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Emergencies and crashes: DMV test questions

What to do when things go wrong. Here are 44 questions like the ones on the written test, with answers and explanations.

Video lessonA Tire BlowoutWhat if a tire blows out?

44 questions with answers

  1. 1. You have a tire blowout on the highway. What do you do first?

    1. Slam on the brakes right away to stop
    2. Speed up hard to keep control of the car
    3. Steer hard onto the shoulder right away
    4. Hold the wheel firmly and ease off the gas
    Show answer

    Answer: Hold the wheel firmly and ease off the gas

    Firm grip, foot off the gas. Brake gently once the car is going straight.

  2. 2. Your brake pedal sinks to the floor and won't stop the car. What do you try first?

    1. Open the door and drag your foot
    2. Turn off the engine and pull the key
    3. Pump the brake pedal fast
    4. Shift into reverse to slow down
    Show answer

    Answer: Pump the brake pedal fast

    Pump it, kiddo. Sometimes that builds pressure back up.

  3. 3. Pumping didn't work and you still have no brakes. What else helps you stop?

    1. Downshift and ease on the parking brake
    2. Shift into neutral and let the car coast
    3. Yank the parking brake hard at full speed
    4. Turn the engine off while still moving
    Show answer

    Answer: Downshift and ease on the parking brake

    Lower gear and a slow, steady parking brake. Yank it and you might spin.

  4. 4. Your gas pedal gets stuck. What is the safest move?

    1. Reach down and pull the pedal up by hand
    2. Shift to neutral, brake, and pull over
    3. Turn off the engine and pull the key out
    4. Keep driving until the pedal comes loose
    Show answer

    Answer: Shift to neutral, brake, and pull over

    Neutral, brake, pull over. Once stopped, turn off the engine. Pull the key while moving and the steering wheel could lock.

  5. 5. Your car starts to skid. Which way do you steer?

    1. Toward the nearest curb
    2. Where you want the car to go
    3. Keep it straight and brake hard
    4. Opposite from where you want to go
    Show answer

    Answer: Where you want the car to go

    Look and steer where you want to go. Easy on the gas and brakes.

  6. 6. Your right wheels drop off the pavement onto the dirt. What do you do?

    1. Jerk the wheel to get back on the pavement
    2. Slam the brakes while in the dirt
    3. Speed up to climb back on quickly
    4. Ease off the gas and steer back gently
    Show answer

    Answer: Ease off the gas and steer back gently

    Stay calm. Slow down and ease back on. A sharp jerk causes crashes.

  7. 7. Your car stalls on the railroad tracks and a train is coming. What do you do?

    1. Stay inside and keep trying to start it
    2. Run down the tracks, away from the train
    3. Get out and move away from the tracks at an angle, toward the train
    4. Push the car off the tracks before it comes
    Show answer

    Answer: Get out and move away from the tracks at an angle, toward the train

    Get out now! Move away from the tracks at an angle, toward where the train is coming from. That way flying debris misses you.

  8. 8. You're safe, but your car is still on the tracks. Who do you call?

    1. The local DMV office
    2. A tow truck to pull it off the tracks
    3. The number on the blue crossing sign
    4. Your car insurance company first
    Show answer

    Answer: The number on the blue crossing sign

    The blue sign has the railroad's emergency number and crossing ID. Can't find it? Call 911.

  9. 9. You're in a crash. What do you do first?

    1. Move injured people even if not needed
    2. Drive off if the damage looks small and no one complains
    3. Wait for the other driver to call it in
    4. Stop, help anyone hurt, call 911 if needed
    Show answer

    Answer: Stop, help anyone hurt, call 911 if needed

    Stop and help. Then trade info and report the crash per your state's rules.

  10. 10. After a crash, what information do you exchange with the other driver?

    1. Only your phone numbers, nothing else
    2. Nothing at all, because the police handle all of it
    3. Your salary and Social Security number
    4. Name, license, insurance, and plate number
    Show answer

    Answer: Name, license, insurance, and plate number

    Name, license, insurance, and plates. No arguing or blaming at the scene.

  11. 11. If you crash and drive away without stopping, that is…

    1. Legal if nobody got hurt
    2. Fine if you're in a hurry
    3. A crime, even if the damage is small
    4. Just a small ticket
    Show answer

    Answer: A crime, even if the damage is small

    Leaving the scene is called hit-and-run, and it's a serious crime. Even for a little scratch, you stop.

