Brake and light failures — New York Permit Test
Brake and light failures on the New York permit test — 4 rules, each with the reason behind it and a question on it while it is fresh.
The rules
If a brake pedal suddenly goes to the floor a driver should try pumping it to increase pressure, and if that does not help use the emergency brake gently, while shifting to a lower gear to help the vehicle decrease speed.
There is often pressure left to pump up. The gear and the hand brake are the backups.
BRAKE FAILURE - If your brake pedal suddenly goes to the floor, try pumping it to increase pressure.
If headlights suddenly go out a driver should try their emergency lights, parking lights and directional signals, which may continue to work and give enough light to leave the roadway safely.
The other circuits usually survive. Any light at all is better than none.
If your headlights suddenly go out, try your emergency lights, parking lights and directional signals.
If a gas pedal sticks a driver should hook their shoe under the pedal to try to free it, and if that does not work shift into neutral and use the brake to slow the vehicle and get off the road.
Neutral cuts the engine off from the wheels. Then the brakes have the car to themselves.
STUCK GAS PEDAL - Hook your shoe under the pedal and see if you can free it.
A driver should not turn off the ignition when the gas pedal sticks, because they could lose steering control or lock the steering wheel.
Switching off can lock the wheel. Then the car is fast and cannot be steered.
Do not turn of the ignition as you could lose your steering control or or lock your steering wheel.
On the test
What should a driver try first when the brake pedal goes to the floor?
Pump it to build pressure. There is often pressure left to pump up. The gear and the hand brake are the backups. New York State Driver's Manual, p.65: “BRAKE FAILURE - If your brake pedal suddenly goes to the floor, try pumping it to increase pressure.”
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Where these come from
Every rule here is checked against New York State Driver's Manual, published by the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, and against the state code itself. Last checked 2026-09-15.