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Use this free General Knowledge commercial drivers license practice test to prepare yourself to get your CLP (commercial learner's permit). To learn more about Roehl's paid CDL training, view our Get Your CDL page or apply now.
Question 1

Oil and water usually collect in compressed air tanks. If you do not have an automatic tank drain, when should you drain the air tanks?

After every working day.
After every four hours of service.
Once a week.

 
Question 2

Why drain water from the compressed air tanks?

To keep from fouling the air compressor oil.
Water can freeze in cold weather and cause brake failure.
The low boiling point of water reduces braking power.

 
Question 3

The air brake system fro a straight truck or bus should not leak at a rate of more than ___ psi per minute with the engine off and the brakes released.

1
2
3

 
Question 4

To make an emergency stop with air brakes, using the stab braking method, you should:

Pump the brake pedal rapidly and lightly.
Brake hard until the wheels lock, and then get off the brakes for as much time as the wheels are locked.
Press on the brake pedal as hard as you can, release the brakes when the wheels lock, put on the brakes again when the wheels start rolling.

 
Question 5

You should know your brakes are fading when:

Pressure on the brake pedal is released and speed increases.
You have to press the brake pedal harder to control speed on a downgrade.
The brakes feel spongy when pressure is applied.

 
Question 6

If the air compressor should develop a leak, what keeps the air in the tanks?

The tractor protection valve.
The emergency relay valve.
 
The one way check valve.

 
Question 7

To check the brake slack on S-cam brakes you should:

Park on level ground, chock the wheels, and release the parking brakes.
Stop on level ground, and apply the parking brakes.
Park on level ground, and drain off air pressure before adjusting.

 
Question 8

The application pressure gauge shows how much pressure you have:

In the tanks.
In a modulating control valve.
When you are applying the brakes.

 
Question 9

The spring brakes used on the chambers in a straight tuck will bring you to a stop when air pressure drops below ___ psi.

60
20
100

 
Question 10

The safety valve is set to automatically reduce pressure at ___ psi.

150
50
100

 
Question 11

Your truck has a dual air system and one of the systems loses it's pressure. What will happen?

Brake drums will not be fully pressurized.
Either the front or the back brake will not be fully functional.
The manual slack adjusters of the S-cam brakes will not be set properly.

 
Question 12

If your truck or bus has dual parking control vlaves, you can use pressure from a separate tank to:

Balance the service brake system when you are parked.
Release the spring emergency/parking brakes to move a short distance.
Stay parked twice as long wtihout using up service air pressure.

 
Question 13

If your truck has a properly functioning dual air brake system and minimum size air tanks, the air pressure should build from 85 to 100 psi within ___ seconds.

45
60
20

 
Question 14

During normal driving, spring brakes are usually held back by:

Air Pressure
Springs
Bolts and braces

 
Question 15

The air compressor stops pumping air at what psi?

125
100
150

 
Question 16

The driver must be able to see a warning before pressure in the service air tank falls below what psi?

55
50
80

 
Question 17

Excessive use of the service brakes results in overheating which can lead to:

Expansion of the brake drums.
Increased contact between the brake drums and linings.
Proper adjustment of S-cam.

 
Question 18

The most common type of foundation brake found on heavy vehicles is the:

Wedge drum
S-cam drum
Disc drum

 
Question 19

If you must make an emergency stop, brake so you:

Use the hand brake before the brake pedal.
Can steer, and your vehicle stays in a straight line.
Use the full power of the brakes to lock them.

 
Question 20

The braking power of the spring brakes:

Is not affected by the condition of the service brakes.
Increases when the service brakes are hot.
Depends on the service brakes being in adjustment.

 
Question 21

The air brake lag distance at 55 mph on dry pavement adds about ___ feet.

32
45
65

 
Question 22

Total stopping distance for air brakes is longer than that for hydraulic brakes due to ___ distance.

Brake lag.
Reaction distance.
Effective braking.

 
Question 23

It is accepted that too much heat caused by using your brakes too often can also cause:

Modulated control valve to wear out.
Brake linings to split up.
Brake fade or failure.

 
Question 24

Repeatedly presing and releasing (fanning) the brake pedal may result in:

The loss of brake air pressure.
A build up of brake air pressure.
No change to brake air pressure.

 
Question 25

The brake system that applies and releases the brakes when the driver uses the brake pedal is the _________ brake system.

Emergency
Service
Parking

 
Question 26

A slack adjuster's free play needs to be adjusted if it is more than about how many inches when you pull hard on it?

1/4 inch
1/2 inch
1 inch

 
Question 27

An air brake system is fully charged at what psi?

