Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Practice Exam

When you experience fading brakes, it's crucial to take the appropriate measures to ensure your safety and the safety of others on the road. Pulling the parking brake is not recommended in this situation because the parking brake is designed primarily to keep the vehicle stationary when parked, not to slow it down while in motion. Activating the parking brake can lead to a loss of control, particularly at higher speeds, as it primarily engages only the rear wheels and could cause the vehicle to skid.

In contrast, reducing speed gradually allows you to maintain control of the vehicle while seeking a safe place to stop. Shifting to a lower gear helps by using engine braking, which can assist in reducing speed without solely relying on the brakes. Increasing pressure on the brake pedal may seem instinctive, but it often exacerbates the problem if the brakes are already fading, as they may not respond as intended. Understanding the correct response in these scenarios is vital for safe driving practices, particularly for commercial drivers who operate larger vehicles that have different braking dynamics compared to standard vehicles.