CDL General
Knowledge Test

This is the Commercial Vehicle Driver's License Test covering General Knowledge. You will be presented with 40 questions and you must answer 34 questions correctly to pass. There is no time limit. You may not go back once you answer a question. Click the "Start Test" button below to begin. Good luck!

1 / 40

For what reason do you keep the starter switch key in your pocket during the pre-trip inspection?

so no one moves the vehicle while you are inspecting underneath it

so you don't lose it

you will need it to open the side box

you will need it to inspect the trailer

2 / 40

When accelerating:

"hammer down" when your wheels start to spin

speed up smoothly and gradually and avoid jerking

do not engage the clutch before you take your foot off the brake

always use the parking brake to slow down

3 / 40

Signs of distracted drivers include:

drivers having conversations with passengers

vehicles exiting the roadway

individuals driving at a consistent speed above the speed limit

individuals listening to music too loudly

4 / 40

If you are transporting cargo, you should inspect the cargo and securing devices:

before the trip, within 50 miles after beginning the trip, and at least every 150 miles or 3 hours

before the trip

within the first 50 miles of driving

during every driving brake on the trip

5 / 40

The two main things to look ahead for while driving are _____.

fire and flooding

traffic and road conditions

bridges and tunnels

truck stops and police

6 / 40

Always try to back toward the driver's side because

all of these answers are correct

you can see better, watching the vehicle rear out the side window

it's more comfortable for turning your neck

your truck will naturally pull toward the driver's side

7 / 40

Which of the following are some suspension system defects?

all of these answers are correct

cracked or broken spring hangers

leaking shock absorbers

broken leaves in leaf spring

8 / 40

Two causes of tire fires are ______.

hot brakes and under-inflated tires

under-inflated tires and duals that touch

under-inflated tires and poor retreads

duals that touch and road debris

9 / 40

What is a common cause of tire fires?

all of these answers are correct

underinflated tires

overinflated tires

cold tires

10 / 40

Operating a motor vehicle with the intent of doing harm to others or physically assaulting a driver or their vehicle is known as?

road rage

defensive driving

tailgating

aggressive driving

11 / 40

The most important hand signal you should agree on with a helper is:

“turn up the music”

“stop”

“go”

“faster”

12 / 40

In the event of an accident you should remember to do the following EXCEPT:

notify authorities

move the victims out of the way immediately

stop any bleeding and keep the victims warm

protect the area

13 / 40

You should place the starter switch key into your pocket while you are performing the pre-trip inspection because:

all of these answers are correct

someone could start and move the truck

someone could steal the truck

it could damage the starting mechanism

14 / 40

You downshift automatic transmissions ______.

none of these answers are correct

before going down a hill

half way down a hill

at the bottom of a hill

15 / 40

The manual says you should look _____ ahead while driving.

9 to 12 seconds, at highway speeds, about a quarter of a mile

12 to 15 seconds, at highway speeds, about a quarter of a mile

5 to 8 seconds, at highway speeds, about an eighth of a mile

15 to 20 seconds, at highway speeds, about a half of a mile

16 / 40

With the controlled braking method, you _____?

apply the brakes all the way until the wheels lock up, release the brakes and apply them again when the wheels start to roll again

apply the brakes as hard as you can without locking the wheels

lightly apply braking pressure

repeatedly tap the brakes as fast as you can

17 / 40

What is the most important reason for doing a vehicle inspection?

to save you money by preventing costly repairs

safety for yourself and other road users

to insure that you will achieve the best gas mileage

federal and state laws require you to inspect your vehicle

18 / 40

Which of the following statements is FALSE?

if a tire blows, you should put the brakes on hard to stop quickly

antilock braking systems (ABS) only activate when wheels are about to lock

stopping is not always the safest thing to do in an emergency

you can almost always turn to miss an obstacle more quickly than you can stop

19 / 40

Suspension systems:

keep the load secure

keep the steering wheel tight

keep the brake drums from failing

keep the axles in place

20 / 40

Which of the following should you NOT do if you experience a tire failure?

you need to be aware that a tire has failed

hold the steering wheel firmly

engage the brakes hard and immediately

stay off the brake pedal

21 / 40

Where should you place your warning devices if you must stop on a one-way or divided highway?

