CDL knowledge test PRACTICE

To maintain alertness during the trip, drivers should: 1. Avoid medications that cause drowsiness 2. schedule trips during the daytime hours 3. get 8-9 hours of sleep 4. do all the above

do all the above

An anti-lock braking system will 1. let you drive faster 2. increase a vehicle's ultimate stopping power 3. shorten your stopping distance 4. keep your brakes from locking when you brake hard

keep your brakes from locking when you brake hard

Total stopping distance is a combination of: 1. braking distance + stopping distance 2. reaction distance + viewing distance + braking distance 3. reaction distance + braking distance 4. perception distance + reaction distance + braking distance

perception distance + reaction distance + braking distance

During your pre-trip test, when examining hoses with the instructor, you need to look for : 1. puddles on the ground 2. frays in the water pump belt 3. the location of the dipstick 4. Low windshield washer fluid level

puddles on the ground

The most important hand signal you should agree on with a helper is: 1. go 2. stop 3. turn up the music 4. faster

stop

Which of the following is NOT something you should check during a trip? 1. Mirrors 2. Cargo and cargo covers 3. tires 4. text messages

text messages

You don't want to be a distracted driver, so you : 1. smoke, eat, and drink during straight portions of the road 2. turn off your cell phone until you reach your destination 3. have all your emotionally hard conversations in the first hour of driving 4. only read maps or your phone when there are no cars around you.

turn off your cell phone until you reach your destination

Rust around a lug nut indicates:

A loose lug nut

When the wheels of a trailer lock up, the trailer will tend to swing around. This is more likely to happen when the trailer is:

Empty or lightly loaded

Empty trucks:

Require greater stopping distance than full ones

When checking the adjustment on air brakes, slack adjusters should have no more than :

1 inch of travel

The amount of liquid to load into a tank depends on:

1. The weight of the liquids 2. The legal weight limits

Where should you place your warning devices if you must stop on a one-way or divided highway? 1. 100 feet, 200 feet, and 300 feet toward approaching traffic 2. 20 feet, 50 feet, and 100 feet toward approaching traffic 3. 50 feet, 100 feet, and 150 feet toward approaching traffic 4. 10 feet, 100 feet, and 200 feet toward approaching traffic

10 feet, 100 feet , and 200 feet toward approaching traffic

According to the manual, how far ahead should drivers look while driving?

12 to 15 seconds ahead

How many tie-downs are required for a 20-foot load

2 tie-downs. The rule is that you should have one tie-down per 10 feet of cargo, and you must have at least two per load, regardless of the length. So for 20 feet, you would have two.

If you are traveling at 55mph in a 30-foot vehicle, you should leave how many seconds of following distance?

4 seconds The formula for following distance is one second per 10 feet of vehicle, and then add an extra second if you are traveling over 40mph.

If you double your speed, how much more distance will it take to stop?

4 times as much

If you're in an accident that causes injury to anyone, or if the damage amounted to $700 or more, you must file a state accident report within:

4 working days from the date of the accident

The minimum tire tread depth for front tires is: 1. 1/32-inch 2. 1/2-inch 3. 3/8-inch 4. 4/32-inch

4/32-inch

If you're driving a slow-moving vehicle on a 2-lane highway, you must pull off at the first safe turnout if the number of vehicles behind you is:

5 of more

Which of the following is MOST likely to get stuck on raised railroad crossings? 1. A low slung car carrier 2. A single-axle tractor pulling a regular trailer 3. A single-axle tractor making a return journey empty 4. An empty moving van

A low slung car carrier

Your driving a new truck with a manual transmission. What gear will you probably have to use to take a long, steep downhill grade?

A lower gear than you would use to climb the hill

The definition of a hazard is: 1. A road user or road condition that could be a possible danger. 2. Something you can safely ignore 3. something you must stop for 4. something you can easily avoid

A road user or road condition that could be a possible danger

Which of these is NOT part of the basic method for shifting up? 1. Pushing in the clutch and shifting into a higher gear at the same time 2. Releasing the clutch 3. Releasing the clutch and pressing the accelerator at the same time 4. Accelerating while pressing the clutch and turning toward the driver side.

