CPC Emergency & Breakdown Procedures 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The low air pressure warning light illuminates on an air-braked vehicle whilst driving. What should the driver do?
- Continue cautiously to the nearest service station
- Stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible and do not continue until repaired (Correct answer)
- Reduce speed to 30 mph and complete the journey
- Pump the brake pedal repeatedly to rebuild pressure
Correct answer: Stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible and do not continue until repaired
Critically low air pressure means the brakes could fail completely; the vehicle must be stopped immediately and not moved until repaired.
Question 2: A fuel spillage occurs from your vehicle on a public road. What is your FIRST action?
- Attempt to collect the spilled fuel
- Warn other road users and contact the emergency services (Correct answer)
- Mop up the spillage with absorbent materials from your kit
- Drive away from the spillage area to a safe location
Correct answer: Warn other road users and contact the emergency services
Fuel spillages create immediate fire and slip hazards; alerting other road users and calling the emergency services must happen first.
Question 3: When is it permitted to use hazard warning lights whilst the vehicle is moving?
- On a motorway to warn drivers behind of a sudden obstruction or queue ahead (Correct answer)
- Whenever driving in heavy rain
- When overtaking a slow-moving vehicle on a dual carriageway
- Whenever travelling below 30 mph in traffic
Correct answer: On a motorway to warn drivers behind of a sudden obstruction or queue ahead
Hazard warning lights may be used briefly on a motorway or dual carriageway to warn following drivers of a sudden danger or slow-moving queue ahead.
Question 4: What is the purpose of an Emergency Stop Signal system fitted to some vehicles?
- To warn traffic behind of rapid deceleration (Correct answer)
- To alert the DVSA that a vehicle defect has been detected
- To automatically contact the emergency services during a collision
- To warn pedestrians of an approaching vehicle in an emergency
Correct answer: To warn traffic behind of rapid deceleration
Emergency Stop Signal systems automatically flash brake lights at a higher frequency to warn following traffic of sudden, hard braking.
Question 5: The steering on your vehicle suddenly becomes very heavy whilst driving. What is the most likely cause?
- The vehicle is overloaded beyond its GVW
- Power steering failure (Correct answer)
- A change in road surface grip
- A wheel bearing has collapsed
Correct answer: Power steering failure
Sudden heavy steering is a classic symptom of power steering failure, requiring significantly more physical effort to control the vehicle.
Question 6: You are first at the scene of an accident where a driver is seriously injured. What is your MOST important first action?
- Call your employer to report the incident
- Photograph the scene before anything is moved
- Call 999 and make the scene as safe as possible (Correct answer)
- Exchange insurance details with those involved
Correct answer: Call 999 and make the scene as safe as possible
Calling 999 and making the scene safe takes absolute priority to ensure injured persons receive prompt medical attention.
Question 7: What should a driver do if they suspect the vehicle's brakes are starting to fade on a long downhill descent?
- Apply the brakes harder to compensate for the reduced efficiency
- Select a lower gear to use engine braking and reduce reliance on the service brakes (Correct answer)
- Switch to the retarder only and ignore the service brakes
- Increase speed to reduce the descent time
Correct answer: Select a lower gear to use engine braking and reduce reliance on the service brakes
Selecting a lower gear uses engine braking to control speed, reducing heat build-up in the service brakes and preventing total brake fade.
CPC Emergency & Breakdown Procedures 2
The low air pressure warning light illuminates on an air-braked vehicle whilst driving.
What should the driver do?