125
150
75

 
Question 28

The brake pedal in an air brake system:

Controls the speed of the air compressor.
Controls the air pressure applied to put on the brakes.
Is connected to the slack adjusters by a series of rods and linkages.

 
Question 29

The S-cam:

Controls the air flow to each of the brake chambers.
Pulls the brake shoes away from the drum and allows the wheels to roll freely.
Forces the brake shoes against the inside of the brake drum.

 
Question 30

Under normal conditions in order to engage the parking brakes the driver must first:

Turn off the engine.
Let the air out of the spring brakes.
Be sure the air brakes system is fully pressurized.

 
Question 31

Which of these is NOT a proper time to apply the parking brakes?

If your brakes are very hot.
To use parking brakes if you park for less than 1 hour.
If you are going to use the poarking brakes, you need to make sure that they will hold the vehicle.

 
Question 32

If the spring brakes are on, when should you push the brake pedal?

Only when driving downhill.
Only on the slippery road.
Never.

 
Question 33

What is the first thing you should do when a low air pressure warning comes on?

Upshift.
Downshift.
Stop and safely park as soon as possible.

 
Question 34

The parking or emergency brake on a heavy vehicle can only be held in position by something that cannot leak away, like:

Spring pressure.
Air pressure.
Hydraulic pressure.

 
Question 35

Air braking takes more time than hydraulic braking because air:

Takes more time to flow through the lines than hydraulic fluid.
Air brakes use different brake drums.
Brakes require heavier return springs.

 
Question 36

When you apply the brakes, the brake shoes/linings are pressed against the:

Brake drum.
Slack adjuster.
S-cam.

 
Question 37

If air pressure is NOT built up fast enough within the correct amount of time:

You should be ready to use your parking brakes to stop.
The alcohol container may be low.
Your air pressure may drop too low during driving.

 
Question 38

The proper method of braking when going down a long and/or steep grades after selecting the proper gear, Is to brake until your speed is about ___ miles per hour below your "safe" speed, then release your brakes.

5
10
15

 
Question 39

In ideal conditions a truck or bus with an air brake going at 55 mph would require stopping
distance of how many feet?

From 100 to 200 feet.
Less than 100 feet.
More than 300 feet.

 
Question 40

It is not safe to drive a vehicle that has brake drums with cracks that are longer than __ of
the width of the friction area.

1/2
1/4
1/32

 
Question 41

Why must air tanks be drained?

To drain all the air out of the tank.
To drain moisture and oil out of the tank.
To tell you how much air is in the air tanks.

 
Question 42

It Is possible to have an air leak In one system which will not affect the other.

True
False


 
Question 43

Both systems run off of the same air compressor, so if one air compressor malfunctions you
will not be able to build or maintain pressure in either system.

True
False


 
Question 44

All vehlcles with air brakes must have a low pressure warning signal.

True
False


 
Question 45

What are spring brakes?

Brakes used for parking.
If the air brakes leak down, springs press the brakes on to stop the vehicle.
The spring on the brake pedal.

 
Question 46

Front wheel brakes are good under all conditions.

True
False


 
Question 47

What do air brakes use to make the brakes work?

Compressed gas.
Compressed oil.
Compressed air.

 
Question 48

The service brake applies and releases:

The parking brake when you use the parking brake control.
The brake when you use the brake pedal during normal driving.
In the event of an emergency.

 
Question 49

The parking brake applies and releases:

The brake pedal during normal driving.
In the event of an emergency.
The parking brakes when you use the parking brake control.

 
Question 50

The emergency brake system:

Uses parts of the service and parking brake system to stop the vehicle In the
event of a brake system failure.
Uses the service brake to stop the vehicle in the event of a brake system failure.
Uses the parking brake to stop the vehicle in the event of a brake system failure.

 
Question 51

The governor controls when the air compressor will pump Into the air storage tanks.

True
False.


 
Question 52

When the air pressure falls to the minimum pressure allowed In the system, the governor
prevents more air from escaping the air tanks.

True
False


 
Question 53

The storage tanks are used to hold compressed air.

True
False


 
Question 54

When you put the brakes on by pushing down on the brake pedal:

The air pressure Is reduced to the brake pads.
Air pressure is applied to the brake pads.
Compressed air is let go out of the system.

 
Question 55

The S-cam forces the brake shoes away from one another and presses them against the inside of the brake drum. It Is called the S-cam because:

It is shaped like the letter "Z"
It is shaped like the letter "N"
It is shaped like the letter "S"

 
Question 56

What Is a dual air brake system?

