CDL Test: Crashes and emergencies questions and answers
Every question we use, with the correct answer, an explanation and the source it comes from.
Crashes and emergencies
12 questions-
#1
In an emergency, you can almost always:
- stop faster than you can steer around an obstacle
- stop and turn to miss an obstacle in the same distance
- turn to miss an obstacle more quickly than you can stop
- avoid a crash only by braking, never by steering around it
Answer: C. Stopping is not always the safest thing to do; steering is often faster.
Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (AAMVA model), Section 2, p. 58Remember, you can almost always turn to miss an obstacle more quickly than you can stop.
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#2
When making a quick turn to avoid a crash, you should:
- brake hard while turning
- not apply the brake while turning
- shift to neutral while turning
- take your hands off the wheel
Answer: B. It is very easy to lock your wheels while turning, and then you may skid out of control.
Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (AAMVA model), Section 2, p. 58Do not apply the brake while you are turning.
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#3
An oncoming driver has drifted into your lane. Which move is best?
- Move to your right
- Move to your left
- Brake hard and stay in the lane
- Stop in the center of the road
Answer: A. If that driver realizes what happened, the natural response will be to return to his or her own lane.
Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (AAMVA model), Section 2, p. 58If an oncoming driver has drifted into your lane, a move to your right is best.
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#4
If you must drive off the road in an emergency, avoid braking until your speed has dropped to about:
- 20 mph
- 5 mph
- 35 mph
- 45 mph
Answer: A. Then brake very gently to avoid skidding on a loose surface.
Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (AAMVA model), Section 2, p. 58If possible, avoid using the brakes until your speed has dropped to about 20 mph.
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#5
If you are forced to return to the road before you can stop, you should:
- edge gradually back onto the pavement
- brake hard as the tires touch the pavement
- turn sharply enough to get right back on the road
- keep the wheel loose to let tires find the road
Answer: C. If you edge back gradually, your tires might grab unexpectedly and you could lose control.
Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (AAMVA model), Section 2, p. 58Hold the wheel tightly and turn sharply enough to get right back on the road safely. Don’t try to edge gradually back on the road.
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#6
When a tire fails, unless you are about to run into something, you should:
- stay off the brake until the vehicle has slowed down
- brake as hard as possible to stop the vehicle quickly
- shift to neutral right away and coast to the side of the road
- turn sharply to the side of the road and then slow down
Answer: A. Braking when a tire has failed could cause loss of control; then brake very gently, pull off and stop.
Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (AAMVA model), Section 2, p. 59Unless you’re about to run into something, stay off the brake until the vehicle has slowed down.
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#7
The first thing to do at a crash scene is to:
- move the injured people at once to the roadside
- keep another crash from happening in the same spot
- clean up the debris so traffic can keep moving
- take photographs of the vehicles for the insurance report
Answer: B. Protecting the area comes first, before notifying authorities and caring for the injured.
Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (AAMVA model), Section 2, p. 62The first thing to do at an crash scene is to keep another crash from happening in the same spot.
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#8
If you have a cell phone or CB at a crash, you should call for assistance:
- only after setting out triangles
- after checking everyone's injuries
- only after the police arrive
- before you get out of your vehicle
Answer: D. If you have no phone or CB, wait until the scene is protected and then phone or send someone.
Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (AAMVA model), Section 2, p. 62If you have a cell phone or CB, call for assistance before you get out of your vehicle.
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#9
At a crash, you should not move a severely injured person unless:
- the person asks to sit up
- the ambulance is delayed
- the person is lying on a shoulder
- there is danger of fire or passing traffic
Answer: D. Stop heavy bleeding with direct pressure and keep the injured person warm.
Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (AAMVA model), Section 2, p. 62Don’t move a severely injured person unless the danger of fire or passing traffic makes it necessary.
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#10
If your truck catches fire and you pull off the road, you should:
- pull into the nearest service station
- not pull into a service station
- park next to buildings for water
- park under trees for shade
Answer: B. Park in an open area away from buildings, trees, brush and other vehicles.
Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (AAMVA model), Section 2, p. 63Don’t pull into a service station!
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#11
With an engine fire, you should:
- open the hood to see the flames
- keep the engine running to cool it
- turn off the engine and avoid opening the hood
- pour water on the engine
Answer: C. Shoot foam through louvers, radiator, or from the vehicle's underside.
Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (AAMVA model), Section 2, p. 63With an engine fire, turn off the engine as soon as you can. Don’t open the hood if you can avoid it.
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#12
For a cargo fire in a van or box trailer, you should:
- open the doors to let smoke out
- keep the doors shut
- open the doors to spray water inside
- open the doors and unload quickly
Answer: B. Opening the van doors will supply the fire with oxygen and can cause it to burn very fast.
Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (AAMVA model), Section 2, p. 63For a cargo fire in a van or box trailer, keep the doors shut, especially if your cargo contains hazardous materials.