Accelerating while pressing the clutch and turning toward the driver side

How can you determine if your cehicle is equipped with ABS ? 1. Check if your vehicle was manufactured after March 1, 1998 ( they are required to have the panel light) 2. Look for wheel speed sensor wires that are coming from the rear of your brakes 3. check for yellow ABS malfunction lamps on the instrument panel. 4. All of the above

All of the above

It has just reached freezing. Which of the following areas is slippery? 1. A shaded area 2. A wet-looking road 3. A bridge 4. All of the above

All of the above

Which of the following should you do when confronted by an aggressive driver? 1. Ignore rude gestures and refuse to react negatively 2. Avoid eye contact 3. if you can safely do it, call the police from a cell phone. 4. All of the above

All of the above

Which of these can cause a fire? 1. Under inflation of tires 2. Loose fuel connections 3. all of the above

All of the above

How often must you stop to check your cargo while on the road? 1. After each break you take while you're diving 2. Every 3 hours or 150 miles 3. Within the first 50 miles 4. All the above

All the above

Why should you cover cargo? 1. because many states require it 2. To protect your cargo from bad weather 3. To protect individuals from any spilled cargo 4. All the above

All the above

You're driving on a slippery road during the day. What does the CDL Guide say about how much space you should keep ahead of your truck?

Allow "more space" than is needed for ideal driving conditions

If your bus has an emergency exit door, it must:

Be closed when operating the bus

Why is it important to use a helper when backing? 1. because you have blind spots 2. because you are providing a job for someone else 3. because people feel more comfortable when you do 4. all the above

Because you have blind spots

Signs of distracted drivers include 1. vehicles exiting the roadway 2. individuals driving at a consistent speed above the speed limit 3. drivers having conversations with passengers 4. individuals listening to music too loudly

Drivers having conversations with passengers

Most serious vehicle skids result from:

Driving too fast for road conditions

Which of the following should you NOT do if you experience a tire failure? 1. You need to be aware that a tire has failed 2. Engage the brakes hard and immediately 3. Hold the steering wheel firmly 4. Stay off the brake pedal

Engage brakes hard and immediately

To transport cargo safely, which of these are you NOT responsible for? 1. Inspecting the cargo 2. Ensuring the freshness of sealed cargo 3. Recognizing possible overloads 4. Making sure that cargo is properly secured

Ensuring the freshness of sealed cargo

What action should you take if your bus stills on railroad tracks?

Evacuate all passengers immediately

What is NOT one of the four skill areas that operating a commercial vehicle requires? 1. Steering 2. Safely backing 3. Accelerating 4. First aid certification

First aid certification

Which of the following is a key steering component? 1. Leaf spring 2. Torgue rod 3. Gear box 4. Bearing plate

Gear box

While driving at night, which lights should you use as often as you can?

High beams

Which of the following is a new section of the score criteria for crossing railroad tracks? 1. Do not change gears while on the tracks 2. Make sure you slow down, then brake smoothly 3. Do not brake or stop on the tracks 4. if possible, get into the furthest right lane before you reach the tracks.

If possible, get into the furthest right lane before you reach the tracks

The most common bus collisions often happen at:

Intersections

You're coupling a semi-trailer to your tractor but haven't yet backed under. The trailer is at the right height when:

It will be raised slightly when the tractor is backed under it.

There are 2 things drivers can do to prevent a rollover: 1. Go slow around turns, 2.:

Keep the cargo as close to the ground as possible

You should inspect wheel bearing seals for: 1. Twisted axles 2. broken leaf springs 3. tears 4. leaking

Leaking

How many seconds does it take for a normal tractor-trailer to clear a double track? 1. 14 seconds 2. More than 15 seconds 3. More than 30 seconds 4. 10 seconds

More than 15 seconds Note: You can expect it to take more than 15 seconds for a regular tractor-trailer to clear a double track, and 14 seconds to be safely over a single track

Is it true that as long as the engine is not overheated, it is completely safe to remove the radiator cap?

NO

Do empty trucks have the best braking?

