going straight no matter how you steer. Ease off the accelerator and stop braking or turning so hard so the front tires can grip again, and let the vehicle slow.

   Source: Texas CDL Handbook — Front-Wheel Skids

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

   Correct answer: At the base of the fire, while staying upwind

   Aim at the base of the fire, not the top of the flames, and stay upwind. Get as close as you safely can and sweep from side to side.

   Source: Texas CDL Handbook — Using a Fire Extinguisher

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

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

   Stop accelerating (push in the clutch to let the wheels turn freely), then steer in the direction you want to go. As the vehicle straightens, counter-steer to stay on course.

   Source: Texas CDL Handbook — Recovering from a Skid

5. 5. Your vehicle has hydraulic brakes and the pedal sinks to the floor. Your first action should be to:

   Correct answer: Pump the pedal to try to build up braking pressure

   Pump the brake pedal to try to build up pressure. If that fails, use the parking or emergency brake and downshift, and look for an escape route or ramp.

   Source: Texas CDL Handbook — Brake Failure

6. 6. If a tire suddenly blows out at highway speed, you should:

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

   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: Texas CDL Handbook — Tire Failure

7. 7. If your brakes fail on a downgrade and you cannot slow down, the safest action is to:

   Correct answer: Use a runaway-truck escape ramp if one is available

   Look for an escape ramp; runaway-truck ramps are built to stop vehicles safely. If none is available, use an escape route such as an open field or side road to slow the vehicle.

   Source: Texas CDL Handbook — Brake Failure on Downgrades

8. 8. If your engine catches fire, you should:

   Correct answer: Keep the hood down and shoot the extinguisher through the grille or louvers

   Keep the hood down as much as you can, because opening it wide feeds air to the fire. Shut off the engine and shoot the extinguisher through the grille or louvers instead of throwing the hood open.

   Source: Texas CDL Handbook — Engine Fires

9. 9. Why should you never use water on a gasoline or electrical fire?

   Correct answer: Water spreads a gasoline fire and can carry a shock in an electrical fire

   Water spreads a gasoline (Class B) fire and can carry a shock in an electrical (Class C) fire. Use a fire extinguisher rated B:C or ABC on these fires instead.

   Source: Texas CDL Handbook — Types of Fires and Extinguishers

10. 10. Antilock braking systems (ABS) are designed to:

    Correct answer: Keep the wheels from locking up so you can steer while braking hard

    ABS keeps the wheels from locking up when you brake hard, so you can keep steering control. It does not necessarily shorten your stopping distance.

    Source: Texas CDL Handbook — Antilock Braking Systems

11. 11. If you suspect a fire inside a cargo trailer, you should:

    Correct answer: Keep the trailer doors closed and wait for firefighters

    Do not open the trailer doors. Opening them feeds oxygen to the fire and can make it flare up. Keep the doors closed and wait for firefighters.

    Source: Texas CDL Handbook — Fires

12. 12. When you come upon or are involved in a crash, your first steps should be to:

    Correct answer: Protect the area with flashers and warning devices, then notify authorities and help the injured

    Protect the area first: park safely, turn on your flashers, and set out warning devices so the scene does not get worse. Then notify authorities and help the injured.

    Source: Texas CDL Handbook — At the Scene of a Crash