CDL Part 1

Question 1

What gear should you use to take a long, steep, downhill grade in a manual transmission truck?

Answer 1

A lower gear than you would use to climb the hill

Question 2

What should you do if you are not sure you have enough overhead clearance?

Answer 2

Find another route that will not require driving under the object

Question 3

Whenever you double your speed, your vehicle has about how many times the destructive power if it crashes?

Answer 3

Four times

Question 4

What is the proper way to hold a steering wheel?

Answer 4

Both hands on opposite sides of the wheel

Question 5

What is a good practice when driving at night?

Answer 5

Drive slowly enough to stop within the range of your headlights

Question 6

During a vehicle inspection, which of the following will not help prevent a fire?

Answer 6

Battery fluid level

Question 7

Why is a broken exhaust system dangerous?

Answer 7

Poisonous fumes could enter the cab or sleeper berth

Question 8

How should you change lanes safely when a car approaches from the rear?

Answer 8

Wait until you are sure the car isn’t in your blind spot

Question 9

When are you required to stop at a railroad grade crossing?

Answer 9

When the cargo makes a stop mandatory under state or federal regulations

Question 10

What can happen if your brakes get wet while driving on a rainy day?

Answer 10

Trailer jackknife

Question 11

‘Implied consent’ means what when you sign the application form?

Answer 11

You give your consent to be tested for alcohol in your blood

Question 12

Which items should be tested while the vehicle is stopped?

Answer 12

Hydraulic brake

Question 13

What does a sign on a vehicle ahead indicating a slow-moving vehicle mean?

Answer 13

Slow moving vehicle

Question 14

Which statement is true about staying alert to drive?

Answer 14

Sleep is the only thing that can overcome fatigue

Question 15

Most serious skids result from _____

Answer 15

driving too fast for conditions

Question 16

What should you do if you must drive through deep puddles or flowing water?

Answer 16

Gently put on the brakes while driving through water

Question 17

You are checking your steering and exhaust systems in a free trip inspection. Which of these problems should be fixed before the vehicle is driven? 

Answer 17

Steering wheel play more than 10° (2 inches on a 20-inch wheel)

Question 18

What is true about double-clutching and shifting?

Answer 18

You can use the tachometer to tell you when to shift

Question 19

When starting your vehicle in motion from a stop, if the drive wheels start to spin, you should _____

Answer 19

Take your foot off the accelerator

Question 20

What should you do when exiting a highway using an off ramp that curves downhill?

Answer 20

Slow down to a safe speed before you curve

Question 21

What should you not do when a car suddenly cuts in front of you creating a hazard?

Answer 21

Honk and stay close behind the car

Question 22

What is the purpose of truck escape ramps?

Answer 22

Help avoid damage to vehicles

Question 23

What is true about mirror adjustment?

Answer 23

You should adjust your mirrors before you start a trip

Question 24

How should you move back onto the pavement after driving on the right shoulder?

Answer 24

If the shoulder is clear, stay on it until your vehicle comes to a stop. Then move back on when it is safe

Question 25

When must you sign a written vehicle inspection report?

Answer 25

If the previous driver noted any defects

Question 26

When driving in cold weather, your tire tread should _____

Answer 26

Provide enough traction to steer and push the vehicle through snow

Question 27

CDL medical certificates must be renewed every _____

Answer 27

Two years

Question 28

What should you do if someone is following you too closely (tailgating)?

Answer 28

Increase your following distance

Question 29

Which of the following is not characteristic of a front tire failure?

Answer 29

Vehicle fishtail

Question 30

You do not have a HAZMAT endorsement on your commercial driver license. You may drive a vehicle transporting hazardous materials when _____

Answer 30

The vehicle does not require placards

Question 31

At 55 mph on dry pavement, about how much total stopping distance will you need?

Answer 31

The length of the football field

Question 32

When parked at the side of the road at night, you must _____

Answer 32

Turn on your 4-way emergency flashers to warn others

Question 33

What is the term for a commercial vehicle’s habit of swinging wide on turns?

Answer 33

Off tracking

Question 34

For a first offense of driving a commercial vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs, you will lose your CDL for at least _____

Answer 34

1 year

Question 35

Which piece of emergency equipment should be in your vehicle?

Answer 35

Warning devices for parked vehicles

Question 36

Containerized loads are generally used for _____

Answer 36

freight carried part way by rail or ship

Question 37

When a coolant container is part of a pressurized system, which of these is true?

Answer 37

You can check the coolant level of a hot engine

Question 38

Why will your vehicle’s speed naturally increase on downgrades?

Answer 38

Gravity

Question 39

Which is not part of the engine compartment pre-trip inspection?

Answer 39

Valve clearance

Question 40

What should be true about brake shoes during a pre-trip inspection?

Answer 40

Brake shoes should not have oil, grease, or brake fluid on them

Question 41

What is countersteering?

Answer 41

Turning the steering wheel back in the other direction after steering to avoid a traffic emergency

Question 42

Backing a commercial vehicle is _____

Answer 42

Always dangerous

Question 43

Stab braking should be used on vehicles _____

Answer 43

without antilock brake systems

Question 44

Placards must be _____

Answer 44

Placed on all four sides of a vehicle

Question 45

When turning right from a two-lane, two-way street into another, how should you make the turn if your vehicle is long?

Answer 45

You must swing wide to complete the turn

Question 46

You should signal continuously while turning because _____

Answer 46

You need both hands on the steering wheel to turn safely

Question 47

The distance that you should look ahead of your vehicle while driving is about _____ mile at highway speeds.

Answer 47

¼

Question 48

On which fires can you use water?

Answer 48

Tires

Question 49

The purpose of retarders is to _____

Answer 49

Help slow the vehicle while driving and reduce brake wear

Question 50

Convex (curved) mirrors _____

Answer 50

Show a wider area than flat mirrors show