CPC Emergency & Breakdown Procedures 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When a vehicle breaks down on a motorway, what should the driver do FIRST after pulling onto the hard shoulder?
- Switch on hazard warning lights (Correct answer)
- Place warning triangles 150m behind the vehicle
- Immediately call a recovery service
- Open the bonnet to inspect the engine
Correct answer: Switch on hazard warning lights
Switching on hazard warning lights is the immediate first step to alert other road users to the stationary vehicle.
Question 2: Why should warning triangles NOT be placed when broken down on a motorway?
- They are not bright enough at motorway speeds
- Walking on a motorway to place them is extremely dangerous (Correct answer)
- They are only required for vehicles over 7.5 tonnes
- They may cause other drivers to brake suddenly
Correct answer: Walking on a motorway to place them is extremely dangerous
Placing warning triangles requires walking on the motorway, which exposes the driver to extreme risk from high-speed traffic.
Question 3: Where should vehicle occupants wait after a breakdown on a motorway?
- In the vehicle with seatbelts fastened
- On the hard shoulder close to the vehicle
- Behind the safety barrier away from the carriageway (Correct answer)
- In front of the vehicle to warn oncoming traffic
Correct answer: Behind the safety barrier away from the carriageway
Behind the safety barrier is the safest position, protecting occupants if another vehicle strikes the broken-down vehicle.
Question 4: A tyre blows out at motorway speed. What is the correct initial response?
- Apply the brakes firmly and steer hard to the hard shoulder
- Hold the steering wheel firmly, ease off the accelerator, and let the vehicle slow gradually (Correct answer)
- Change down through the gears quickly to decelerate
- Steer immediately towards the nearside verge
Correct answer: Hold the steering wheel firmly, ease off the accelerator, and let the vehicle slow gradually
Maintaining a firm grip and gradual deceleration prevents the vehicle from spinning or overturning caused by abrupt inputs after a blowout.
Question 5: What does the acronym PASS stand for when using a fire extinguisher?
- Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep (Correct answer)
- Position, Activate, Spray, Secure
- Point, Attend, Squeeze, Stand
- Prepare, Aim, Start, Spray
Correct answer: Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep
PASS stands for Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle, and Sweep from side to side.
Question 6: If you discover your vehicle is on fire while driving, what should you do FIRST?
- Stop immediately and open the bonnet to assess the fire
- Drive to the nearest fire station
- Pull over safely, switch off the engine, and get everyone away from the vehicle (Correct answer)
- Activate the vehicle's built-in fire suppression system
Correct answer: Pull over safely, switch off the engine, and get everyone away from the vehicle
Evacuating all occupants is the absolute first priority; the vehicle can be replaced but lives cannot.
Question 7: After a road traffic accident involving injury, within what time must a driver report it to the police if details could not be exchanged at the scene?
- 12 hours
- 24 hours (Correct answer)
- 48 hours
- 7 days
Correct answer: 24 hours
Under the Road Traffic Act, a driver must report a personal injury accident to the police within 24 hours if they were unable to exchange details at the scene.
CPC Emergency & Breakdown Procedures 1
When a vehicle breaks down on a motorway, what should the driver do FIRST after pulling onto the hard shoulder?