CDL Practice Tests: On-Road Driving Exam
Choose A Section:
Go!Which of the following is true about your driving exam?
- If your test route does not have a bridge or overpass, you may be asked about another traffic sign
- All these are correct
- After going over a bridge, you may be asked to tell the examiner what the posted weight limit was
- After driving under an overpass, you may be asked to tell the examiner what the posted clearance or height was
Bridge/Overpass/Sign
After driving under an overpass, you may be asked to tell the examiner what the posted clearance or height was. After going over a bridge, you may be asked to tell the examiner what the posted weight limit was. If your test route does not have a bridge or overpass, you may be asked about another traffic sign. When asked, be prepared to identify and explain to the examiner any traffic sign which may appear on the route.
While making a turn during your driving exam, which of the following is NOT the correct procedure?
- Bump the curb to the inside of the turn with your trailer tires to make sure you're tight to the corner
- Keep both hands on the steering wheel during the turn.
- Your vehicle should not move into oncoming traffic.
- Keep checking your mirror to make sure the vehicle does not hit anything on the inside of the turn.
When ready to turn:
- Check traffic in all directions.
- Keep both hands on the steering wheel during the turn.
- Keep checking your mirror to make sure the vehicle does not hit anything on the inside of the turn.
- Vehicle should not move into oncoming traffic.
- Vehicle should finish turn in correct lane.
Which of the following is NOT true about clutch usage?
- Double-clutch when shifting. Do not rev or lug the engine.
- Always use clutch to shift.
- Do not ride clutch to control speed. Do not coast with the clutch depressed or “pop” the clutch.
- You can shift without the clutch if circumstances permit
Clutch Usage (for Manual Transmission)
- Always use clutch to shift.
- Double-clutch when shifting. Do not rev or lug the engine.
- Do not ride clutch to control speed. Do not coast with the clutch depressed or “pop” the clutch.
When you are going through a railroad crossing, which of the following is NOT the correct procedure?
- Change gears if necessary while in the crossing
- Do not stop
- Do not change lanes
- Do not pass another vehicle
During your driving exam as you approach a turn you must slow down smoothly, change gears as needed to keep power, but do not coast unsafely. Unsafe coasting occurs when your vehicle is out of gear for:
- 100 ft
- 25 ft
- More than the length of your vehicle
- Three times the length of your vehicle
As you approach the turn:
- Use turn signals to warn others of your turn.
- Slow down smoothly, change gears as needed to keep power, but do not coast unsafely. Unsafe coasting occurs when your vehicle is out of gear (clutch depressed or gearshift in neutral) for more than the length of your vehicle.
If you are stopped on the side of the road and you are about to get back onto the highway, which of the following is NOT the proper procedure?
- Steer and accelerate smoothly into the proper lane when safe to do so.
- Check traffic and your mirrors thoroughly in all directions.
- When traffic permits, you should release the parking brake and pull straight ahead.
- Turn the wheel to the left before you begin moving
When instructed to resume:
- Check traffic and your mirrors thoroughly in all directions.
- Turn off your four-way flashers.
- Activate the left-turn signal.
- When traffic permits, you should release the parking brake and pull straight ahead.
- Do not turn the wheel before your vehicle moves.
- Check traffic from all directions, especially to the left.
- Steer and accelerate smoothly into the proper lane when safe to do so.
- Once your vehicle is back into the flow of traffic, cancel your left-turn signal.
If your “safe” speed is 40 mph, you should apply the brakes once your vehicle speed reaches 40 mph. Your brakes should be applied hard enough to reduce your speed to 35 mph. Once your vehicle speed reaches 35 mph, release the brakes. Repeat this procedure as often as necessary until you have reached the end of the downgrade. This braking technique is called:
- Smearing
- Snubbing
- Stabbing
- Smashing
If your “safe” speed for going down a grade is 40 mph, you should apply the brakes once your vehicle speed reaches:
- 40 mph
- 35 mph
- 45 mph
- None of these are correct
Which of the following is true about making turns in a combination vehicle?
- When making turns, finish in the lane that is most convenient at the moment and switch lanes later if necessary
- Both right and left turns should finish the turn in the right-most lane
- Complete a right-hand turn in the right-most lane, a left turn in the lane directly to the right of the centerline
- Complete a right-hand turn in the left-most lane, a left turn in the lane directly to the left of the centerline
Lane Usage
- Do not put vehicle over curbs, sidewalks or lane markings.
