Tennessee Permit Practice Test

What should you do if your brakes fail while driving?

1. Use your horn to alert other drivers

2. Shift to a higher gear and coast

3. Shift to a lower gear, use the emergency brake, and steer to a safe area

4. Stop immediately in the middle of the road

The correct answer is: Shift to a lower gear, use the emergency brake, and steer to a safe area

If your brakes fail while driving, the most effective response is to shift to a lower gear, engage the emergency brake, and steer toward a safe area. This approach maximizes your control over the vehicle and helps to reduce its speed safely. Shifting to a lower gear utilizes the engine braking effect, which can slow the vehicle down without relying solely on the brakes. Engaging the emergency brake provides an additional means of deceleration, as it is designed to activate the rear brakes of the vehicle. Steering to a safe area allows you to direct the vehicle away from potential collisions, minimizing the risk of incident as you come to a stop. The other options fail to effectively address the situation. Using the horn to alert other drivers does not help in stopping the vehicle and may only cause confusion in an emergency. Shifting to a higher gear would actually allow the vehicle to pick up speed, which is counterproductive in a brake failure scenario. Stopping immediately in the middle of the road can endanger you and other drivers, increasing the likelihood of a collision, as it leaves you vulnerable and may not allow sufficient time to react appropriately.