It is a two brake system, one operates the front brakes and one operates the back brakes.
A two braking system, one for each side of the vehicle.
A two braking system, one for daytime and one for nighttime driving.

 
Question 57

What are the slack adjusters?

It is the space between the back wheels.
It is an adjusting nut on the backside of the brake drum used for adjusting the brakes.
It Is an adjusting nut under the cab to adjust the springs.

 
Question 58

How can you check the slack adjuster?

Park on level ground, turn off parking brakes, pull hard on each slack adjuster. It shouldn't
move more than one inch.
Park on level ground, turn off parking brakes and press brake pedal.
Park on an Incline and see if the vehide rolls.

 
Question 59

How can you test the low pressure warning signal?

While the engine Is running, step on and off the brake pedal.
Shut off the engine and see If the air pressure leaks down.
Shut off the engine with enough air pressure, turn on the electrical power and
step on and off the brake pedal until the low air pressure warning signal comes on.

 
Question 60

What are the maximum leakage rates?

Less than 4 psi in one minute for single vehicles, and less than 8 psi in one minute for
combination vehicles.
Less than 2 psi in one mInute for single vehicles, and less than 3 psi in one minute for combination vehicles.
Less than 6 psi for all vehicles.

 
Question 61

When you apply your brakes, the air brake system works with an electric switch, by air pressure, to turn on the brake lights.

True
False


 
Question 62

When is It OK to leave your truck unattended without applying parking brakes or chocking the wheels?

If you will only be away from the truck for a few minutes.
Never.
If you are conducting your pre-trip inspection.

 
Question 63

If you are away from your vehicle tor only a short time, you don't need to use the parking
brake.

True
False


 
Question 64

lf you do not have automatlc tank drains, how often should you drain the oil and water from
the bottom of compressed air storage tanks?

After every four hours of service.
At the end of each day of driving.
Once a week.

 
Question 65

The use of brakes on a long steep downgrade is only a supplement to the braking effect of the engine.

True
False


 
Question 66

What factors can cause brakes to fade or fail?

Not pressing the brake pedal hard enough.
Overheating, low air pressure, and not relying on the engine braking effect.
Not taking your foot off the accelerator.

 
Question 67

Why should you be In the proper gear before starting down a hili?

So you only have to apply the brake just hard enough to feel a definite slowdown.
So you can coast downhill.
So you can go through the fears on the way down.

 
Question 68

If oil and water collects in the air tanks what can happen to the brakes?

The brakes could heat up.
The brakes could fail.
The brakes could lock up.

 
Question 69

What is the purpose of an alcohol evaporator?

So you don't have to drain the air tanks as often.
To have a drink available if you get thirsty.
To reduce the risk of ice in the brake valves and other parts in cold weather.

 
Question 70

The brake chamber fllls with air pushing the rod out which moves the _____________
which twists the_____________.

Brake camshaft and tie rod.
Slack adjuster and tie rod.
Slack adjuster and brake camshaft.

 
Question 71

If your vehicle has an alcohol evaporator you should check and fill the alcohol level everyday
during cold weather.

True
False


 
Question 72

To test the air service brakes you should:

Stop the vehicle, put it In low gear, depress the service brake, and then gently pull against the brakes.
Brake firmly while slowly moving backwards.
Brake flrmly while slowly moving forward.

 
Question 73

The driver must be able to see a low pressure warning which comes on before pressure in the service air tank falls below:

60 psi
80 psi
100 psi

 
Question 74

Converter dollies built on or after March 1, 1998 are required to have anti lock brakes. These
dollies will have:

A yellow malfunction lamp in the center of the dolly.
A yellow malfunction lamp on the right side of the dolty.
A yellow malfunction lamp on the left side of the dolly.

 
Question 75

Which of these is the most important thing to remember about emergency braking?

Disconnecting the steering axle brakes will help keep your vehicle in a straight line during
emergency braking.
Never do It without downshifting first.
If the wheels are skidding, you cannot control the vehicle.

 
Question 76

Controlled braking:

Involves locking the wheels for short periods of time.
Can be used while you are turning sharply.
Is used to keep a vehicle in a straight line when braking.

 
Question 77

To correct a drive-wheel braking skid, you should:

Increase braking.
Stop braking, turn quickly, and counter steer.
Increase braking, turn quickly, and counter steer.

 
Question 78

How do you test the hydraulic brakes for leaks?

Drive slowly and pump the brake pedal. Make sure it doesn't hit the floor.
Pump the brake pedal three times, then apply firm pressure to the pedal and hold for five
seconds. The pedal should not move.
Drive 20 mph and slam on the brakes.

