Risk Management, Vehicle Safety, and Emergency Procedures
This domain tests pre-trip safety, vehicle systems, and emergency response. Instructor candidates must know what to check before a lesson and how to coach a driver through failures without creating a second hazard.
Pre-trip and vehicle systems
- Check tires for pressure and tread, lights, turn signals, brakes, fluids, mirrors, seat and head restraint, and dual-control operation.
- Tire pressure is checked cold. Tread must be adequate; worn tires increase hydroplaning and stopping distance.
- Secure loose objects. Adjust mirrors before moving. Confirm all occupants are belted and child restraints are correct.
Emergency procedures
- ABS: apply firm, continuous brake pressure; do not pump. Maintain steering control.
- Skid: ease off the accelerator, look and steer where you want to go, and avoid hard braking.
- Brake failure: downshift, pump if conventional, apply parking brake gradually, and use a safe escape path.
- Tire blowout: grip the wheel, release the accelerator, maintain lane position, and brake gently after slowing.
- Engine fire: pull over, shut off the engine, evacuate, move away, and call 911. Do not open the hood.
Worked example
A rear tire blows at 60 mph. The correct response is to hold the wheel firmly, ease off the accelerator, keep the vehicle straight, and let speed drop before gentle braking. Slamming the brakes or yanking the wheel can cause a spin. The instructor should rehearse this as a verbal “what if” before any actual road practice.
Traps that cost marks
Hard braking during a blowout, pumping ABS, and opening the hood during a fire are common wrong answers. Do not treat a warning light as a substitute for checking fluid or tire condition.
Exam focus
Choose the action that preserves steering and stability first, then reduces speed.