CDL Questions

Always try to back towards the driver's side because... A. you can see better, watching the vehicle's rear from the side window B. your truck will probably pull toward the driver's side C. there are always more hazards on the left D. all of the above are true

A

How do you test a vehicle's hydraulic brakes for leaks? A. pump the brakes 3 times, then apply firm pressure for 5 seconds B. pump the brakes 5 times, then apply firm pressure for 3 seconds C. pump the brakes 3 times, then apply firm pressure for 10 seconds D. apply firm pressure 5 seconds, then pump the brakes 3 times

A

How many reflective warning triangles must you carry with you for emergencies? A. 3 B. 5 C. 2 D. 4

A

How many tie-downs are required for a 20-foot load? A. 2 B. 3 C. 4 D. 1

A

If you are traveling at 55 mph in a 30-foot vehicle, you should leave how many seconds of following distance? A. 4 seconds B. 6 seconds C. 3 seconds D. 7 seconds

A

If you double your speed, how much more distance will it take to brake to a stop? A. four times as much B. three times as much C. Twice as much D. five times as much

A

If your brakes get wet, they may... A. apply unevenly B. fall of the vehicle C. rust immediately D. all of the above

A

In which of the following two situations should you downshift? A. starting down a hill and entering a curve B. starting up a hill and finishing a curve C. starting down a hill and finishing a curve D. starting up a hill and entering a curve

A

The minimum tire tread depth for front tires is... A. 4/32 inch. B. 3/8 inch. C. 1/2 inch. D. 1/32 inch.

A

When you are about to start down a steep downgrade, what should you do? A. shift your transmission into a low gear B. accelerate C. release the brakes D. release the clutch

A

Which is the best way to figure out how many seconds of following distance you have? A. wait until the vehicle ahead of you passes a shadow or landmark, then count the seconds until you reach it B. get 1/4 closer to the vehicle in front of you, then back off again. multiply how long this took you by four to give the following distance C. use the stopwatch on your cell phone to determine how long it takes you to reach a mile marker after the vehicle in front of you has passed it D. send a text message to a friend to text you back in ten seconds; see how far you have traveled in that time

A

Which of the following are parts of the suspension system? A. bearing plate B. pitman arm C. lock ring D. all of the above

A

Why should you use a helper when you are backing? A. because every truck has blind spots B. to make sure you do not damage your truck C. because its the law D. to check your style of driving

A

You do not want to be an abstracted driver, so you... A. avoid using your cell phone until you reach your distance B. have all your emotionally difficult conversations in the first hour of driving C. eat, drink, and smoke only on straight portions of the road D. read maps or use your phone only when there are no other vehicles around you

A

Do empty trucks have the best braking? A. yes B. no C. yes, but only on wet surfaces D. yes, but only if the trucks are newer than 1998

B

If the engine is not overheated, is it completely safe to remove the radiator cap? A. yes B. no C. yes, as long as there is no overflow D. yes, as long as the radiator is not damaged

B

If you are driving a vehicle with an automatic transmission, when should you downshift? A. if you start to get drowsy B. if you are going down a steep downgrade C. if you feel you are driving too fast D. when your engine speed increases

B

Letting the air out of hot tires... A. is a good idea because the extra pressure will be relieved B. is a bad idea because when the tires cool off, the pressure will be too low C. will have no effect whatsoever D. will cool them down; you will be able to continue your trip sooner

B

Total stopping distance equals... A. reaction distance + braking distance B. perception distance + reaction distance + braking distance C. perception distance + reaction distance D. reaction distance + braking distance + signal distance

B

What is the best way to check what is going on behind and to the sides of your vehicle? A. stop every 50 miles and look around B. check your mirrors regularly C. check your reflection in other vehicles D. turn your head to check your blind spots

B

What is the definition of a hazard? A. something you can easily avoid B. a road user or road condition that presents a possible danger C. something you must stop for D. something you can safely ignore

B

What is the primary purpose of a car inspection? A. employer liability B. safety C. to check the cleanliness of your vehicle D. to make sure your paint is not chipped

B

What might happen if you swing wide to the left before you turn right? A. someone might try to pass you on your left B. someone might try to pass you on your right C. you might damage your leaf springs D. all of the above might happen

B

Where should you place your warning devices if you must stop on a one-way road or divided highway? A. 50 feet, 100 feet, and 150 feet toward approaching traffic B. 10 feet, 100 feet, and 200 feet toward approaching traffic C. 20 feet, 50 feet, and 100 feet toward approaching traffic D. 100 feet, 200 feet, and 300 feet toward approaching traffic

