British Columbia Knowledge Test Coach
Safe drivingQuestion 28 of 412

Why is the parking brake sometimes called an emergency brake?

  1. It stops the vehicle faster than the foot brake.
  2. It works only on wet roads.
  3. It turns on the hazard lights.
  4. It can slow the vehicle if the foot brake fails.
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Correct answer: It can slow the vehicle if the foot brake fails.

The parking brake normally holds a parked vehicle. It can also help in an emergency.

Source: Learn to Drive Smart (ICBC, 2026), Chapter 2, You and your vehicle: Hand controls: Parking brake, page 19

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Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026