CDL General Knowledge Test Flashcards by Trevion Banks

To stop quickly, you can use which of the controlled braking methods?

A. Apply the brakes as hard as you can to lock the wheels
B. Apply the brakes as hard as you can without locking the wheels
C. Apply the brakes and make large steering adjustments
D. Apply the brakes but keep them released before and after you make steering adjustments

B. Apply the brakes as hard as you can without locking the wheel

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Two possible causes of tire fires are

A. short circuits and duals that touch
B. under-inflated tires and duals that touch
C. improper fueling or loose fuel connections
D. improperly loaded cargo and driver smoking

B. under-inflated tires and duals that touch

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Possession or use of drugs while on duty is prohibited by law except when

A. using amphetamines
B. using over-the-counter drugs
C. your doctor informs you that the certain drug prescribed will not affect safe driving abilities
D. using alcohol

C. your doctor informs you that the certain drug prescribed will not affect safe driving abilities

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Poor weight balance can make vehicle handling unsafe. Hard steering is caused by

A. underloaded front axles
B. too little weight on the driving axles
C. too much weight on the steering axles
D. a high center of gravity

C. too much weight on the steering axle

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Which of the following statements about unbaffled or “smooth bore” liquid tankers is NOT true?

A. You must be extremely cautious, especially when starting and stopping
B. There is nothing inside the tank to slow down the flow of liquid
C. Food products will most likely be transported in an unbaffled liquid tank
D. Forward and back liquid surge is reduced

D. Forward and back liquid surge is reduced

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You are driving a vehicle when two cars collide a short distance ahead of you. In order to safely avoid the accident, you should

A. always apply the brakes immediately
B. make a sharp turn to clear the accident area
C. turn quickly with one hand on the wheel and one hand on the horn
D. grip the wheel firmly with both hands and turn only the amount of space needed to clear whatever is in your way

D. grip the wheel firmly with both hands and turn only the amount of space needed to clear whatever is in your way

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To correct a drive-wheel braking skid you should

A. brake harder
B. turn slowly
C. countersteer
D. keep your foot off the clutch

C. countersteer

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If you are driving a long distance, you should

A. stop often and take short breaks before you really drowsy or tired
B. take a short break once or twice during the trip when you are feeling tired or drowsy
C. avoid short breaks, but keep the windown open
D. do some physical exercises after the trip

A. stop often and take short breaks before you feel really drowsy or tired

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When transporting cargo, inspect the materials and securing devices

A. before the trip only
B. before and after the trip
C. within 50 miles after beginning the trip and during every driving break
D. before the trip, withing 50 miles after beginning the trip, after every 3 hours or 150 miles, and during every driving break

D. before the trip, within 50 miles after beginning the trip, after every 3 hours or 150 miles, during every driving break

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Which of the following statements about tank vehicles is true?

A. Tank vehicles transport liquids only
B. The term “tank vehicle” refers only to those vehicles having a permanenly attached tank
C. Special skills are required to haul liquid tanks
D. All tank vehicles have some sort of bulkhead or baffle

C. Special skills are required to haul liquid tanks

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Dry tanks and hanging meat

A. have low center of gravity
B. handle better than most cargo on sharp turns
C. are unstable loads
D. do not require special care

C. are unstable loads

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To turn quickly and safely in the event of a traffic or vehicle emergency, you should be prepared to countersteer. This means you turn the wheel

A. the opposite direction of the obstacle
B. away from the obstacle and the back in the other direction
C. to the right of the obstacle
D. to the left of the obstacle

B. away from the obstacle and the back in the other direction

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You should turn on your 4-way flashers when

A. driving on mountain roads
B. hauling heavy cargo
C. approaching a railroad crossing
D. driving in fog

D. driving in fog

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Which of the following is an effect of drinking and driving?

A. Driving in the wrong lane
B. Making quick, jerky movements
C. Running stop signs
D. All of the above

D. All of the above

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Which of the following statements about a vehicle with a high center of gravity is true?

