Delaware Driver Education State Practice Test

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Prepare for the Delaware Driver Education State Test with quizzes and multiple choice questions. Each question includes hints and explanations. Gear up for your success!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

What action should a driver take if the brakes fail?

Shift to a lower gear and pump the brakes
Accelerate quickly to stop
Ignore the brakes
Turn off the engine

The correct answer is: Shift to a lower gear and pump the brakes

When faced with brake failure, the appropriate action to take is to shift to a lower gear and pump the brakes. Shifting to a lower gear helps to slow the vehicle down by using the engine's braking power, which can be particularly effective in reducing speed without relying solely on the brake system. Pumping the brakes can sometimes restore partial braking ability, as it may build pressure in the brake lines if the issue is not complete brake failure. Accelerating quickly to stop is not a safe or effective strategy, as it only increases the vehicle's speed, making it more difficult to stop and increasing the risk of losing control. Ignoring the brakes is dangerous and can lead to a crash, as it would prevent the driver from attempting to rectify the situation. Lastly, turning off the engine can lead to a loss of steering control and braking assistance from power brakes, increasing the hazard during a critical moment when slowing down is necessary.