General Knowledge · Section 2.17

Driving emergencies: CDL practice questions

Section 2.17 covers what to do when a crash is about to happen: steering to avoid it, stopping quickly, leaving the road, and handling brake failure and tire blowouts. These questions are part of the General Knowledge test.

Examlane has 33 questions on this chapter. Ten are below; open one to see the answer and why. The rest are in the practice tests.

Practice this chapter

1. Two vehicles are about to collide. What type of emergency is this?
1. A traffic emergency
2. A vehicle emergency
3. A road emergency
4. A cargo emergency
Answer: A. A traffic emergency
A traffic emergency means two vehicles are about to collide. A vehicle emergency means a part such as the tires or brakes has failed.
Based on: CDL manual, Section 2.17 (Georgia edition of the national model manual, read 2026-10-24). Question in our own words.
2. You are heading toward an obstacle and do not have enough room to stop. What is generally true about steering and stopping?
1. Stopping is always quicker than turning away
2. A turn can usually get you clear sooner than braking to a stop
3. Turning away takes longer than stopping on dry roads
4. Turning and stopping take about the same time
Answer: B. A turn can usually get you clear sooner than braking to a stop
A quick turn can usually clear an obstacle sooner than braking to a stop, although top-heavy vehicles may flip over.
Based on: CDL manual, Section 2.17.1 (Georgia edition of the national model manual, read 2026-10-24). Question in our own words.
3. While making a quick turn to avoid a crash, what could happen if you also press the brake pedal?
1. The vehicle will turn more sharply than you steer it
2. The tires will grip the road better in the turn
3. The wheels may lock and the vehicle may skid
4. The vehicle will straighten itself out
Answer: C. The wheels may lock and the vehicle may skid
Braking in the middle of a turn can lock the wheels, and locked wheels can send the vehicle into a skid you cannot control.
Based on: CDL manual, Section 2.17.1 (Georgia edition of the national model manual, read 2026-10-24). Question in our own words.
4. You swerved around an object in your path during an emergency. What should you be ready to do once you are past it?
1. Turn the wheel back the other way
2. Hold the wheel where it is until you stop
3. Apply the brakes hard right away
4. Let go of the wheel so the vehicle straightens
Answer: A. Turn the wheel back the other way
After you clear the obstacle you must countersteer, turning the wheel back the other way, and you need to be ready to do it quickly.
Based on: CDL manual, Section 2.17.1 (Georgia edition of the national model manual, read 2026-10-24). Question in our own words.
5. An oncoming driver drifts into your lane. Which move is usually best?
1. Steer left into the opposite lane
2. Hold your lane and brake as hard as you can
3. Stop in the middle of the road
4. Move to your right
Answer: D. Move to your right
Moving right is best because the other driver will probably steer back into his or her own lane once the mistake is noticed.
Based on: CDL manual, Section 2.17.1 (Georgia edition of the national model manual, read 2026-10-24). Question in our own words.
6. You are using stab braking and the wheels lock up, so you let off the brakes. When do you apply them fully again?
1. Right away, before the wheels start rolling
2. Only after the vehicle has come to a complete stop
3. As soon as the wheels start rolling again
4. After you have turned the wheel back to center
Answer: C. As soon as the wheels start rolling again
In stab braking you release when the wheels lock and brake fully again once they begin to roll. Braking sooner keeps the vehicle from straightening out.
Based on: CDL manual, Section 2.17.2 (Georgia edition of the national model manual, read 2026-10-24). Question in our own words.
7. Your hydraulic brake pedal feels spongy and sinks toward the floor. Which action helps slow the vehicle?
1. Shift into neutral
2. Shift to a higher gear
3. Turn the engine off
4. Downshift to a lower gear
Answer: D. Downshift to a lower gear
Putting the vehicle into a lower gear helps slow it down when hydraulic pressure has been lost.
Based on: CDL manual, Section 2.17.3 (Georgia edition of the national model manual, read 2026-10-24). Question in our own words.
8. Your brakes fail on a long downgrade and an escape ramp is nearby. What should you do?
1. Use the escape ramp
2. Keep going and rely on the engine to slow the vehicle
3. Drive past it and look for a side road
4. Stay on the highway and keep pumping the pedal
Answer: A. Use the escape ramp
If your brakes fail on a downgrade, take an escape ramp when one is available. Skipping it makes a serious crash much more likely.
Based on: CDL manual, Section 2.17.3 (Georgia edition of the national model manual, read 2026-10-24). Question in our own words.
9. Your brakes fail on a downgrade and there is no escape ramp. When should you head for the least hazardous escape route?
1. After you reach the bottom of the hill
2. As soon as you know the brakes are not working
3. After you have tried to slow down for several miles
4. Once you reach the next curve
Answer: B. As soon as you know the brakes are not working
Waiting lets the vehicle pick up speed and makes it harder to stop, so you must make your move right away.
Based on: CDL manual, Section 2.17.3 (Georgia edition of the national model manual, read 2026-10-24). Question in our own words.
10. A tire fails while you are driving, and nothing is in your path. What should you do about the brake?
1. Stay off it until the vehicle slows, then brake gently
2. Brake firmly right away to stop as soon as you possibly can
3. Pump the pedal quickly to shed speed right away
4. Pull the parking brake all the way on
Answer: A. Stay off it until the vehicle slows, then brake gently
Braking right after a tire failure can cause loss of control. Let the vehicle slow first, then brake very gently and pull off the road.
Based on: CDL manual, Section 2.17.4 (Georgia edition of the national model manual, read 2026-10-24). Question in our own words.

Read the chapter itself in your state's CDL manual, Section 2.17. Your state's manual is free: find it in the state table.

More General Knowledge chapters: Railroad crossings, Vehicle inspection, Speed and stopping distance, Managing space, Cargo weight and securement.