tennessee
CDL Practice Test

This is a practice test site for helping you earn your CDL in Tennessee. Rules and regulations covered on these practice tests are based on the Tennessee CDL Manual. You can take these practice tests as many times as you like as the site is free to use. 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

Select the false statement about suspension:

Check to make sure torsion bars and/or arms are lubricated.

Check for distorted or broken coil springs.

Check for shifted, missing, or cracked leaf springs.

Check for broken or cracked spring hangers.

2 / 40

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

all answers listed

engine brakes

hydraulic brakes

emergency brakes

3 / 40

What is a technical name?

The name for a hazardous material most commonly used on the street.

The medical term for hazardous materials used by medical personnel.

The name for a hazardous material used in scientific journals and texts, recognized as its chemical and microbiological name.

The name for a hazardous material most commonly used in the trucking community, accepted as standard.

4 / 40

What are some things you should check on the front of your vehicle when doing the walk-around inspection?

windshield, wipers, mirrors, hood latches

low beams, high beams, four way flashers, turn signals

oil, transmission, air compressor, radiator

tires, steering parts, suspension parts, headlights

5 / 40

If you park the trailer at an angle to the tractor when uncoupling:

the process will be faster and easier

you will have more space to maneuver in the lot

damage could occur to the landing gear

you won't have to take as many steps around the vehicle

6 / 40

A shipper’s certification is best described as _____.

a paper certification given to the manufacturer from the shipper

a certification that the package has been prepared according to the rules when the shipper packages hazardous materials

a paper certification from the manufacturer given to the shipper

a test for shippers that certifies that they are qualified to package hazardous materials

7 / 40

Select the factor that is known to cause brakes to fail or fade. (more than one answer may be correct, but select only one)

excessive heat from extensive use

when using the engine brake more than the brakes

brakes that are not aligned properly

tire retread that is mismatched

8 / 40

This object should not have any missing parts, be fully raised, the crank handle is secured, and that there is no damage to the frame.

Drop arm

Lifts/doors/tires

Release arm

Landing gear

9 / 40

Who is responsible for certifying on the bills of lading that the hazardous materials are prepared properly?

The dock workers

The driver

The carrier

The shipper

10 / 40

Is it mandatory that all vehicles with air brakes have low air pressure warning signals?

for large vehicles only

for small vehicles only

yes

11 / 40

If you are already carrying 100 pounds of silver cyanide, what precautions must you take if you are given papers at a dock to carry 100 cartons of battery acid?

Inform someone and not load the battery acid.

Make sure there is plenty of space between the two.

Make sure the silver cyanide is loaded on top of the battery acid.

Make sure the battery acid is loaded on top of the silver cyanide.

12 / 40

It takes special care to drive tankers with liquid in them because:

The baffles create odd rocking motions.

The high center of gravity of the load.

The low center of gravity of the load.

The movement of the liquid even when the truck is stopped.

13 / 40

What is the minimum amount of distance you should maintain when driving at 50 mph in ideal conditions with a 100 ft twin trailer combination?

13 seconds

6 seconds

11 seconds

8 seconds

14 / 40

You do not have to stop at railroad crossings, but must slow down and carefully check for other vehicles:

All of these answers are correct.

If a traffic signal is green.

At crossings marked as "exempt" or "abandoned".

Where a policeman or flagman is directing traffic.

15 / 40

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

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

nothing will occur

there will be a trailer jackknife

the rig will slide sideways but stay in a straight line

16 / 40

Select the true statement about baffled tankers:

None of the answers listed.

It has walls with holes inside for liquid to flow through.

It has hollow balls in it to slow the motion of the liquid in the trailer.

It has separate tanks.

17 / 40

Select which is not an engine compartement belt:

A water pump belt

A safety belt

An air compressor belt

A power steering belt

18 / 40

How can you determine if your vehicle is equipped with ABS?

check if your vehicle was manufactured after March 1, 1998 (they are required to have the panel light)

all of these answers are correct

look for wheel speed sensor wires that are coming from the rear of your brakes

check for yellow abs malfunction lamps on the instrument panel

19 / 40

How far away are you required to park from a bridge, tunnel, or building if you are carrying Division 1.2 or 1.3 materials?

At least 300 feet

At least 400 feet

At least 600 feet

At least 500 feet

20 / 40

What is the benefit of ABS?

it provides an added layer of safety for truck drivers

all of these answers are correct

it decreases your stopping distance

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

21 / 40

Before backing under the trailer after connecting the air lines you should:

double check to make sure the trailer brakes are off

have a random pedestrian direct your path of travel

supply air to the trailer system and then pull the air supply knob out

take a walk around the vehicle to make sure it is clear of obstructions

22 / 40

What are the 3 methods for securing a second trailer before coupling?

parking on level ground, chocking the tires, and charging the trailer air tank if it doesn't have spring brakes

chocking the tires, parking on level ground, and charging the air tank

all answers listed

parking against another trailer, locking the trailer door, and chocking the tires

23 / 40

The air leakage rate for a combination vehicle should not exceed ____psi a minute.

