What to Do if Your Brakes Fail (and More)

Photo: John Joshua Mejia, Pexels

If your brakes fail, pump the pedal, use the parking brake gently, shift to a lower gear and steer toward a safe place to stop. Every US driver handbook gives step-by-step actions like these for the common car emergencies, and the permit test asks about them. This guide collects the official steps from the California, Pennsylvania, Alabama, Alaska and Idaho handbooks for a tire blowout, brake failure, a stuck accelerator, running off the pavement, stalling on railroad tracks and more.

Key facts

Tire blowout: grip the wheel, don’t brake hard, ease off the gas, steer straight, then slow down and pull off.
Brake failure: pump the brake, apply the parking brake gently, shift down, look for a safe escape route.
Stuck accelerator: shift to neutral, brake, steer to safety, then turn off the engine.
Wheels off the pavement: ease off the gas, don’t jerk the wheel, slow down, then steer back gently.
Stalled on tracks with a train coming: get out and move away from the tracks toward the train, at an angle, then call 911.

Tire blowout: what to do

California’s handbook gives the steps recommended by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:

Hold the steering wheel with both hands.
Keep your speed if that is possible and safe.
Gradually release the accelerator.
Correct the steering as needed to stabilize the car.
Look and steer where you want to go.
Once the car is stable, keep slowing down and pull off the road where and when it is safe.

Why not brake? Pennsylvania says braking after a blowout will cause you to skid and lose control. Idaho says not to brake until you have complete control, then brake gently.

How a blowout feels

Front tire: the steering wheel vibrates and the car pulls suddenly to one side (Pennsylvania).
Rear tire: one corner drops and the back of the car wobbles side to side (Pennsylvania).
Warning signs: a thumping noise can come first. Alabama says under-inflation is one of the most common reasons for blowouts, so check tire pressure regularly.

Pennsylvania adds that you can ride on the flat as long as you need to reach a safe place, and that the car must be fully off the road before you change the tire. Losing a wheel is handled the same way (Alabama).

What to do if your brakes fail

Newer cars: brake warning light or a soft pedal

Pennsylvania explains that newer cars have a split braking system, so total failure is unlikely. If the brake warning light comes on, you may have braking on two wheels. The pedal goes down further and you must push harder, and stopping takes longer. Pull over or go to the nearest service station, and shift to a lower gear to help slow down.

If the pedal sinks to the floor

Pump the brake pedal quickly several times to build pressure (Pennsylvania, Alabama).
Shift to a lower gear so the engine slows the car.
Use the parking brake gently. Alabama says to apply it gently so you don’t lock the wheels and skid. Pennsylvania says to hold the release so you can let it off if the rear wheels lock.
Steer for a safe place: an open area, or an uphill road (Pennsylvania).
Last resort: turn the ignition off, but never to LOCK, which locks the steering (Pennsylvania). You lose power steering and power brake assist when the engine is off (Alabama).
Once stopped, call for help. Pennsylvania says not to drive the car.

Alaska’s manual also lists rubbing the tires against a curb as a way to slow down.

Wet brakes

After driving through deep water, Alaska says to test the brakes lightly, because they may pull to one side or not hold. Dry them by driving slowly in low gear while pressing the brake lightly.

Stuck accelerator: what to do

Pennsylvania’s steps:

Keep your eyes on the road. You can tap the pedal a few times or try to lift it with your toe, but don’t reach down with your hand.
If it stays stuck, shift to neutral immediately and brake. The engine will race, but power is removed from the wheels.
Concentrate on steering and pull off the road once you are at a safe speed.
Stop, turn off the engine and turn on your hazard flashers.

If you must stop quickly, Pennsylvania says to turn the ignition to OFF (not LOCK) and brake, expecting heavier steering and braking. Check your owner’s manual now for how to shut off a push-button engine while moving, so you know before you need it.