B

You should put the starter switch key into your pocket while you perform the pre-trip inspection because... A. someone could steal the truck B. someone could start and move the truck C. it could damage the starting mechanism D. any of the above could occur

B

If you feel drowsy while driving, what should you do? A. drink a cup of coffee B. open the windows for some fresh air C. pull off the road and get some sleep D. drink energy drinks

C

The most important hand signal you should agree on with a helper is.... A. "go" B. "faster" C. "stop" D. "turn up the music"

C

What are the main differences between aggressive driving and road rage? A. the level of anger B. the outcome of the situation C. whether it is intentional D. all of the above

C

What is the gross vehicle weight (GVW)? A. a vehicle's maximum weight rating, specified by its manufacturer B. the total weight of the vehicle, towed vehicles, and the load C. the total weight of a single vehicle and its load D. all of the above

C

What will help a drunk sober up? A. coffee B. fresh air C. time D. a glass of water

C

Which of the following is NOT a key steering component? A. tie rod B. gear box C. leaf spring D. steering shaft

C

An anti-lock braking system (ABS) will: A. let you drive faster B. increase your vehicles stopping power C. shorten your stopping distance D. keep your wheels from locking when you break hard

D

For how long will you lose your CDL driving privileges if you are convicted of a second DUI offense? A. 2 years B. 5 years C. 10 years D. life

D

How can you determine if your vehicle is equipped with an anti-lock braking system (ABS)? A. check for a yellow ABS malfunction lamp on the instruction panel B. check if your vehicle was manufactured after March 1, 1998 (such vehicles are required to have the panel light) C. look for wheel speed sensor wires that are coming from the rear of your brakes D. all of the above can word

D

How do you get started without rolling backwards? A. set the parking brake whenever necessary B. engage the clutch before removing your foot from the brake C. apply the trailer brake hand valve D. do all of the above

D

How long does it take a typical tractor-trailer to clear a double railroad track? A. 14 seconds B. 10 seconds C. more than 30 seconds D. more than 15 seconds

D

If you are being tailgated, you should do all of the following EXCEPT A. increase your following distance B. avoid quick changes C. avoid tricks such as flashing your brake lights D. speed up

D

If you are confronted by an aggressive driver, what should you do? A. avoid eye contact B. ignore rude gestures and refuse to react negatively C. call the police from your cellphone if you can do it safely D. do all the above

D

It has just reached freezing. Which of the following areas may be slippery? A. a shaded area B. a bridge C. a wet-looking road D. all of the above

D

To maintain alertness on your trips, you should... A. schedule your trips for the daytime hours B. get 8-9 hours of sleep beforehand C. avoid medications that causes drowsiness D. do all the above

D

To transport cargo safely, which of the following are you NOT responsible for? A. ensuring the safety of the cargo B. recognizing possible overloads C. making sure that the cargo is properly secured D. ensuring the freshness of sealed cargo

D

When you start to drive down a steep downgrade, which of the following should influence your choice of speed? A. the total weight of your vehicle and its cargo B. the steepness of the grade C. the road conditions D. all of the above

D

Which of the following CMVs are most likely to get stuck at a raised railroad crossing? A. car carrier B. moving van C. lowboy D. all the above

D

Which of the following are safe ways to communicate your presence? A. tapping your horn when it is legal and you are about to pass B. flashing your headlights at night when you are about to pass C. using your headlights in bad weather D. all of the above

D

Which of the following can cause a vehicle fire? A. Driver smoking in a rest area B. flammable cargo with proper ventilation C. spilled fuel cleaned up quickly and properly D. short circuits and loose connections

D

Which of the following should you check during your trip? A. mirrors B. cargo covers C. pressure gauges D. all of the above

D

Which of the following statements about retarders are correct. A. retarders help slow a vehicle, reducing the need for braking B. when your drive wheels have poor traction, the retarder may cause them to skid C. You should turn the retarder off whenever the road is wet, icy, or snow-covered D. all of the above statements are correct

D

Which of these is not a component of the basic shifting method? A. releasing the clutch B. pushing in the clutch and shifting into a higher gear at the same time C. releasing the clutch and pressing the accelerator at the same time D. accelerating while pressing the clutch turning toward the driver's side

D

You should inspect wheel bearing seals for... A. broken leaf springs B. twisted axles C. tears D. leaks

D

You will lose your CDL for at least 60 days if you are convicted of two serious traffic violations involving a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) within a 3 year period. Such violations include which of the following? A. speeding at 15 mph or more above the speed limit B. tailgating C. making improper lane changes D. all of the above

D