CDL (Commercial Driver's License) Practice Test (General Knowledge #1)

Welcome future truckers! The following is the CDL General Knowledge Practice Test #1. 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 #1 Start Now 1. How often should you check your cargo? A Within 25 miles after beginning a trip B After you have driven for three hours C After you take a break D All of the above 2. A commercial motor vehicle (CMV) is defined as... A A vehicle with a gross weight over 26,001 lbs. B A vehicle transporting hazardous materials C A vehicle transporting 16 or more passengers D All of the above 3. Suspension systems... A Keep the load secure B Keep the axles in place C Keep the brake drums from failing D Keep the steering wheel tight 4. At 55 miles-per-hour it takes about 6 seconds to stop a fully loaded truck and the braking distance is... A About the length of a football field or 100 yards B About 1/4 mile C About two truck lengths D About two car lengths 5. Which of the following statements about downshifting is NOT true? A Downshift before starting down a hill B Downshift before entering a curve C Downshift when you get to the bottom of a hill D Downshift before climbing a hill 6. Tires should should be replaced... A When the tread separates B When there are broken valve stems C If the tread depth on your front tires is less than 4/32 deep D All of the above 7. Which of the following statements about overhead space is true? A The heights posted at bridges are usually accurate B The weight of the cargo changes a truck's height C Warning lights are always installed on low bridges and overpasses D An empty van is lower than a loaded one 8. In the event of an accident you should remember to do the following EXCEPT... A Move the victims out of the way immediately B Protect the area C Notify authorities D Stop any bleeding and keep the victims warm 9. When accelerating... A Always use the parking brake to slow down B Do not engage the clutch before you take your foot off the brake C Speed up smoothly and gradually and avoid jerking D "Hammer down" when your wheels start to spin 10. Your vehicle is going down a long hill and your brakes begin to fail. What should you do? A Pump the brake pedal B Downshift C Put the gears in neutral D Look for an escape ramp or an escape route 11. The following are all probable signs of a tire blowout EXCEPT... A A loud bang B Vibration of the vehicle C The smell of smoke D A thumping sound 12. Water can be used to extinguish which of the following fires? A Tires B Electrical fire C Gasoline fire D Chemical fire 13. Driving at night is more dangerous because of the following EXCEPT... A Most people are less alert at night due to fatigue B Headlights often cause glare which can blind drivers C Traffic lights are less visible than in the day D There are more drunk drivers at night 14. Which of the following statements about your mirrors is true? A You cannot see your tires B You should be able to see any cars overtaking you C You should be able to see any vehicles behind your trailer D Some objects may appear smaller in your mirrors 15. When driving in heavy traffic you should travel... A At a speed consistent with the flow of traffic B Five mph less than automobiles regardless of posted limits C In the left lane when possible to avoid heavy lanes of traffic D In the right lane to avoid passing 16. To correct a drive-wheel braking skid you should... A Pump the brake B Steer in the opposite direction C Release the brake and steer/counter-steer D Accelerate quickly! 17. If you must stop on the shoulder of the road, you should place warning devices at all of the following places except... A Within ten feet of the front or rear corners B About 100 feet behind your vehicle C About 100 feet in front of your vehicle D On the other side of a divided highway 18. Which of the following statements about stopping distances is NOT true? A Empty trucks require greater stopping distances because they have less traction B Trucks traveling on ice or snow require greater stopping distances C Brakes, tires, springs and shocks are designed to work best when the truck is empty D Trucks traveling at higher speeds require greater stopping distances 19. What is the reason the exhaust system should be checked? A A leaking exhaust system can allow poisonous fumes into the cab B A leaking exhaust system can promote poor fuel mileage C A leaking exhaust system can be caused by snow and rain D A leaking exhaust system can hamper your visibility 20. When is the road likely to be more slippery? A After a hard rain B After it has been raining lightly for 30 minutes C When it has just begun to rain D After the rain has ended 21. What is the first thing to do if your vehicle catches fire while driving? A Open the door and jump out of the vehicle B Pull off the road and park in an open area C Find a service station to pull in to D Open the hood and let the flames die down 22. Which of the following is NOT true when driving through a curve? A You should slow down before the curve B You should brake during the curve C The higher your truck's center of gravity is, the easier it is to roll over D You should be in a gear that allows you to accelerate during the curve 23. When using turn signals, which of the following should be avoided? A Signal just before you start to make a turn B Signal when you want to change lanes C Signal before you exit D Signal when you are merging into traffic 24. Safe drivers maintain space around their vehicles for the following reasons except... A In case you must stop suddenly B In case there are cars following too closely C In case there is an obstacle in the road D In case you need to test your brakes 25. In the event of a tire failure you should... A Stay off the brake and hold the steering wheel firmly B Pump the brakes until you come to a stop C Accelerate quickly until you find a place to pull over D Disengage the clutch so you are in neutral gear 