Alabama: Emergencies — Part 4 Practice Test
Questions in this part include: “If smoke comes from under the hood of your car, what should you do?” · “How can you help prevent overheating in slow-moving traffic?”
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Questions are original and based on the official manual "Alabama Driver Manual" (November 2024), Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), Driver License Division.
All 16 questions in this practice test
Take the test above first, then use this list to study. Tap “Show answer” to see the correct answer and explanation.
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If your car plunges into deep water but does not sink, what should you do?
- Immediately escape through a window
- Open a door right away and swim out
- Wait inside for the car to sink first
- Stay inside until help arrives
Show answer
Correct answer: Immediately escape through a window
Escape through a window immediately.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 75 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 75)
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Why should you not open a door if your car plunges into deep water?
- Doors cannot be opened once the car is under water
- Doors lock automatically as soon as they touch water
- Opening a door will let water enter the car more rapidly
- An open door sets off the car's alarm system
Show answer
Correct answer: Opening a door will let water enter the car more rapidly
An open door lets water in faster.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 75 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 75)
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If a car sinks beneath the surface, which end goes down first?
- The back end, because of the weight of the trunk
- The front end, because of the weight of the engine
- Both ends at the same rate
- The side the driver is sitting on
Show answer
Correct answer: The front end, because of the weight of the engine
The weight of the engine forces the front end down first.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 75 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 75)
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If a car sinks in deep water, where does an air pocket usually form?
- In the front of the car
- Under the seats
- Near the pedals
- In the back of the car
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Correct answer: In the back of the car
An air pocket usually forms in the back of the car, where you can breathe before escaping through a window.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 75 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 75)
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If smoke comes from under the hood of your car, what should you do?
- Get off the road and turn off the ignition
- Open the hood immediately to see the flames
- Keep driving to the nearest service station
- Pour water on the engine to cool it
Show answer
Correct answer: Get off the road and turn off the ignition
Get off the road and turn off the ignition.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 75 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 75)
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If no fire extinguisher is available for a car fire, what should you use to smother the fire?
- Water
- Engine coolant
- Dirt or sand
- Windshield washer fluid
Show answer
Correct answer: Dirt or sand
Dirt or sand smothers the fire.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 75 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 75)
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Why should you not use water on a car fire?
- Water will freeze on the hot engine and crack it
- Burning gasoline will float on it and spread the blaze
- Water will damage the battery and the wiring
- Water turns the smoke into poisonous fumes
Show answer
Correct answer: Burning gasoline will float on it and spread the blaze
Burning gasoline floats on water and spreads the blaze.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 75 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 75)
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How can you help prevent overheating in slow-moving traffic?
- Keep the car in drive and ride the brake lightly at stops
- Turn the engine off at every stop for a minute
- Keep the car in park with the engine idling slowly
- Shift into neutral and race the engine briefly during stops
Show answer
Correct answer: Shift into neutral and race the engine briefly during stops
This speeds up the fan and the water pump.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 75 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 75)
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If steam comes from under the hood, what should you do?
- Pull to the side, turn off the engine and leave the radiator cap shut
- Open the radiator cap slowly to let the steam out and cool it
- Keep driving slowly so the moving air cools the engine down
- Pour cold water into the radiator at once to cool it down
Show answer
Correct answer: Pull to the side, turn off the engine and leave the radiator cap shut
Steam means the cooling system is boiling; pull over, turn off the engine and leave the radiator cap closed.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 75 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 75)
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If your headlights suddenly fail, what should you try first?
- Your high beams
- Stopping in the traffic lane
- Your parking lights and directional signals
- Turning off the ignition and coasting
Show answer
Correct answer: Your parking lights and directional signals
One of the two may give you enough light to leave the road.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 75 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 75)
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If all your lights fail on a dark, deserted highway, what should you do?
- Stop immediately where you are in the lane and wait for another car
- Slow down and stay on the pavement until you can reach the shoulder safely
- Drive onto the shoulder at once, before you slow down much
- Keep your speed up until you reach a lighted area of road
Show answer
Correct answer: Slow down and stay on the pavement until you can reach the shoulder safely
Slow down on the pavement first, then move onto the shoulder.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 75 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 75)
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If your windshield wipers suddenly fail in blinding rain or snow, what should you do?
- Stop in the traffic lane and wait for the storm to pass
- Speed up to drive out of the storm as quickly as you can
- Switch on your high beams and lean toward the windshield
- Slow down, roll down your side window and put your head out to see
Show answer
Correct answer: Slow down, roll down your side window and put your head out to see
Slow down, put your head out the side window to see, then move off the highway.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 75 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 75)
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If your hood suddenly opens and blinds you while driving, what procedure should you use?
- Slow down, roll down your side window and put your head out to see
- Stop immediately in the traffic lane and wait for help to come
- Speed up and steer by the center line to get off the road
- Shield your eyes with your hand and keep driving at speed
Show answer
Correct answer: Slow down, roll down your side window and put your head out to see
The manual says to use the same procedure as for wiper failure.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 75 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 75)
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If your accelerator pedal sticks, how may you be able to free it?
- By pressing the brake and the accelerator together hard
- By shifting into reverse while the car is moving fast
- By hooking your toe under the pedal and attempting to raise it
- By pulling the parking brake hard while driving fast
Show answer
Correct answer: By hooking your toe under the pedal and attempting to raise it
Hooking your toe under the pedal and raising it may free it.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 75 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 75)
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If you cannot free a stuck accelerator pedal, what can you do to slow the vehicle?
- Shift into park
- Turn the engine off
- Shift into reverse
- Pull the parking brake hard
Show answer
Correct answer: Turn the engine off
Turning the engine off slows the vehicle; if you have power steering or power brakes, you lose that assistance.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 75 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 75)
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According to the Parent/Teen Driving Agreement, when may the teen leave the scene of an accident, no matter how minor?
- With police or parent permission
- As soon as no one is hurt
- When the damage is small
- When the other driver agrees
Show answer
Correct answer: With police or parent permission
The teen will not leave the scene of an accident, no matter how minor, without the permission of police officers and/or parents.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 82 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 82)