pennsylvania
CDL Practice Test

Welcome to the Pennsylvania CDL practice test site. CDL rules and regulations covered on these practice tests come from the PA DMV CDL Manual. You can take these practice test questions as many times as you like as you attempt to obtain your PA CDL. You will be presented with 40 questions and you must answer 34 questions correctly to pass. There is a 50-minute time limit. You may not go back once you answer a question. Click the "Start Test" button below to begin.

1 / 40

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

on the other side of a divided highway

about 100 feet in front of your vehicle

within 10 feet of the front or rear corners

about 100 feet behind your vehicle

2 / 40

You are checking the_______when looking at the dipstick to see if the lubrication is at the safe operating range or above the refill line.

oil level

coolant level

battery fluid level

washer fluid level

3 / 40

On the Hazardous Materials Table, column 1 shows:

How much of the material can be put in a vehicle without placarding.

How to ship an item.

To what shipping mode the information on that line applies.

What materials can be loaded together.

4 / 40

Which trailer is most likely to tip over due to the crack the whip effect?

the last trailer of a triple

the first trailer of a triples

the last trailer of a double

the heaviest trailer

5 / 40

What should you check for when inspecting a converter dolly?

that the spare tire is secured if there is one

all answers listed

that the converter dolly air tank drain valve is in the closed position

that the safety chains are secured to the trailer

6 / 40

Select the true statement about emergency steering and tankers:

It is easier to counter steer than other vehicles.

None of the answers listed.

Do not apply the brakes when making quick movements of the steering wheel.

Have a firm grip on the steering wheel before making quick movements of the steering wheel.

7 / 40

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

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

to alert drivers behind you that there are hazards ahead

to warn drivers behind you when you need to slow down

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

8 / 40

Which of the following types of cargo must never be carried on a bus with passengers?

Emergency drug shipments

Emergency hospital supplies

Tear gas

Small arms ammunition (orm-d)

9 / 40

How far before a railroad crossing should you stop your bus?

10 to 35 feet

15 to 50 feet

100 feet exactly

50 to 75 feet

10 / 40

The minimum tread depth for tires other than the front tires is ____.

3/32

1/32

2/32

4/32

11 / 40

What is most likely to occur when driving a set of doubles and a set of trailer wheels goes into a skid?

there will be a trailer jackknife

nothing will occur

no matter how you turn the steering wheel, the rig will continue in a straight line

the rig will slide sideways but stay in a straight line

12 / 40

What is the best way to stop all skids?

use controlled or stab braking

restore traction back to the tires

quickly turn the steering wheel side to side

accelerate and countersteer

13 / 40

You must be alert for road hazards so that:

Accident reports will be accurate.

Law enforcement personnel can be called.

You will have time to plan your escape if the hazard becomes an emergency.

You can help impaired drivers.

14 / 40

You should check the_____when loading small tanks equipped with bulkheads.

fuel to air ratio

distribution of the weight

expansion rate

percentage of water

15 / 40

What does the drain valve for air tanks remove?

oil and dirt

water and air

oil and water

air and oil

16 / 40

Of the following hazardous material classes, which is the most dangerous?

Division 62

Division 63

Division 61

Division 64

17 / 40

Drivers placard their vehicle to _____ the risk.

take away

minimize

elevate

communicate

18 / 40

When inspecting the_____you pump the pedals 3 times and then hold it down for 5 seconds feeling for no movement to occur.

hydraulic brakes

emergency brakes

all answers listed

engine brakes

19 / 40

A tank vehicle:

Is a vehicle that can transport liquid.

All answers listed.

Is a vehicle that can transport liquified gasses.

Is a vehicle that can transport bulk fertilizer.

20 / 40

The crack-the-whip effect is more likely to cause the front trailer to tip over.

trailers never tip

false

there is an equal chance for trailers to tip

true

21 / 40

What is the benefit of ABS?

it provides an added layer of safety for truck drivers

it prevents the wheels from locking up during heavy braking or slippery conditions

it decreases your stopping distance

all of these answers are correct

22 / 40

What are slack adjusters?

they are a part of the air brake system that adjusts the brakes

they are between the push rod on disc brakes and power screw

all of these answers are correct

they are between the S-Cam on drum brakes and the push rod

23 / 40

Unless you_____you will feel the effects of a liquid surge.

make turns carefully and slowly

haul thick liquids

gradually come to a stop

all answers listed

24 / 40

The school bus driver may be the only contact person from school system some parents meet. The percentage of such parents is as high as:

0.65

0.85

0.5

0.72

25 / 40

This should be cleaned and then adjusted properly while inside the cab.

The mirrors

The windshield

The lug bolts

The headlights

26 / 40

By law, the warning lights must only be used when approaching a:

Stop to load or unload students.

Busy intersection.

Any stop the bus makes.

Sharp turns.

27 / 40

At the end of each shift you should:

Report any damage.

All of these answers are correct.

Report any defects.

Inspect your bus.

