CDL Practice Tests: On-Road Driving Exam
Choose A Section:
Go!Before starting down a grade, which of the following is NOT true about your "safe speed?"
- When speed has been reduced to 5 mph below the “safe” speed, release the brakes. (This application should last for about three seconds.)
- Select a “safe” speed, one that is not too fast for the weight of the vehicle, length and steepness of the grade, weather, and road conditions.
- Once a “safe” speed has been reached, apply the brake hard enough to feel a definite slowdown.
- Your safe speed will be approximately 5 mph below the maximum speed you can safely descend the grade
Before Starting Down the Grade. Downshift as needed to help control engine speed and test brakes by gently applying the foot brake to ensure they are functioning properly. As your vehicle moves down the grade, continue checking traffic in all directions, stay in the right-most or curb lane, and, if legal to do so, use the four-way flashers if your vehicle is moving too slowly for traffic. Increase following distance and observe the following downhill braking procedures:
- Select a “safe” speed, one that is not too fast for the weight of the vehicle, length and steepness of the grade, weather, and road conditions.
- Once a “safe” speed has been reached, apply the brake hard enough to feel a definite slowdown.
- When speed has been reduced to 5 mph below the “safe” speed, release the brakes. (This application should last for about three seconds.)
- Once the speed has increased to the “safe” speed, repeat the procedure.
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:
- Smashing
- Stabbing
- Smearing
- Snubbing
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.
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 left-most lane, a left turn in the lane directly to the left of the centerline
- Complete a right-hand turn in the right-most lane, a left turn in the lane directly to the right 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.
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:
- Three times the length of your vehicle
- 25 ft
- More than the length of your vehicle
- 100 ft
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.
Which of the following is NOT true about clutch usage?
- You can shift without the clutch if circumstances permit
- Always use clutch to shift.
- Do not ride clutch to control speed. Do not coast with the clutch depressed or “pop” the clutch.
- Double-clutch when shifting. Do not rev or lug the engine.
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.
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 checking your mirror to make sure the vehicle does not hit anything on the inside of the turn.
- Keep both hands on the steering wheel during the turn.
- Your vehicle should not move into oncoming traffic.
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.
When you are approaching a curve, which of the following is NOT the correct procedure?
- Keep your vehicle in the lane.
- Keep your speed steady and downshift while you're in the curve
- Continue checking traffic in all directions.
- Check traffic thoroughly in all directions.
When approaching a curve:
- Check traffic thoroughly in all directions.
- Before entering the curve, reduce speed so further braking or shifting is not required in the curve.
- Keep vehicle in the lane.
- Continue checking traffic in all directions.
Which of the following is NOT true about gear usage with a manual transmission?
- Do not grind or clash gears
- Do not shift in turns and intersections
- Select gear that does not rev or lug engine
- You can shift gears when crossing railroad tracks
Gear Usage (for Manual Transmission)
- Do not grind or clash gears.
- Select gear that does not rev or lug engine.
- Do not shift in turns and intersections.
If you are driving a bus, school bus, or vehicle displaying placards, which of the following is the correct procedure at a railroad crossing?
- 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.
- 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.
- All these are correct
- As the vehicle approaches a railroad crossing, activate the four-way flashers.
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.
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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