Key points
After a blowout, hold the wheel tightly, keep the car straight and lift your foot off the accelerator.
Source: Handbook p. 76
“Hold the steering wheel tightly and try to keep the vehicle straight on your side of the road; • Reduce speed by lifting your foot from the accelerator;”
North Carolina Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 76Do not brake until the engine has slowed the car enough to keep control.
Source: Handbook p. 76
“Do not apply the brakes until the engine has slowed the vehicle enough to allow you to maintain control of the vehicle;”
North Carolina Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 76If you break down, move the vehicle completely onto the shoulder and get everyone out on the passenger side.
Source: Handbook p. 76
“move the vehicle completely onto the shoulder of the road; • Make sure you leave the vehicle by the passenger side, and do not allow passengers to remain in the vehicle;”
North Carolina Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 76If you run onto the shoulder, do not brake or turn back right away. Ease off the gas and steer straight.
Source: Handbook p. 77
“Do not immediately apply the brakes or try to turn back; you could skid, lose control or overturn; • Slowly remove your foot from the accelerator and steer straight ahead;”
North Carolina Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 77Do not pump anti-lock brakes. Without anti-lock brakes, pump gently to slow down.
Source: Handbook p. 77
“Do not PUMP anti-lock brakes. If you do not have anti-lock brakes, you should pump the brakes gently to slow the vehicle.”
North Carolina Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 77After a crash you must stop the vehicle immediately.
Source: Handbook p. 78
“In the event you are involved in a crash: • You must stop the vehicle immediately.”
North Carolina Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 78Report a crash at once to law enforcement if anyone is killed or injured or damage appears to be $1,000 or more.
Source: Handbook p. 78
“You are required by law to make an immediate report to the nearest law enforcement officer or agency of any crash when any person is killed or injured or the total damage to vehicles and other property appears to amount to $1,000 or more.”
North Carolina Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 78If there are no injuries and the cars can be driven, move them out of the travel lane onto the shoulder.
Source: Handbook p. 78
“each vehicle should be moved out of the travel lane onto the shoulder of the road provided it can be driven safely under its own power”
North Carolina Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 78Exchange your name, address, license number, registration number and insurance company.
Source: Handbook p. 78
“Provide your name, address, driver license number, vehicle registration number and the name of your vehicle insurance company;”
North Carolina Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 78
Numbers to know
| Number | What it means | Manual |
|---|---|---|
| $1,000 | damage that requires an immediate crash report | Handbook p. 78 |
3 questions from the North Carolina practice test
1. If a blowout occurs, what should a driver do before applying the brakes?
- Press the brake pedal as hard as possible
- Turn sharply toward the shoulder
- Reduce speed by lifting the foot from the accelerator
- Shift into reverse immediately
Show answer
Reduce speed by lifting the foot from the accelerator. During a blowout, first hold the steering wheel tightly, try to keep the vehicle straight on your side of the road, and reduce speed by lifting your foot from the accelerator. The handbook says not to apply the brakes until the engine has slowed the vehicle enough for you to maintain control. Hard braking can worsen the loss of stability, while a sharp turn can send the vehicle across the roadway. After control and speed improve, find a safe place to move completely off the road. The cue is smooth control first, braking later.
2. What is the first priority when a vehicle breaks down on a roadway?
- Move the vehicle completely onto the shoulder
- Stand behind it to direct traffic
- Leave it blocking the lane with no lights
- Repair it in the travel lane
Show answer
Move the vehicle completely onto the shoulder. For a breakdown, the handbook says to exit the main part of the road and move the vehicle completely onto the shoulder. Repairs should not be attempted where passing traffic can reach you. Standing in front of or behind the vehicle creates a serious exposure, so passengers should leave from the passenger side and stand away from the road. The vehicle should also be made visible with parking lights or emergency flashers when it is dark. The immediate cue is separation: get the disabled vehicle and people out of the active travel path before seeking a tow truck or mechanic.
3. If a vehicle stalls on or near railroad tracks, what should the occupants do first?
- Remain inside and try to restart the engine
- Stand behind the vehicle to warn traffic
- Wait for the crossing gate to rise before leaving
- Get out immediately
Show answer
Get out immediately. A stalled vehicle near tracks creates an immediate risk because a train may require more than a mile to stop. The handbook’s first instruction is to get out immediately, then move away from the vehicle and tracks along the roadway to a safe location. Staying inside or waiting for a gate ignores the possibility of a train arriving before help comes. Once safe, locate the blue Emergency Notification System sign and use its information to report the problem.
Practice this topic
Lock it in with emergencies questions from the free North Carolina practice test. Every answer comes with a plain English explanation.
Source: the North Carolina Driver Handbook, Chapter 4: Your 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.