North Dakota Car / Permit practice
North Dakota Car / Permit: Handling Emergencies practice test
What to do when things go wrong — brake failure, tire blowouts, skids, and stalling on railroad tracks.
Content reviewed against official driver handbooks · August 12, 2026
14 questions · pass with 11 correct. You get instant feedback and an explanation after every answer.
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12 sample Handling Emergencies questions with the correct answer, a short explanation, and the official handbook reference. Read through them, then take the quiz above.
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1. Why must you never turn the ignition to the lock position while the vehicle is moving?
Correct answer: The steering will lock when you try to turn
Locking the ignition freezes the steering, so the wheel will not respond when you try to turn it — a far worse problem than whatever prompted the move.
Source: North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual — Equipment Failure
2. How should a driver use anti-lock brakes in a slippery-road emergency?
Correct answer: Apply steady, firm pressure and hold it
Anti-lock brakes want steady, firm pedal pressure; pumping them or easing off keeps switching the system on and off and blunts its effect.
Source: North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual — Winter Driving
3. Your car becomes stranded during a snowstorm. What does the manual tell you to do?
Correct answer: Stay with the vehicle and run the engine only for short periods
Stay with the vehicle, because most deaths happen when people wander off and get lost; crack the windows and run the engine and heater only briefly so carbon monoxide does not build up.
Source: North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual — Winter Driving
4. Your headlights fail suddenly at night. What does the manual tell you to try?
Correct answer: Use the parking lights and turn signals, then leave the roadway
Switch on the parking lights and the turn signals so you remain visible, then get off the road as soon as you have slowed enough to do it safely.
Source: North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual — Equipment Failure
5. What sound does the manual say warns of a tire going flat?
Correct answer: A thumping noise
A thumping noise is the audible warning the manual tells drivers to listen for when a tire is failing.
Source: North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual — Flat Tire or Blowouts
6. A front-wheel drive car begins to skid at a moderate speed. What does the manual recommend?
Correct answer: Accelerate slightly and steer where you want to go
With front-wheel drive at moderate speed, a slight touch of throttle plus steering toward where you want the car to go is the recommended recovery; with no room to accelerate, select neutral or push in the clutch.
Source: North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual — Skids
7. What should you do first when a tire blows out at speed?
Correct answer: Grip the wheel, hold a straight line, and lift off the accelerator
Take a firm hold of the wheel and steer straight, ease off the gas, and leave the brakes alone until the car is back under control; then move onto the shoulder as you nearly stop.
Source: North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual — Flat Tire or Blowouts
8. What is the penalty for driving onto a road that has been officially closed for hazardous conditions?
Correct answer: A $250 fine
Entering a road that authorities have closed because of hazardous conditions is illegal in North Dakota and carries a $250 fine.
Source: North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual — Winter Driving
9. The rear end of your rear-wheel drive car slides to the right. What does the manual say to do?
Correct answer: Stay off the brakes and steer right
In a rear-wheel drive skid you stay off the brakes, gradually release the accelerator, and steer toward the side the back of the car is sliding — right for a right-hand skid.
Source: North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual — Skids
10. Which way does a vehicle pull when a front tire blows out?
Correct answer: Toward the blown tire
A front blowout tugs the car toward the side that failed, while a flat at the rear sets up a back-and-forth sway.
Source: North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual — Flat Tire or Blowouts
11. Your right tires drop off the pavement edge onto the shoulder. What does the manual advise?
Correct answer: Hold the wheel, ease off the gas, and return gently once you are in control
Do not jerk back onto the pavement. Hold the wheel, come off the accelerator, avoid heavy braking, and once you are slow and steady, check behind, signal, and ease back on.
Source: North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual — Running Off the Pavement
12. Your vehicle is stuck on railroad tracks with a train approaching. What does the manual direct?
Correct answer: Leave the vehicle and walk toward the train at about a 45-degree angle away from the rails
Get out and walk toward the train, angling away from the rails at roughly 45 degrees, because wreckage is thrown along the direction the train is traveling; then call the posted emergency number and 911.
Source: North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual — Railroad Crossings
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Every North Dakota question is written from the official North Dakota driver handbook and checked against its current edition. DMV Test Free is a free, independent study resource — not affiliated with any DMV or government agency. About DMV Test Free