If your wheels drift off the pavement

A drop-off at the road edge is common on rural roads and during resurfacing. Pennsylvania’s recovery steps:

Ease off the gas. Don’t brake suddenly; if you must brake, do it gradually.
Grip the wheel firmly and steer parallel to the road, straddling the edge with two wheels on and two off.
Slow to a very low speed: less than 25 mph, preferably closer to 10 mph.
Check traffic behind you and signal.
Gently steer back onto the pavement, then straighten as soon as the wheels are back on.
Speed up to the traffic flow once you are fully in control.

California and Idaho give the same message: don’t pull the wheel hard, because you can shoot across into oncoming traffic.

Skids and emergency braking

With anti-lock brakes (ABS): press firmly and keep pressing. Don’t pump. Noise and pedal pulsing are normal (Pennsylvania).
Without ABS: press and release repeatedly to avoid locking the wheels (Pennsylvania).
In a skid: look and steer where you want to go, and don’t brake. Pennsylvania says if the rear slides left, steer left; if it slides right, steer right, and be ready to correct again.
Steering vs braking: above 25 mph it is usually better to steer around a hazard than to brake, if you have room (Pennsylvania).

Weather skids and hydroplaning are covered in driving in snow, fog and rain.

Stalled on railroad tracks

California’s handbook:

Train coming or warning lights flashing: get out immediately. Move away from the tracks at an angle, toward the direction the train is coming from, so you aren’t hit by debris. Then call 911.
No train and no lights: get out, call the number on the crossing post or metal control box, give the crossing number if posted, say a vehicle is on the tracks, then call 911.

Other emergencies

Emergency	Official advice
Car coming at you in your lane	Sound your horn, slow down and move right. Don’t swerve left: the other driver may correct back into you (Pennsylvania, Idaho, Alabama). If a crash can’t be avoided, brake firmly; every mph you lose reduces the impact (Pennsylvania).
Steering failure	Ease off the gas and don’t brake hard or shift; brake very gently as the car slows (Alabama).
Headlight failure at night	Try the parking lights and turn signals; slow down and keep on the pavement until you can pull off safely (Alabama).
Wiper failure or hood flies up	Slow down, look out of the side window and move off the road (Alabama).
Overheating	Watch the temperature gauge, avoid long high-speed runs and turn off the A/C in extreme heat (California). If steam appears, pull off and turn the engine off; don’t open the radiator cap (Alabama).
Smoke or fire	Get off the road and turn off the ignition (Alabama), then get everyone out and well away from the car and call 911.
Flooded road	Turn around. Pennsylvania says 6 inches of water can make some cars lose control or stall, 12 inches of moving water can float many cars, and 2 feet moves most SUVs and pickups.
Breakdown on a freeway	Pull onto the right shoulder, get out on the side away from traffic if you must, call for help (511 or a call box in California) and stay buckled in the car unless it is safer to stand well away (California).

Carbon monoxide in the car

Carbon monoxide comes out of the exhaust pipe and has no smell, so you cannot tell it is there. Alabama notes it is most likely in winter, when windows are shut and engines are left running to warm up.

Warning signs: sudden tiredness or drowsiness, yawning, dizziness or lightheadedness, headache, nausea and ringing in the ears (California, Alabama). Pennsylvania adds confusion, a racing heart and irregular breathing.
Common causes: a leaking exhaust or muffler, a tailpipe blocked by snow or ice, idling with every window closed, and running the engine in a garage with the door shut or only partly open.
Prevention: have the exhaust checked regularly, clear snow from the tailpipe before starting, open a window a little when stuck in traffic, never warm the car up in a closed garage, and remember to switch off a keyless car parked in an attached garage. Pennsylvania suggests a battery-powered CO detector in the car.
If you suspect it: get out of the car at once, get to fresh air and call 911 or seek emergency medical help (Pennsylvania). Have the exhaust inspected before driving it again (California).

