Sample Emergencies questions
A head-on collision can no longer be avoided. What should you do with your brakes?
Pump them lightly on and off Stay off the brakes completely Use only the parking brake Brake firmly and steadily Show the answer
Brake firmly and steadily
Each mph you take off lowers the force of the impact.
Source: Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Chapter 3, Special Circumstances and Emergencies: If Another Vehicle Is Approaching Head-On in Your Lane
Your gas pedal sticks. What should you avoid?
Lifting it with your toe Tapping the pedal a few times Keeping your eyes on the road Reaching down to free it by hand Show the answer
Reaching down to free it by hand
You can tap the pedal or lift it with your toe, but do not reach down with your hand.
Source: Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Chapter 3, Special Circumstances and Emergencies: If Your Accelerator Sticks
You are trapped on a railroad crossing and a train is coming. What should you do first?
Sound your horn and wait Leave your vehicle quickly Try to restart the engine Call for a tow truck Show the answer
Leave your vehicle quickly
Then get as far from the track as possible.
Source: Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Chapter 3, Special Circumstances and Emergencies: Railroad Crossings
Signals warn of a train at a Pennsylvania crossing. In what range from the nearest rail must you stop?
Between 100 and 200 feet Between 1 and 10 feet Between 15 and 50 feet Between 50 and 100 feet Show the answer
Between 15 and 50 feet
The Vehicle Code says to stop between 15 and 50 feet from the nearest rail.
Source: Pennsylvania Vehicle Code (75 Pa.C.S.), Section 3341
Your car breaks down on a Pennsylvania highway. What does lifting the hood do?
It lets you see traffic behind you It shows others your vehicle is disabled It stops others from passing you It cools the engine down right away Show the answer
It shows others your vehicle is disabled
Get as far off the road as possible, park where drivers can see you easily, and put on your flashers.
Source: Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Chapter 3, Managing Speed: Communicating Your Intentions to Other Drivers
What license penalty applies in Pennsylvania for driving around a lowered railroad gate?
A 1-year suspension A 30-day suspension A 5-day suspension No license penalty Show the answer
A 30-day suspension
Failure to comply with a railroad crossing gate or barrier is on the list of violations that bring a suspension.
Source: Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Chapter 4, Pennsylvania's Point System: Suspensions and Revocations
What will you feel when a rear tire blows out?
The steering wheel locks in one position The brake pedal drops down to the floor The rear of the car wobbles back and forth The engine speed drops and then it stalls Show the answer
The rear of the car wobbles back and forth
A front tire blowout instead makes the steering wheel vibrate and pulls the vehicle to one side.
Source: Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Chapter 3, Special Circumstances and Emergencies: If You Have a Tire Blowout
A vehicle behind you in Pennsylvania flashes only blue lights. What does this tell you?
It is an ambulance on a call It is not a police officer It is a state police cruiser It is an unmarked police car Show the answer
It is not a police officer
Police lights can be red and blue, or red only on unmarked vehicles.
Source: Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Chapter 4, Pennsylvania's Point System: What to Do If You Are Stopped by the Police
You must switch off your ignition to stop in an emergency. Why should you not turn it to LOCK?
You will lose your steering The doors will lock you inside The brake lights will stay on The engine can't restart later Show the answer
You will lose your steering
Turn it to OFF. Steering and braking take more effort with the ignition off, but you keep control.
Source: Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Chapter 3, Special Circumstances and Emergencies: If Your Accelerator Sticks
Your vehicle gets stuck in floodwater on a Pennsylvania road. What should you do?
Keep trying to drive slowly through it Leave the vehicle fast and head for high ground Stay inside and wait until the water drops Open the hood so that help can see you Show the answer
Leave the vehicle fast and head for high ground
Your best option is always to find a new route, but if you get stuck, get out quickly.
Source: Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Chapter 3, Special Circumstances and Emergencies: Flooded Roadways
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About these questions
We wrote these practice questions from the facts in the Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95) (PUB 95 (4-21) PDF, plus the undated online manual on pa.gov, read 2026-11-06 edition) and from official sources on road signs. Every answer links to its source, so you can check it and read more.
DMV Decoded is an independent guide, not a government agency. This practice test is not connected to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), and your actual test will have different questions. Study the handbook, and check the agency's website for current rules.
