Trucking General Knowledge Test #1
A car suddenly cuts in front of you, creating a hazard. Which of these actions should you NOT take? 1. Honk and stay close behind the car 2. Slow down to prevent a crash 3. Signal and change lanes to avoid it, if possible
1.
Before you back under a trailer, make sure the: 1. Trailer brakes are locked 2. Air supply knob are in 3. Air brakes are off
1.
If you have a conditional driver's license, there is (are): 1. Special restrictions you must follow when driving 2. A special time limit to renew your license 3. Age limit imposed on your driver's license
1.
If your truck or bus has dual parking control valves, you can use pressure from a separate tank to: 1. Release the spring emergency/parking brakes to move a short distance 2. Apply more brake pressure if the main tank is getting low 3. Balance the service brake system whenever you are parked
1.
In your mirror you can see a car approaching from the rear. The next time you check your mirror, you do not see the car. You wish to change lanes. You should: 1. Wait to change lanes until you are sure the car isn't in your blind spot 2. Ease into the other lane very slowly so the car can get out of the way if it is besides you 3. Assume the car left the road and change lanes as normal
1.
The parking or emergency brake on a heavy vehicle can only be held in position by something that cannot leak away, like: 1. Spring pressure 2. Air pressure 3. Hydraulic pressure
1.
The proper method of braking when going down long and/or steep grades after selecting the proper gear is to brake until your speed is about ___ miles per hour below your "safe" speed, and then release your brakes. 1. 5 2. 10 3. 15
1.
This sign means: (+) 1. Another road crosses yours 2. Side road ahead on the right 3. Another lane is merging with yours
1.
To avoid a crash, you had to drive onto the right shoulder. You are now driving at 40 mph on the shoulder. How should you move back onto the pavement? 1. If the shoulder is clear, stay on it until your vehicle has come to a stop. Then move back onto the pavement when it is safe. 2. Brake hard to slow the vehicle, then steer sharply onto the pavement 3. Keep moving at the present speed and steer very gently back onto the pavement
1.
To check the free play of manual slack adjusters on s-cam brakes you should: 1. Level ground, chock the wheels, and turn the parking brakes. 2. Level ground with the parking brake, then apply the service brake 3. Level ground and drain off air pressure before adjusting vehicle movement
1.
To unlock the fifth wheel, pull the release hand to the ___ position. 1. Open 2. Neutral 3. Closed
1.
Total stopping distance for air brakes is longer than that for hydraulic brakes due to ___ distance. 1. Brake lag 2. Reaction 3. Effective braking
1.
Truck-escape ramp: 1. Help avoid damage to vehicle 2. Cannot be used by certain types of heavy vehicles 3. Are not for busses
1.
What is the term for a commercial vehicle's habit of swinging wide on turns? 1. Off tracking 2. Wide-rounding 3. Side winding
1.
When uncoupling a trailer, after you have shut off the trailer air supply and locked the trailer brakes, you should: 1. Back up gently to ease pressure on the fifth wheel locking jaw 2. Begin to lower the trailer landing gear 3. Immediately put on your tractor parking brakes
1.
When you leave your lane to pass another vehicle, you know you have enough room to return to your driving lane when you: 1. When you can see the front of the vehicle in your rear view window 2. When you are 2 seconds in front of the other vehicle 3. When you have passed the other vehicle's front bumper
1.
Which of these is a good thing to do when driving at night? 1. Keep your speed slow enough that you can stop with the range of your headlights. 2. Look directly at oncoming headlight only briefly. Keep your instrument lights bright.
1.
Which of these is true about mirror adjustment? 1. You should adjust your mirrors prior to starting a trip. 2. You an adjust the mirrors while you are driving. 3. The mirrors can be adjusted correctly even if the trailer is not straight.
1.
Which of these pieces of emergency equipment should be carried in your vehicle? 1. Warning devices for parked vehicles? 2. Circuit breakers 3. First Aid kit
1.
Why is a broken exhaust system dangerous? 1. Poison fumes could enter the cab or sleeper berth. 2. You could pollute the air with exhaust smoke 3. Loud noise could damage the driver's ears
1.
You are driving a heavy vehicle. You must exit a highway using an off-ramp that curves downhill, you should: 1. SLow down to a safe speed before the curve 2. Slow to the posted speed limit for the off ramp 3. Wait until you are in the curve before down shifting
1.
You are driving on a street with two lanes in each direction. You need to make a U-turn. Where should you start your U-turn? 1. The left lane 2. Always use the center left turn lane 3. In either lane
1.
You are starting your vehicle in motion from a stop. As you apply power to the drive wheels, they start to spin. You should: 1. Take your foot off the accelerator 2. Take your foot off the accelerator and apply the brakes 3. Try a lower gear
1.
