Chapter 8-5: Vehicle breakdowns

The BC driver’s knowledge test features a section on “Vehicle breakdowns,” teaching drivers how to respond safely if their vehicle stops working on the road.

BC Driving Test - Chapter 8-5: Vehicle breakdowns

1 / 22

In addition to your hazard lights, what else can you use to warn other drivers of brake failure?

Your headlights

Your interior dome light

Hand signals

The horn

2 / 22

According to the text, what is the first thing you should do when a tire blows out?

Accelerate to regain control

Brake suddenly

Keep a firm grip on the steering wheel

Immediately pull off the road

3 / 22

If your engine fails on a busy freeway, what is the recommended course of action?

Get out and direct traffic around your car

Stop immediately in your lane

Pull off the road as far as possible

Try to restart the engine while moving

4 / 22

What is a likely effect of a front tire blowout, especially at high speeds?

The vehicle will be pulled in the direction of the deflated tire

The steering will become easier

The brakes will automatically engage

The vehicle will immediately start skidding sideways

5 / 22

What can a rear tire blowout cause the vehicle to do?

Start skidding

Lose all braking power

Accelerate unexpectedly

Steer to the left

6 / 22

To warn drivers behind you that you're slowing down because your hood flew up, you should:

Honk the horn continuously

Pump your brakes

Turn your headlights on and off

Wave your arm out the window

7 / 22

What action should you AVOID immediately after a tire blowout to prevent loss of steering control?

Steering in the direction you want to go

Putting on hazard lights

Easing off the accelerator

Braking suddenly

8 / 22

If your gas pedal sticks, what is a crucial step to disconnect the engine from the wheels?

Pump the gas pedal

Apply the parking brake

Shift to neutral

Turn on the hazard lights

9 / 22

If your engine fails, where should you avoid stopping if at all possible?

In a residential neighborhood

Near a service area

On the shoulder of the road

On a bridge or in a tunnel

10 / 22

What should you do if a stranger stops to help after your engine has failed?

Accept a ride from them to the nearest town

Give them your keys to try and fix the car

Ignore them and wait for police

Ask them to continue ahead and phone for you

11 / 22

What is the purpose of gearing down to the lowest gear during brake failure?

To allow the engine to help slow the vehicle down

To disengage the wheels

To make steering easier

To restart the engine

12 / 22

If turning the light switch on and off doesn't work, what is the next step during headlight failure?

Try to follow another car closely

Turn on the hazard lights

Speed up to get off the road faster

Continue driving with your parking lights

13 / 22

What is the primary danger of a hood flying up while driving?

It makes a loud noise

It obstructs your view of the road

It can damage the engine

It can cause the tires to deflate

14 / 22

What should you NOT attempt on crowded and fast-moving freeways during a breakdown?

Staying with your vehicle

Turning on your hazard lights

Doing roadside repairs

Putting an S.O.S. notice in your windshield

15 / 22

What should you do if your hood flies up while you are driving?

Accelerate to create a larger air gap

Brake as hard as possible

Immediately get out of the vehicle

Try to look through the crack below the hood or open your window

16 / 22

If your brakes fail, what is the first recommended action to regain some braking power?

Pump the brakes hard and fast

Apply the parking brake forcefully

Shift to neutral immediately

Turn off the engine

17 / 22

How should the parking brake be applied in a brake failure situation?

Only after the car has completely stopped

Gently and gradually

Hard and suddenly

In short, repeated bursts

18 / 22

What is the first step you should take if your headlights fail while driving?

Slow down and pull over immediately

Stop the car in the middle of the road

Turn on the hazard lights

Turn the light switch on and off quickly

19 / 22

What is a potential cause of a gas pedal sticking?

An open window

Low fuel level

A malfunctioning radio

A floor mat jammed beneath the pedal

20 / 22

After shifting to neutral due to a stuck gas pedal, what might you notice about steering and braking?

The brakes will lock up

They become easier

They become harder

They are not affected

21 / 22

What is described as the best prevention for an unexpected vehicle breakdown?

Having a well-maintained vehicle and doing regular checks

Driving at low speeds

Knowing how to do roadside repairs

Carrying a cellphone

22 / 22

Once you have safely stopped the car after the gas pedal was stuck, what should you do?

Leave the car and walk to the nearest service station

Turn off the engine and call for help

Try to start the engine again

Attempt to fix the pedal yourself

Your score is

Key advice includes moving the car to a safe location, turning on hazard lights, and using warning triangles to alert other drivers. The section emphasizes staying inside the vehicle if it’s unsafe to exit and calling for roadside assistance. Drivers should avoid trying to fix major issues themselves on busy roads. Understanding the correct steps during a breakdown helps keep everyone safe and is a vital part of the BC driver’s knowledge test.