New Mexico Permit Test: Emergencies Practice Questions

Correct answer: Pump the brake pedal several times

Pumping the pedal can build enough pressure to stop; then use the parking brake slowly, then shift to lower gears.

Source: Be In Shape to Drive – Emergencies – Vehicle Emergencies – Brake Failure

Correct answer: Pull it on slowly and be ready to release it if you skid

Apply the parking brake slowly so the rear wheels do not lock, and release it if the vehicle starts to skid.

Source: Be In Shape to Drive – Emergencies – Vehicle Emergencies – Brake Failure

Correct answer: Hold the wheel tightly, go straight, slow gradually

Grip the wheel firmly, keep the vehicle straight, ease off the gas, brake lightly and pull off in a safe place.

Source: Be In Shape to Drive – Emergencies – Vehicle Emergencies – Tire Blowout

Correct answer: Steering will be hard, and you'll have to brake very hard

Keep a strong grip; you can still steer and the brakes still work, though both take more effort. Pull off the road.

Source: Be In Shape to Drive – Emergencies – Vehicle Emergencies – Power Failure

Correct answer: Try the headlight switch a few times

Try the switch; if that fails, use hazard flashers, turn signals or fog lights and pull off the road as soon as possible.

Source: Be In Shape to Drive – Emergencies – Vehicle Emergencies – Headlight Failure

Correct answer: Keep your eyes on the road and quickly shift to neutral

Shift to neutral quickly, pull off the road when safe, and then turn off the engine.

Source: Be In Shape to Drive – Emergencies – Vehicle Emergencies – Gas Pedal Sticks

Correct answer: Press the brake as hard as you can and hold it

With ABS, press hard and hold; the pedal may push back, but do not let up because ABS only works with the pedal down.

Source: Be In Shape to Drive – Avoiding Collisions – Stopping Quickly

Correct answer: Let up on the brake, then press again when it stops

Without ABS, brake hard without locking; if they lock, release quickly and reapply when the skid stops, repeating until stopped.

Source: Be In Shape to Drive – Avoiding Collisions – Stopping Quickly

Correct answer: Stop, turn or speed up

To avoid a collision you can stop, turn or speed up; in most cases you can turn faster than you can stop.

Source: Be In Shape to Drive – Avoiding Collisions

Correct answer: Turning

You can usually turn the vehicle quicker than you can stop it, so consider steering away.

Source: Be In Shape to Drive – Avoiding Collisions – Turning Quickly

Correct answer: Stay off the brake and steer where you want to go

Stay off the brake until the car slows, steer in the direction you want to go, and keep correcting until under control.

Source: Be In Shape to Drive – Dealing with Skids

Correct answer: Press your head against the head restraint; be ready to brake

Brace against the seat and head restraint, and be ready to brake so you are not pushed into another vehicle.

Source: Be In Shape to Drive – Protect Yourself in Collisions – Hit From the Rear

Correct answer: Turn so you take a glancing blow instead of a head-on hit

Turning the vehicle can turn a head-on crash into a glancing blow, or you may miss entirely.

Source: Be In Shape to Drive – Protect Yourself in Collisions – Hit From the Front

Correct answer: Get off the road if possible and turn on your emergency flashers

Get off the road, use flashers and flares behind the vehicle, stop where others can see you, and never stand in the roadway.

Source: Communicating – Letting Others Know You Are There (Use Emergency Signals)