You can see a marking on a vehicle ahead of you. The marking si a red triangular with an orange center What does the marking mean? 1. It may be a slow moving vehicle 2.The vehicle is hauling hazardous materials 3.It is being driven by a student driver
1.
You have just been convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol. The judge sentences you to 48 hours in jail. In addition you may: 1. Have to pay a fine 2. Have a vehicle taken away for 60 days 3. Lose your license for up to 18 months
1.
You must complete a written vehicle inspection report each day and you must sign: 1. The previous driver's report when any defects are noted. 2. Only when defects are noted that are certified to be repaired. 3. Only when defects are noted that are certified to not need repair.
1.
You should never park: 1. In a space marked with a cross hatched pattern 2. In a bike lane 3. Twenty feet from a railroad track
1.
You should signal continuously while turning because: 1. You need both hands on the wheel to turn safely 2. It is illegal to turn off your signal before completing a turn 3. Most vehicles have self-cancelling signals
1.
You supply air to the trailer tanks by: 1. Pushing in the trailers air supply valve 2. Pulling out the trailer air supply valve 3. Connecting the service line glad hand
1.
"implied consent" means: 1. It is understood that you may drink alcohol now and then. 2. You have given your consent to be tested for alcohol in your blood. 3. You have given your consent to inspection of your vehicle for alcohol.
2.
A straight truck or bus air brake system should not leak at a rate of more than ____ PSI per minute with the engine off and the brakes released. 1. 1 2. 2 3. 3
2.
A yellow curb means: 1. Limited parking, but OK for buses 2. Loading or unloading things or people only 3. Commercial vehicle only
2.
Before driving a truck or bus with a dual-air brake system, the pressure in each system should be at least ___ psi. 1. 80 2. 100 3. 120
2.
CDL medical certificate must be renewed every: 1.. Year 2. Two years 3. Four years
2.
Convex (curved) mirrors: 1. Make objects appear larger than they really are 2. Make objects appear closer than they really are 3. Always dangerous
2.
During a vehicle inspection, checking the ____ will Not help prevent a fire. 1. Electrical system insulation 2. Battery fluid level 3. Cargo ventilation
2.
If you cannot make a turn without entering another traffic lane, you should: 1. Turn wide before you start to turn 2. Turn wide, as you complete your turn 3. Not make that turn-go to another place where you won't have to cross into another lane.
2.
It is illegal for a person 21 years of age or older to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) that is ___ or higher. 1. Five hundredths (0.05) of one percent 2. Eight hundredths (0.08) of one percent 3. One tenth (0.10) of one percent
2.
It is illegal for a person 21 years of age or older to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) that is ____ or more. 1. Five hundredth (0.05) of one percent 2. Eight hundredth (0.08) of one percent 3. One tenth (0.10) of one percent
2.
Some air brake systems have an alcohol evaporator. What may happen if you don't keep the unit filled with alcohol? 1. The S-cam may not rotate back when you release the brake pedal 2. Ice may form in the air storage tanks and cause the brakes to fail 3. Ice may form on the brake drums and warp them
2.
Stab braking: 1. Involves applying brakes and releasing them after the wheels lock up. Should be used on vehicles without antilock break systems. 3. Should be used with hydraulic brakes.
2.
The air leakage rate for a combination vehicle (engine off, brakes off) should be no more than ____ psi per minute. 1. 2 2. 3 3. 4
2.
The brake pedal in an air brake system: 1. Controls the speed of the air compressor 2. Controls the air pressure applied to put on the brakes 3. Is connected to slack adjusters by a series of rods and linkages
2.
The brake system that applies and releases the brakes when the driver uses the brake pedal is the ____ brake system. 1. Emergency 2. Service 3. Parking
2.
The distance that you should look ahead of your vehicle while driving amounts to about ____ mile at highway speed: 1. 1/3 2. 1/4 3. 1/2
2.
The driver must be able to see a warning that is given before air pressure in the service air tanks falls below ___ psi. 1. 50 2. 60 3. 80
2.
The speed limit in an alley is: 1. 10 mph 2. 15 mph 3. 20 mph
2.
There are two things are a driver can do to prevent a rollover. They are: (1) Go slow and turns; and (2): 1. Keep both hands firmly on the steering wheel 2. Keep the cargo as close to the ground as possible 3. Keep the fifth wheel free, play as small as possible
2.
To stop a trailer skid, you should 1. Use the trailer hard brakes 2. Release the service brakes 3. Counter-steer
2.
Under normal conditions, in order to engage the parking brakes the driver must first: 1. Turn off the engine 2. Let the air out of the air brake system 3. Be sure that the air brake system is fully pressurized
2.
What is counter steering? 1. Turning the steering wheel counter clockwise. 2. Turning the wheel back in the other direction after steering to avoid a traffic emergency. 3. Using the steering axle brakes to prevent over steering.
2.
