Emergencies and Compliance FAQ - Common Questions Answered

Quick answers to commonly tested questions from Sections 2.17-2.23 covering emergency procedures, ABS, skid recovery, fires, alcohol/drug rules, and hazmat basics.

Emergency Steering Questions

Q: Is steering or stopping faster in an emergency?

A: Steering is usually faster. You can almost always turn to miss an obstacle more quickly than you can stop. Exception: top-heavy vehicles or tractors with multiple trailers may flip over.

Q: Should you brake while making an emergency turn?

A: No. Braking while turning can lock wheels and cause a skid. Steer first, then brake after clearing the obstacle.

Q: What is counter-steering?

A: Turning the wheel back in the opposite direction after clearing an obstacle. The vehicle tends to keep turning, so you must counter-steer to straighten out. Think of steering and counter-steering as one motion.

Q: Which direction should you steer if blocked on both sides?

A: Right. At least you won't force anyone into oncoming traffic and risk a head-on collision.

Q: How should you return to the road after leaving it?

A: Turn sharply to get back on—don't edge gradually. Edging back can cause tires to grab unexpectedly. Counter-steer immediately when front tires hit pavement.

Emergency Braking Questions

Q: What is controlled braking?

A: Applying brakes as hard as possible without locking wheels, keeping steering movements very small. If wheels lock or you need to steer more, release and reapply brakes.

Q: What is stab braking?

A: Applying brakes fully, releasing when wheels lock, waiting for wheels to start rolling (up to 1 second), then reapplying fully. Repeat as needed.

Q: Why shouldn't you jam the brakes in an emergency?

A: Jamming brakes locks the wheels, causing a skid. Locked wheels mean you can't control the vehicle.

Brake Failure Questions

Q: What are the two main causes of brake failure?

A: (1) Loss of hydraulic pressure (pedal feels spongy or goes to floor), and (2) Brake fade from overuse on long hills.

Q: What should you do first if brakes fail?

A: Downshift to a lower gear for engine braking. Then pump the brakes, use the parking brake, and look for an escape route.

Q: How do you use the parking brake during brake failure?

A: Apply while holding the release button or lever. This lets you adjust pressure and prevent wheel lockup.

Q: What should you do if brakes fail on a downgrade?

A: Use an escape ramp if available—they save lives. Otherwise, look for an uphill road, open field, or side road. Act immediately—waiting makes it worse.

Tire Failure Questions

Q: What are signs of a tire blowout?

A: Loud bang (blowout), heavy vibration or thumping (flat tire), heavy steering (front tire), fishtailing (rear tire).

Q: Should you brake immediately after a tire failure?

A: No. Stay off the brake until the vehicle slows down. Braking can cause loss of control. Then brake gently, pull off, and check ALL tires.

Q: Why check all tires after a tire failure?

A: A dual tire failure may not be obvious while driving—the only way to know is to get out and look.

ABS Questions

Q: What does ABS do?

A: Antilock Braking Systems prevent wheel lockup during hard braking. This helps you maintain steering control and avoid skids caused by over-braking.

Q: Does ABS shorten stopping distance?

A: Not necessarily. ABS helps maintain control, but may not reduce stopping distance.

Q: How do you brake with ABS?

A: Brake normally. ABS only activates when wheels are about to lock. If ABS is on all axles, you can fully apply brakes in an emergency.

Q: How do you know if your vehicle has ABS?

A: Look for a yellow ABS malfunction lamp on the dash. It should come on at startup and then go out. On trailers, the lamp is on the left side.

Q: What does it mean if the ABS light stays on?

A: ABS is not working on one or more wheels. You still have regular brakes. Drive normally but get the system serviced soon.

Q: What does ABS NOT do?

A: ABS won't: let you drive faster, let you follow closer, prevent power or turning skids, shorten stopping distance, or replace good brakes/maintenance.

Skid Questions

Q: What are the four causes of skids?

A: (1) Over-braking (locking wheels), (2) Over-steering (turning too sharply), (3) Over-acceleration (spinning wheels), (4) Driving too fast (most common).

Q: What is a drive-wheel (rear-wheel) skid?

A: The most common skid—rear wheels lock and slide sideways. In tractor-trailers, this can cause a jackknife.

Q: How do you recover from a rear-wheel skid?

A: (1) Stop braking to let rear wheels roll again, (2) Counter-steer (turn toward the direction the rear is sliding), (3) Be ready to counter-steer again as vehicle straightens.

Q: What is a front-wheel skid?

A: Front wheels lose traction and the vehicle goes straight regardless of steering. Usually caused by driving too fast or lack of front tire tread.

Q: How do you recover from a front-wheel skid?

A: Let the vehicle slow down—it's the only way to regain traction. Stop turning and braking so hard. You cannot steer out of a front-wheel skid.

Fire Questions

Q: What type of fire extinguisher do commercial vehicles need?

A: Minimum B:C type (for electrical fires and burning liquids). A:B:C type also covers wood, paper, and cloth fires.

Q: What fires can a B:C extinguisher put out?

A: B = burning liquids (gasoline, oil, grease). C = electrical fires. It is NOT effective on Class A fires (wood, paper, cloth).

Q: Should you use water on an electrical fire?

A: No. Water conducts electricity and can cause shock. Use B:C or A:B:C dry chemical extinguisher.

Q: Should you use water on a gasoline fire?

A: No. Water spreads gasoline flames. Use B:C or A:B:C dry chemical extinguisher.

Q: Where should you aim a fire extinguisher?

A: At the base of the fire, not up in the flames. Position yourself upwind so the extinguisher spray goes toward the fire.

Q: What should you do for an engine fire?

A: Turn off engine, don't open the hood if possible (oxygen feeds fire), shoot foam through louvers or from underneath.

Alcohol Questions

Q: What is the BAC limit for CDL drivers?

A: 0.04%—half the limit for regular drivers (0.08%).

Q: Do different types of alcohol have different effects?

A: No. These all contain the same amount of alcohol: 12 oz beer, 5 oz wine, 1.5 oz shot of 80-proof liquor.

Q: What can sober you up faster?

A: Nothing but time. Coffee, cold showers, fresh air, and exercise do NOT help. The liver processes only about 1/3 oz of alcohol per hour.

Q: What part of the brain does alcohol affect first?

A: Judgment and self-control. This is dangerous because impaired people don't realize they're impaired.

Drug Questions

Q: Can you take prescription drugs while driving?

A: Only if the doctor says it won't affect safe driving ability. Pay attention to warning labels.

Q: Can over-the-counter drugs affect driving?

A: Yes. Cold medicines and antihistamines can cause drowsiness and affect driving ability.

Q: Should you use drugs to stay awake while driving?

A: No. The only cure for fatigue is rest. Drugs that hide fatigue are dangerous.

Hazmat Questions

Q: Do you need a hazmat endorsement for all hazardous cargo?

A: Only for placarded vehicles. If the cargo doesn't require placards, you don't need the endorsement.

Q: What are placards?

A: Diamond-shaped warning signs on vehicles identifying hazardous cargo. Must have at least 4 identical placards (front, rear, both sides).

Q: Where must hazmat shipping papers be kept?

A: In the driver's door pouch, OR in clear view within reach while driving, OR on the driver's seat when out of the vehicle.

Q: What happens if you drive a placarded vehicle without hazmat endorsement?

A: It's a crime. You'll be cited, can't drive the truck, and risk lives if there's an accident because emergency responders won't know about hazardous cargo.

Key Numbers Summary

Ready to test your knowledge? Start practicing with our Emergency Procedures questions.