District of Columbia
CDL Practice Test

Simply because the District of Columbia is the only place in the country that has legal taxation without representation doesn't mean there are no laws at all! Every commercial driver in Washington DC must have a valid commercial driver's license. Typically those licenses will be issued in other jurisdictions but Washington DC can and does issue its own. This online exam will help you practice for the District of Columbia CDL Test. 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. Good luck!

1 / 40

Make sure that____when the front trailer supports are up and the trailer is resting on the tractor.

the safety latch is in the open position

there is enough clearance between the lower and upper fifth wheel

there is enough clearance between the landing gear and the tractor frame

the kingpin has been removed

2 / 40

If you are carrying Division 1.2 or 1.3 materials, how far away must you park from the traveled portion of the roadway?

At least twenty feet

At least five feet

At least half a mile

At least ten feet

3 / 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

during every driving brake on the trip

within the first 50 miles of driving

4 / 40

The cause of almost half of all truck driver deaths are:

a result of excessive speed

a result of rollover

a result of changing lanes too frequently

a result of following behind too closely

5 / 40

Select the statement that describes how you could damage the landing gear.

back under the trailer at an angle

have the trailer kingpin centered over the fifth wheel

have the tractor and trailer aligned

back under the trailer in a straight path

6 / 40

How do you check the coolant level?

While wearing rubber gloves and safety glasses.

Remove the radiator cap once it is at operating temperature.

None of the answers listed.

Inspect the reservoir sight glass or remove the radiator cap if the engine isn't hot.

7 / 40

You should_____when the low pressure warning is activated:

wait until the air brakes kick in automatically

pump the brake pedal to come to a stop immediately

come to a safe stop while you still have control of the brakes

maintain highway speed and keep an eye on your air pressure gauge

8 / 40

It has just reached freezing. Which of the following areas is slippery?

wet-looking road

a bridge

a shaded area

all of these answers are correct

9 / 40

Take extra caution when driving smooth bore tanks during:

Stops and starts.

Driving into the wind.

Drive down or up an incline.

All answers listed.

10 / 40

Select the false statement about suspension:

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

Check for broken or cracked spring hangers.

Check for distorted or broken coil springs.

Check for shifted, missing, or cracked leaf springs.

11 / 40

The designation RQ identifies the material's:

Reference quotient

Regulatory quantity

Regulatory quotient

Reportable quantity

12 / 40

If you have to swerve to avoid a hazard, it's important to:

None of these answers are correct.

Know where other vehicles are around your bus by checking your mirrors.

Warn passengers with a loud and clear voice.

Make sure your passengers are wearing seat belts.

13 / 40

For emergency braking when driving a double trailer and having to use your brakes to avoid a collision is to:

use stab or controlled braking

apply a firm pressure to the brake pedal and don’t let off

use just the trailer brakes

use the engine brake

14 / 40

If students must cross the street, when they get off the bus, which statement is true?

When the driver signals that it is safe to proceed, the students must run across the street to reduce the exposure to danger.

For crossing, students should make eye contact with the bus driver and wait for the driver's signal that it is safe to proceed.

If the bus is equipped with the crossing gate, the danger of running over the child is eliminated.

The student should wait to cross the street until the bus continues on its route.

15 / 40

Which of the following hazard classes utilizes a transport index in order to determine how much of it can be loaded on a single vehicle for transport?

Class 3—flammable liquids

Class 4—live chickens

Class 1—explosives

Class 7—radioactive materials

16 / 40

Should your air compressor stop working:

the brakes will lock up on you immediately

there will be no affect to your brakes

there will still be air pressure left in the air tanks

you will lose your ability to brake immediately

17 / 40

To inspect the______you should pump the pedal 3 times and hold it down for 5 seconds while making sure the pedal doesn't move during those 5 seconds.

engine brakes

hydraulic brakes

parking brakes

air brakes

18 / 40

Select the true statement in regards to brake drums:

They are bolted to the wheels.

All of these answers are correct.

Hold the brake linings and shoes.

They are located at both ends of the axles of the vehicle.

19 / 40

What is the main difference between a portable tank and a cargo tank?

Cargo tanks are filled while on the vehicle, portable tanks are filled while off the vehicle.

Portable tanks must additionally show the owner or lessee's name on them.

All of these answers are correct.

Cargo tanks are permanently attached, portable tanks are temporarily attached.

20 / 40

You must not allow riders to stand:

Within two feet of an emergency exit.

In front of the standee line.

Within two feet of any window.

Between the wheel wells.

21 / 40

Remember to____when connecting the converter dolly to the rear trailer.

all answers listed

lock the trailer brakes

check the trailer height

ensure that the landing gear is slighty off of the ground

22 / 40

Air tanks should be drained:

all of these answers are correct

manually when the automatic devices fail

to prevent sludge from clogginng up the brake system valves

at the end of each shift or day

23 / 40

Hazardous materials (that are not forbidden) carried on a bus must be:

Carried in a metal box

All of these answers are correct

Stored in the passenger compartment

Labeled

24 / 40

Unless you_____you will feel the effects of a liquid surge.

make turns carefully and slowly

gradually come to a stop

haul thick liquids

all answers listed

25 / 40

Select the true statement in regards to stopping distance and speed:

A wet road will double the stopping distance at any speed.

All answers listed.

Larger / heavier vehicles generally take longer to stop.

You require 4 times as much stopping distance when driving at 40 mph compared to 20 mph.

