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

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

Staying with your vehicle

Doing roadside repairs

Turning on your hazard lights

2 / 22

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

In a residential neighborhood

On the shoulder of the road

Near a service area

On a bridge or in a tunnel

3 / 22

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

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

Accept a ride from them to the nearest town

4 / 22

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

Apply the parking brake forcefully

Pump the brakes hard and fast

Shift to neutral immediately

Turn off the engine

5 / 22

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

Continue driving with your parking lights

Turn on the hazard lights

Speed up to get off the road faster

Try to follow another car closely

6 / 22

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

Stop immediately in your lane

Pull off the road as far as possible

Get out and direct traffic around your car

Try to restart the engine while moving

7 / 22

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

The vehicle will immediately start skidding sideways

The brakes will automatically engage

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

The steering will become easier

8 / 22

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

Turn the light switch on and off quickly

Turn on the hazard lights

Slow down and pull over immediately

Stop the car in the middle of the road

9 / 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

10 / 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

11 / 22

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

It can cause the tires to deflate

It makes a loud noise

It can damage the engine

It obstructs your view of the road

12 / 22

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

Accelerate to regain control

Immediately pull off the road

Brake suddenly

Keep a firm grip on the steering wheel

13 / 22

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

Braking suddenly

Putting on hazard lights

Steering in the direction you want to go

Easing off the accelerator

14 / 22

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

Immediately get out of the vehicle

Accelerate to create a larger air gap

Brake as hard as possible

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

15 / 22

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

They become harder

The brakes will lock up

They become easier

They are not affected

16 / 22

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

Try to start the engine again

Leave the car and walk to the nearest service station

Attempt to fix the pedal yourself

Turn off the engine and call for help

17 / 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

18 / 22

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

Steer to the left

Start skidding

Lose all braking power

Accelerate unexpectedly

19 / 22

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

Wave your arm out the window

Honk the horn continuously

Pump your brakes

Turn your headlights on and off

20 / 22

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

Gently and gradually

Hard and suddenly

In short, repeated bursts

Only after the car has completely stopped

21 / 22

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

Pump the gas pedal

Shift to neutral

Apply the parking brake

Turn on the hazard lights

22 / 22

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

Carrying a cellphone

Having a well-maintained vehicle and doing regular checks

Knowing how to do roadside repairs

Driving at low speeds

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.