CDL (Commercial Driver's License) Practice Test (General Knowledge #2)


Welcome future truck drivers! The following is the CDL General Knowledge Practice Test #2. Simply click in your answer (A,B,C, or D) to each CDL practice test question. When you're done, check your score and the results. You can reset the test and retake it as many times as you want.

CDL General Knowledge Practice Test #2

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1. Truck escape ramps:

A Cannot be used by certain types of heavy vehicles.
B Are designed to protect vehicles from damage.
C Should not be used unless you have first tried all other ways to save your vehicle after brake failure.
D All of the above.

2. Which of these can cause the vehicle to skid?

A Not enough weight on the front axle.
B Over acceleration.
C Turning too sharply.
D All of the above.

3. You are driving a vehicle that could safely be driven at 55 MPH on an open road. But traffic is now heavy, moving at 35 MPH although the speed limit is 55. The safest speed for your vehicle in this situation is most likely:

A 55 MPH
B 45 MPH
C 35 MPH
D 25 MPH

4. Every time you park your vehicle and shut the engine off you should:

A Leave it in gear (if it has a manual transmission).
B Apply the parking brake.
C Turn the steering wheel as far to the left as you can.
D Do all the above.

5. Which of these describes how you should use the brake pedal on a steep downhill grade?

A Release the brake when you are 5 MPH below your safe speed, then let your speed come back up to your safe speed and repeat braking again, (bring you speed down 5 MPH below your safe speed)
B With stronger pressure as the vehicle goes downhill.
C Light steady pressure.
D Light, pumping action.

6. For an average commercial vehicle, being driven at 55 MPH on dry pavement it will take about ____ to bring the vehicle to a stop.

A The length of a vehicle.
B Half the length of a football field.
C Twice the length of the vehicle.
D The length of a football field.

7. Which of these statements about certain types of cargo is true?

A Oversize loads can be hauled without special permits during times when the roads are not busy.
B When liquids are hauled, the tank should always be loaded totally full.
C Unstable loads such as hanging meat or livestock require extra caution on curves.
D Loads that consist of liquids in bulk do not present vehicle handling problems because they are usually very heavy.

8. Which of these statements about backing a heavy vehicle is true?

A Backing is always dangerous.
B You should back and turn toward the driver's side whenever possible.
C You should use a helper and communicate with hand signals.
D All of the above are true.

9. When should you wear seat belts?

A Only in states where it is required by law.
B Any time you are in a moving vehicle.
C Only when engaged in interstate commerce.
D Only when traveling on a highway.

10. The most common cause of serious vehicle skids is:

A Driving too fast for road conditions.
B Poorly designed roads.
C Poorly adjusted brakes.
D Over inflated tires.

11. If you are being tailgated, you should:

A Signal the tailgater when it is safe to pass.
B Speed up.
C Flash your brake lights.
D Increase the space in front of you.

12. The parking brake should be tested while the vehicle is:

A Moving slowly.
B Moving at highway speed.
C Going downhill.
D Parked

13. A drivers trip log, if required:

A May be brought up to date once a week.
B May be written in pencil
C Must be shown immediately when an officer requests it.
D All of the above.

14. When should the pre-trip inspection report from the last driver be reviewed?

A During your pre-trip inspection
B Doesn't have to be reviewed
C Once per week
D Once a month

15. If you are stopped at a rest area and found to have a BAC (Blood Alcohol Concentration) of .02 you will:

A Be In trouble with the dispatcher
B Be placed out of service for 24 hours
C Be placed out of service for 48 hours
D Be placed out of service for 72 hours

16. When roads are slippery, you should:

A Stop and test the traction while going up hills.
B Drive alongside other drivers.
C Decreases the distance that you look ahead of your vehicle.
D Make turns as gently as possible.

17. While driving, you see a small (1 foot square) cardboard box ahead in your lane. You should:

A Steer around it when it is safe to do so.
B Hit it with your vehicle to knock it off the road.
C Brake hard to avoid hitting it.
D Stop and direct traffic around it.

18. Which of these pieces of emergency equipment should be carried at all times in your vehicle?

A Fire extinguishers.
B Warning devices for parked vehicles.
C Spare electrical fuses (if the vehicle uses them).
D All of the above.

19. What is counter steering?

A Using the steering axle brakes to prevent over steering.
B Steering in the opposite direction from what other drivers expect you to do.
C Turning the wheel in the opposite direction after steering to avoid a traffic emergency.
D Turning the steering wheel counter clockwise.