28 / 40

You should follow behind other vehicles ______when traveling under 40 mph.

at a distance of 1 second for every 5 feet of your vehicle length

as close as possible so other drivers won't cut in front of you

at a distance of 1 seconds for every 10 feet of your vehicle length

at a distance of 1 second for every 15 feet of your vehicle length

29 / 40

You should check that the _____are secure, caps are on tight, and is not leaking.

cb radio

coolant system

none of the answers listed

fuel tanks

30 / 40

Select when you should use the parking brake:

when you are leaving your vehicle for more than an hour

with rare exception, every time you leave your vehicle

each time you leave your vehicle for any amount of time

when in residential areas

31 / 40

You should check your mirrors while making a lane change:

after you have completed the lane change

after you signal your intent to change lanes

all answers listed

right after you start the lane change

32 / 40

When inspecting your bus, you must make sure that:

Rider signaling devices are working.

Emergency exit handles are secure.

Every handhold and railing is secure.

All of these answers are correct.

33 / 40

Which of the following statements about the bus interior is false?

Never drive with an open emergency exit door or window.

If there is a red emergency door light, it must work.

If you use your outside lights, you don't need to turn on red emergency door light.

The seats must be safe for riders all seats must be securely fastened to the bus.

34 / 40

After deciding the type of evacuation that is necessary, the next step you must take is:

Securing the bus.

Opening the emergency exits.

Notifying the dispatch office of the evacuation.

Dangle the radio microphone out of the driver window for later use.

35 / 40

When backing, what is the best method to use to avoid blind spots?

use mirrors on both sides

back towards the driver's side, where you can see better

look at your path

use a helper

36 / 40

This object should be checked to make sure that the cap(s) are on tight, that it is secure, and there are no leaks.

Exhaust system

Windshield fluid line

Fuel tank

Air coolant system

37 / 40

Within 3 minutes, this gauge pressure should build to 90 psi from 50 psi.

Coolant pressure gauge

Voltmeter gauge

Air pressure gauge

Oil pressure gauge

38 / 40

Air pressure loss in a vehicle with a fully charged air system should be less than_______after the initial drop and brake applied.

1 psi a minute

4 psi a minute

3 psi a minute

none of the answers listed

39 / 40

Which of the following is a reason to evacuate the school bus?

The bus is stalled on a shoulder of a 4-lane divided highway and it is getting hot inside.

A child set off a stink bomb inside the bus.

The bus abs warning light is on.

The bus is stalled on a rail road track, but there is no train in sight.

40 / 40

For Division 1.1 or 1.2 Explosives A, should the floor liner required be stainless steel?

Never use a floor liner for any explosive class

Yes

Any type of floor liner is sufficient

Your score is

The average score is 0%

5/5 - (1 vote)

CDL Category Practice Tests

CDL Practice Test

How To Get A pennsylvania Commercial Drivers License

To be eligible for a CDL in Pennsylvania, applicants must meet the following age eligibility requirements.

Be at least 18 years old to operate a commercial vehicle intrastate (within Pennsylvania only).
Be at least 21 years old to operate a commercial vehicle interstate (outside of Pennsylvania).

Pennsylvania CDL applicants must be medically certified that they are physically fit enough to operate a commercial vehicle and pass a vision test. Pennsylvania applicants must get assistance with the forms from a qualified CDL physician and submit the following documents:

(Form MCSA-5875) Medical Examination Report Form
(Form MCSA-5876) Medical Examiner’s Certificate

Applicants who receive a CDL must keep their Medical Examiner’s Certificate with them at all times while they are operating a commercial vehicle.

Drivers who have had their licenses revoked, suspended, denied or canceled are not eligible for a CDL in Pennsylvania. Applicants can be disqualified for having multiple licenses.

Pennsylvania CDL Endorsements

H – Hazmat Vehicles
N – Tank Vehicles
P – Passenger Vehicles
S – School Bus
T – Double or Triple Trailer
X – Combination Tank Vehicles and Hazmat Vehicles

Hit the Open Road

pennsylvania CDL License Test Tips

All Pennsylvania CDL applicants must pass the general knowledge test prior to taking the skills test. To pass the Pennsylvania test, applicants must score 80 percent or higher. Applicants who require additional endorsements must pass additional tests and pay the required fees. The Pennsylvania skills test can be taken 15 days after applicants pass the knowledge test. It includes a pre-trip vehicle inspection, basic control skills and on-road driving. Applicants must pass each section.

Military veterans and current military members can apply to have the skills exam waived if they meet the requirements.

To qualify for a waiver, applicants must:

Be active duty military personnel.
Operate a commercial vehicle as part of their military duties.
Have been discharged from the military within the past 12 months.
Submit an Application for CDL Skills Test Waiver.

Additional Information

Information on the Pennsylvania Department of Motor Vehicles

The Pennsylvania Department of Motor Vehicles administers CDL license regulations in Pennsylvania. To get more information contact them via:

Website: https://www.dmv.pa.gov/Driver-Services/Commercial-Driver/Pages/default.aspx

Phone: 717.412.5300

Additional Pennsylvania CDL Helpful Links

Please use the links below to access Pennsylvania CDL testing resources and to learn more about practice driving tests for the state of Pennsylvania.

pennsylvania CDL Practice Test

CDL Category Practice Tests

CDL Practice Test

How To Get A pennsylvania Commercial Drivers License

Hit the Open Road

pennsylvania CDL License Test Tips

Additional Information

Information on the Pennsylvania Department of Motor Vehicles

Additional Pennsylvania CDL Helpful Links

pennsylvania
CDL Practice Test