Brake failure, blowouts and other vehicle problems

Key points

1. If your brakes fail, pump the pedal rapidly and hard several times.

   Source: Handbook p. 9-5

   “Pump the brake pedal rapidly and hard several times.”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 9-5

2. If that fails, apply the parking brake slowly to avoid locking the rear wheels.

   Source: Handbook p. 9-5

   “Use the parking brake. Apply the parking brake slowly to avoid locking the rear wheels.”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 9-5

3. After driving through deep water, dry the brakes by driving slowly with light braking.

   Source: Handbook p. 9-5

   “"Dry" the brakes by driving slowly and putting your brakes on lightly for a short distance.”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 9-5

4. A front tire blowout pulls the car hard toward the blown tire.

   Source: Handbook p. 9-5

   “If a front tire blows out, your vehicle will pull hard toward the blown tire.”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 9-5

5. Grip the wheel firmly, steer straight and let the car slow by itself.

   Source: Handbook p. 9-5

   “Grip the steering wheel firmly and steer straight. Slow gradually. Take your foot off the gas pedal.”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 9-5

6. If the gas pedal sticks, keep your eyes on the road, shift to neutral and brake gently.

   Source: Handbook p. 9-6

   “Keep your eyes on the road. Shift to neutral. Steer smoothly and gently put on the brakes.”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 9-6

7. If stalled on tracks with a train coming, get out and head toward the train at a 45 degree angle away from the tracks.

   Source: Handbook p. 9-6

   “leave your vehicle and head quickly toward the oncoming train and away from the tracks at a 45º angle.”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 9-6

8. If a car is coming at you in your lane, pull off to the right, never into the left lane.

   Source: Handbook p. 9-7

   “Quickly pull off into the right shoulder or ditch. Do not drive into the left lane.”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 9-7

9. A car may float 3 to 10 minutes; escape through a window.

   Source: Handbook p. 9-7

   “A car with windows and door closed may float from 3 to 10 minutes. The best escape route is through a window”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 9-7

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Maine practice test

1. 1. If your brakes stop working while driving, what should you try first?

   1. Pump the brake pedal rapidly and hard several times
   2. Turn off the engine and remove the key while moving
   3. Apply the parking brake sharply at full force
   4. Shift into reverse immediately
   Show answer

   Pump the brake pedal rapidly and hard several times. Maine's brake-failure procedure begins with rapidly and firmly pumping the brake pedal several times. If that does not restore braking, the driver should apply the parking brake slowly, shift to a lower gear, and look for a safe stopping place. A sharp parking-brake application can lock the rear wheels and cause a skid. Turning off the engine immediately or selecting reverse can create loss of control and is not the first instruction. The emergency cue is a brake pedal that no longer responds normally: keep control, warn others with horn and lights, and work through the sequence.

2. 2. What should you do if a front tire blows out while you are driving?

   1. Slam on the brakes before steering
   2. Keep control, avoid slamming the brakes, and slow safely
   3. Accelerate hard to stabilize the tire
   4. Turn sharply toward the nearest lane
   Show answer

   Keep control, avoid slamming the brakes, and slow safely. A tire blowout can create a strong pull and demands calm vehicle control. Maine's guidance says not to panic or slam on the brakes. Grip the steering wheel firmly, steer straight, ease off the accelerator, and let the vehicle slow gradually. Brake gently only if necessary, then pull off the road in a safe place and use the emergency flashers. Slamming the brakes can worsen the loss of control, while hard acceleration does not repair the tire. A sharp lane movement can place the vehicle in another road user's path.

3. 3. What is the safest sequence when a gas pedal remains stuck while you are driving?

   1. Shift to neutral, brake smoothly, steer to safety, then turn off the engine
   2. Pump the gas pedal repeatedly and continue at the same speed
   3. Turn the key off immediately while keeping the vehicle in drive
   4. Release the steering wheel so the vehicle can slow by itself
   Show answer

   Shift to neutral, brake smoothly, steer to safety, then turn off the engine. Neutral removes the engine's drive force from the wheels, allowing braking and steering to bring the vehicle under control. The manual then directs the driver toward a safe place to pull off and says to turn off the engine as the car stops. Pumping a stuck pedal does not free it, and switching the engine off while still moving fast can complicate steering control. Keep your eyes on the road, use gentle inputs, and seek assistance rather than driving again if the pedal may stick another time.

Source: the Maine Driver's License Manual, Section 9: Avoiding Crashes. 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.