20. You do not have a hazardous materials endorsement on your commercial drivers license. When can you drive a vehicle hauling hazardous materials?

A Never
B Only when the shipment will not cross state lines.
C Only when the vehicle does not require placards.
D Only when a person who has the hazardous materials endorsement rides in the vehicle.

21. You are driving a new truck with a manual transmission. What gear will you probably have to use to take a long downhill grade?

A A lower gear that you would use to climb the hill.
B The same gear you would use to climb the hill.
C A higher gear that you would use to climb the hill.
D None: newer trucks can coast down hills.

22. High beams should be:

A Dimmed when you are within 100 feet of another vehicle.
B Used whenever it is safe and legal to do so.
C Turned on when an oncoming driver does not dim his or her lights.
D All of the above.

23. An en-route inspection should include checking:

A Cargo doors and / or cargo securement.
B Tire temperature.
C Brake temperature.
D All of the above.

24. Where or when should you test the stopping action of your service brakes?

A At a special brake testing center only.
B When the vehicle is traveling downhill without a load.
C When the vehicle is moving at about 5 MPH.
D In a parking lot when the vehicle is not moving.

25. Stab braking:

A Should never be used.
B Involves locking the wheels.
C Involves steady pressure on the brake pedal.
D Should only be used on slick roads.

26. Which of these statements about using turn signals is true?

A When turning, you should signal early.
B You do not need to use your signal when changing lanes on a four lane highway.
C You should use your turn signal to mark your vehicle when it is pulled off the side of the road.
D When turning, you should cancel the signal just before you make the turn.

27. Retarders:

A Allow you to disconnect the steering axle brakes.
B Cannot be used on interstate highways.
C Work better at very low rpms.
D Can cause the vehicle to skid when the road is slippery.

28. Which of these statements about staying alert to drive is true?

A If you must stop to take a nap, it should be at a truck stop or other public area never on the side of the road.
B A half-hour break for coffee will do more to keep you alert that a half-hour nap.
C The only thing that can cure fatigue is sleep.
D There are drugs that can overcome being tired.

29. You are driving on a two lane road. An oncoming driver drifts into your lane and is headed straight for you. Which of these is generally the best action?

A Steer to the right
B Steer onto the left shoulder
C Hard braking
D Steer into the oncoming lane

30. You should avoid driving through deep puddles or flowing water. But if you must, which of these steps can help keep your brakes working?

A Applying hard pressure on both the brake pedal and accelerator after coming out of the water.
B Gently pressing the brake pedal while driving through the water.
C Turning on your brake heaters.
D Driving through quickly.

31. Which of these statements about brakes is true?

A Brake drums cool very quickly when the vehicle is moving very fast.
B Brakes have more stopping power when they get very hot.
C The heavier a vehicle or the faster it is moving, the more heat the brakes have to absorb to stop it.
D All of the above are true.

32. What should you do when your vehicle hydroplanes?

A Release the accelerator.
B Start stab braking.
C Counter steer hard.
D Accelerate slightly.

33. Under loaded front axles can cause the following:

A Too much play in the steering wheel
B Poor traction
C Damage to the tires.
D All of the above

34. Your vehicle is in a traffic emergency and may collide with another vehicle if you do not take action. Which of these is a good rule to remember at such a time?

A Stopping is always the safest action in a traffic emergency.
B Open the door and jump out if you have time.
C Heavy vehicles can almost always turn more quickly than they can stop.
D Leaving the road is always more risky that hitting another vehicle.

35. Which of these is a sign of tire failure?

A steering that feels heavy.
B Vibration.
C A loud bang.
D All of the above.

36. Which of these statements about drinking alcohol is true?

A Some people are not affected by drinking.
B A few beers have the same effect on driving as a few shots of whiskey.
C Coffee and fresh air can sober a person up.
D All of the above are true.

37. Which of these can help you stay alert while driving?

A Taking short breaks before you are drowsy.
B Keeping the cab warm.
C Taking over-the-counter cold medicine.
D Scheduling trips during hours that you are normally asleep.

38. Which one of these is not part of the check of the engine compartment done for a pre trip inspection?

A Worn wiring insulation.
B Engine oil level.
C Condition of belts and hoses.
D Valve clearance.

39. According to the driver's manual, why should you limit the use of your horn?

A It wears down the battery.
B It can startle other drivers.
C The horn is not a good way to let others know you're there.
D You should keep both hands tightly gripping the steering wheel.

