Arkansas Commercial Driver License (CDL) Practice Test 2026 – All-in-One Guide to Ensure Your Exam Success!

If you experience brake failure while driving a commercial vehicle, the recommended action is to shift to a lower gear and use the emergency brake. This approach helps to reduce the vehicle's speed gradually by engaging the engine's braking ability as you downshift, which increases resistance against the wheels. By using the emergency brake, you can apply additional braking force safely, which is crucial in bringing the vehicle to a stop without losing control.

It’s important to understand that downshifting utilizes the vehicle’s engine to help slow it down, effectively using engine resistance, especially on downhill grades where brake failure may be a greater risk. The emergency brake is designed as a backup system, providing an additional means of deceleration.

In contrast, actions like steering hard to the right could lead to loss of control or collisions, accelerating to gain speed would exacerbate the situation and increase the risk of an accident, and turning off the engine could lead to a loss of steering control and overall vehicle stability. Therefore, using the emergency brake while downshifting is the most effective method for handling brake failure safely.