alabama
CDL Practice Test

The practice tests below offer CDL practice test questions in all the different topic areas you’ll see on the Alabama CDL test. The CDL tests are free and can be taken as often as you’d like to help you in your preparation for earning an Alabama commercial driver's license. 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 start your Alabama CDL practice test.

1 / 40

When should you not use the parking brakes?

when air pressure is low

when the brakes are hot

while in hot weather

while on a steep hill

2 / 40

Take extra caution when driving smooth bore tanks during:

Drive down or up an incline.

Stops and starts.

Driving into the wind.

All answers listed.

3 / 40

Which of the following statements about overhead space is true?

warning lights are always installed on low bridges and overpasses

athe heights posted at bridges are usually accurate

the weight of the cargo changes a truck's height

an empty van is lower than a loaded one

4 / 40

What handling effect should you expect when your tank has baffles?

The surge will be slower than a tank without baffles.

There is no difference in handling when you have baffles.

There will not be as much front to back surge compared to a tank without baffles.

There will not be as much side to side surge compared to a tank without baffles.

5 / 40

Do you need to stop before a railroad crossing if you are hauling 100 pounds of Division 4.3 Dangerous When Wet material?

Only in populated areas

Yes

Only if you have more than 1,001 pounds of it

6 / 40

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

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

Never drive with an open emergency exit door or window.

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

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

7 / 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.

air brakes

parking brakes

hydraulic brakes

engine brakes

8 / 40

Overhead inside mirror is used to:

see all of the students

monitor traffic that approaches and enters the blind spot area

see the blind spot immediately behind the bus

see the area where students exit the bus

9 / 40

Wet brakes can cause _____.

lack of braking power

pulling to one side or the other

brakes to apply unevenly

all of these answers are correct

10 / 40

Which of the following must drivers have in their possession while transporting class A or B explosives?

A gas mask.

None of these answers are correct.

The carrier's insurance policy.

The written route plan.

11 / 40

Which signals may be used to warn of a stopped vehicle that contains explosives?

All of these answers are correct

Flares or fuses

Signal fires

Reflective triangles

12 / 40

Select the statement that describes smooth bore tanks:

They are 1 large tank.

None of the answers listed.

They are divided down into smaller tanks.

They are divided with holes from liquid to flow through controlling surge.

13 / 40

Select whether the following statement is true or false: Front wheel brakes are good to use in all conditions.

only in ideal conditions

false

true

only in bad weather

14 / 40

What color and shape is the trailer air supply control?

it is a square knob that is red

it is a square knob that is yellow

it is a triangle-shaped knob that is red

it is an 8-sided knob that is red

15 / 40

The front trailer supports should be____before driving away.

raised 1/2 way with the crank handle secured in its bracket

raised fully and the crank handle secured in its bracket

3 turns down from the top and the crank handle secured in its bracket

raised 1/3 of the way with the crank handle secured in its bracket

16 / 40

You should be in the proper gear before going down a hill because:

brakes may fail or fade from excessive heat due to relying on them too much and not using the engine brake effect

it builds up the air pressure in the air tanks

it helps control your speed better

water may build up in the air tanks if you do not rely on the engine brake

17 / 40

What action should you take if there is no phone available and you discover your hazardous materials shipment leaking at a rest stop?

Keep driving for help as quickly as possible.

Keep driving, slowly and cautiously, until you reach a phone.

Leave your truck parked with emergency lights on and walk for help.

Send someone for help with all the necessary information.

18 / 40

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

so you don't lose it

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

you will need it to open the side box

you will need it to inspect the trailer

19 / 40

Some city transit buses may have a brake-door interlock system, this system:

Works when the rear door is open.

Releases the brakes.

Should be used in place of the parking brake.

Should be used in emergencies.

20 / 40

The emergency air line is used to:

engage the tractor's front brake when there is air pressure loss

engage the trailer brakes when there is an air pressure loss

provide back up air pressure

to alert emegency services when there is a problem

21 / 40

Signs of distracted drivers include:

drivers having conversations with passengers

individuals driving at a consistent speed above the speed limit

vehicles exiting the roadway

individuals listening to music too loudly

22 / 40

What is most likely to occur when the front wheels begin to skid?

The power of the surge will disconnect the tank from the truck.

A roll over will occur.

You will continue heading in a straight line and moving forward no matter what direction you turn the steering wheel.

All answers listed.

23 / 40

Class A explosives must not be transported in a combination vehicle if the vehicle includes:

A 200 inch wheelbase trailer.

A placarded cargo tank.

Two or more trailers.

None of these answers are correct.