A. The vehicle is less likely to tip over
B. The vehicle is less dangerous on curves
C. The cargo is evenly distributed and as low as possible
D. The cargo should be rearranged so that the heaviest parts of the cargo are under the lightest parts

D. The cargo should be rearranged so that the heaviest parts of the cargo are under the lightest parts

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Outage is

A. a full liquid tanker
B. the space allotted for expanding liquids
C. the weight of the liquid is transit
D. caused by liquid surge

B. the space allotted for expanding liquids

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For cargo, blocking is

A. shaped to fit loosely over the cargo
B. unattached to the cargo deck
C. needed in the front of a piece of cargo only
D. used in the front, back and/or sides of a piece of cargo

D. used in the front, back and/or sides of a piece of cargo

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In the event of an engine fire,

A. always open the hood to release the fire
B. keep the engine running and use extinguishers
C. try to keep the hood closed and shoot extinguishers through louvers or from the underside of the vehicle
D. always open the hood and shoot extinguishers through louvers or from the underside of the vehicle

C. try to keep the hood closed and shoot extinguishers through louvers or from the underside of the vehicle

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The Federal Hazardous Materials Table names materials that are hazardous. If you are transporting any of these materials,

A. only the shipper should know
B. only the driver should know
C. the shipper and the driver should know
D. everyone who handles the material should know

D. everyone who handles the material should know

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Which of the following should you NOT do in the event of air brake failure where there was a major air leak in the system?

A. Pump the brakes
B. Find an escape route
C. Shift down
D. Use the parking or emergency brake

A. Pump the brakes

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Which of the following statements about loading heavy or dense liquid is true?

A. Tanks carrying heavy liquids can sometimes be filled completely
B. You must be aware of legal weight limits
C. Heavy or dense liquids do not expand
D. The weight of the actual liquid does not matter

B. You must be aware of the legal weight limits

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You have been driving for a long time and you are feeling tired. What should you do?

A. Take a half-hour coffee stop
B. Take an over-the-counter drug that will keep you awake
C. Push on until your next stop and rest
D. Make an early stop and sleep or pull off the road and nap

D. Make an early stop and sleep or pull off the road and nap

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In some emergencies, you may have to drive off the road and onto the shoulder in order to avoid collision with another vehicle. If possible, you shold avoid

A. keeping one set of wheels on the pavement
B. using the brake until your speed has dropped to about 20 mph
C. coming to a complete stop before returning to the road
D. All of the above

B. using the brake until the speed has dropped to about 20 mph

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When driving baffled liquid tanks,

A. bulkheads are included which stop side to side liquid surge
B. there is no risk of rollover
C. forward and backward liquid surge is controlled
D. there is no risk involved in taking curves or making sharp turns at the posted limits

C. forward and backward liquid surge is controlled

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The Gross Combination Weight Rating is the A. maximum total weight of a single vehicle plus its load specified by the manufacturer B. maximum total weight of a power unit plus trailer(s) plus the cargo as specified by the manufacturer C. total weight of a single vehicle plus its load D. total weight of a powered unit plus trailer(s) plus the cargo

B. maximum total weight of a power unity plus trailer(s) plus the cargo as specified by the manufacturer

Which of the following statements about driving and over-length, over-width, and/or over-weight load is NOT true? A. You do not need a special permit B. Driving is usually limited to certain times C. Special equipment may be necessary D. You may require a police escort

A. You do not need a special permit

Shippers must write the name of the hazard class of hazardous products A. only on the shipping papers B. only on the diamond-shaped labels on the containers C. on the shipping papers and on the diamond-shaped labels or special tags on the container D. only on the special-fitting tags for the containers

C. on the shipping papers and on the diamond-shaped labels or special tags on the container

A skid happens when tires lose their grip on the road. To prevent skidding, you should A. turn the wheel sharply for all turns B. accelerate to give power to the drive wheels C. adjust to conditions while driving D. brake hard at all stops