10 feet, 100 feet, and 200 feet toward approaching traffic

20 feet, 50 feet, and 100 feet toward approaching traffic

50 feet, 100 feet, and 150 feet toward approaching traffic

100 feet, 200 feet, and 300 feet toward approaching traffic

22 / 40

How often should you check your cargo?

every 150 miles or every three hours

all of these answers are correct

within the first 50 miles after beginning a trip

after every break you take during driving

23 / 40

If you are drowsy, you should _____ before you drive.

do a little exercise

get sleep

take a cold shower

drink coffee

24 / 40

Which of the following is NOT an appropriate reason to flash your braking lights?

to alert drivers behind you that there are hazards ahead

to signal to tailgaters that they are too close to your vehicle

to warn vehicles approaching you from behind that you are driving slowly

to warn drivers behind you when you need to slow down

25 / 40

In the event of a tire failure you should...

disengage the clutch so you are in neutral gear

stay off the brake and hold the steering wheel firmly

accelerate quickly until you find a place to pull over

pump the brakes until you come to a stop

26 / 40

When stopped on a divided highway where should your reflectors be placed?

10 feet, 100 feet, and 200 feet toward the approaching traffic

20 feet, 150 feet, and 300 feet toward the approaching traffic

30 feet, 100 feet, and 150 feet toward the approaching traffic

15 feet, 75 feet, and 150 feet toward the approaching traffic

27 / 40

Wet brakes can cause _____.

lack of braking power

brakes to apply unevenly

all of these answers are correct

pulling to one side or the other

28 / 40

Which of the following is NOT a basic step to be taken at a crash scene?

protect the area

notify authorities

care for the injured

gather the contact information of all the drivers involved

29 / 40

If you must stop on the shoulder of the road, you should place warning devices at all of the following places except...

about 100 feet behind your vehicle

about 100 feet in front of your vehicle

on the other side of a divided highway

within ten feet of the front or rear corners

30 / 40

What can you do at an accident site to help avoid another accident?

have a drink to calm your nerves

leave your vehicle, do nothing, and get to higher ground

stay in your vehicle and do nothing until help arrives

put out warning devices so people don't run into the accident site

31 / 40

In safe driving, what does communicating mean?

all of these answers are correct

letting others know you are there by using turn signals, four way flashers, and horn

using a cb radio to let others know your intentions

using hand signals

32 / 40

Why should you cover cargo?

to protect individuals from any spilled cargo

because many states require it

to protect your cargo from bad weather

all of these answers are correct

33 / 40

What is the best way to figure out how many seconds of following distance you have?

get 1/4 closer to the car in front of you, then back off again multiply how long this took you by four for following distance

use the stopwatch on your phone to try to determine how long before you reach a mile marker after the car in front of you appeared to reach it

wait until a vehicle passes a shadow or landmark, then count the seconds until you pass it

text a friend and tell them to text you back in ten seconds and see how long that seemed to take compared to how far you traveled

34 / 40

Which of the following are possible causes of tire fires?

poor cargo ventilation or short circuits

loose fuel connections or under-inflated tires

dual tires that touch and under-inflated tires

improperly loaded cargo and dual tires that touch

35 / 40

Tires should should be replaced:

when the tread separates

if the tread depth on your front tires is less than 4/32 deep

when there are broken valve stems

all of these answers are correct

36 / 40

If you are traveling at 55 mph in a 30-foot vehicle, you should leave how many seconds of following distance?

3 seconds

4 seconds

6 seconds

7 seconds

37 / 40

It is important for driving safety to always be looking ahead. Which of the following is NOT a recommended time/distance that you should be looking ahead?

about 1/4 mile for open highway driving

about one block for city driving

about 12-15 seconds

about 5 car lengths on the highway

38 / 40

What is the reason that placards are used?

communicate the risk

to prevent terrorism

it is the law

so hazmat is not mixed with food

39 / 40

While driving at night, which lights should you use as often as you can?

novelty lights

low beams

emergency flashers

high beams

40 / 40

Which of the following factors is NOT used to determine your safe speed when going down a long steep downgrade?

weather

time of day

length and steepness of grade

total weight of the vehicle and cargo

Your score is

The average score is 86%

4.6/5 - (10 votes)

CDL General Knowledge Test

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CDL General
Knowledge Test