24 / 40

Select why you should not use the trailer hand valve while driving:

you should only ever use the parking brake

it does not work as well as the foot brake does

there is a possibility it will make the trailer skid

it will cause the tractor to shake

25 / 40

You should___when driving down a long steep hill.

begin braking once the vehicle is 10 mph above safe speed

use the engine brakes only

release the brake once the vehicle is traveling 5 mph below the safe speed

repeatedly pump the brake pedal

26 / 40

Air tanks need to be drained:

to keep the tanks warm when not in use

to keep the tanks cold when not in use

to prevent water and oil from building up in the tank

air tanks should absolutely never be drained

27 / 40

If hazardous material is spilling from your vehicle, do not move your vehicle:

Any more than safety required.

Any more that 450 feet.

In an upwind direction.

Any more than 500 feet.

28 / 40

At what pressure is the safety valve in the air compressor tank set to open?

150 psi

225 psi

125 psi

100 psi

29 / 40

____is what can legally hold the parking brake or emergency brake in position for a bus, truck, or truck tractor.

Air pressure

Brake pressure

Spring pressure

All of these answers are correct

30 / 40

You should look into the back of the fifth wheel on a dolly to see if it is locked onto the kingpin.

only at the end of a shift

true

false

only in a level loading dock

31 / 40

Alcohol evaporators in some air brake systems help to:

cleans out oil from the air lines

decreases the risk of water in the air brake valves in cold weather

it removes fuel from the air lines

decrease the chances of ice in the air brake valves in cold weather

32 / 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)

when using the engine brake more than the brakes

excessive heat from extensive use

brakes that are not aligned properly

tire retread that is mismatched

33 / 40

The safety catch for the fifth wheel locking lever must be ____ for a coupling to be complete.

sticking straight up

below the locking lever

above the locking lever

threaded through the locking lever

34 / 40

You should_____when an emergency requires you to quickly stop your tanker.

turn off the abs and brace for impact

keep a firm pressure on the brake pedal

use stab or controlled braking

use the emergency brakes only

35 / 40

When approaching a school bus stop, you should:

Continuously check all mirrors.

Gradually decrease speed until the stop.

All of these answers are correct.

Activate your overhead amber lights.

36 / 40

When transporting hazardous loads, you must check the tires at least:

Every two hours or 100 miles.

Twice every day.

Every 200 miles.

Every six hours.

37 / 40

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

stay in your vehicle and do nothing until help arrives

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

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

have a drink to calm your nerves

38 / 40

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

it is connected to the generator

it prevents the brakes from failing

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

when accelerating it releases air

39 / 40

______is a device that connects the service and emergency air lines between the tractor and trailer.

Glad hands

Relay knife

Top off valves

Service lines

40 / 40

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

The shipper

The driver

The carrier

The dock workers

Your score is

The average score is 0%

5/5 - (4 votes)

CDL Category Practice Tests

How To Get an alabama Commercial Drivers License

Applicants must be of the legal age of 18 or older. Those between the ages of 18 and 21 are only permitted to drive a commercial vehicle within the state of Alabama. Those age 21 and older may drive a commercial vehicle across state borders. Only those aged 21 and older may apply for their hazardous materials endorsement. All applicants must possess a DOT Medical Card.

An applicant’s driving record will be considered when applying for a CDL license. There are specific items in which a driver will be disqualified for a commercial driver’s license. These include:

Any suspension/revocation 36 months before submitting an application.

Any six-point violation or conviction of operating a motor vehicle impaired 24 months prior to submitting an application.
Any current denial, cancellation, suspension, or revocation of driver’s license.
Possessing multiple driver’s licenses from various States.
Not meeting certifications on BFS-103 CDL Certification Form.

Alabama requires all CDL applicants to complete both a knowledge test and a skills test. Alabama offers the following CDL license endorsements:

S – School Bus
T – Double Trailer
P – Passenger
N – Tank Vehicles
H – Hazardous Materials

Hit the Open Road

alabama CDL License Test Tips

The knowledge tests are presented in written form for Class A, B, and C applicants. All classes are required to take a 50 question assessment. Those applying for a Class A CDL will need to complete an additional 20 questions about combination vehicles. Applicants seeking to drive vehicles with air brakes must complete a 25 question air brake assessment. Those seeking any endorsement other than hazardous materials must complete a 20 question assessment that is endorsement specific. Those applying for the hazardous materials endorsement must complete a 30 question knowledge test. All applicants must receive a score of 80 percent or higher on each test to pass.

A skills test is required for all CDL applicants regardless of Class. The School Bus and Passenger Endorsements require a skills test as well. All applicants applying for Air Brakes Certification must use a vehicle that is equipped with air brakes for their skills test. The CDL skills test consists of a vehicle inspection test, basic control skills test, and a driving test. All three test sections must be passed for CDL approval. Failure in any skills test area automatically fails the applicant.

Additional Information

CDL Testing by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency administers the certifying and testing of commercial drivers in the state. To get more information contact them via: Website: https://www.alea.gov/dps/driver-license
Phone: 334.242.4400
Email: [email protected]

Additional Alabama CDL Helpful Links

Please use the links below to access more valuable Alabama CDL testing resources and to learn more about driving test resources for the state of Alabama.

alabama CDL Practice Test