Full Free General Knowledge CDL Practice Test

How many seconds does it take for a normal tractor-trailer to clear a double track?

14 seconds
More than 30 seconds
10 seconds
More than 15 seconds
 

What is the main difference between aggressive driving and road rage?

Intent to do harm or physical assault
Level of anger
Outcome of situation
All of the above
 

What action should you take when your vehicle begins to hydroplane?

Accelerate very slightly
Brake gently to start slowing your vehicle
Release the accelerator
Let go of the wheel so it can correct itself again
 

Which of the following are correct methods for knowing when you should shift up?

Road speed and engine speed
Wind speed and shift indicator light
Every 3 to 5 seconds and road speed
Road speed and shift indicator light
 

The minimum tire tread depth for front tires is...

4/32 inch
1/32 inch
1/2 inch
3/8 inch
 

An anti-lock braking system will...

shorten your stopping distance
increase a vehicle's ultimate stopping power
keep your brakes from locking up when you brake hard
allow your brakes to lock only when braking hard
 

Which of the following can assist you with staying alert while you are driving?

Schedule trips for hours you're normally asleep
Take short breaks before you feel drowsy
Drink coffee
Keep your cab warm and quiet
 

In which of the following circumstances should you make use of your vehicle's horn?

When a car is in your vehicle's way
When you are planning to change lanes
When you observe an accident on the road ahead of your current position
When using the horn may help you avoid an accident by calling attention
 

You should inspect wheel bearing seals for...

Leaking
Broken leaf springs
Twisted axles
Tears
 

During which of the following situations should you have your emergency four-way flashing lights on?

Driving during a severe storm
Parked by the side of the road
Crossing railroad tracks
None of the above
 

What is the method for testing hydraulic brakes for leaks?

Pump the brake pedal five times and apply firm pressure for 3 seconds - the pedal should not move
Pump the brake pedal three times and apply firm pressure for 5 seconds - the pedal should not move
Hold the brake down for 5 seconds and listen for leaks
Move slowly forward and step on the brake hard
 

Which of the following should you do when confronted by an aggressive driver?

Ignore rude gestures and refuse to react negatively
Avoid eye contact
If you can safely do it, call the police from a cell phone
All of the above
 

Where should you place your warning devices if you must stop on a one-way or divided highway

10 feet, 100 feet and 200 feet toward approaching traffic
100 feet, 200 feet and 300 feet toward approaching traffic
20 feet, 50 feet and 100 feet toward approaching traffic
50 feet, 100 feet and 150 feet toward approaching traffic
 

What is the best way to figure out how many seconds of following distance you have?

Get 1/4 closer to the car in front of you, then back off again. Multiply how long this took you by four for following distance
Wait until a vehicle passes a shadow or landmark and count the seconds until you pass it
Text a friend and tell them to text you back in ten seconds and see how long that seemed to take compared to how far you traveled
Use the stop watch on your phone to try to determine how long before you reach a mile marker after the car in front of you appeared to reach it
 

You should place the starter switch key into your pocket while you are performing the pre-trip inspection because...

Someone could steal the truck
Someone could start and move the truck
It could damage the starting mechanism
All of the above
 

What constitutes the proper braking technique in a vehicle that has anti-lock brakes?

The same way you've always braked but now you can apply brakes fully in an emergency stop
The same way you've always braked but you do not need to press the brakes fully in an emergency stop
You should press much more forcefully on the brakes at all times than you do in a vehicle without anti-lock brakes
You should always brake much more lightly than in a vehicle without anti-lock brakes
 

When performing a pre-trip inspection why is it a good idea to do it exactly the same way every time?

Most companies require you to do so
You will be less likely to forget something
You should not do it the same way every time. This may make you too comfortable in your inspection
The law requires you to do it the same way every time
 

What is the most important and obvious reason to always conduct a pre-trip inspection of your CMV?

Safety
Make sure your paint is not chipped
Employer liability
See if your vehicle needs a wash
 

When stopped on a hill, what is the proper procedure to start moving without rolling back?

Partly engage the clutch before you take your right foot off the brake
Put blocks behind the tires
Increase engine RPMs and let the clutch out quickly
Leave the trailer brakes on and drag the tires releasing the brake after you are moving forward
 

Total stopping distance is a combination of...

Braking distance + stopping distance
Perception distance + reaction distance + braking distance
Reaction distance + viewing distance + braking distance
Reaction distance + braking distance
 

Why is it important to check before you transport a sealed load?

That the seal numbers and the placard numbers match
That the seal on the load is authentic
That the load is properly balanced and secured in the vehicle
That the seal on the load is secure
 

Which of these are you not responsible for when it comes to your cargo?

Inspecting the cargo
Making sure that cargo is properly secured
Ensuring the freshness of the cargo
Recognizing possible overloads
 

When a driver's blood alcohol concentration (BAC) rises, which of the following happens?

