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

   “If your brakes stop working while driving: • 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

   “If that doesn't work… • 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. To dry wet brakes, drive slowly and put your brakes on lightly for a short distance.

   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. After a blowout, grip the wheel firmly, steer straight, take your foot off the gas 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. • Allow the vehicle to slow down by itself.”
   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

   “Stuck Gas Pedal If your vehicle is speeding out of control: • 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 a train is coming, leave your vehicle and head quickly toward the oncoming train and away from the tracks at a 45 degree angle, to avoid debris.

   Source: Handbook p. 9-6

   “To avoid debris from any crash, 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 pumping the brake pedal rapidly and hard several times. If that does not work, apply the parking brake slowly to avoid locking the rear wheels, and be ready to release it if you start to skid. Then shift to a lower gear, look for a place to slow to a stop, and use the horn and lights to warn other drivers. Turning off the engine comes only later, if the parking brake also fails, and shifting into reverse is not one of the listed steps. Keep control and work through the sequence in order.

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 the engine is turned off only as the car comes to a stop. 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.