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Emergencies and Special Situations — Michigan Driver License Practice Test

Emergencies and Special SituationsQuestion 1 of 30

79 questions in this topic · 30 drawn at random this round

Which of the following is NOT allowed on a freeway?

What Every Driver Must Know

All questions are based on the official Michigan "What Every Driver Must Know" manual (Secretary of State). Study the relevant chapter to reinforce your knowledge.

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This Michigan Driver License Emergencies and Special Situations practice set has 79 practice questions based on the official exam materials, each with an instant explanation. You need 80% on the real Michigan Driver License knowledge test to pass.

Topic overview

This chapter covers how to handle aggressive driving, high-risk situations like intersections and freeway driving, bad weather (rain, fog, ice, snow), and true emergencies — crashes, disabled vehicles, being pulled over, deer collisions, and carjacking attempts. It also explains braking technique differences between vehicles with and without anti-lock brakes, and the timing rules for headlight use.

The most-tested material includes the 3-4 second following-distance rule (extend to 6+ seconds in poor conditions), headlight requirements (on whenever visibility drops below 500 feet, and required from a half-hour after sunset to a half-hour before sunrise), and the legal duty to stop after any crash and notify police when there are injuries or over $1,000 in damage. The exam also covers what to do if an oncoming vehicle drifts into your lane, and the correct response if a deer crash is unavoidable (brake firmly, stay in your lane — never swerve for the deer).

A common mistake is assuming all vehicles brake the same way in a skid: with anti-lock brakes you apply firm, steady pressure and keep it; without anti-lock brakes you use "threshold" braking — pressing just short of locking the wheels, releasing if they lock, then reapplying. Another common mistake is leaving your vehicle during a roadside emergency or traffic stop instead of staying inside with your seat belt on, which the manual identifies as the safest choice in most situations.

What should you do if a deer crash is unavoidable?

Do not swerve for the deer — stay in your lane, brake firmly with both hands on the wheel, and come to a controlled stop, steering well off the roadway if possible. Swerving to avoid a deer is more likely to cause a serious crash with oncoming traffic or a fixed object than hitting the deer itself.

When are you legally required to notify police after a crash?

You must notify police whenever a crash involves injuries or property damage exceeding $1,000. You should also exchange names, addresses, driver's license numbers, and insurance information with the other drivers, and never leave the scene of a crash — doing so is a punishable offense.

How does braking technique differ with and without anti-lock brakes?

With anti-lock brakes, apply firm, steady pressure and hold it — vibration or pulsation is normal and does not mean you should ease off. Without anti-lock brakes, use "threshold" (controlled) braking: press just short of locking the wheels, and if they do lock, release pressure briefly before reapplying.

Written from the official Michigan Driver's Manual — Emergencies and Special Situations ↗· Last checked: 2026-07-10· Reviewed by the PassPrep editorial team· How we verify →

Sample questions

Three questions from the Emergencies and Special Situations bank with the correct answer and an explanation. The practice quiz above draws 30 questions at random from the same bank.

Beyond knowing how to operate a vehicle and the rules of the road, what does safe driving also require?
- Good judgment, reflexes, experience, patience and common sense — Correct answer
- Only a powerful, well-maintained vehicle
- Memorizing every road sign in the handbook
- Driving as fast as the traffic around you
Explanation: Safe driving involves more than the basics; it also requires good judgment, reflexes, experience, patience and common sense, which are your best defense as a driver.
Handbook: Emergencies and Special Situations — Safe Driving
How should a new teen driver build skill before driving unsupervised?
- Practice on the driver education range, then with a licensed adult 21 or older — Correct answer
- Drive alone on the freeway right after getting a permit
- Only watch driving videos until the road test
- Practice exclusively at night in heavy traffic
Explanation: A teen should practice first on the driver education range, then with a parent, guardian or designated licensed adult 21 or older, before driving unsupervised.
Handbook: Emergencies and Special Situations — Safe Driving
Why can driving on 'autopilot' make a middle-aged driver vulnerable?
- They are not attuned to their driving environment and its risks — Correct answer
- Their reflexes are always faster than a teen's
- Their vehicles are usually newer and safer
- They never need to check their mirrors
Explanation: Middle-aged drivers may become complacent, and driving on 'autopilot' leaves them vulnerable because they are not really attuned to the driving environment and its potential risks.
Handbook: Emergencies and Special Situations — Safe Driving