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South Dakota Permit Test: Emergencies Practice Questions
Skids, breakdowns, brake failure and what to do after a problem.
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Question 1
How do you use anti-lock brakes (ABS) in an emergency stop?
Pump the pedal quickly to stop a skid
Press hard and keep steady pressure
Press lightly and then release it again
Use only the parking brake to stop the car
Correct answer: Press hard and keep steady pressure
Press the brake pedal as hard as you can and keep pressure; vibration and clicking are normal, and you can still steer.
Source: Emergency Situations and Avoiding Crashes
Question 2
Your vehicle begins to skid. What should you do?
Slam on the brakes and hold them down firmly
Turn the wheel sharply in the opposite direction
Shift into park immediately to stop the slide
Release brake or gas; look where you want to go
Correct answer: Release brake or gas; look where you want to go
If the vehicle begins to skid, release pressure from the brake or accelerator and look where you want to go.
Source: Emergency Situations and Avoiding Crashes
Question 3
Your wheels drop off the pavement edge. What should you avoid?
Panic-steering right back onto the pavement
Slowing down gradually before you return
Checking traffic before returning to the lane
Gripping the steering wheel firmly with both hands
Correct answer: Panic-steering right back onto the pavement
Avoid panic steering; slow down gradually and turn back onto the pavement when safe.
Source: Emergency Situations and Avoiding Crashes
Question 4
Your brakes stop working while driving. What should you try first?
Turn the engine off immediately
Apply the parking brake slowly
Shift into reverse
Open the door
Correct answer: Apply the parking brake slowly
Use the parking brake slowly so you do not lock the rear wheels; if that fails, turn off the engine and find a safe place to stop.
Source: Vehicle Malfunctions
Question 5
A tire blows out. What should you do?
Brake hard so the car stops as soon as possible
Grip the wheel, go straight, ease off; don’t brake
Steer sharply toward the shoulder right away
Speed up slightly to keep the car under control
Correct answer: Grip the wheel, go straight, ease off; don’t brake
Grip the wheel firmly, keep going straight, take your foot off the gas, and do not brake (or brake gently if needed).
Source: Vehicle Malfunctions
Question 6
A front tire blows out. Which way will the car pull?
Away from the blowout
It will not pull at all
Always toward the center line of the road
Toward the side of the blowout
Correct answer: Toward the side of the blowout
If a front tire blows out, the vehicle will pull sharply in the direction of the blowout.
Source: Vehicle Malfunctions
Question 7
Your engine shuts off while driving. What should you do?
Brake as hard as possible right away to stop
Grip firmly, brake steadily, and pull off the road
Let go of the wheel and let the car coast
Turn the key to lock so the car stops faster
Correct answer: Grip firmly, brake steadily, and pull off the road
Keep a strong grip (steering is harder but works), brake with steady pressure, and pull off the roadway.
Source: Vehicle Malfunctions
Question 8
Your accelerator is stuck and the car is speeding up. What should you do?
Pump the gas pedal until it comes back up
Turn the key to lock to stop the engine
Open the door and jump out of the vehicle
Turn off the engine and shift to neutral
Correct answer: Turn off the engine and shift to neutral
Turn off the engine, shift to neutral, look for an escape path, steer smoothly, brake gently, and pull off the road.
Source: Vehicle Malfunctions
Question 9
How far behind a broken-down vehicle should you place emergency flares?
About 10 to 20 feet
About 50 feet
About one mile
About 200 to 300 feet
Correct answer: About 200 to 300 feet
Place emergency flares about 200 to 300 feet behind the vehicle so others have time to change lanes.
Source: Vehicle Malfunctions
Question 10
Your headlights suddenly go out. What should you try first?
Turn on the interior dome light instead
Speed up so you can get home sooner
Try the headlight switch a few times
Stop where you are in the traffic lane
Correct answer: Try the headlight switch a few times
Try the headlight switch a few times; if that fails, use flashers, turn signals or fog lights and pull off the road.
Source: Vehicle Malfunctions
Question 11
You are about to be hit from the rear. What should you do?
Lean forward toward the wheel to brace for impact
Unbuckle your belt so you can get out quickly
Turn around in your seat to see what is coming
Press back against the seat and head restraint
Correct answer: Press back against the seat and head restraint
If hit from the rear, press against the back of the seat with your head against the head restraint, and be ready to brake.
Source: Emergency Situations and Avoiding Crashes
Question 12
A head-on collision seems unavoidable. What should you try to do?
Brake and hit it squarely
Turn so you take a glancing blow
Close your eyes and let go
Unbuckle to jump clear
Correct answer: Turn so you take a glancing blow
If you are about to be hit from the front, try to turn the vehicle so you take a glancing blow rather than a head-on hit.
Source: Emergency Situations and Avoiding Crashes
Question 13
Your vehicle breaks down. Where should you wait?
In the traffic lane behind your car
Off the road, away from traffic
Inside the car on the travel lane
On the center line to wave cars
Correct answer: Off the road, away from traffic
Get the vehicle off the road if possible and stand off the road where you are safe; never stand in the roadway.
Source: Emergency Situations and Avoiding Crashes
Question 14
How can you signal that you need help when broken down?
Leave your high beams flashing at oncoming traffic
Sit on the roof of the car so drivers see you
Park the car across both lanes to stop traffic
Raise the hood or tie a white cloth to the mirror
Correct answer: Raise the hood or tie a white cloth to the mirror
Raise the hood or tie a white cloth to the antenna, side mirror, or door handle to signal an emergency.
Source: Emergency Situations and Avoiding Crashes
Question 15
Something is blocking the railroad tracks at a crossing. What is the best way to alert the railroad?
Wait for a train to come and wave it down
Drive onto the tracks and push the object off
Call the ENS number and give the DOT number
Call the nearest DMV office to report it
Correct answer: Call the ENS number and give the DOT number
The ENS number and the crossing’s DOT number let dispatchers locate the crossing and stop or slow trains.
Source: Railroad Crossing Warning Signs & ENS
All South Dakota practice
Other topics
Signals & Pavement Markings
Right-of-Way
Speed Limits
Turning
Lanes & Passing
Parking
Alcohol & Drugs
Safe Driving
Sharing the Road
Licensing
Insurance & Collisions
Teen & Provisional Drivers
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