CDL Test Practice Exams & CDL Training Materials
Pre-Trip Inspection Practice CDL Test Part B
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Taking the CDL test will be much easier after going through our practice CDL tests here online. This is part B of the
Pre-Trip Inspection 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. During a pre-trip inspection you should show the examiner that you can check the lighting indicators for:
A. the left and right turn signal.
B. the four-way emargency flashers.
C. the high beam headlights.
D. all of the above.
⊞ Answer:
D. all of the above.
For this you will simply turn on the headlights and your 4-way flashers. That will activate all of the lights around the tractor trailer and you can walk around and check them. They may or may not actually have you do this on your cdl test.
2. The horn and heater/defroster should be checked during a pre-trip inspection.
A. True
B. False
⊞ Answer:
A. True
The horns will always be checked in a DOT inspection on the road, also, because it's an easy thing to check and write a ticket for.
3. To check the parking brake you should:
A. apply the parking brake and make sure that it will hold the vehicle by shifting into a lower gear and gently pulling against the brake.
B. apply the parking brake and pressing the foot brake to make usre that they will work together.
C. You need not show that the parking brake works.
⊞ Answer:
A. apply the parking brake and make sure that it will hold the vehicle by shifting into a lower gear and gently pulling against the brake.
The key word here is gently. This is also the test you should do when hooking up to a trailer. Put the trailer brake on, release the tractor brake, and pull gently in low gear to make sure you are hooked solidly to the trailer. I have seen a number of people neglect to do this and accidentally drop the trailer in the parking lot or when going around the first turn. It may not be a procedure on your cdl test, but it will be important out on the road.
4. During a hydraulic brake check you must pump the brake pedal____times and then hold it down for______seconds. The brake pedal should not move (depress) for five seconds.
A. 3, 5
B. 5, 10
C. 10,15
⊞ Answer:
A. 3, 5
You will be taking your cdl test on a truck with air brakes, but the CDL examiner will want to know this procedure. You will find this question on both the written exam and the pre-trip inspection portion of your CDL test.
5. Failure to perform an air brake check will result in an automatic failur of the vehicle inspection test.
A. True
B. False
⊞ Answer:
A. True
Oh, brutha - you better believe it. The air brake check is critical. By the time you practice your pre-trip inspection about 100 times there is no way you're going to forget to do this on the CDL test.
6. When checking lights and reflectors, all external and reflective equipment must be clean and functional. Light and reflector checks include:
A. headlights, dash lights, tail lights, decorative lights.
B. clearance lights, headlights, tail lights, turn signals, four-way flashers, brake lights, and red reflectors (on rear and amber reflectors everywhere else).
C. clearance lights, running lights, head and tail lights.
⊞ Answer:
B. clearance lights, headlights, tail lights, turn signals, four-way flashers, brake lights, and red reflectors (on rear and amber reflectors everywhere else).
Every light and every reflector on the outside of the truck must be checked. Simple as that.
7. An external inspection of the steering box and hoses will include checking that the steering box is securely mounted and not leaking more than 4 ounces of fluid per hour.
A. True
B. False
⊞ Answer:
B. False
The steering box should not be leaking fluid at all. In real life, a few drops isn't going to do any harm, but be aware that a few drops will soon become a lot of drops - so get it fixed the next time you get by the shop.
8. The steering box must be securely mounted. You will check for:
A. proper paint on the box.
B. secure lighting on the steering box.
C. missing nuts, bolts, and cotter keys.
⊞ Answer:
C. missing nuts, bolts, and cotter keys.
A quick glance should reveal if something is missing, broken, bent, or loose.
9. On the steering linkage you must check for joints and sockets that are worn or loose and that there are no missing bolts, nuts, or cotter keys.
A. True
B. False
⊞ Answer:
A. True
The steering linkage has a lot of parts - including U-joints. Make sure nothing is missing, loose, or broken.
10. The Suspension System check should include:
A. hoses, springs, mounts, brakes.
B. springs/air/torque, mounts, shock absorbers.
C. mounts, shocks, brakes.
⊞ Answer:
B. springs/air/torque, mounts, shock absorbers.
You have to know which parts are associated with which systems. The brakes are not associated with the suspension system.
11. It is unneccesary to check the slack adjusters when checking the brake system.
A. True
B. False
⊞ Answer:
B. False
The amount of slack in the braking system is absolutely key to it's function. However, nowadays most tractor trailers have automatic slack adjusters - so on the road you won't be checking for the amount of slack in them - you'll just be changing to make sure that nothing is loose, bent, broken, or missing.
12. On some brake drums, there are openings where the brake linings can be seen from outside the drum. For this type of drum, check that:
A. a visible amount of brake lining is showing.
B. a visible amount of brake lining is not showing.
C. that the brake lining is very thin.
⊞ Answer:
A. a visible amount of brake lining is showing.
Many trailer drums do not have covers at all and you can see the entire shoe. Most tractors do have covers and you have to peer in there with a flashlight to see the lining on the shoes.
13. Should you be prepared to perform the same brake components inspection of every axle (power unit and trailer, if equipped)?
A. Yes
B. No
⊞ Answer:
A. Yes
All of the brakes on the tractor and trailer must be checked during a pre-trip inspection.
14. The following items must be inspected on every tire:
A. Tread depth, tire brand, and hub oil seals.
B. Tread depth, hub oil seals, lug nuts, and white walls.
C. Tread depth, hub oil seals, lug nuts, and spacers.
⊞ Answer:
C. Tread depth, hub oil seals, lug nuts, and spacers.
This is a good example of why you must pay close attention to the wording and go over each choice thoroughly on your CDL test. These answers are all pretty similar. The brand of tire makes no difference, and I've never in my life seen a tractor trailer with white walls - but it might look kinda cool, actually....
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