C. adjust to conditions while driving

Which of the following statements about tie-downs is true? A. They go from the upper part of the cargo to the floor and/or walls of the cargo compartment B. The combined strength of all cargo tie-downs must be strong enough to lift one-and-a-half-times the weight of the piece of cargo tied down C. Tie-downs can be of any type or strength D. Cargo should have at least one tie-down for each 20 feet of cargo

B. The combined strength of all cargo tie-downs must be strong enough to lift one-and-a-half-times the weight of the piece of cargo tied down

If your vehicle is involved in an accident, try to A. keep one empty lane between your vehicle and other traffic B. stop all traffic in other lanes C. honk your horn to warn other vehicles D. get it to the side of the road

D. get it to the side of the road

A tank vehicle with a high center of gravity A. should take highway curves or on-ramp/off-ramp curves below the posted speeds B. should take highway curves or on-ramp/off-ramp curves at least five miles above the posted speed C. cannot turn over at the speed limit posted for curves D. is top-heavy, but not easy to rollover

A. should take highways curves or on-ramp/off-ramp curves well below the posted speeds

With regard to hand-held devices and cell phones, drivers A. are not allowed to have these devices in the vehicle B. can send a text or receive a text while driving in the vehicle C. must not text or receive a text while driving D. can send a text or receive a text while driving if this is the motor carrier's policy

C. must not text or receive a text while driving

Which of the following about covering cargo is NOT true? A. You need to protect people from spilled cargo B. You should look at your cargo in the mirrors often while driving C. Flapping covers don't need be tied down as long as the bulk of the cargo is covered D. You need to protect the cargo from the weather

C. Flapping covers need to be tied down as long as the bulk of the cargo is covered

When a front-wheel skid occurs, the only way to stop the skid is to A. brake hard B. turn sharply C. let the vehicle slow down D. increase acceleration

C. let the vehicle slow down

In the event of a cargo fire in a van or box trailer, you should A. keep the doors shut B. keep the doors open C. drive the closest service station for assistance D. park close to the road so other vehicles can see the danger and call for assistance

A. keep the doors shut

You should use your mirrors to check A. the condition of tires B. traffic gaps when merging C. where the rear of your vehicle is while turning D. All of the above

D. All of the above

If an oncoming driver has suddenly drifted into your lane or if an obstacle suddenly blocks your path, you should A. move to the right B. move to the left C. brake immediately D. apply brakes slowly and signal for a lane change

A. move to the right

Which of the following statements is NOT true about an overloaded vehicle? A. The vehicle will have to go very slowly on upgrades B. The vehicle may gain too much speed on downgrades C. The vehicle's stopping distance decreases D. All of the above

C. The vehecles's stopping distance decreases

Which of the following is true about drinking and driving? A. Alcohol increases your ability to driver further B. Alcohol wil reduce your ability to drive C. Coffee and a little fresh air will help sober up a driver who is about to drive D. A drink will wake upo a sleepy driver

B. Alcohol will reduce your ability to drive

For electrical fires and burning liquids, use A. a B:C type fire extinguisher only B. an A:B:C or B:C type fire extinguisher C. water D. whatever is availavle at the time

B. an A:B:C or B:C type fire extinguisher

On a school bus, the ____ are used to monitor the left and right sides of the bus at a wide angle. A. crossover mirrors B. convex mirrors C. inside mirrors D. flat mirrors

B. convex mirrors

You see an accident on the road and wish to help. The steps you take to prevent further damage or injury are: protect the area, care for the injured, and A. park your vehicle near the accident B. notify authorities C. always move the severely injured person(s) away from the accident D. keep the injured person(s) cool

B. notify authorities

You must keep shipping papers for hazardous materials A. in a pouch on the driver's door B. in the glove compartment C. under the passenger's seat D. with the hazardous materials

A. in a pouch on the driver's door

Which of the following is a good thing to do when driving at night? A. Keep your speed slow enough that you can stop within the range of your headlights B. Look directly at oncoming headlights bright C. Keep your instrument lights bright D. Wear sunglasses to reduce headlight glare

A. Keep your speed slow enough that you can stop within the range of your headlights

Since you cannot inspect sealed loads, you A. can exceed gross weight and axle weight limits B. must be lower than weight limits by 50 pounds C. need special tie-downs devices D. Should check that you do not exceed gross weight and axle weight limits

