Tennessee Permit Practice Test

What is the next step if your brakes fail while driving?

1. Shift into neutral and steer off the road

2. Pump the brakes rapidly to regain pressure

3. Turn off the engine

4. All of the above

The correct answer is: Shift into neutral and steer off the road

When brakes fail while driving, shifting into neutral and steering off the road is a crucial first step to ensure safety. By shifting into neutral, the vehicle will not accelerate, allowing you more control over the steering. This action reduces the immediate danger by enabling you to guide the vehicle safely to the side of the road or into a safe area, avoiding obstacles and potentially preventing a collision. While pumping the brakes can help regain some pressure in certain situations, it may not always be effective, especially if there is a complete brake failure or if the brake fluid is lost. Turning off the engine can lead to a loss of power steering, making the vehicle harder to control. Therefore, the key focus during brake failure is to maintain control over the vehicle and steer it safely away from traffic and hazards, validating the importance of shifting into neutral and steering off the road as an immediate response.