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. How is the 'controlled braking' emergency method performed?

   Correct answer: Brake as hard as possible without locking the wheels

   Controlled braking means squeezing the brakes as firmly as possible short of locking the wheels, while making only tiny steering corrections.

   Source: Pennsylvania CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (How to Stop Quickly and Safely)

2. 2. On which fires should you NOT use water?

   Correct answer: Electrical fires and gasoline fires

   Keep water away from electrical fires, where it can cause a shock, and from gasoline fires, where it only spreads the flames.

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

3. 3. When you do not have room to stop for an obstacle, what does the manual say about steering versus braking?

   Correct answer: You can usually steer away faster than you can stop

   In most cases you can swerve around an obstacle faster than you could brake to a halt, so steering clear can be safest when stopping room runs out.

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

4. 4. If your hydraulic brakes lose pressure and the pedal goes to the floor, which of these can help slow the vehicle?

   Correct answer: Downshifting, pumping the pedal, and using the parking brake

   Downshift, pump the brake pedal, and use the parking or emergency brake — which is separate from the hydraulic system — while looking for an escape route.

   Source: Pennsylvania CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Brake Failure)

5. 5. A B:C rated fire extinguisher is designed to work on which kinds of fires?

   Correct answer: Electrical fires and burning liquids

   The B:C type extinguisher is designed for electrical fires and burning liquids.

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

6. 6. Unless you are specially trained and equipped, what should you do about a hazardous-materials fire?

   Correct answer: Do not fight it; call for help and keep people away

   Leave hazmat fires to responders unless you are properly trained and equipped to handle them safely; otherwise call for help and keep everyone back.

   Source: Pennsylvania CDL Manual — Section 9: Hazardous Materials (Fires)

7. 7. If you lose your brakes going downhill and an escape ramp is available, what should you do?

   Correct answer: Use the escape ramp

   If your brakes fail on a downgrade and a ramp is available, take it — an escape ramp can keep a brake loss from becoming a serious crash.

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

8. 8. What is the main benefit of antilock brakes (ABS) during hard braking?

   Correct answer: It helps you keep control and steer while braking hard

   ABS helps you keep the vehicle under control and steer around an obstacle while braking; it does not necessarily shorten your stopping distance.

   Source: Pennsylvania CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (How ABS Helps You)

9. 9. What is the correct first step to recover from a drive-wheel braking skid?

   Correct answer: Release the brakes to let the wheels roll again

   Stop braking to let the rear wheels roll again and regain traction; then steer quickly in the direction you want to go and be ready to countersteer.

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

10. 10. What describes the 'stab braking' method?

    Correct answer: Apply fully, release when wheels lock, then reapply fully

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

    Source: Pennsylvania CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (How to Stop Quickly and Safely)

11. 11. If a cargo fire starts in a box trailer or van, what should you do with the doors?

    Correct answer: Keep the doors closed

    Keep the trailer doors shut, especially with hazardous cargo; opening them supplies oxygen and can make the fire burn very fast.

    Source: Pennsylvania CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Fire Fighting)

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

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

    At any accident, protect the area, notify authorities, and care for the injured.

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