Download CDL-A General Knowledge Test: Complete Questions and Answers and more Exams Commercial Law in PDF only on Docsity!
CDL-A, GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TEST COMPLETE
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS 100% CORRECT
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.
Correct Answer: Are designed to protect vehicles from damage.
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.
Correct Answer: 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
Correct Answer: 35 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.
Correct Answer: Apply the parking brake.
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.
Correct Answer: 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.)
Correct Answer: Backing is always dangerous.
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.
Correct Answer: Any time you are in a moving vehicle.
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. Poorly adjusted brakes.
Correct Answer: Driving too fast for road conditions.
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.
Correct Answer: 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
Correct Answer: Parked
13. A drivers trip log, if required:: a. May be brought up to date once a week.
b. Is also called a
c. Must be shown immediately when an officer requests it.
d. All of the above.
Correct Answer: Must be shown immediately when an officer requests it.
14. Should the pre-trip inspection report from the last driver be reviewed
during your pre-trip inspection?: a. Yes b. No Correct Answer: Yes
15. If you are stopped at a roadside rest and found to have a BAC (Blood
Alcohol Concentration) of .02 you will:: a. In trouble with the dispatcher
b. Be placed out of service for 24 hours
c. Be placed out of service for 48 hours
b. Warning devices for parked vehicles.
c. Spare electrical fuses (if the vehicle uses them).
d. All of the above.
Correct Answer: 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.
Correct Answer: Turning the wheel in the opposite direction after steering to avoid a traffic emergency
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. Correct Answer: Only when the vehicle does not require placards.
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.
Correct Answer: A lower gear that you would use to climb the hill.
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.
Correct Answer: Used whenever it is safe and legal to do so.
23. An en-route inspection should include checking:: a. Cargo doors and / or
cargo securement.
b. Tire temperature.
c. Brake temperature.
c. Work better at very low rpms.
d. Can cause the vehicle to skid when the road is slippery.
Correct Answer: 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.
Correct Answer: The only thing that can cure fatigue is sleep
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
Correct Answer: Steer to the right
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.
Correct Answer: Gently pressing the brake pedal while driving through the water.
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.
Correct Answer: The heavier a vehicle or the faster it is moving, the more heat the brakes have to absorb to stop it.
32. What should you do when your vehicle hydroplanes?: a. Release the
accelerator.
b. Start stab braking.
c. Counter steer hard.
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.
Correct Answer: 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 whisky.
c. Coffee and fresh air can sober a person up.
d. All of the above are true.
Correct Answer: A few beers have the same effect on driving as a few shots of whisky.
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 a cold pill.
d. Scheduling trips during hours that you are normally asleep.
Correct Answer: Taking short breaks before you are drowsy.
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.
Correct Answer: 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.
Correct Answer: It can startle other drivers.
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.
Correct Answer: Look for an escape ramp or escape route.
give adequate warning
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
Correct Answer: 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
Correct Answer: 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.
Correct Answer: Take your foot off the accelerator.
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.
Correct Answer: 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: d. 1:30 and 10: Correct Answer: 3 and 9
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.
Correct Answer: With the vehicle stopped, pump the pedal three times, apply firm pressure for 5 seconds, then hold and see if the pedal moves.
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.
Correct Answer: Keep your speed slow enough that you can stop within the range of your headlights
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.
Correct Answer: 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.
Correct Answer: Balanced in the cargo area
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.
Correct Answer: There are blind spots that your mirrors cannot show you.
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.
Correct Answer: Windshield washer antifreeze should be added to the washer reservoir.
