Emergency Procedures and Incident Handling
What this domain tests
Emergency procedures and incident handling tests what you do in the first seconds of a breakdown, collision, fire or tyre failure. The exam looks for a safe sequence: control the vehicle, warn others, get to safety, then call for help. Panic braking or standing in a live lane are common wrong answers.
Breakdowns
If the vehicle loses power or a warning light demands a stop, signal left, use mirrors, and move as far off the carriageway as possible. Switch on hazard lights. On an expressway, exit on the left if you can and stand behind the barrier, never in the live lane. Place a warning triangle well behind the vehicle where it is safe and visible; do not walk into traffic to place it. Call for assistance using an emergency telephone or 999 if there is immediate danger.
Collisions
Stop, switch off the engine, switch on hazard lights and warn other traffic. Call 999 if anyone is injured or the scene is unsafe. Do not move an injured person unless there is immediate danger such as fire or live traffic. Give first aid within your training. Exchange details as required and report the accident.
Vehicle emergencies
- Tyre blowout: grip the wheel firmly, keep straight, ease off the accelerator, avoid hard braking, and slow gradually before pulling over.
- Brake failure: pump the brake pedal, change down through the gears, use the handbrake gently, and look for a safe escape.
- Fire: stop, switch off, evacuate, call 999, and do not open the bonnet fully because the rush of air can feed the fire.
- Skid: ease off the accelerator and steer smoothly; avoid slamming on the brakes.
Worked example
At 70 km/h a front tyre bursts. The vehicle pulls to one side. The correct response is to hold the wheel firmly with both hands, keep the vehicle straight, ease off the accelerator and let speed fall. Hard braking would transfer weight and may cause a spin. Once slow, signal and pull onto the hard shoulder or a safe place, then warn traffic and call for help.
Traps that cost marks
- Slamming on the brakes after a blowout.
- Standing in a live lane to inspect damage.
- Opening the bonnet fully on a fire.
- Moving an injured casualty who is in no immediate danger.