- Stop behind stop lines, crosswalks or stop signs.
- Complete a turn in the proper lane on a multiple lane road (vehicle should finish a left turn in the lane directly to the right of the center line).
- Finish a right turn in the right-most (curb) lane.
- Move to or remain in right-most lane unless lane is blocked.
If you pull your vehicle over onto the side of the road, which of the following is NOT the proper procedure?
- Keep your vehicle in gear and do not apply the brakes in case you need to leave quickly
- Vehicle must be parallel to the curb or shoulder of the road and safely out of the traffic flow.
- Activate your four-way emergency flashers.
- Vehicle should not be blocking driveways, fire hydrants, intersections, signs, etc.
Once stopped:
- Vehicle must be parallel to the curb or shoulder of the road and safely out of the traffic flow.
- Vehicle should not be blocking driveways, fire hydrants, intersections, signs, etc.
- Cancel your turn signal.
- Activate your four-way emergency flashers.
- Apply the parking brake.
- Move the gear shift to “neutral” or “park.”
- Remove your feet from the brake and clutch pedals.
The Rules For The Driving Portion Of The CDL Exam
You will drive over a test route that has a variety of traffic situations. At all times during the test, you must drive in a safe and responsible manner. You must wear your safety belt, obey all traffic signs, signals and laws and complete the test without an accident or violation. No radios, electronic devices or phones may be on during the test.
During the driving test, the examiner will be scoring you on specific driving maneuvers as well as on your general driving behavior. You will follow the directions of the examiner. Directions will be given to you so you will have plenty of time to do what the examiner has asked. You will not be asked to drive in an unsafe manner.
If your test route does not have certain traffic situations, you may be asked to simulate a traffic situation. You will do this by telling the examiner what you are or would be doing if you were in that traffic situation.
When ready to turn:
- Check traffic in all directions.
- Keep both hands on the steering wheel during the turn.
- Keep checking your mirror to make sure the vehicle does not hit anything on the inside of the turn.
- Vehicle should not move into oncoming traffic.
- Vehicle should finish turn in correct lane.
Driving Through Intersections
As you approach an intersection:
- Check traffic thoroughly in all directions.
- Decelerate gently.
- Brake smoothly and, if necessary, change gears.
- If necessary, come to a complete stop (no coasting) behind any stop signs, signals, sidewalks or stop lines maintaining a safe gap behind any vehicle in front of you.
- Your vehicle must not roll forward or backward.
- When driving through an intersection:
When Driving Through An Intersection
- Check traffic thoroughly in all directions.
- Decelerate and yield to any pedestrians and traffic in the intersection.
- Do not change lanes while proceeding through the intersection.
- Keep both hands on the wheel.
- Once through the intersection:
Once Through The Intersection
- Continue checking mirrors and traffic.
- Accelerate smoothly and change gears as necessary.
Railroad Crossings
Before reaching the crossing, all commercial drivers should:
- Decelerate, brake smoothly and shift gears as necessary.
- Look and listen for the presence of trains.
- Check traffic in all directions.
Do not stop, change gears, pass another vehicle, or change lanes while any part of your vehicle is in the railroad crossing.
School Bus Or Placarded Vehicle
If you are driving a bus, school bus, or vehicle displaying placards, be prepared to observe the following procedures at every railroad crossing (unless the crossing is exempt):
- As the vehicle approaches a railroad crossing, activate the four-way flashers.
- Stop the vehicle within 50 feet but not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail, place the bus in park/neutral and set the parking brake.
- Listen and look in both directions along the track for an approaching train and for signals indicating the approach of a train. If operating a bus, you may also be required to open the window and door prior to crossing tracks.
- Keep hands on the steering wheel as the vehicle crosses the tracks.
- Do not stop, change gears, or change lanes while any part of your vehicle is proceeding across the tracks.
- Four-way flashers should be deactivated after the vehicle crosses the tracks.
- Continue to check mirrors and traffic.
Not all driving road test routes will have a railroad crossing. You may be asked to explain and demonstrate the proper railroad crossing procedures to the examiner at a simulated location.
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