Theory topic 11 · Düsseldorf
Topic 11: Dealing with special situations
Topic 11 prepares you for the moments that don't happen every day: an accident, a breakdown, an ambulance behind you, a tunnel, ice, fog or aquaplaning. If you know what to do and stay calm, you protect yourself and everyone around you.
- In class
- 90 minutes, as often as you like
- This is topic 11 of 14. You can come to this double lesson as many times as you like.
- Flexible times
- 8 theory classes a week
- Lessons run on six days a week. The 14 topics follow on from each other in a loop, so you simply join at the next lesson.
- Three languages
- German, English, Arabic
- Lessons are taught in German. If something isn't clear, you can ask in English or Arabic.
What you learn
What topic 11 covers
This is what's on the plan in the lesson, and it's what the theory test (Theorieprüfung) will ask you about.
- The right order of steps after an accident: make the scene safe, help, call for help, collect evidence
- How to form an emergency corridor (between the left-hand lane and all the others)
- How to recognise emergency vehicles with blue lights and sirens, and how to make room for them
- What to do in aquaplaning, on black ice, in snow and in fog
- What to keep in mind in a tunnel: lights, gap and what to do in an emergency
- What to do if you break down on the motorway (hard shoulder, warning triangle)
- What belongs in a proper breakdown kit (hi-vis vest, first aid kit, warning triangle)
The key rules
What you need to know for sure
A lot of the test questions on this topic come back to these points.
After an accident: make it safe, help, secure evidence
First make the scene safe: switch on your hazard lights, put on your hi-vis vest and set up the warning triangle far enough behind the accident, about 100 metres where traffic is fast. Then give first aid and call 112. Only after that do you collect evidence: photos, witnesses, everyone's details, and the police.
Emergency corridor: the gap is to the right of the left-hand lane
As soon as traffic on the motorway, or on a road outside town with at least two lanes in each direction, slows to walking pace or stops, you must form an emergency corridor (Rettungsgasse, § 11 Abs. 2 StVO). Cars in the left-hand lane move to the left and cars in all the other lanes move to the right, so the gap opens between the left-hand lane and the one next to it. If you don't, it costs €200, 2 points and usually a one-month driving ban. If you get in the way of the emergency services, put someone at risk or cause damage, the fine goes up to €320.
Make room for emergency vehicles straight away
When a vehicle has its blue lights and siren on, it has right of way under § 38 StVO, and you must make room immediately. You can do that by moving further to the right or pulling over to the side, as long as you don't put anyone else in danger.
Tunnels: lights on, bigger gap, know where the emergency phones are
In a tunnel you always drive with your lights on, even in the daytime. Leave a bigger gap than usual, tune your radio to the traffic news and look out for the emergency phones and exits on the tunnel wall. If there's a fire, switch off the engine, leave the key in and walk to the nearest emergency exit.
Aquaplaning: clutch down, don't steer, don't brake
If the car starts to float, press the clutch, hold the steering wheel straight, don't brake and let the car lose speed on its own. On ice or snow, brake gently or let the ABS do its job, and avoid sudden steering movements.
Common mistakes
Where the test often trips people up
In these places a question often means something different from what it seems to say when you read it quickly.
- Forming the emergency corridor too late
- You have to form the corridor as soon as the traffic drops to walking pace or stops, not only once you can see the emergency vehicle. Otherwise it can't get through. You also risk a high fine and points.
- Putting the warning triangle too close
- Where traffic is fast, on a country road or the motorway, the warning triangle should be about 100 metres behind your car, so drivers coming up behind have time to react. In town a shorter distance is enough. If you only put it a few metres behind the car, you haven't done what you have to do in an emergency.
- Braking too hard on ice
- Braking suddenly when you don't need to can easily send the car sliding on ice. If you do have to brake hard in an emergency and your car has ABS, press the brake all the way down and keep it there. The ABS stops the wheels locking, so you can still steer.
- Driving through a tunnel without lights
- Your dipped headlights have to be on even when the tunnel is lit. Otherwise you can be fined, and after an accident you may be partly to blame.
Sample questions
What the questions in the theory test look like
Click on a question to see the answer. You can practise the full set of official questions with our learning app.
Traffic is building up into a jam on the motorway. What do you do?
What do you do if you start aquaplaning?
How far behind your car do you set up the warning triangle on the motorway?
In the driving lesson
Where you'll meet topic 11 again in the car
In the practical test you can be asked to stop the car as hard as you possibly can, which is an emergency stop, as one of the basic manoeuvres. What you learn in this topic about accidents and breakdowns builds on the first aid course (Erste-Hilfe-Kurs) that you need for your licence anyway.
Questions and answers
Common questions about topic 11
Short answers to questions around this topic.
What do I have to do after any accident?
Who has priority, an ambulance or the police?
What goes in a breakdown kit?
What do I do if a tyre bursts on the motorway?
What does 'right of way' mean for emergency vehicles?
Registration
Come along to the theory lessons
Pre-register online, with no obligation. Once your registration has gone through, you join at the next lesson, whichever topic is on that day.
Or just drop by
- Phone
- 0211 21098911
- Mon–Fri
- 10:30–19:00
- Sat
- 10:00–15:00
- Sun
- Closed
Read on
Related topics and pages
- Topic 2: The human risk factorAlcohol, drugs, tiredness and distraction, and how much they slow your reactions.
- Topic 3: The legal frameworkThe rules, the probationary period, points in Flensburg and who is liable for what.
- Topic 12: Safety through further learningThe probationary period, the seminar for new drivers and why learning goes on after the test.
- Class BThe car licence.
- Refresher lessonGet your confidence back after a break.
- Pre-registrationSign up online, with no obligation.
