Brake failure, blowouts and breakdowns

Key points

1. If the brakes fail, apply the parking brake slowly so the rear wheels do not lock.

   Source: Handbook p. 35

   “push the parking brake foot pedal slowly to avoid locking the rear wheels and causing a skid.”
   New Hampshire Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 35

2. A front tire blowout pulls the vehicle sharply toward the side of the blowout.

   Source: Handbook p. 35

   “If a front tire blows out, the vehicle will pull sharply in the direction of the blowout.”
   New Hampshire Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 35

3. After a blowout, slow down gradually by easing off the gas and brake gently only if needed.

   Source: Handbook p. 35

   “Slow down gradually by relieving pressure on the accelerator pedal. Allow the vehicle to slow by itself or brake gently if necessary.”
   New Hampshire Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 35

4. If the engine dies, keep a strong grip on the wheel, which may be hard to turn.

   Source: Handbook p. 35

   “Keep a strong grip on the steering wheel. Be aware that the steering wheel may be difficult to turn.”
   New Hampshire Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 35

5. If headlights fail, try the turn signals or emergency flashers and pull off the road.

   Source: Handbook p. 35

   “Try the turn signals or emergency flashers. Pull off the road as quickly and safely as possible and leave the emergency flashers on.”
   New Hampshire Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 35

6. In a breakdown, place flares or reflectors 200 feet in front of and behind the vehicle if available.

   Source: Handbook p. 35

   “by placing emergency flares or reflectors 200 feet in front of and behind the vehicle.”
   New Hampshire Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 35

7. Without a phone, raise the hood and tie a white cloth (red in a snowstorm) to the door handle or antenna.

   Source: Handbook p. 35

   “raise the hood of the vehicle and tie a white cloth (red in a snowstorm) to the driver's door handle or the vehicle's antenna”
   New Hampshire Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 35

8. If the accelerator sticks, keep your eyes on the road and shift into neutral.

   Source: Handbook p. 35

   “Keep their eyes on the road. Shift the vehicle into the neutral gear.”
   New Hampshire Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 35

Numbers to know

3 questions from the New Hampshire practice test

1. 1. Your brakes stop working while driving in New Hampshire. How does the manual say to use the parking brake?

   1. Apply it slowly to avoid locking the rear wheels and be ready to release it if the vehicle skids
   2. Do not use it while moving
   3. Yank it as hard as possible
   4. Apply it only after turning off the engine
   Show answer

   Apply it slowly to avoid locking the rear wheels and be ready to release it if the vehicle skids. In a brake failure, engage the parking brake by pulling the handle or pushing the foot pedal slowly to avoid locking the rear wheels and causing a skid, and be ready to release it if the vehicle starts to skid. If engaging the parking brake does not work, turn off the engine and look for a safe place to slow to a stop off the roadway. Yanking the brake locks the rear wheels, and waiting to shut off the engine first wastes the tool that works.

2. 2. A front tire blows out on a New Hampshire highway. How does the manual say the vehicle will react?

   1. It will pull away from the blown tire
   2. It will pull sharply in the direction of the blowout
   3. Nothing changes until you brake
   4. It will wobble but keep tracking straight
   Show answer

   It will pull sharply in the direction of the blowout. Tire blowout is the rapid deflation of a tire and can cause sudden loss of control. If a front tire blows out, the vehicle will pull sharply in the direction of the blowout; if a rear tire blows, the vehicle will wobble, shake and pull some in the direction of the blowout. Grip the wheel firmly, keep the vehicle straight, slow gradually by easing off the accelerator, brake gently only if necessary, and pull off the road in a safe place with the flashers on.

3. 3. Your vehicle breaks down in New Hampshire and you have no phone. What does the manual say to tie to the door handle or antenna?

   1. A yellow cloth
   2. Any dark cloth
   3. A white cloth, or red in a snowstorm
   4. Nothing, wave at passing cars
   Show answer

   A white cloth, or red in a snowstorm. Once stopped, use a cell phone or other device to notify authorities that the vehicle has broken down. If none is available, raise the hood and tie a white cloth, or red in a snowstorm where white would vanish against the snow, to the driver's door handle or the antenna, which alerts drivers that help is needed. If possible stay with the vehicle until help arrives, unless it sits in a hazardous location, in which case get everyone out and well away from traffic.

Source: the New Hampshire Driver's Manual, Section 10: Driving Emergencies. 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.