26. If you find that you are being tailgated, you should... A Quickly change lanes to avoid an accident B Flash your brake lights to warn the tailgater C Decrease the distance between you and the tailgater D Increase the distance between you and the tailgater 27. How should you hold your hands on the steering wheel? A Near the bottom of the wheel B Opposite sides of the wheel C Near the top of the wheel D One hand on the steering wheel and one on the shifter 28. When making a right hand turn you should always... A Steer into the left lane first so you can make the corner B Rush through the intersection so you can get out of the way of traffic C Back up to make the driver behind you move back D Keep the rear of your vehicle close to the curb 29. To correct a drive wheel acceleration skid you should... A Stop accelerating and push in the clutch B Downshift C Pump the brake D Accelerate quickly 30. When driving at highway speeds, you should look 12-15 seconds ahead which is... A At least 100 yards B At least half a mile C At least a quarter of a mile D At least one tractor trailer length 31. The following statements about an engine overheating are TRUE EXCEPT... A Antifreeze is only used in colder temperatures B You should remove the radiator cap to allow heat to escape the radiator C It is not possible to safely drive without radiator fluid D Never leave the engine running if it is overheating 32. When going down a hill you should always... A Use higher gears when you have a heavy load B Allow the brakes to heat up for better stopping power C Be in the right gear before starting down the hill D Put heavy pressure on the brakes to allow the drums to cool 33. The best time to test your parking brake is... A When the vehicle is parked B When the vehicle is going down a hill C When the vehicle is moving slowly D When the vehicle is traveling on the highway 34. Which is NOT part of the pre-trip inspection... A Check engine oil level B Check horn(s) C Check air seat adjustments D Check seat belt fastener 35. How much space should you maintain in front of you at highway speeds? A Seven seconds for a 60 foot vehicle B Five seconds for a 60 foot vehicle C Ten seconds for a 60 foot vehicle D Three seconds for a 60 foot vehicle 36. Which one of the following is true about shifting gears? A Remain in neutral as long as possible B Allow the engine tachometer to rev into the highest range possible C Ignore how the engine sounds D Shift at the best RPM range for your vehicle 37. When making a left hand turn you should always... A Wait until you reach the center of the intersection before you turn B Start in the left hand lane if there are two turning lanes C Pull into the intersection in case the light turns before you are through D Wait for a small gap in traffic and accelerate 38. The best way to warn the drivers behind you that you are slowing down is to... A Blow your horn B Turn on your emergency flashers C Tap your brakes D Flash your bright lights 39. What is the best thing to do if you are tired? A Drink plenty of coffee to stay awake B Take pills to keep you alert C Plan your trips for the middle of the night to avoid traffic D Get enough sleep 40. When backing up the tractor trailer, try to AVOID... A Backing toward the right (passenger) side B Backing toward the left (driver's) side C Pulling ahead to reposition your trailer D Having someone help/guide you 41. Which of the following are causes of vehicle fires... A Spilled fuel B Short circuits C Driver smoking D All of the above 42. Hydroplaning can occur when you drive through water or slush. If you experience hydroplaning you should... A Lightly tap your brakes to slow down B Release the accelerator and push in the clutch C Steer hard to the right D Speed up to get through the water quickly 43. An engine retarder (Jake Brake) is designed to... A Use engine power to slow down the vehicle B Apply braking power to the steering wheel C Work only with manual transmissions D Work when you accelerate 44. The best way to put out a fire is to... A Get as close as possible and spray the flames B Stand downwind and spray the flames C Stand upwind and spray the base of the fire D Stop spraying as soon as the flames disappear 45. A front wheel skid is usually caused by... A Driving too fast for conditions B Lack of tread on the front tires C Cargo improperly loaded D All of the above 46. Which of the following statements about alcohol is true... A If you eat before you drink you won't get as drunk B Drinking coffee will help you stay sober C Fresh air will help you sober up D A few beers are the same as a few shots of whiskey or glasses of wine 47. If you do not have a HAZMAT endorsement on your CDL, under what conditions may you legally haul hazardous materials? A If your dispatcher feels it is an emergency situation B If the load does not require placards C When you will remain within your state D When a DOT official approves the load 48. If you are asked to haul a placarded load and you do not have HAZMAT endorsements you should A Obtain written approval from your dispatcher B Obtain written approval from the DOT official C Refuse to take the load D Take the placards off the vehicle 49. Upon conviction of a traffic violation you should notify your employer within 30 days if... A The violation occurred in your personal vehicle B The violation occurred in a commercial vehicle C The violation was for parking in a restricted area D both A & B 50. Overloading your trailer can result in the following EXCEPT... A It can slow you down on upgrades B It can increase stopping distances C It can help you go through snow better D It can increase speed on downgrades 51. All drivers who need a CDL must take the ... A air brakes test B combination vehicles test C chauffeur's license test D general knowledge test 52. If you are convicted of a traffic violation in a state other than the one that issued your CDL... A you must notify your home state of the