26 / 40

How do you test your service brakes?

pull over and activate the parking brake

apply pressure to the brake pedal when moving at highway speeds

release the air pressure and activate the parking brake

after releasing the parking brake, move forward slowly and apply pressure to the brake pedal

27 / 40

The minimum tire tread depth for front tires is:

4/32-inch

1/2-inch

3/8-inch

1/32-inch

28 / 40

Select the true statement about emergency steering and tankers:

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

It is easier to counter steer than other vehicles.

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

None of the answers listed.

29 / 40

Which of the following is a clue another driver is impaired:

Open window in warm weather.

All of these answers are correct.

Exiting the interstate when there's no gas station visible.

Stopping at a green light, or waiting too long at a stop.

30 / 40

Select the true statement in regards to as why you should make sure the fifth wheel plate is greased as recommended:

To decease heat and noise.

To make sure the electrical connections are good.

To prevent any steering problems.

To make sure that uncoupling easier.

31 / 40

What do you need to do to supply air to the air tanks of the second trailer?

none of the answers listed

open the shut off valve at the back of both trailers

open up the shutt off valves on the rear of the first trailer and close the shut off valve at the back of the second trailer

close the shut off valves at the back of each trailer

32 / 40

When must a driver’s inspection report be completed?

All of these answers are correct.

Before driving your bus.

At the end of each shift.

Only if defects are found.

33 / 40

What should the driver pay special attention to when driving smaller tanks?

The high center of gravity.

All answers listed.

The level of the fluid.

The distrubition of weight.

34 / 40

What are you checking when looking at the lubrication level on a dipstick?

The horn fluid level

The oil level

The windshield wiper fluid level

The power steering fluid level

35 / 40

An emergency escape ramp should be used _____.

any time the truck experiences a significant loss of braking power

only in ideal conditions

only when not carrying a load

only when it is raining

36 / 40

Select the true statement about empty trucks:

they have a smaller stopping distance than full trailers

they have poor traction due to wheel lockup and bouncing

empty trailers are easier to stop because there is not cargo shifting

empty trucks stop in the same distance as a fully loaded truck

37 / 40

A bus has a GVWR of 22,000 pounds and seats 24 passengers. What CDL class is this vehicle?

Class A

Class B

Class C

Class D

38 / 40

Select which vehicles are required to have a low air pressure warning signal:

all operating vehicles with air brakes

they are optional

all vehicles built after 2005

all vehicles built after 2010

39 / 40

Which hazard classes must you NEVER smoke, or perform any activity involving fire, within 25 feet of?

Classes 1, 2, 3, and 4

Class 4 only

Class 1 only

Class 2 only

40 / 40

When does stab braking occur?

apply pressure all the way on the brake pedal

when the wheels lock up, release the brakes

when the wheels start rolling, apply the brakes

all of these answers are correct

Your score is

The average score is 0%

5/5 - (1 vote)

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How To Get A District of Columbia Commercial Drivers License

In the District of Columbia, there are classifications of motor vehicles that may only be driven by those with a current commercial drivers license. Additionally, there are four classes of endorsements, including school bus, passenger and tanker. Any vehicle with a gross weight rating over 26,000 pounds is considered commercial in the District of Columbia.

Additional endorsements also include:

Hazardous Materials
Double/Triple Trailer
Tanker
Passenger
School Bus

Requirements to Obtain a District of Columbia CDL:

Have a valid non-commercial driver license
Meet identity, residency, and good driving history eligibility qualifications
Take the applicable CDL knowledge tests
Get a CDL learner permit
Pass the CDL road skills test

A Commercial Driver in Washington DC is held to a higher standard than drivers of typical passenger or other non-commerical vehicles. CDL holders must pass both written tests as well as a practical / skills test. You may practice for the written test using our online CDL test tool above. Upon successful completion, of the official Washington DC CDL skills test, you will be a fully licensed driver and ready to take to the open road!

Hit the Open Road

District of Columbia CDL License Test Tips

You think you're ready? Hold on there, Turbo! Check out these CDL Test Tips before you go zipping to the DMV for your exam!

You must have your CDL learner permit for at least 30 days prior to scheduling your road skills test.
Make an appointment on the DC Online Road Test Appointment Scheduler. Make sure to have your driver license number handy...you'll need it.
On your test day, arrive 15 minutes early. You will need to bring a CDL licensed driver aged 21 or older and this person must hold the CDL class and endorsements you are testing for.

You'll need to bring a few other things with you as well.

valid CDL learner permit
valid NCDL
DOT medical certification card
an appropriate vehicle in which to complete your CDL test
current registration and insurance for the vehicle

If you fail the CDL test you must wait three calendar days before attempting it again. If you fail a second time, you cannot re-test for ninety days!

Additional Information

Information on the Washington DC Department of Motor Vehicles

The District of Columbia CDL certifying agency is responsible for testing and certifying all commercial drivers. To get more information contact them via:

Website: https://dmv.dc.gov/service/obtain-commercial-driver-license
Phone: 202.673.6813
Email: [email protected]

Additional Washington DC CDL Helpful Links

Please use the links below to learn more about helpful topics related to the District of Columbia CDL testing program or other CDL-related topics.

District of Columbia CDL Practice Test

District of Columbia Drivers Test

District of Columbia Motorcycle Test

District of Columbia CDL Test

CDL Category Practice Tests

CDL Practice Test

How To Get A District of Columbia Commercial Drivers License

Hit the Open Road

District of Columbia CDL License Test Tips

Additional Information

Information on the Washington DC Department of Motor Vehicles

Additional Washington DC CDL Helpful Links

District of Columbia
CDL Practice Test