D. should check that you do not exceed gross weight and axle weight limits

A coupling device capacity is the A. maximum safe weight a tire can carry at a specified pressure B. maximum weight the device can pull and/or carry C. manufacturer's weight capacity rating of the suspension system D. weight transmitted to the ground by one axle or one set of axles

B. maximum weight the device can pull and/or carry

Which of the following should you NOT do if you suspect that one of your vehicle's tires has blown out? A. Keep driving until you are certain it was one of your vehicle's tires that blew B. Hold the steering wheel firmly C. Stay off the brake D. Check all the tires after stopping

A. Keep driving until you are certain it was one of your vehicle's tires that blew

If you do not have a Hazardous Materials Endorsement on your Commercial Driver License, you can A. drive a vehicle that carries hazardous materials if it does not require placards B. not transport any type of hazardous material C. transport hazardous materials if your employer lets you D. only transport liquid hazardous materials

A. drive a vehicle that carries hazardous materials if it does not require placards

Which of the following contains more alcohol? A. A 12-ounce mug of beer with an alcohol content of 5% by volume B. A 5-ounce glass of wine with an alcohol content of 12% by volume C. A 1 1/2- ounce shot of 80- proof liquor D. All three contain the same amount of alcohol

D. All three contain the same amount of alcohol

If you are transporting livestock A. give livestock enough room to roam freely B. rollover is lessl likely C. there is always a high center of gravity D. use false bulkheads with less than a full load

D. use false bulkheads with less than a full load

Which of the following is a sign of a tire failure? A. The steering wheel pulls to one side B. Vibration C. A loud "bang" D. All of the above

D. All of the above

If one-fourth of a multileaf spring is missing, which of the following is most likely to happen? A. It will capture a pop-pop-pop sound B. It will put the vehicle out of service C. It will make it hard to steer D. It will have no effect

B. It will put the vehicle out of service

Which of the following emergency equipment should be carried in the truck at all times? A. a fully charged 5 B:C fire extinguisher B. reflective warning triangles or flares C. spare electrical fuses (if the truck has fuses) D. All of the above

D. All of the above

You are driving on a rainy day and the drive wheels begin to spin. To keep control of the vehicle, which of the following is the best action to take? A. Brake hard B. Take your foot off the accelerator C. Steer to the left or right D. Accelerate slightly

B. Take your foot off the accelerator

To exinguish an electrical fire, A. use a lot of water B. use the A:B:C extinguisher on the flames of the fire C. use the B:C extinguisher on the base of the fire D. pull into a service station and wait for qualified firefighters

C. use the B:C extinguisher on the base of the fire

What is the correct placement of warning devices when parked on the shoulder of a one-way or divided highway? A. At 10 feet, 100 feet, and 200 feet from the front of the vehicle B. At 100 feet and 500 feet from the front of the vehicle C. At 100 feet and 500 feet from the rear of the vehicle D. At 10 feet, 100 feet , and 200 feet from the rear of the vehicle

D. At 10 feet, 100 feet, and 200 feet from the rear of the vehicle

What is the total stopping time when driving a heavy vehicle on dry pavement at 55 mph? A. 4 1/2 seconds B. 5 seconds C. 6 seconds D. 7 1/2 seconds

C. 6 seconds

To go down a long, steep hill you should A. shift to a low gear before starting the down grade B. shift to a high hear before starting down the grade C. shift to a low gear after starting down the grade D. apply your brakes

A. shift to a low gear before starting the down grade

Which of the following is the best way to slow the vehicle when driving down a hill? A. Shift to a higher gear B. Downshift before the hill and keep light, continuous pressure on the brakes C. Apply heavy pressure on the brakes from time to time D. Shift gears to neutral

B. Downshift before the hill and get light, continuous pressure on the brakes

A broke coolant hose while driving A. causes the air-conditioner to fail B. can cause a fire C. increases the chances of tire failures D. causes the heater to fail

