Key points
After a tire blowout, hold the wheel with both hands, keep your speed if safe and gradually release the accelerator.
Source: Handbook p. 68
“Hold the steering wheel with both hands. • Maintain your vehicle speed if possible and safe. • Gradually release the accelerator.”
California Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 68If your wheels drift off the pavement, grip the wheel, ease off the gas, brake gently and check for traffic behind you.
Source: Handbook p. 68
“Grip the steering wheel firmly. 2. Remove your foot from the accelerator. 3. Brake gently. 4. Check for traffic behind you.”
California Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 68If your brake pedal sinks to the floor, quickly pump the brakes.
Source: Handbook p. 61
“Press the brake pedal and it sinks to the floor, quickly pump the brakes by gently applying and releasing pressure on your brake pedal.”
California Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 61Wet brakes can be dried by lightly pressing the accelerator and brake at the same time.
Source: Handbook p. 61
“If your brakes get wet, you can dry them by lightly pressing the accelerator and brake pedals at the same time.”
California Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 61If your car stops on the freeway, pull to the right shoulder and dial 511 or find a call box.
Source: Handbook p. 69
“Safely pull over to the right shoulder. 2. Exit on the right side so you are away from traffic if you must get out of the vehicle. 3. Dial 511”
California Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 69Stay inside your vehicle with your seat belt on until help arrives.
Source: Handbook p. 69
“Stay inside your vehicle with your seat belt on until help arrives.”
California Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 69If you stop because of trouble, do not stop just over a hill or just around a curve.
Source: Handbook p. 12
“Do not stop just over a hill or just around a curve. Other drivers may not see your vehicle in time to avoid a collision.”
California Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 12In high winds, do not use cruise control, and it may be safer to pull over and wait for the storm to pass.
Source: Handbook p. 63
“Do not use cruise control. Maintain maximum control of the accelerator if a gust occurs. • Be proactive. It may be safer to pull over and wait for the storm to pass.”
California Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 63
Numbers to know
| Number | What it means | Manual |
|---|---|---|
| 511 | number to call for freeway help | Handbook p. 69 |
3 questions from the California practice test
1. What should you do first if you have a tire blowout?
- Abruptly lift off the accelerator
- Brake suddenly to stop the vehicle immediately
- Hold the steering wheel with both hands
- Turn sharply toward the shoulder
Show answer
Hold the steering wheel with both hands. For a tire blowout, California first lists holding the steering wheel with both hands so you can keep the vehicle stable. Sudden braking is a dangerous choice because the handbook warns that abrupt braking or quick accelerator release can cause loss of control. The cue is a loud pop, vibration, or strong pull; grip firmly, stabilize the car, release speed gradually, and steer toward a safe place after control returns.
2. Your brake pedal sinks to the floor. What should you try first?
- Turn off the ignition before steering
- Quickly pump the brakes with gentle pressure
- Shift into park while moving
- Pull the parking brake with full force
Show answer
Quickly pump the brakes with gentle pressure. If the brake pedal sinks to the floor, the first response is to pump the brakes by gently applying and releasing pressure. That may restore enough braking force to slow the vehicle. Pulling the parking brake hard can lock wheels or cause a skid, so it is not the first move. A cue is the pedal dropping farther than normal; keep steering, pump smoothly, then downshift or use the emergency brake carefully if needed.
3. Your wheels drift off the pavement onto the shoulder. Which recovery action comes first?
- Grip the steering wheel firmly.
- Turn sharply back onto the pavement.
- Brake hard until the vehicle stops.
- Accelerate to match traffic speed.
Show answer
Grip the steering wheel firmly.. When wheels leave the pavement, the first step is to keep control by gripping the steering wheel firmly. California then advises easing off the accelerator, braking gently, checking behind, and steering back carefully. The sharp-turn option is dangerous because too much force can send the vehicle into oncoming traffic. Your cue is the drop from pavement to shoulder: stabilize the vehicle before trying to return to the lane.
Practice this topic
Lock it in with emergencies questions from the free California practice test. Every answer comes with a plain English explanation.
Source: the California Driver's Handbook, Section 8: Safe Driving. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.