Coordination and muscle control are affected by the alcohol
Self-control and judgement are the first processes affected
The drinker's brain is increasingly affected by the alcohol
All of the above
 

Is it true that as long as the engine is not overheating it is completely safe to remove the radiator cap?

Yes, as long as there is no overflow
Yes
Yes, as long as the radiator isn't damaged
No
 

Why should you limit the use of your horn?

The horn on a vehicle wears out very quickly
The horn can startle other drivers, which is dangerous
On vehicles possessing air brakes it uses up air pressure you may need to be able to stop
All of the above
 

If brakes get wet, it can cause them to...

Apply unevenly
Fall off the vehicle
Rust immediately
All of the above
 

What is the minimum number of tiedowns a flatbed load can have?

3
2
1
There is no minimum
 

While driving, the two main things a driver should look ahead for are...

Detours and emergency personnel
Gas stations and rest stops
Overpasses and upcoming tunnels
Other vehicles and traffic signs
 

What might happen if you swing wide to the left before you turn right?

Someone might try to pass you on your right
Someone might try to pass you on your left
You might damage your leaf springs
All of the above
 

Which of the following is true about over-width, over-length or over-weight loads?

Such a load requires a special permit
Such a load can only be driven in the daytime
Such a load must be escorted by the police
All of the above
 

To avoid rollback when you start, you should...

Partly engage the clutch before you take your right foot off the brake
Stop on a flat area
Engage the clutch very quickly
A then B
 

Which of the following is the most important reason for doing a pre-trip inspection?

To make sure nothing has been stolen from the vehicle
Because other drivers do it
Safety for yourself and others on the road
To make sure the vehicle will make your destination
 

What are some of the important parts in the steering system?

Main spring, axle, spring shackle
Tie rod, spindle, pitman arm
Rim, lug nuts, tire
Leaf spring, vehicle frame, torque rod
 

Which of the following are some suspension system defects?

Cracked or broken spring hangers
Leaking shock absorbers
Broken leaves in leaf spring
All of the above
 

What is a Vehicle Inspection Report?

A report written by the vehicle owner that notes the condition of the truck and any items that may need to be repaired
A report you receive after you have the vehicle serviced
A signed statement that says you checked the vehicle that day
A report written by the driver that notes the condition of the truck and any items that may need to be repaired
 

What are the three types of emergency equipment you must have with your vehicle?

Fire extinguisher, spare electrical fuses, warning devices for parked vehicles
Flares, fire extinguisher, spare electrical fuses
Warning devices for parked vehicles, first aid kit, flares
First aid kit, fire extinguisher, flares
 

Which of the following is the best way to see the rear and sides of your CMV?

Use rear view cameras
Use your mirrors
Roll down your driver side window
Roll down your passenger side window
 

Two causes of tire fires include...

Under inflated tires and duals that touch
Hot brakes and under inflated tires
Under inflated tires and poor retreads
Duals that touch and road debris
 

What is the reason that placards are used?

It is the law
To communicate risk
To prevent terrorism
So hazmat is not mixed with food
 

In safe driving, what does communicating mean?

Using hand signals
Letting others know you are there by using turn signals, four way flashers and horn
Using a CB radio to let others know your intentions
None of the above
 

What can you do to avoid the effects that wet brakes can cause?

When out of the water, maintain light pressure on the brakes for a short distance to heat them up and dry them out
Gently push on the brakes. This presses linings against brake drums or discs and keeps mud, silt, sand and water from getting in
Increase engine RPMs and cross the water while keeping light pressure on the brakes
All of the above
 

When going down a long, steep downgrade, what factors determine your selection of a safe speed?

Total weight of the vehicle and cargo, length of the grade, steepness of the grade, road conditions and weather
Total weight of the vehicle and cargo
Total weight of the vehicle, steepness of the grade and weather
Length of the grade and steepness of the grade only
 

What is the reason to be in the proper gear before starting down a hill?

Because the clutch is made to be used on even surfaces
You will not be able to shift into a lower gear once you are going down the hill
Because you will need to be in the same gear at the bottom of the hill
There is no need to do this
 

What are the three things related to cargo that drivers are responsible for?

Inspecting your cargo, hauling cargo and securing the cargo
Weighing the cargo, securing the cargo and delivering the cargo
Inspecting the cargo, recognizing overloads and properly secured cargo
All of the above
 

What is a pull-up?

Pulling forward while backing a trailer to reposition it
A maneuver performed by a tow truck to pick up an over turned truck
An exercise that must be performed at a DOT physical exam in order to get a CDL
When pulling off the shoulder, you pull until the trailer is straight
 

What should you check wheel bearings seals for?

Leaks
Color changes
Gasoline
Smoke
 

What is an escape ramp?

A ramp leading to a long bed of loose soft material to slow a runaway vehicle, sometimes in combination with an upgrade
Another term for an off ramp
A ramp commonly found on freeways in California used to get around major accidents
None of the above
 
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