Review Questions - Click On The Picture To Begin...
- Once both the tractor and trailer have cleared the crossing
- Once the tractor has cleared the crossing
- You should always downshift during a railroad crossing
- You should always shift up during a railroad crossing
Quote From The CDL Manual:
Do not stop, change gears, pass another vehicle or change lanes while any part of your vehicle is in the crossing.
- The weight limit of the bridge
- The examiner will not ask any questions after driving under a bridge
- What the posted clearance or height of the bridge was
- What street you drove under
Quote From The CDL Manual:
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 that may appear on the route.
TruckingTruth's Advice:
It is extremely important that you real all your signs during the driving exam. It is very likely that an examiner will ask about height clearance when driving under a bridge, and bridge weight ratings when driving over a bridge.
- Downshift while crossing the railroad tracks
- Speed up to clear the crossing as quickly as possible
- None of these answers are correct
- Slow down, look and listen for the presence of trains
Quote From The CDL Manual:
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 crossing.
- Improper downshifting
- Failure to wear your seat belt
- Failure to use your turn signal
- Driving too slow
Quote From The CDL Manual:
During the driving exam you must:
- Wear your safety belt.
- Obey all traffic signs, signals, and laws.
- Complete the test without an accident or moving violation.
TruckingTruth's Advice:
Be sure you put your seat belt on before releasing the parking brakes. Failure to properly wear your seat belt is an automatic failure!
- Tracks used only for freight purposes (no passenger trains)
- Crossings with no lights or gates
- Crossings marked as exempt
- Crossings within industrial facilities
Quote From The CDL Manual:
If you are driving a bus, a school bus or a 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 and set 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 must 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.
- The 4-way flashers should be deactivated after the vehicle crosses the tracks.
TruckingTruth's Advice:
Tracks with signage that says "exempt" or "abandoned" are the only exceptions for placarded vehicles.
- Between 30 and 60 feet
- Between 10 and 20 feet
- Between 5 and 10 feet
- Between 15 and 50 feet
Quote From The CDL Manual:
If you are driving a bus, a school bus or a 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 and set 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 must 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.
- The 4-way flashers should be deactivated after the vehicle crosses the tracks.
TruckingTruth's Advice:
Take the time to memorize the distance you must be from the nearest rail even if you don't plan on obtaining a passenger or Hazardous Material endorsement.
- If two lanes are available, straddle both lanes until the trailer is straight, then choose a safe lane
- Finish the turn in the right most (curb) lane
- Finish the turn in the center lane
- Finish the turn in the left lane
Quote From The CDL Manual:
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.
TruckingTruth's Advice:
When making a left turn, finish the turn in the left lane and when making a right turn, finish the turn in the right lane. Be sure no vehicles "squeeze" next to you while making the turn.
- None of these are allowed during the driving exam
- Resting your foot on the clutch pedal (riding the clutch)
- "Floating" the gears (shifting without using the clutch pedal)
- Shifting in turns
Quote From The CDL Manual:
Clutch usage (for manual transmission):
- Always use the clutch to shift.
- Double-clutch if vehicle is equipped with non-synchronized transmission.
- Do not rev or lug the engine.
- Do not ride the clutch to control speed, coast with the clutch depressed, or "pop the clutch."
Gear usage (for manual transmission):
- Do not grind or clash gears.
- Select a gear that does not rev or lug engine.
- Do not shift in turns and intersections.
TruckingTruth's Advice:
You are not expected to shift perfectly. You only need to prove you are safe and will not pose a hazard to the general public. However, there are some basic rules you must follow.
- Do not stall the truck! This may result in an immediate failure.
- You must shift the transmission using the clutch (they will check for this).
Grinding or clashing gears will NOT result in an automatic failure. But it's important for you to learn how to recover when missing a gear. If you lose too much speed or stall the truck, you may be forced to retest.