  12. 12. You hit a parked car and the owner isn't around. What do you do?

    1. Snap a photo of the dent, then drive off
    2. Leave a note with your contact info
    3. Wait an hour, then just leave
    4. Drive off, nobody saw you anyway
    Show answer

    Answer: Leave a note with your contact info

    Leave a secure note with your name and contact info. Report it to police if your state requires.

  13. 13. Smoke or flames come from the engine. What do you do?

    1. Open the hood to see what's burning
    2. Keep driving until you reach a repair shop
    3. Pull over, shut off, and get far away
    4. Pour bottled water on the engine
    Show answer

    Answer: Pull over, shut off, and get far away

    Everyone out, far away, and call 911. Don't open the hood. That feeds the fire more air.

  14. 14. Your car goes into the water. What matters most?

    1. Call 911 before moving
    2. Wait inside for the car to fill up
    3. Unbuckle, open the window, and get out fast
    4. Force the door open against the water
    Show answer

    Answer: Unbuckle, open the window, and get out fast

    Belt, window, kids, out. The first few seconds are what count.

  15. 15. At night, an oncoming car flashes its headlights at you. What do you check?

    1. That none of your tires are going flat
    2. That everyone's seat belt is buckled
    3. That all your doors are fully closed
    4. Your headlights: on, and on low beam
    Show answer

    Answer: Your headlights: on, and on low beam

    You probably have your high beams on, or no lights at all. Switch to low beams.

  16. 16. Is it OK to leave a child or pet in a hot car «just for a minute»?

    1. Yes, as long as you crack a window
    2. No, it heats up dangerously in minutes
    3. Yes, if it's cloudy or parked in shade
    4. Yes, if it's for under 15 minutes
    Show answer

    Answer: No, it heats up dangerously in minutes

    Never! It heats up inside fast, even with a window cracked.

  17. 17. Your headlights suddenly go out at night. What do you do?

    1. Keep going, using other cars' lights to see
    2. Brake hard in your lane so you don't hit anything
    3. Speed up to reach a well-lit area fast
    4. Hazards on, try other lights, pull over
    Show answer

    Answer: Hazards on, try other lights, pull over

    Try your high beams and turn signals; one of them might work. Then pull over carefully.

  18. 18. Your hood flies up and blocks your view. What do you do?

    1. Look through the gap or side window, pull over
    2. Speed up so the wind slams the hood shut again
    3. Stick your head out the window and keep driving
    4. Slam on the brakes right away in your lane
    Show answer

    Answer: Look through the gap or side window, pull over

    Peek under the hood or out your side window, hazards on, and ease over to the side.

  19. 19. Your engine temperature gauge climbs into the red. What do you do?

    1. Drive faster so more air cools the engine
    2. Pull over, shut it off, and let it cool
    3. Spray cold water on the hot engine with a hose
    4. Open the radiator cap right away to check
    Show answer

    Answer: Pull over, shut it off, and let it cool

    Never open a hot radiator, kiddo. Boiling coolant shoots right out. Let it cool first.

  20. 20. Your steering wheel suddenly gets very hard to turn. What do you do?

    1. Let go of it, since it won't work anymore
    2. Turn off the engine so the system resets
    3. Steer with more force and pull over
    4. Brake hard, since you can no longer steer
    Show answer

    Answer: Steer with more force and pull over

    You lost power steering. The wheel still works, it's just heavy. Muscle it and pull over.

  21. 21. You drove through deep water and your brakes feel weak. What do you do?

    1. Pull the parking brake while still driving
    2. Slam them once, hard, to test them out
    3. Tap the brakes gently to dry them
    4. Speed up so the wind dries them out
    Show answer

    Answer: Tap the brakes gently to dry them

    Light taps and the heat dries them. Once they grab evenly again, carry on.

  22. 22. A deer jumps in front of you and you can't avoid it. What do you do?

    1. Brake firmly and stay in your lane
    2. Honk and speed up to get past it fast
    3. Head for the shoulder without slowing down
    4. Swerve hard to miss it no matter what
    Show answer

    Answer: Brake firmly and stay in your lane

    Swerving sends you into a tree or oncoming traffic. Brake firmly and stay in your lane.

  23. 23. A deer crosses the road ahead of you. What should you expect?

    1. More deer following behind it
    2. Your high beams will scare it away
    3. It's alone, since deer travel solo
    4. It will freeze until you've passed
    Show answer

    Answer: More deer following behind it

    Deer travel in groups, kiddo. If one crosses, slow down. Its cousin is right behind.

