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

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

Ask them to continue ahead and phone for you

Give them your keys to try and fix the car

Accept a ride from them to the nearest town

Ignore them and wait for police

2 / 22

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

Pump the brakes hard and fast

Shift to neutral immediately

Apply the parking brake forcefully

Turn off the engine

3 / 22

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

Driving at low speeds

Having a well-maintained vehicle and doing regular checks

Knowing how to do roadside repairs

Carrying a cellphone

4 / 22

What is a potential cause of a gas pedal sticking?

Low fuel level

A floor mat jammed beneath the pedal

A malfunctioning radio

An open window

5 / 22

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

It can damage the engine

It can cause the tires to deflate

It makes a loud noise

It obstructs your view of the road

6 / 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

7 / 22

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

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

Accelerate to create a larger air gap

Brake as hard as possible

Immediately get out of the vehicle

8 / 22

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

Turning on your hazard lights

Staying with your vehicle

Doing roadside repairs

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

9 / 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 make steering easier

To disengage the wheels

To restart the engine

10 / 22

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

Pump your brakes

Turn your headlights on and off

Honk the horn continuously

Wave your arm out the window

11 / 22

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

Get out and direct traffic around your car

Try to restart the engine while moving

Stop immediately in your lane

Pull off the road as far as possible

12 / 22

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

Steer to the left

Accelerate unexpectedly

Start skidding

Lose all braking power

13 / 22

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

On the shoulder of the road

On a bridge or in a tunnel

Near a service area

In a residential neighborhood

14 / 22

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

Try to start the engine again

Attempt to fix the pedal yourself

Turn off the engine and call for help

Leave the car and walk to the nearest service station

15 / 22

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

Slow down and pull over immediately

Turn on the hazard lights

Stop the car in the middle of the road

Turn the light switch on and off quickly

16 / 22

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

They become easier

The brakes will lock up

They become harder

They are not affected

17 / 22

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

Your interior dome light

Your headlights

The horn

Hand signals

18 / 22

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

In short, repeated bursts

Gently and gradually

Only after the car has completely stopped

Hard and suddenly

19 / 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

Easing off the accelerator

Putting on hazard lights

Braking suddenly

20 / 22

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

Immediately pull off the road

Brake suddenly

Accelerate to regain control

Keep a firm grip on the steering wheel

21 / 22

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

Speed up to get off the road faster

Continue driving with your parking lights

Turn on the hazard lights

Try to follow another car closely

22 / 22

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

The brakes will automatically engage

The steering will become easier

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

The vehicle will immediately start skidding sideways

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.