conviction B that state will notify your home state C it's nobody's business but your own D it doesn't go on your record 53. You're pulled over for weaving all over the lanes. If you refuse to take an alcolol sobriety test, you may be disqualified just as if you WERE driving under the influence(DUI). This is because... A higher standard of care law B reasonable cause law C implied consent law D none of the above 54. Concerning night driving, which statement is true? A Most people are more alert at night B Most heavy vehicle accidents occur between midnight and 6 a.m. C Most hazards are easier to see at night because of the extra lighting D If you become sleepy, drink enough coffee to keep you awake until you get to your destination 55. When making an emergency stop on the highway... A put on your four-way flashers and keep them on until you're back on the road B put on your four-way flashers and keep them on until your warning devices are in place C place a red flag from the rear of your vehicle D blow your horn to alert motorists 56. If you're required to keep a log of your time... A you may bring it up to date once a week B any FHWA agent may inspect it C you may assign your co-driver to fill it out and sign it for you D you should add an hour when you cross a time zone 57. If your vehicle doesn't pass a roadside inspection... A it can be declared "out of service" B you cannot drive the vehicle, even to a repair station C you may repair it on the spot, then resume your trip D all of the above 58. By law, you must have your vehicle's lights on... A one half hour after sunset until one half hour before sunrise B unless street lights are lit C only when there's not enough natural light to see clearly D none of the above 59. Normal oil pressure while idling is... A 165 to 185 degrees Fahrenheit B 30 to 75 psi C 30 to 35 psi D 5 to 15 psi 60. Progressive shifting means... A downshifting at lower rpm as you reach the lower gears B downshifting at higher rpm as you reach the lower gears C upshifting at lower rpm as you reach the higher gears D upshifting at higher rpm as you reach the highest gears 61. You should downshift... A before starting down a steep hill B when the speedometer or tachometer indicates that it's necessary C before entering a sharp curve D all of the above 62. Maintain good visual alertness by... A fixing your eyes on the road in front of you B looking ahead as far as you can see C keeping a close eye on the road behind you D shifting your attention between the mirrors and the road ahead 63. Signaling other drivers when it's safe for them to pass is... A a great aid to highway safety B required C an unsafe practice D a common courtesy drivers should extend to each other 64. Normal engine temperature ranges from... A 180 to 250 degrees Fahrenheit B 100 to 250 degrees Fahrenheit C 165 to 185 degrees Fahrenheit D Any of the above, as long as it's over 100 degrees Fahrenheit 65. Your vehicles battery box must have... A at least two batteries B enough fluid to work properly C at least one loose wire for grounding D a secure cover 66. Rust around wheel nuts often means that... A the nuts are loose B the nuts are broken C it's been raining a lot lately D it's nothing to worry about 67. When the roads are wet, icy, or snow covered... A use your retarder for braking as much as possible B turn the retarder off C use the retarders maximum setting for better traction D be ready to turn the retarder on if you start to skid 68. If you try to downshift while coming down a mountain, you might... A damage the engine B wear out the clutch C get stuck in neutral D lose traction 69. A vehicle marked at the rear with a red triangle having an orange center... A Is hauling hazardous materials B Is moving slowly C Is a farm vehicle D May stop at any time 70. Bridge laws... A control traffic on a bridge B determine the maximum legal axle weight C apply only to bridges in California D can lower the maximum axle weight limit 71. The legal size and weight distribution limits... A should be your guide B are not changed by adverse conditions C does not ensure safe operations in adverse conditions D are change by the states depending upon the season 72. Blocking used to prevent cargo movement... A is secured to the cargo compartment floor B is secured to the cargo itself C is secured to the cargo and to the walls D must be placed every 3 feet 73. Drive tire tread must be at least... A 1/4 inch B 2/32 inch C 1/2 inch D 4/32 inch 74. Normal clutch travel is... A less than one inch B about one or two inches C more than two inches D it changes and can't be measured 75. State law can regulate... A the weight of your vehicle, but not the cargo B the weight of the cargo, but not your vehicle C both your vehicle and cargo weights D neither weights; the federal government regulates legal weights Test Score = Correct Answers: Get My CDL! The New Trucker Career Center CDL Practice Tests Access Page Trucker Country Home Page Choose from these additional practice tests... CDL General Knowledge Practice Test #2 CDL Hazardous Materials Practice Test #1 CDL Hazardous Materials Practice Test #2 CDL Air Brakes Practice Test #1 CDL Air Brakes Practice Test #2 CDL Doubles and Triples Practice Test #1 CDL Doubles and Triples Practice Test #2 CDL Combination Vehicles Practice Test #1 CDL Combination Vehicles Practice Test #2 CDL Tank Vehicles Practice Test #1 CDL Tank Vehicles Practice Test #2 Jim Purcell, President of Trucker Country, has put together the ultimate series of trucking guides for anyone interested in a career as a professional trucker. Whether you're just curious about trucking or you're ready to become a successful truck driver, you'll find all the real-world information you need in this amazing series of guides. Learn, step-by-step: the truth about the world of trucking, how to become a trucker, and even how to succeed at the trucking job and life.

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