  24. 24. A crash can't be avoided. What's best to hit?

    1. A light pole, since it stops you faster
    2. An oncoming car, since it's moving
    3. Something that gives, like bushes
    4. A wall, so you stop all at once
    Show answer

    Answer: Something that gives, like bushes

    Bushes beat trees, a fence beats a wall. Whatever gives hits you softer.

  25. 25. If you can't avoid hitting a car, which crash is least bad?

    1. Swerving into oncoming lanes instead
    2. A parked car, since it isn't moving
    3. A car moving the same way you are
    4. An oncoming car, so you stop faster
    Show answer

    Answer: A car moving the same way you are

    Going the same way, the hit is softer. Head-on is the worst of the worst.

  26. 26. You're about to be hit from behind and have nowhere to go. What do you do?

    1. Release the brake so the hit pushes you forward
    2. Turn around in your seat to see how close it is
    3. Unbuckle so you can move out of the way fast
    4. Head against the headrest, foot on the brake
    Show answer

    Answer: Head against the headrest, foot on the brake

    That protects your neck and keeps you from being shoved into the car ahead.

  27. 27. Your car breaks down on the highway. Where do you put triangles or flares?

    1. Inside the car, up on the dashboard
    2. Across the road, in the opposite lanes
    3. Right in front of the car, on the hood
    4. Behind the car, to warn traffic
    Show answer

    Answer: Behind the car, to warn traffic

    Behind you, well back, so drivers see you in time. And turn on your hazards.

  28. 28. You pulled onto the freeway shoulder with a breakdown. Which side do you exit?

    1. The driver's side, always, no matter what
    2. The shoulder side, away from traffic
    3. Either side, as long as hazards are on
    4. The traffic side, since it's quicker
    Show answer

    Answer: The shoulder side, away from traffic

    Get out on the shoulder side and wait well away from passing cars.

  29. 29. Someone is injured in a crash. When do you move them?

    1. Always, to make them comfy on the sidewalk
    2. Only if there's danger, like fire or traffic
    3. Never, even if the car is on fire
    4. When it hurts, so the pain goes away
    Show answer

    Answer: Only if there's danger, like fire or traffic

    Moving them can worsen a neck or back injury. Call 911 and stay with them.

  30. 30. An injured person is bleeding a lot. What do you do until help comes?

    1. Press on the wound with a clean cloth
    2. Rinse the wound with gas from the car
    3. Give them water or food to calm them down
    4. Stand them up so they can walk a little
    Show answer

    Answer: Press on the wound with a clean cloth

    Firm pressure with something clean, and keep it there. The paramedics do the rest.

  31. 31. When must you report a crash to the police or the DMV?

    1. Never, your insurance does it for you
    2. If anyone is hurt or damage tops a set amount
    3. Only if the crash was on the freeway
    4. Only if the other driver asks you to
    Show answer

    Answer: If anyone is hurt or damage tops a set amount

    Each state sets its dollar amount and deadline. Check yours. If anyone's hurt, always.

  32. 32. You hit a dog and its owner isn't around. What do you do?

    1. Drive on, it's only an animal
    2. Wait for someone else to deal with it
    3. Put it in your car and take it home
    4. Stop and tell the owner or the police
    Show answer

    Answer: Stop and tell the owner or the police

    Many states require you to report it. Plus, it's the decent thing to do, kiddo.

  33. 33. You run out of gas on the freeway. What do you do?

    1. Walk along the left lane to find some help
    2. Stop in your lane and go get some gas
    3. Coast in neutral all the way to the next exit
    4. Pull fully off the lanes with hazards on
    Show answer

    Answer: Pull fully off the lanes with hazards on

    The moment it sputters, get to the shoulder with hazards on. Better yet, don't ride on E.

  34. 34. While driving you get a headache and feel very sleepy, and the exhaust sounds odd. What could it be?

    1. Just hunger; grab a snack and keep driving
    2. Normal tiredness; turn up the music and go on
    3. Carbon monoxide; open windows and pull over
    4. It's the A/C; just turn it up a little higher
    Show answer

    Answer: Carbon monoxide; open windows and pull over

    That gas has no smell and puts people to sleep. Fresh air, pull over, get the exhaust checked.

  35. 35. You're stuck in snow and run the engine to stay warm. What do you check?