24 / 40

Select when you should use the hand valve to park a combination vehicle.

when parking in a commercial lot

when parking on a downgrade

never

when parking at a loading dock

25 / 40

The main reason you should pull the dolly out from under a trailer before disconnecting it from the trailer in front is:

to provide additional lateral stabilization to the front trailer

it is possible that the dolly tow bar could fly up making it difficult to re-couple

so the rear-trailer's air brake system will stay charged and keep the trailer wheels locked to prevent rolling

removing the dolly before uncoupling is not the correct procedure

26 / 40

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

stay off the brake pedal

engage the brakes hard and immediately

you need to be aware that a tire has failed

hold the steering wheel firmly

27 / 40

Which of these statements about speed management and braking is true?

The posted speed limit will always allow you to stop safely.

You need about four times as much stopping distance at 40 mph as at 20 mph.

Stopping time increases by one second for each 10 mph over 20 mph.

The total stopping distance of a bus is the distance it takes to stop once the brakes are applied.

28 / 40

What are shippers trying to accomplish when they package the material?

All of these answers are correct.

Make it as light as possible.

Make it easy to open and close.

Make it easy to identify.

29 / 40

Where are shut-off valves located?

at the front of the trailer

at the back of the trailer

at the front and back of the trailer

either at the front or the back of the trailer

30 / 40

The minimum tire tread depth for front tires is:

4/32-inch

1/32-inch

1/2-inch

3/8-inch

31 / 40

What does the air compressor governor control?

when the valve system releases pressure

when air is pumped into the air tanks

when air pressure is applied to the brakes

when the air is taken out of the hoses

32 / 40

To prevent a roll over a driver can 1) keep the cargo as low to the ground as possible and 2) _____.

drive while intoxicated

have the brakes properly adjusted

have the fifth wheel's free play as tight as possible

take turns slowly

33 / 40

What is the standee line?

A line around each seat to help each passenger have a little personal space.

A 2 inch line down the aisle to help keep passenger traffic flowing.

A line at the back of the bus where passengers must stand before exiting.

A 2 inch line on the floor that all passengers must stay behind.

34 / 40

How do you know when your brakes are fading?

to control your speed on a downgrade you have to apply less pressure to the break pedal

your speed increases when pressure is removed from the brake pedal

the brake pedal flops to the cabin floor

to control your speed on a downgrade you have to push harder on the brake pedal

35 / 40

Select the true statement in regards to an application pressure gauge:

it prevents the brakes from failing

it shows how much air pressure you are applying to the brakes

it is connected to the generator

when accelerating it releases air

36 / 40

You should check____when loading the small tanks of a cargo tank with bulkheads.

the expansion rate

the weight distribution

none of the answers listed

the fuel to air ratio

37 / 40

It is important to know the outage required for the liquids you carry because:

None of these answers are correct.

Some of the denser liquids don't need any.

Tank baffles may not always be permitted with outage.

Some liquids will expand more than others when warm.

38 / 40

You must first______to supply air to the trailer.

cross the air lines to check for the presence of leaks

pull out the tractor protection valve

push in the tractor protection valve

turn off the engine so you can hear the brakes

39 / 40

Suspension systems:

keep the load secure

keep the steering wheel tight

keep the axles in place

keep the brake drums from failing

40 / 40

What is the stopping distance for a tractor trailer that is traveling at 55 mph on dry pavement?

about 600 feet with is about two football field lengths

about 200 feet which is 2/3 of a football field

about 150 feet which is 1/2 of a football field

about 300 feet which is about a football field length

Your score is

The average score is 37%

5/5 - (1 vote)

CDL Category Practice Tests

CDL Practice Test

How To Get A tennessee Commercial Drivers License

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

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

Tennessee CDL applicants must be medically certified that they are physically fit to operate a commercial vehicle and pass a vision test. Applicants are required to submit the following documents.

(Form MCSA-5876) Medical Examiner’s Certificate (This document must be completed by an FMCSA-certified physician.)
(SF-1438) Self-Certification Form

Interstate non-excepted (drivers who do not work for the state or federal governments) must meet federal DOT requirements. Intrastate non-excepted drivers must meet the state requirements. Drivers who have had their licenses revoked, suspended, denied or canceled are not eligible for a CDL in Tennessee. Applicants can be disqualified for having multiple licenses. Tennessee CDL applicants will conduct a driving record check of the past 10 years in all 50 states.

Tennessee CDL Endorsements

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

Hit the Open Road

tennessee CDL License Test Tips

All Tennessee CDL applicants must pass the general knowledge test prior to taking the skills test. This test consists of 50 questions. To pass the Tennessee test, applicants must score 80 percent or higher. Applicants who require additional endorsements must pass additional tests and pay the required fees. The Tennessee skills test can be taken 14 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 currently enlisted in the military and:

Be a Tennessee resident with a valid Tennessee driver’s license or eligible for a Tennessee license.
Possess a military operator’s permit.
Have a minimum of 2 years of experience operating the same type of vehicle as the applicant is applying to drive.
Have been discharged from the military within the past 12 months.
Submit (Form SF-1507) CDL Skills Test Waiver Application. The commanding officer must sign this document within 90 days of the CDL application.

Additional Information

Information on the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security

The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Commercial Driver License Division administers CDL license regulations and testing in Tennessee. To get more information contact them via:

Website: https://www.tn.gov/safety/driver-services/commercial-driver-license.html

Phone: 615.253.5221

Additional Tennessee CDL Helpful Links

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

tennessee CDL Practice Test