Skids, blowouts, equipment failure and railroad crossings

Key points

1. In a rear wheel drive car, stay off the brakes, ease off the gas and steer the way the rear is skidding.

   Source: Handbook p. 29

   “In rear-wheel drive automobiles, you should stay off the brakes and gradually ease off the accelerator. Turn your wheels in the direction the rear end of your vehicle is skidding.”
   North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 29

2. In a front wheel drive car skidding at moderate speed, accelerate slightly and steer where you want to go.

   Source: Handbook p. 29

   “When front-wheel drive vehicles start to skid when traveling at moderate speeds, you should accelerate slightly and steer in the direction you want to go.”
   North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 29

3. After a blowout, grip the wheel, steer straight and ease off the gas; do not brake until you have control.

   Source: Handbook p. 30

   “To regain control, grasp the steering wheel tightly and steer straight ahead. Ease up on the accelerator, but do not brake until you have regained full control.”
   North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 30

4. If a tire drops onto the shoulder, do not swerve back onto the pavement.

   Source: Handbook p. 30

   “If your tire drops off the edge of the pavement onto the shoulder, do not try to swerve back onto the pavement because you may lose control of your vehicle.”
   North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 30

5. If the accelerator sticks, depress the clutch or shift into neutral.

   Source: Handbook p. 30

   “If your accelerator pedal sticks, depress the clutch or shift it into neutral.”
   North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 30

6. If headlights fail, try the parking lights and turn signals, and leave the road once slowed.

   Source: Handbook p. 30

   “If your headlights suddenly fail, try your parking lights and turn signals and leave the roadway as soon as you have slowed down.”
   North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 30

7. When a train is crossing, stop at least 15 feet before the crossing.

   Source: Handbook p. 18

   “When a train is crossing, stop at least 15 feet before the crossing.”
   North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 18

8. School buses and hazardous cargo vehicles must stop within 50 feet and not less than 15 feet from the tracks.

   Source: Handbook p. 18

   “These vehicles must stop within 50 feet and not less than 15 feet from the tracks.”
   North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 18

9. A passive crossing has no traffic control device, so the decision to stop is yours.

   Source: Handbook p. 18

   “Passive Crossings. This type of crossing does not have any type of traffic control device. The decision to stop or proceed rests entirely in your hands.”
   North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 18

10. If stuck on the tracks, get out and walk toward the oncoming train at a 45 degree angle away from the tracks, then call the ENS number.

    Source: Handbook p. 18

    “evacuate your vehicle and walk in the direction of the oncoming train and away from the tracks at a 45 dregree angle. If your vehicle is struck by a moving train, the debris will spread out from the tracks in the same direction the train is moving.”
    North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 18

Numbers to know

3 questions from the North Dakota practice test

1. 1. In a rear wheel drive car whose rear end skids right, how should you respond?

   1. Apply the brakes gradually and steer toward the intended path
   2. Brake firmly and steer left
   3. Ease off the accelerator and steer straight
   4. Stay off the brakes, ease off the accelerator, and steer right
   Show answer

   Stay off the brakes, ease off the accelerator, and steer right. For a rear wheel drive automobile, the manual directs the driver to avoid the brakes, gradually ease off the accelerator, and turn the wheels in the direction of the rear skid. If the rear moves right, steering right helps the vehicle follow the skid rather than adding a sharp opposing correction. Hard braking can worsen the slide, full acceleration does not restore the intended path, and selecting park while moving is unsafe. Notice which end is sliding, reduce power smoothly, and make the steering correction match that direction.

2. 2. If the accelerator pedal sticks, which response follows the manual?

   1. Brake hard while keeping the transmission in drive
   2. Turn the ignition to the lock position while moving
   3. Pump the accelerator until it releases
   4. Depress the clutch or shift into neutral
   Show answer

   Depress the clutch or shift into neutral. A stuck accelerator can keep the vehicle powered when the driver needs to slow down. Depressing the clutch or shifting into neutral separates engine power from the driven wheels and gives you a chance to control the vehicle. The lock-position choice is dangerous because the steering can lock while the vehicle is moving. Pumping the pedal may not release the fault, and braking without addressing the power may make control harder. Once neutral is selected, steer toward a safe roadside location and stop.

3. 3. Your vehicle stalls on North Dakota railroad tracks. After getting out, whom does the manual say to call?

   1. The Emergency Notification System number posted at the crossing, then 911
   2. A tow truck first
   3. No one, just wait for the train to stop
   4. Only your insurance company
   Show answer

   The Emergency Notification System number posted at the crossing, then 911. If your vehicle stalls on the tracks, get everyone out and move away from the tracks in the direction the train is coming from, since debris spreads in the direction the train is moving. Then call the Emergency Notification System number posted at the crossing to report the emergency, and then call 911. When a train is crossing, stop at least 15 feet before the crossing.

Source: the North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Driving Skills and Emergency Situations. 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.