 
Question 79

Modern air brake systems are three different systems combined together. They are the service, parking, and the _____ brakes.

Emergency.
Foot.
S-cam.

 
Question 80

The air supply pressure gauge shows how much pressure:

Is in the air tanks.
You have used in this trip.
Is going to the brake chambers.

 
Question 81

The parking or emergency brakes of trucks or buses can legally be held on by __ pressure.

Spring.
Fluid.
Air.

 
Question 82

Air brake equipped vehicles have:

An air use gauge.
An air supply pressure gauge.
A backup hydraulic system.

 
Question 83

The stop light switch:

Turns on the brake lights to warn drivers behind you.
Tells you when you need to use your emergency brakes.
Tells you when the air brake system is low on air pressure.

 
Question 84

The air loss rate for a straight truck or bus with the engine off and the brakes on should not be more than:

1 psi in one minute.
2 psi in 45 seconds.
3 psi in one minute.

 
Question 85

With air brake vehicles, the parking brakes should be used:

Whenever you leave the vehicle unattended.
As little as possible.
Only during pre-trip and post-trip inspections.

 
Question 86

The use of air brakes on a downgrade is only a supplement to the:

Use of the spring brakes.
Use of the front brake limiting valve.
Braking effect of the engine.

 
Question 87

Excessive heat in the brakes can cause the:

Modulating control valve to wear out.
Brake lines to plug.
Brakes to fail or fade.

 
Question 88

You are on a steep down grade and have reached your safe speed of 40 mph. You would apply the service brakes until your speed drops to ___ mph.

25
35
30

 
Question 89

If your bus or truck has dual parking control valves, you can use pressure from a separate
tank to:

Balance the service brake system when you are parked.
Stay parked twice as long without using up service air pressure.
Release the spring emergency/parking brakes to move a short distance.

 
Question 90

The modulating control valve allows you to control the:

Spring brakes.
Front brakes.
Amount of pressure in the brake system.

 
Question 91

Some air brake systems have an alcohol evaporator. What may happen if you don't keep the unit filled with alcohol?

The S-cam may not rotate back when you release the brake pedal.
Ice may form In the air storage tanks and cause the brakes to fail.
Ice may form on the brake pads and warp them.

 
Question 92

Before driving a truck or bus with a dual air brake system, the pressure in each air brake
system should be at least ___ psi.

80
100
200

 
Question 93

How should you check that the spring brakes come on when the air pressure in the system
drops below a certain level?

Park on a slight incline, drain off air pressure, set parking brakes and check for
movement.
Park on level ground, chock the wheels, release the parking brake when you
have enough air pressure, shut the engine off, and repeatedly press and release
the brake pedal.
Park on level ground, wait for normal air pressure, release tbe parking brake,
move the truck forward slowly, and apply the brakes firmly using the brake
pedal.

 
Question 94

For air brake systems In good condition, the air compressor should start pumping at about 
___ psi.

100
125
150

 
Question 95

In air brake vehicles, the parking brake should be used:

As little as possible.
Any time the vehicle is parked.
To hold your speed when going downhill.

 
Question 96

The air compressor governor controls:

When air is pumped into the air storage tanks.
The speed of the air compressor.
Air pressure applied to the brakes.

 
Question 97

The most important thing to do when a low air pressure warning comes on is:

Upshift.
Downshift.
Stop and safely park as soon as possible.

 
Question 98

If your vehIcle has an alcohol evaporator, everyday during cold weather you should:

Check and fill the alcohol level.
Change the alcohol from a new bottle.
Check the oil for alcohol content.

 
Question 99

Your bus or truck has a dual air brake system. If a low air pressure warning comes on for
only one system, what should you do?

Reduce your speed and drive to the nearest garage for repairs.
Reduce your speed and test the remaining system while driving.
Stop and safely park. Continue only after the system is fixed.

 
Question 100

It is not safe to drive a vehicle that has brake drums (or discs) with cracks or that are thinner
than the manufacturer's specifications, generally this will be ___ an inch.

1/3
1/4
1/2

 
Question 101

Emergency contorlled braking is when you:

Apply the brakes as hard as you can without locking the wheels.
Brake as hard as you can, release the brakes when the wheels lock, and put the brakes back on again when the wheels start rolling.
Apply the hand valve for one second, then push hard on the brake pedal.

 
Question 102

When performing your air brake leak down test your englne should be turned off.

True
False


 
Question 103

The use of air brakes on a downgrade is only a supplement to:

The use of the spring brakes.
Use of the front brake limiting valve.
Braking effect of the engine.