What is the speed limit at a blind intersection? 1. 10 mph 2. 15 mph 3. 25 mph
2.
What should you do if you are unsure whether you have enough overhead clearance? 1. Slow down slightly and try to drive under the object 2. Find another rout that will not require driving under the object 3. Estimate the height of an overhead object if it is not posted
2.
Which of the below is not characteristics of a front tire failure? 1. Steering wheel twisting 2. Vehicle fishtail. 3. Difficult steering
2.
Which of these is NOT part of the pre-trip inspection of the engine compartment? 1. Engine oil level 2. Valve clearance 3. Worn electrical wiring insulation
2.
Which of these should be tested while the vehicle is stopped? 1. Service brake 2. Parking brake 3. Hydraulic brake
2.
Which of these statements is true about large trucks? 1. They do not need more spaces to stop and start. 2. Trucks are not as maneuverable as passenger vehicles 3. They do not need more space turns
2.
You are approaching an intersection. The handbook recommends that you look: 1. Left, right, left, and right again before pulling out 2. Left, right, and left again before pulling out 3. Straight ahead and to the left before pulling out
2.
You do Not have a HAZMAT endorsement on your commercial driver's incense. You can drive a vehicle hauling hazardous material when: 1. The GVWRis 26,001 pounds or less 2. The vehicle does not require placards 3. A person who has teh HAZMAT endorsement rides with you
2.
You reach the intersection at the same time as the driver on your left. Who goes first? 1. The driver on your left goes first 2. You go first 3. Whoever is signaling to make a turn
2.
You should avoid driving through deep puddles or flowing water. But if you must, which of these steps can help keep your brakes working? 1. Applying hard pressure on both the brake pedal and accelerator after coming out of the water. 2. Gently putting on the brakes while driving through the water. 3. Turning on your brake heaters.
2.
You sold your vehicle. You must notify _______ within 5 days. 1. Your automobile club. 2. DMV 3. Your insurance company
2.
You wish to turn right from one two-lane, two-way street to another. Your vehicle is so long that yo umust swing wide to make the turn. Which of these figures shows how the turn should be made? 1. Figure A 2. Figure B 3. Figure C
2.
A full stop is required at all rail road grade crossing when: 1. The crossing is located in a city or town with frequent train traffic 2. There is flagman warning signals or gates at the crossing 3. The nature of the cargo make a stop mandatory under state or federal regulations.
3.
After the trailer has been coupled to the tractor, the tractor protection control valve should be placed in the ___ position. 1. Down 2. Up 3. Normal
3.
After you lock the kingpin into the fifth wheel, you should check the connection by: 1. Pulling forward 50 feet, turning right and left 2. Pulling the tractor ahead sharply to release the trailer brakess 3. Pulling the tractor ahead gently with the trailer brakes locked
3.
Backing a commercial vehicle is: 1. Not dangerous if you have a helper 2. Not dangerous if you do not have to turn 3. Always dangerous
3.
Containerized loads: 1. Should come with their own tie down devices or locks 2. Do not require inspection or securing by the driver 3. Are generally used when fright is carried partway by rail or ship
3.
Emergency stab braking is when you: 1. Press hard on the brake pedal and apply full hand valve until you stop 2. Use light steady pressure on the brake pedal 3. Brakes as hard as you can, release the brakes when the wheels lock, and put on the brakes again when the wheels start rolling
3.
Excessive use of the service brakes results in overheating, which can lead to: 1. Improper adjustment of the S-cam 2. Increased contact between the brake drums and brake linings 3. Expansion of the brake drums
3.
For a first offense of driving commercial vehicles under the influence of alcohol or drugs, you will lose your CDL for at least ___. 1. 6 months 2. 2 Years 3. 1 Year
3.
How should you check that your service brakes are working properly? 1. Park on a slight incline, drain off air pressure, set parking brakes, and check for movement 2. Chock the wheels, apply parking brake, shut the engine off and pump and brake pedal to reduce air tank pressure. 3. Wait for normal air pressure, release the parking brake, move the truck forward slowly, and apply the brake firmly using the brake pedal
3.
If air pressure does NOT build up to normal within the correct amount of time, then: 1. You should be ready to use your parking brake to help stop 2. Your alcohol container may be low 3. You air pressure may drop too low during driving, requiring an emergency stop
3.
If you are being tailgated you should: 1. Flash your brake lights 2. Signal the tailgater when it is safe to pass you 3. Increase your following distance
3.
If you must make an emergency stop, you should brake, so you: 1. Use the hand brake before the brake pedal 2. Use the full power of the brakes to lock them 3. Can steer and so your vehicle stays in a straight line
3.
Most serious skid results from: 1. Turning sharply 2. Decelerating too fast 3. Driving too fast for conditions
3.
On which fires can you use water? 1. Electrical 2. Gasoline 3. Tires
3.