No Note: Trucks brake best when they are being used as they were designed: to carry a properly balanced load. It might seem that empty trucks should be able to stop sooner, but they actually have greater stopping distances because they have less traction .

Which of the following should you NOT do to prepare for the backing section of your Washington CDL exam?

Practice backing at a Washington DOT exam site before your exam.

What action should you take before driving while drowsy?

Pull of the road and get some sleep

Which of the following causes vehicle fires? 1. Short circuits and loose connections 2. Flammable cargo with proper ventilation 3. Spilled fuel cleaned up quickly and properly 4. Driver smoking in a rest area

Short circuits and loose connections

What constitutes a hazardous materials placard?

Signs on the outside of the vehicle that identify the hazard class of cargo

You should know the outage needed for the liquids you carry because:

Some liquids expand more than others when they get warm

You should place the starter switch key into your pocket while you are performing the pre-trip inspection because: 1. it could damage the starting mechanism 2. someone could steal the truck 3. Someone could start and move the truck 4. all the above

Someone could start and move the truck

What might happen if you swing wide to the left before you turn right? 1. Someone might try to pass you on your right 2. you might damage your leaf springs 3. Someone might try to pass you on your left. 4. all of the above

Someone might try to pass you on your right

Starting the engine and inspecting the cab involves each of these tasks, except: 1. Starting the engine, then putting the gearshift in neutral. 2. Checking the transmission controls 3. Checking the air pressure gauge 4. Starting the engine, then listening for unusual noises

Starting the engine, then putting the gearshift in neutral Note: When performing this part of the inspection, however, you must put the gearshift in neutral, then start the engine and listen for any unusual noises.

`Which two special conditions indicate that you should downshift? 1. Starting up a hill and finishing a curve 2. Starting down a hill and entering a curve 3. Starting up a hill and entering a curve 4. Starting down a hill and finishing a curve

Startring down a hill and entering a curve

The trailer hand valve ( also called the trolley valve or Johnson bar) works the trailer brakes. Don't use it in driving because of the danger of making the trailer skid. The trailer hand valve should only be used when:

Testing the trailer brakes after hooking up to a trailer

The braking power of the spring brakes depends on:

The service brakes being in adjustment

What is the gross vehicle weight (GVW)? 1. A vehicle's maximum weight rating, specified by its manufacturer. 2. The total weight that includes the vehicle, towed vehicles, and the load 3. The total weight of a single vehicle and its load 4. All of the above

The total weight of a single vehicle and its load

What happens when you let the air out of hot tires? 1. This is a bad idea because when the tires cool off, the pressure will be too low. 2. This is a good idea so the extra pressure is relieved 3. It will cool them down. You will be able to continue your journey sooner. 4. It has no effect at all

This is a bad idea because when the tires cool off, the pressure will be too low.

What will help a drunk sober up? 1. coffee 2. Fresh air 3. time 4. a glass of water

Time

What is the best way to figure out how many seconds of following distance you have?

Wait until a vehicle passes a shadow or landmark, then count the seconds until you pass it.

Which of the following can you NOT use a B:C fire extinguisher on? 1. Wood 2. Gasoline Fire 3. Grease Fire 4. Electrical Fire

Wood

Always try to back toward the drivers side becasue : 1. your truck will naturally pull toward the drivers side 2. its more comfortable for turning your neck 3. you can see better, watching the vehicle rear out the side window 4. all the above

You can see better, watching the vehicle rear out the side window

Your brakes are fading when:

You have to push harder and harder to get the same stopping power on downgrade.

Which of the following statements about retarders is correct? 1. you should turn the retarder off whenever the road is wet, icy, or snow-covered 2. Retarders help slow a vehicle, reducing the need for using your brakes 3. When your drive wheels have poor traction, the retarder may cause them to skid 4. All of the abovee

all of the above

How can you start moving without rolling backward? 1. apply the hand valve 2. Engage the clutch before removing your foot from the brake 3. Put on the parking brake whenever necessary 4. All the above

all the above

Which of the following determines the safe speed for going down a steep downgrade? 1. The steepness of the grade 2. The road conditions 3. the total weight of the vehicle and cargo 4. all the above

all the above