Texas Car / Permit practice question · Handling Emergencies
If your brakes suddenly fail, one recommended action is to:
Answer choices
- apply the parking brake carefully and shift to a lower gear— Correct answer
- switch off the engine right away to stop faster
- steer into oncoming traffic to scrub off speed
- pull the hood release to stall the engine
Why this is the answer
If your brakes fail, do not panic: use the parking brake and shift to a lower gear. Apply the parking brake cautiously, because doing it abruptly can lock the brakes and throw the car into a skid. The handbook does not recommend turning off the engine, steering into oncoming traffic, or any other drastic step to stop.
Source: Texas Driver Handbook — Handling Emergencies
Content reviewed against official driver handbooks · August 12, 2026
More Handling Emergencies questions
- A car is stuck on the tracks at a railroad crossing. The blue-and-white sign posted at the crossing is there so that you can:
- If the back of your vehicle begins to skid, you should ease off the gas and:
- You are stopped with a breakdown after dark. Along with your taillights and emergency flashers, you should:
- Your vehicle is disabled on the shoulder and you have no white cloth to tie to the antenna or a door handle. What else signals that you need help?
- Your car quits and you cannot get it off the traveled part of the road. What comes first?