If the car breaks down: making yourself visible

Get all four wheels off the traveled road if you can (Alaska).
Turn on hazard flashers; if you have none, use the turn signals (California).
Set out flares or warning triangles if you carry them. Alabama suggests placing them 100 to 500 feet behind the car.
Raise the hood to show you need help (Pennsylvania, Alaska).

Keep a basic kit: spare tire, jack and lug wrench, flashlight, reflective triangles and gloves. Pennsylvania’s manual includes a 10-step tire change guide; follow your owner’s manual for jack points and lug nut torque.

Permit test practice: emergencies

These are unofficial practice questions, written for this guide.

A front tire blows out at highway speed. What should you do first? A) Brake hard B) Hold the wheel firmly and gradually release the gas C) Steer onto the shoulder at once D) Shift to neutral. Answer: B. Braking or a sudden change of speed can cost you control (handbook: tire blowout).
Your accelerator sticks and tapping it doesn’t help. What next? A) Reach down and pull it up B) Turn the key to LOCK C) Shift to neutral and brake D) Pump the brakes. Answer: C. Neutral takes power from the wheels (handbook: stuck accelerator).
Your right wheels drop off the pavement edge. What should you do? A) Jerk the wheel left B) Brake hard C) Ease off the gas, slow down, then steer back gently D) Speed up. Answer: C. A sharp turn can send you into oncoming traffic (handbook: driving off the pavement).
Your car with ABS needs an emergency stop. How do you brake? A) Pump the pedal B) Press firmly and hold C) Use the parking brake D) Brake lightly. Answer: B. Don’t pump ABS brakes (handbook: sudden braking).
Your car stalls on the tracks and a train is coming. What do you do? A) Try to restart B) Push the car off C) Get out and move away at an angle toward the train D) Stay inside with your belt on. Answer: C. Moving toward the train’s direction keeps you clear of debris (handbook: railroad tracks).
Your brake pedal sinks to the floor. What should you try first? A) Turn off the engine B) Pump the brake pedal C) Shift to park D) Jump out. Answer: B. Pumping can build pressure; then use the parking brake gently and shift down (handbook: brake failure).

More practice: US permit practice tests.

Common questions

Should you slam on the brakes when a tire blows?

No. Pennsylvania says braking after a blowout will cause a skid. Hold the wheel, ease off the gas, steer straight and brake gently only once the car is under control.

What do you do if your brakes go out?

Pump the pedal, shift to a lower gear, use the parking brake gently, and steer for a safe place such as an open area or an uphill road. Turn the engine off only as a last resort, never to LOCK.

Can I turn off the engine while moving?

Only as a last resort, and never to the LOCK position, which locks the steering. You lose power steering and power brakes, so steering and braking take more effort.

Is it better to swerve or brake?

Pennsylvania says that above 25 mph it is usually better to steer around a hazard than to brake, if you have good steering control and space.

What should I do after a crash?

See what to do after a car crash in the US.

Are emergencies tested on the road test?

Not as live events, but some states test a quick stop, and emergency questions appear on permit tests. See US permit test by state.

Back to learning to drive in the USA. Related: freeway driving for new drivers and rural roads and passing.

Sources

California DMV, “California Driver’s Handbook: Section 8, Safe Driving (Continued)” (dmv.ca.gov)
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, “Pennsylvania Driver’s Manual” PUB 95, Chapter 3: Dealing with Driving Emergencies, and Chapter 6: Carbon Monoxide Poisoning (pa.gov)
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, “Alabama Driver Manual” (November 2024), Chapter 7: Adjusting to Driving Conditions, including Carbon Monoxide (alea.gov)
Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles, “Alaska Driver Manual” (Rev. 10/2025), Emergencies (dmv.alaska.gov)
Idaho Transportation Department, “Idaho Driver’s Manual” (July 2026), Tire Blowouts and Running off the Road (itd.idaho.gov)

What to Do if Your Brakes Fail, a Tire Blows and More