40. You are traveling down a long, steep hill. Your brakes get so hot that they fail. What should you do?

A Pump the brake pedal.
B Down shift.
C Look for an escape ramp or escape route.
D All of the above.

41. How far should a driver look ahead of the vehicle while driving?

A 6-9 seconds
B 9-12 seconds
C 12-15 seconds
D 18-21 seconds

42. Which of these statements about cargo loading is true?

A State laws dictate legal weight limits.
B Slight overloading of a vehicle can make its brakes work better.
C If the shipper loads cargo, the driver is not responsible for overloading.
D The legal maximum weight allowed by a state can be considered safe for all driving conditions.

43. Which of these statements about marking a stopped vehicle is true?

A The vehicle?s tail lights should be kept on to warn other drivers.
B If a hill or curve keeps drivers behind you from seeing the vehicle within 500 feet, the rear reflective triangle should be moved back down the road to give adequate warning.
C You do not need to put out reflective triangles unless the vehicle will be stopped for 30 minutes or more.
D All of the above are true.

44. You are driving a 40 foot vehicle at 45 MPH. Driving conditions are ideal (dry pavement, good visibility). What is the least amount of space that you should keep in front of your vehicle to be safe?

A 2 seconds
B 3 seconds
C 4 seconds
D 5 seconds

45. The amount of liquid to load into a tank depends on:

A The weight of the liquid.
B The legal weight limits.
C The amount of liquid will expand in transit.
D All of the above

46. You are starting your vehicle in motion from a stop. As you apply power to the drive wheels, they start to spin. You should:

A Take your foot off the accelerator and apply the brakes.
B Press harder on the accelerator.
C Take your foot off the accelerator.
D Try a lower gear.

47. You should use your mirrors to check:

A Traffic gaps before you merge.
B The condition of the tires and cargo.
C Where the rear of your vehicle is while you make turns.
D All of the above.

48. The proper way to hold a steering wheel is at clock positions ____ and ____.

A 6 and 12
B 3 and 9
C 4:30 and 7:30
D 1:30 and 10:30

49. Cargo inspections:

A Should be performed after every break you take while driving.
B Are only needed if hazardous materials are being hauled
C Not the responsibility of the driver.
D Should be performed every 6 hours or 300 miles.

50. Your brakes can get wet when you drive through a heavy rain. What can this cause when the brakes are applied?

A Lack of braking power
B Trailer jackknife
C Wheel lockup
D All of the above

51. How do you test hydraulic brakes for leaks?

A Measure the free play in the pedal with a ruler.
B With the vehicle stopped, pump the pedal three times, apply firm pressure for 5 seconds, then hold and see if the pedal moves.
C Step on the brake pedal and the accelerator at the same time and see if the vehicle moves.
D Move the vehicle slowly and see if it stops when the brake is applied.

52. Which of these is a good rule to follow when driving at night.

A Keep your instrument lights bright.
B Look directly at oncoming headlights only briefly.
C Keep your speed slow enough that you can stop within the range of your headlights.
D Wear sun glasses

53. A vehicle is loaded with very little weight on the drive axle. What may result?

A Damage to drive axle tires.
B A need to disconnect the steering axle brakes.
C Better handling.
D Poor traction

54. The key principle in balancing cargo weight is to keep the load:

A On the side away from most traffic
B Balanced in the cargo area
C To the front
D To the rear

55. Which of these statements about using mirrors is true?

A There are blind spots that your mirrors cannot show you.
B You should check your mirrors twice for a lane change.
C You should look at a mirror for several seconds at a time.
D Convex mirrors make things look closer than they really are.

56. Which of these statements about cold weather driving is true?

A In snow storms, wiper blades should be adjusted so that they do not make direct contact with the windshield.
B Exhaust system leaks are less dangerous in cold weather.
C There is no need to worry about engine overheating when the weather is very cold.
D Windshield washer antifreeze should be added to the washer reservoir.

57. The most important reason for being alert to hazards is so:

A You will have time to plan your escape if the hazard becomes an emergency.
B Accident reports will be accurate.
C Law enforcement personnel can be called.
D You can help impaired drivers.

58. Which of these is a good rule to follow when using a fire extinguisher?

A stay downwind of the fire.
B Keep it as close to the fire as possible.
C Aim at the base of the fire.
D All the above.

59. Is it legal to drive with one fourth of a vehicles leaf springs broken or missing?

A It doesn't make any difference as long as you drive slow.
B Yes
C No
D None of the above.

