Vehicle malfunctions — Kentucky Permit Test

A Kentucky brake warning light tells a driver the brakes are not working properly, and a driver should not drive if they see it.

The light is the only warning before the pedal goes to the floor.

A brake warning light will tell you your brakes are not working properly.

If Kentucky brakes stop working while driving, a driver uses the parking brake slowly so the rear wheels do not lock and cause a skid, and is ready to release it if a skid starts.

Pulling it hard locks the rear wheels and turns a brake failure into a spin.

Pull on the parking brake handle in the center console or push the parking brake foot pedal slowly so you will not lock the rear wheels and cause a skid.

If the parking brake does not stop a Kentucky vehicle with failed brakes, the driver turns off the engine and looks for a safe place to slow to a stop off the roadway.

The engine off takes away the power that is keeping the car rolling.

If that does not work, turn off the engine and look for a safe place to slow to a stop.

A Kentucky front tire blowout pulls the vehicle sharply in the direction of the blowout, and a rear blowout makes the vehicle wobble, shake and pull some in that direction.

Knowing which end went tells the driver how hard the wheel will pull.

If a front tire blows out, the vehicle will pull sharply in the direction of the blowout.

In a Kentucky tire blowout the driver grips the wheel firmly, keeps the vehicle going straight, slows down gradually and does not brake.

Braking on a blown tire is what turns a straight line into a spin.

Do not brake. Allow the vehicle to slow by itself or brake gently if necessary.

If a Kentucky engine shuts off while driving, the steering wheel may be difficult to turn but can still be turned.

Drivers assume the steering has locked. It has not, it has only gone heavy.

Be aware that the steering wheel may be difficult to turn, but you can turn it.

A Kentucky driver whose engine has shut off should not brake hard, but brake with steady pressure, slow down and then pull off the roadway.

Without the engine there is no brake assistance, so the pedal needs a firm steady push rather than a stab.

Do not brake hard; instead, brake with steady pressure on the pedal, slow down, and then pull off the roadway.

If a Kentucky vehicle is accelerating out of control, the driver turns off the engine, shifts to neutral, searches for an escape path, steers smoothly, brakes gently and pulls off the roadway.

Neutral disconnects the engine from the wheels, which stops the car accelerating whatever the pedal is doing.

Turn off the engine.

What does Kentucky say a brake warning light means?

The brakes are not working properly. The light is the only warning before the pedal goes to the floor. Kentucky Driver Manual, p.57: “A brake warning light will tell you your brakes are not working properly.”