    1. That the radio is getting good reception
    2. That the tires have their chains on
    3. That the gas tank is filled to the top
    4. That snow isn't blocking the exhaust pipe
    Show answer

    Answer: That snow isn't blocking the exhaust pipe

    A blocked tailpipe fills the car with carbon monoxide. Clear it, crack a window, run it in spurts.

  36. 36. You crash and the other driver has no insurance. What do you do?

    1. Take the plates off their car as payback
    2. Let them go, there's nothing to collect anyway
    3. Still get their info, photos, and witnesses
    4. Settle it all in cash and skip the report
    Show answer

    Answer: Still get their info, photos, and witnesses

    Info, photos, witnesses, and a report. Your uninsured motorist coverage can save you.

  37. 37. A police car is coming toward you with its lights and siren on. What do you do?

    1. Pull over to the right and stop until it passes
    2. Keep going: it's in the other lane
    3. Speed up to get out of the way fast
    4. Stop dead in the middle of the street
    Show answer

    Answer: Pull over to the right and stop until it passes

    With siren and lights on, you yield: pull over to the right and stop until it passes. Even when it's coming toward you.

  38. 38. You were about to pull out and a police car comes from the right with lights and siren. What do you do?

    1. Move into the intersection and wait there
    2. Pull out fast before it gets there
    3. Stay stopped and let it go by
    4. Go: you got there first
    Show answer

    Answer: Stay stopped and let it go by

    You always yield to an emergency vehicle with siren and lights. Stay where you are and go after it passes.

  39. 39. You're halfway through your turn and a police car with lights and siren appears ahead. Do you stop right there?

    1. Yes: stop in the middle of the intersection
    2. Speed up and don't stop
    3. Back up into your street
    4. No: finish crossing, pull over to the right and stop
    Show answer

    Answer: No: finish crossing, pull over to the right and stop

    If you're already in the intersection, don't stay there: finish crossing, pull over to the right as soon as it's safe, and stop.

  40. 40. There's a police car stopped on the side with its lights on. What do you do?

    1. Honk to let it know you're passing
    2. Slow down and give it room as you pass
    3. Stop behind it
    4. Keep going: it's not after you
    Show answer

    Answer: Slow down and give it room as you pass

    When an emergency vehicle is stopped with its lights on, you slow down and move over to give it room.

  41. 41. On the freeway one of your tires blows out and the car pulls to one side. What do you do?

    1. Hold the wheel, take your foot off the gas and brake gently
    2. Keep going to the next exit
    3. Turn quickly the other way
    4. Brake hard right away
    Show answer

    Answer: Hold the wheel, take your foot off the gas and brake gently

    If a tire blows out, don't slam on the brakes. Grip the wheel, take your foot off the gas and brake gently, going straight. Once you're slow, get off the road and turn on your hazard lights.

  42. 42. Your right tires drifted off the pavement onto the shoulder. What do you do?

    1. Brake hard right there
    2. Speed up to get back on fast
    3. Ease off the gas and steer back slowly when it's safe
    4. Jerk the wheel to get back right away
    Show answer

    Answer: Ease off the gas and steer back slowly when it's safe

    Don't slam on the brakes or jerk the wheel. Grip the wheel and take your foot off the gas. Once you've slowed down, check the traffic behind you and carefully drive back onto the pavement.

  43. 43. On the freeway a patrol car with its siren and lights is coming up behind you. What do you do?

    1. Move into the left lane
    2. Speed up so it doesn't catch you
    3. Slam on the brakes in your lane
    4. Pull over to the right when it's safe and stop
    Show answer

    Answer: Pull over to the right when it's safe and stop

    Yield to police cars, fire trucks and ambulances with sirens or flashing lights: when it's safe, signal, check and pull over to the right and stop. If you can't pull over, slow down and leave it a clear path.

  44. 44. You pulled over to let an ambulance with its siren go by. It has passed. What do you do?

    1. Pull out quickly ahead of everyone
    2. Stay stopped until you can't hear it anymore
    3. Follow right behind it to get through faster
    4. Wait, then follow far back, not close to it
    Show answer

    Answer: Wait, then follow far back, not close to it

    Once it has passed, check that no other emergency vehicle is coming and carefully pull back into traffic (signal, mirror, shoulder check). Don't follow it closely: in California it's illegal to follow within 300 feet of an emergency vehicle with its siren or lights on; in Texas, within 500 feet of an ambulance.

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