60. Dry bulk tanks require special care because:

A The load can shift
B They have a high center of gravity
C Both of the above
D None of the above

61. Which of these statements about down shifting is true?

A When you down shift for a curve, you should do so before you enter the curve.
B When double clutching, you should let the RPM's decrease while the clutch is released and the shift lever is in neutral.
C When you down shift for a hill, you should do so after you start down the hill.
D All of the above are true.

62. Which of these statements about drugs is true?

A A driver can use any prescription drug while driving
B Amphetamines (pep pills or bennies) can be used to help the driver stay alert.
C Use of drugs can lead to accidents and / or arrest.
D All of the above.

63. To avoid a crash, you had to drive onto the right shoulder. You are now driving at 40 MPH on the shoulder. How should you proceed?

A Keep moving at the present speed and steer very gently back onto the pavement.
B Steer sharply onto the pavement and counter steer when both back wheels of your vehicle are on the road.
C Brake hard to slow the vehicle, then steer sharply onto the road.
D Come to a complete stop, if possible, before continuing back onto the road.

64. Which of these statements about managing space is true?

A Smaller vehicles require more space to stop than larger ones.
B When the road is slippery, you should keep much more space in front of your vehicle.
C Many accidents are caused by drivers keeping too much space in front of their vehicles.
D All of the above.

65. Which of these is the most important things to remember about emergency braking?

A If the wheels are skidding you cannot control vehicle.
B Disconnecting steering axle brakes will help keep your vehicle in a straight line during emergency braking.
C Never do it without down shifting first.
D It wears brake linings.

66. To correct a rear wheel (drive wheel) braking skid, you should:

A Apply more braking pressure to the brake pedal
B Release brakes and accelerate.
C Apply more pressure to the brake pedal and steer/counter steer.
D Release the brakes and steer/counter steer.

67. While driving, ice builds up on your wipers and they no longer clean the windshield. You should:

A Keep driving, and spray the windshield with washer fluid.
B Keep driving, and reach out the window and knock the ice off.
C Pull over in a safe place and remove the ice.
D Keep driving, and turn your defroster on.

68. The road you are driving on becomes very slippery due to black ice. Which of these is a good thing to do in such a situation?

A Apply the brakes often to keep the linings dry.
B Down shift to stop.
C Drive at a varying speed.
D Stop driving and park where it is safe to do so.

69. You must park on the side of a level, straight, two lane road. Where should you place the three reflective triangles?

A One within 10 feet of the rear of the vehicle, one about 100 feet to the rear, and one about 200 feet to the rear.
B One within 10 feet of the front of the vehicle, one about 200 feet from the front, and one about 100 feet to the rear.
C One within 10 feet of the rear of the vehicle, one about 100 feet to the rear, and one about 100 feet from the front of the vehicle.
D One about 50 feet from the rear of the vehicle, one about 100 feet to the rear, and one about 100 feet from the front of the vehicle.

70. You are driving in the right lane of a four lane, undivided road, you come over a hill and find a car stopped ahead in your lane. You do not have room to stop, and the hill blocks your view to the rear. Which of these is most likely the best action to take?

A Steer to the right.
B Use hard braking and brace for collision.
C Steer into the left lane.
D Steer into the oncoming lanes.

71. You are checking your tires for a pre trip inspection. Which of these statements is true?

A Tires of mismatched sizes should not be used on the same vehicle.
B Radial and bias-ply tires can be used together on the same vehicle.
C Dual tires should be touching each other.
D 2/32 inch tread depth is safe for the front tires.

72. The first step to take if your vehicle catches fire while driving is:

A Head for the nearest service station.
B Get the vehicle off the road and stop in an open area.
C Park in the shade of a building.
D Immediately open the door and jump out.

73. Which of these statements about double clutching and shifting is true?

A If you miss a gear while up-shifting, you must bring the vehicle to a stop.
B Double clutching should only be used with a heavy load
C You can use the tachometer to tell you when to shift.
D Double clutching should not be used when the road is slippery.

74. The center of gravity of a load:

A Is only a problem if the vehicle is overloaded.
B Should be kept as high as possible.
C Can make a vehicle more likely to tip over on curves.
D All of the above.

75. You are testing the stopping action of service brakes on a hydraulic system. Which of these can mean there is a problem?

A The brake pedal goes to the floor
B Stopping action is delayed.
C The vehicle pulls to one side when the brake pedal is pressed.
D All of the above.

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