CDL Test Practice Exams & CDL Training Materials
General Knowledge CDL Practice Test Part C
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Taking the CDL test will be much easier after going through our practice CDL tests here online. This is part D of the General Knowledge portion of the CDL written practice exam. These questions are very similar to the ones you'll find on the actual CDL written test you'll be taking to get your CDL license. Follow along with the test questions below and read through the explanations that follow each CDL test question to get some better insights into the CDL exam and the trucking industry itself.
1. Truck escape ramps:
A Cannot be used by certain types of heavy vehicles.
B Are designed to protect vehicles from damage.
C Should not be used unless you have first tried all other ways to save your vehicle after brake failure.
D All of the above.
⊞ Answer:
B Are designed to protect vehicles from damage.
They are designed to prevent tractor trailers from going 350 mph down a mountain without brakes and without reasonable options is what they're really designed for! They do the best they can using soft gravel and sand to protect the truck and the driver from injury and damage.
2. Which of these can cause the vehicle to skid?
A Not enough weight on the front axle.
B Over acceleration.
C Turning too sharply.
D All of the above.
⊞ Answer:
D All of the above.
Oddly enough they don't mention "braking too hard for the conditions" but hey, a lot of things can cause a vehicle to skid.
3. You are driving a vehicle that could safely be driven at 55 MPH on an open road. But traffic is now heavy, moving at 35 MPH although the speed limit is 55. The safest speed for your vehicle in this situation is most likely:
A 55 MPH
B 45 MPH
C 35 MPH
D 25 MPH
⊞ Answer:
C 35 MPH
This is an example of a question with tricky wording that you have to pay attention to. It's obvious you can't really drive faster than the rest of the traffic safely - so pay attention to the questions closely and think them through.
4. Every time you park your vehicle and shut the engine off you should:
A Leave it in gear (if it has a manual transmission).
B Apply the parking brake.
C Turn the steering wheel as far to the left as you can.
D Do all the above.
⊞ Answer:
B Apply the parking brake.
Again, they are looking for the best answer. Leaving it in gear is also something you should do, but the parking brake is the most important.
5. Which of these describes how you should use the brake pedal on a steep downhill grade?
A Release the brake when you are 5 MPH below your safe speed, then let your speed come back up to your safe speed and repeat braking again, (bring you speed down 5 MPH below your safe speed)
B Brake with stronger pressure as the vehicle goes downhill.
C Light steady pressure.
D Light, pumping action.
⊞ Answer:
A Release the brake when you are 5 MPH below your safe speed, then let your speed come back up to your safe speed and repeat braking again, (bring you speed down 5 MPH below your safe speed)
The answer to this has changed numerous times over the years believe it or not. If you're using more and more pressure as you go down the hill, you're brakes are getting hot and fading. Not good.
6. For an average commercial vehicle, being driven at 55 MPH on dry pavement it will take about ____ to bring the vehicle to a stop.
A The length of a vehicle.
B Half the length of a football field.
C Twice the length of the vehicle.
D The length of a football field.
⊞ Answer:
D The length of a football field.
That's about 300 feet - which is a long way! Make sure you keep plenty of following distance at all times - it is one of the most important safety procedures there is.
7. Which of these statements about certain types of cargo is true?
A Oversize loads can be hauled without special permits during times when the roads are not busy.
B When liquids are hauled, the tank should always be loaded totally full.
C Unstable loads such as hanging meat or livestock require extra caution on curves.
D Loads that consist of liquids in bulk do not present vehicle handling problems because they are usually very heavy.
⊞ Answer:
C Unstable loads such as hanging meat or livestock require extra caution on curves.
This is a good question with some choices you really have to pay close attention to. In case you're wondering, question B is not true because some liquids are too heavy to fill the tank completely without being overloaded.
8. Which of these statements about backing a heavy vehicle is true?
A Backing is always dangerous.
B You should back and turn toward the driver's side whenever possible.
C You should use a helper and communicate with hand signals.
D All of the above are true.
⊞ Answer:
D All of the above are true.
Just when you think you have an easy place to back up where little can go wrong, you'll let your guard down and run into something. Be careful at all times!
9. When should you wear seat belts?
A Only in states where it is required by law.
B Any time you are in a moving vehicle.
C Only when engaged in interstate commerce.
D Only when traveling on a highway.
⊞ Answer:
B Any time you are in a moving vehicle.
This is true for the sake of safety, even if it wasn't a law. Don't think you're safe because you're in a heavy vehicle. You can't believe the violence you'll experience inside the cab in an accident. Wear your seat belt always.
10. The most common cause of serious vehicle skids is:
A Driving too fast for road conditions.
B Poorly designed roads.
C Poorly adjusted brakes.
D Over inflated tires.
⊞ Answer:
A Driving too fast for road conditions.
Going into a serious skid is almost always driver error. Take it slow, be patient, and never let your guard down.
11. If you are being tailgated, you should:
A Signal the tailgater when it is safe to pass.
B Speed up.
C Flash your brake lights.
D Increase the space in front of you.
⊞ Answer:
D Increase the space in front of you.
The reason you do this is so that in case you do need to hit the brakes unexpectedly, you can ease on them softly to warn the person behind you that you are slowing down. If you spike the brakes when someone is close behind you they will likely run into you. Besides, if you slow down a little they will likely become impatient and pass you if they can.
12. The parking brake should be tested while the vehicle is:
A Moving slowly.
B Moving at highway speed.
C Going downhill.
D Parked
⊞ Answer:
D Parked
You simply put the truck in gear with the parking brake applied and begin to ease out on the clutch. The clutch will begin to grab and pull but the vehicle should not move.
13. A drivers trip log, if required:
A May be brought up to date once a week.
B May be written in pencil
C Must be shown immediately when an officer requests it.
D All of the above.
⊞ Answer:
C Must be shown immediately when an officer requests it.
You must remain within four hours of the current time and it must be done in pen. And don't tell the officer where he can "stick it" as you hand him your book!
14. When should the pre-trip inspection report from the last driver be reviewed?
A During your pre-trip inspection
B Doesn't have to be reviewed
C Once per week
D Once a month
⊞ Answer:
A During your pre-trip inspection
If you are "slip-seating", which means driving different trucks all the time, you must be very, very thorough when doing pre-trip inspections. I'm telling you, some drivers are lazy and careless and will not report problems, or may not even notice them.
15. If you are stopped at a rest area and found to have a BAC (Blood Alcohol Concentration) of .02 you will:
A Be In trouble with the dispatcher
B Be placed out of service for 24 hours
C Be placed out of service for 48 hours
D Be placed out of service for 72 hours
⊞ Answer:
B Be placed out of service for 24 hours
Let me tell ya something - if you're in the truck and found to have any alcohol in your system and your company finds out, you'll very likely be fired. Simple as that.
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