B. can cause a fire

How much tread depth should you have on your front tires when driving in the winter? A. Minimum of 4/32 inch B. Under 4/32 inch C. Minimum of 2/32 inch D. Maximum of 2/32 inch

A. Minimum of 4/32 inch

How often must drivers of trucks and truck tractors conduct a safety inspection? A. Before driving B. Before driving, every 3 hours during driving, and after driving C. Every 5 hours and after driving D. After driving

B. Before driving, every 3 hours during driving, and after driving

When backing a trailer, A. turn the steering wheel toward the direction you want to go B. turn the steering wheel in the opposite direction you want to go C. turn and back toward the right side D. use the highest reverse gear

B. turn the steering wheel in the opposite direction you want to go

You are stopped on an incline. How do you keep from rolling back? A. Engage the clutch B. Shift to neutral C. Put on the parking brake D. Pump the acceleration hard

C. Put on the parking brake

You are driving on slippery ice. You rear-drive wheels lock and you begin to skid. Which of the following is the best actoin to take? A. Take your foot off the accelerator and push the brake B. Take your foot off the accelerator and push in the clutch C. Brake hard and pull off the road D. Shift to neutral

B. Take your foot off the accelerator and push in the clutch

A tie rod is part of the _____ system. A. suspension B. brake C. exhaust D. steering

D. steering

Controlled braking is A. braking hard without locking the wheels B. jamming on the brakes C. braking so that the wheels lock D. releasing the brakes slowly

A. braking hard without locking the wheels

Electronic Logging Devices do which of the following? A. Facilitate compliance with the International Registration Plan B. Accurately track record of drivers' trip data C. Make it easier to share records of drivers' trip data and hours of service D. All of the above

D. All of the above

What is a tractor jackknife? A. Another name for hard steering B. A device used in the hydraulic system C. A drive-wheel skid D. A type of trailer truck

C. A drive-wheel skid

You are stopped on the shoulder of a curve that prevents approaching traffic from seeing your vehicle. How far back should you place your last warning device? A. 10 feet B. 100 feet C. 200 feet D. 500 feet

D. 500 feet

Which of the following is true about empty trucks? A. They have better traction B. They require less braking power C. They require greater stopping distances D. They are easier to steer

C. They require greater stopping distances

Which of the following is true about overhead clearance? A. Posted heights are always correct B. A loaded truck is higher than an empty one C. Repaving or packed snow increases the clearance height D. An empty van is higher than a loaded van

D. An empty van is higher than a loaded van

What is the proper way to make a right turn when you are driving a long vehicle? A. Keep the rear of the vehicle far away from the curb B. Turn wide to the left as you start the turn C. Turn wide as you complete the turn D. Turn quickly to stop other drivers from hitting you

C. Turn wide as you complete the turn

If the radiator shutters freeze shut when driving in the winter, which of the following will occur? A. The brakes will freeze B. The engine may overheat and stop C. Carbon monoxide will leak into your vehicle D. It will be harder to steer

B. The engine may overheat and stop

Why don't new trucks use the same gear for going down a hill as they would for going up a hill? A. They have low friction parts B. They take up more fuel C. They have more air drag D. They have weaker engines

A. They have low friction parts

Your brakes have failed on a downgrade. Using an escape ramp, downshifting and ____ helpful in slowing the vehicle. A. countersteering B. shifting to a higher gear C. using the braking effect of the engine D. using te horn

C. using the braking effect of the engine

You are driving on highway and your front tire has just blown out. You should A. brake hard B. pump the brakes C. stay off the brake until you have slowed down D. keep driving until you find a service station

C. stay off the brake until you have slowed down

If the steering feels heavy or hard, it is probably a sign of A. battery failure B. tire problems C. worn brakes D. engine problems

B. tire problems

What is black ice? A. Oil B. Freshly paved tar C. Clear ice D. Fog or mist

C. Clear ice

The controlled braking method is used A. when making large steering wheel movements B. to make the wheels lock C. by applying the brakes as hard as you can without locking the wheels D. by applying the brakes slowly