Placards must be: 1. Displayed on all vehicles hauling any amounts of hazardous materials 2. Placed only on the front and rear of a vehicle 3. Placed on all four sides of a vehicle
3.
The air compressor governor controls: 1. The speed of the air compressor 2. Air pressure applied to the brakes 3. When air is pumped into the air brakes
3.
The driver crosses the air lines when hooking up to an old trailer. What will happen? 1. The hand valve will apply the tractor brakes instead of the trailer brakes 2. The brake pedal will work the trailer spring brakes instead of the air brakes 3. If the trailer has no spring brakes, her or she could driver away but wouldn't have trailer brakes
3.
The front trailer supports are up and the trailer is resting on the tractor. Make sure: 1. There is enough clearance between the upper and lower fifth wheel 2. The safety latch is in the unlocked position 3. There is enough clearance between the tractor frame and the landing gear
3.
The purpose of retarders s to 1. Apply extra braking power to the non-drive axles. 2. Help prevent skids. 3. Help slow the vehicle while driving and reduce break wear.
3.
The safety catch for the fifth wheel locking lever must be ____ for a coupling to be complete. 1. Straight up 2. Through the locking lever 3. Over the locking lever
3.
What is the proper way to hold a steering wheel? 1. With both hands close together, near the top of the wheel. 2. With both hands close together, near the bottom of the wheel. 3. With both hands on opposites side of the wheel.
3.
When a collant container is part of a pressurized system, which of these is true? 1. The radiator cap can be safely removed and coolant added while the engine is hot. 2. You never need to check the antifreeze in such a system. 3. You can check the coolant level of a hot engine.
3.
When driving in cold weather, your tire tread should: 1. Be checked every 100 miles or every two hours 2. Be double the depth required in normal weather 3. Provide enough traction to steer and push the vehicle through snow
3.
When should you use the hand valve to park a combination vehicle? 1. To park at loading docks 2. To park on a grade 3. Never
3.
When you are parked at the side of the road at night, you must: 1. Put out your emergency warning divces within 30 minutes. 2. Use your tail-lights to give warning to other drivers. 3. Turn on your 4-way emergency flashers to warn others
3.
When you get ready to bake under a trailer, you should line up: 1. The left rear outside dual wheel the kingpin 2. The kingpin with the edge of the driver's side locking jaw 3. Directly in front of the trailer
3.
Which of these is NOT a proper time to apply the parking brakes? 1. If you only be stopped for less than one hour 2. If you are going to test the parking break to make sure that it holds the vehicle 3. If the brakes are very hot (e.g. after just coming down a steep grade)
3.
Which of these statement about double-clutching and shifting is true. 1. Double-clutching should not be used when the road is slippery. 2. Double-clutching should only be used with a heavy load. 3. You can use the tachometer to tell you when to shift.
3.
Which of these statements about staying alert to drive is true? 1. A half-hour break or coffee will do more to keep you alert than a half-hour nap. 2. If you must stop, pull over on the side of the road for a short nap. 3. Sleep is the only thing that can overcome fatigue
3.
Why will your vehicle speed naturally increases on downgrades? 1. The engine run smoother. 2. Lack of traction 3. Gravity
3.
You are checking your brakes and suspension system for a pre trip inspection. Which of these statements is true? 1. Just one missing leaf spring is not dangerous 2. Spring hangers that are cracked but still tight are not dangerous 3. Brake shoes should not have; oil, grease, or brake fluid on them
3.
You are checking your steering and exhaust systems in a pre-trip inspection. Which of these problems, if found, should be fixed before the vehicle is driven? 1. Oil on the tile rod 2. Gray smoke from the exhaust pipe 3.Steering wheel pay of more than 10 degrees (2 inches on a 20-inch steering wheel)
3.
You are driving a new truck with a manual transmission. What gear will you probably have to use to take a long, steep downhill grade? 1. The same gear you would use to climb the hill 2. A higher gear than you would use to climb the hill 3. A lower gear than you would use to climb the hill.
3.
You are driving a vehicle at 55 mph on dry pavement. About how much total stopping distance will you need to bring it to a stop? 1. Twice the length of the vehicle 2. Half the length of a football field 3. The length of a football field
3.
Your brakes can get wet when you drive through aheavy rain. What can this cause when the brakes are applied? 1. Hydroplaning 2. Excessive brake wear 3. Trailer jack knife
3.
Your truck or bus has a dual air brake system. If a lower pressure warning comes on for only one system, what should you do? 1. Reduce your speed and drive to the nearest garage for repairs 2. Reduce your speed and test the remaining system while underway 3. Stop right away and safely park. Continue only after the system is fixed
3.
Whenever you double your speed your vehicle has about ____ times the destgructive power if it crashes. 1. Two 2. Three 3. Four
3. Four
