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California driving lesson · Safe Driving Fundamentals

Skids & braking emergencies

A 3-minute lesson from the California course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

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Read time
3 minutes
Course unit
Safe Driving Fundamentals
Checkpoint questions
5
Source pages
66, 67

A skid happens when one or more tires lose traction and the vehicle starts to slip. How you recover depends on the type of skid and on your brakes: four-wheel, rear-wheel, front-wheel ABS, or none.

Skid

When one or more tires lose traction with the road and the vehicle starts to slip. You may not be able to control it.

Handbook p. 66 ↗

To prevent skids on slippery surfaces (ice, packed snow):

  • Slow down approaching intersections and curves; for sharp curves, slow before and through them
  • Avoid fast turns and quick stops
  • Shift to low gear before going down a steep hill
  • Avoid ice patches, wet leaves, oil, and standing water
Handbook p. 66 ↗

If you start to skid on a slippery surface:

  • 1. Slowly remove your foot from the accelerator
  • 2. Do not use the brakes
  • 3. Turn the steering wheel in the direction of the skid
  • 4. Try to get a wheel on dry pavement
Handbook p. 66 ↗

Locked wheel skid

Usually caused by braking too hard when going too fast. The vehicle skids no matter which way the wheel is turned.

Handbook p. 66 ↗

Getting out of a locked wheel skid

Getting out of a locked wheel skid
BrakesWhat to do
Four-wheel ABSApply firm pressure on the brake pedal
Rear-wheel ABS (light trucks)Ease up so front wheels roll; steer into skid
Front-wheel ABSFoot off brake; steer where you want to go
No ABSQuickly pump the brakes until at a safe speed
Handbook p. 67 ↗

Know the rule

To find out if your vehicle has ABS, check the owner's manual.

Handbook p. 67 ↗

Know the rule

If the brake pedal sinks to the floor, quickly pump the brakes by gently applying and releasing pressure.

Handbook p. 67 ↗

Know the rule

If pumping doesn't work, downshift to a lower or neutral gear to slow down, then try the emergency brake.

Handbook p. 67 ↗

Know the rule

Dry wet brakes by lightly pressing the accelerator and brake at the same time, only until the brakes dry.

Handbook p. 67 ↗

Put it into practice

On an icy curve, your rear end starts sliding to the right. Ease off the accelerator, keep off the brakes, turn the wheel to the right (the direction of the skid), and aim for dry pavement.

Check your understanding

Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.

What is the first step if your vehicle begins to skid?
  1. Press the brakes firmly
  2. Slowly ease off the gas
  3. Turn the wheel sharply away from the skid
  4. Shift into neutral

Answer: Slowly ease off the gas

If you start to skid, slowly remove your foot from the accelerator as the first step.

Handbook p. 66 ↗
In a skid, which direction should you turn the steering wheel?
  1. Away from the direction of the skid
  2. Straight ahead only
  3. In the direction of the skid
  4. Toward the nearest shoulder

Answer: In the direction of the skid

Turn the steering wheel in the direction of the skid to help regain control.

Handbook p. 66 ↗
For a vehicle with four-wheel ABS in a locked-wheel skid, what should you do?
  1. Pump the brakes rapidly
  2. Avoid using the brakes entirely
  3. Shift to neutral and coast
  4. Firm, steady brake pressure

Answer: Firm, steady brake pressure

With four-wheel ABS, apply firm pressure on the brake pedal during a locked-wheel skid.

Handbook p. 66 ↗
If your vehicle has no ABS and begins to skid after braking, what should you do?
  1. Pump the brakes quickly
  2. Hold the brake pedal down firmly
  3. Release the brakes and coast
  4. Pull the parking brake hard

Answer: Pump the brakes quickly

Without ABS, quickly pump the brakes to regain control and slow to a safe speed.

Handbook p. 67 ↗
A locked wheel skid is usually caused by braking too hard while going too fast.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: True

The handbook states a locked wheel skid is usually caused by hard braking at high speed.

Handbook p. 66 ↗
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