C. by applying the brakes as hard as you can without locking the wheels

If you have to steer away from what's ahead in order to avoid a crash, which of the following is the best action to take? A. Hit the brakes B. Turn, then countersteer once you have cleared the obstacle C. Apply the brakes while turning D. Turn very sharply to clear whatever is in your way

B. Turn, then countersteer once you have cleared the obstacle

What causes brakes to fade? A. Using the brakes too lightly when going downhill B. Coasting C. Frozen brake pads D. Slowing down from high speeds too quickly

D. Slowing down from high speeds too quickly

The proper distance to use high beams is at least ________ away from an approaching vehicle. A. 25 feet B. 500 feet C. 1,000 feet D. 50 feet

B. 500 feet

What are the three types of safety equipment that you MUST have before driving? A. Spare fuses, tire chains and a fire extinguisher B. An accident reporting kit, three red reflective triangles, and tire-changing equipment C. Tire-changing equipment, spare fuses, and a fire extinguisher D. Spare fuses, three red reflective triangles, and a fire extinguisher

D. Spare fuses, three red reflective triangles, and a fire extinguisher

You are approaching a vehicle for a pre-trip inspection. What should be the first step? A. Starting the engine B. Fastening yoiur seatbelt C. Putting the vehicle key in your pocket D. Writing a written report on the condition of the vehicle

C. Putting the vehicle key in your pocket

Which of the following should you examine when inspecting the front of your vehicle? A. Condition of your brakes B. Condition of shock absorbers C. Condition of steering system D. All of the above

D. All of the above

The danger zone of a school bus extends as much as 30 feet from A. the left side of the bus B. the right side of the bus C. the rear bumper of the bus D. the front bumper of the bus

D. the front bumper of the bus

Some vehicles have automatic transmissions. Why is it important to select a low range when going down grade? A. To allow the transmission to shift up B. To get greater engine braking C. To prevent hydroplaning D. To prevent a hydraulic brake failure

B. To get greater engine braking

Where and When is it the best to downshift? A. After starting up a hill B. After starting down a hill C. Before entering a curve D. Before speeding up

C. Before entering a curve

You are driving a 60-foot rig at 55 mph. How many seconds of space should you have between you and the vehicle ahead? A. 5 seconds B. 6 seconds C. 7 seconds D. 8 seconds

C. 7 seconds

Which of the following is one of the best ways to deal with tailgaters in heavy traffle? A. Speed up to increase the distance between you and the tailgater B. Increase your following distance C. Turn on your tail lights D. Brake quickly several times to flash your brake lights

B. Increase your following distance

At speeds below 40 mph, you need at least ____ for each ____ of vehicle length. A. one second; 10 feet B. one second; 20 feet C. two seconds; 10 feet D. two seconds; 30 feet

A. one second; 10 feet

When driving down a steep curve in the snow, you should A. use the engine brake B. use the speed retarder C. brake hard D. turn as gently as possible

D. turn as gently as possible

You should inspect the tires every ____ when driving in very hot weather. A. one hour or every 50 miles B. two hours or every 100 miles C. three hours or every 150 miles D. four hours or every 400 miles

B. two hours or every 100 miles

The best kind of driver is a(n) ____ one. A. slow B. offensive C. sober D. safety first-minded and defensive

D. safety first-minded and defensive

If you must pull over to the shoulder on a major highway, you should A. keep one set of wheels on pavement, if possible B. use the controlled braking method C. turn onto the shoulder without braking D. brake quickly several times to flash your brake lights

A. keep one set of wheels on pavement, if possible

Which of the following is one of the potential causes of fire in the electrical system? A. Poor ventilation B. Flammable cargo C. Short circuits due to damaged insulation D. Duals that touch

C. Short circuits due to damaged insulation

Why must you tab or keep shipping papers related to hazardous materials in special places? A. Because they must be delivered first B. In case there are no placards C. Because you must know what products you can load together, and which you cannot D. If the driver is in an accident and connot speak, people must know the hazards involved

D. If the driver is in an accident and cannot speak, people must know the hazards involved