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

Which of the following statements about overhead space is true?

an empty van is lower than a loaded one

the weight of the cargo changes a truck's height

warning lights are always installed on low bridges and overpasses

the heights posted at bridges are usually accurate

2 / 40

What is the correct number of red reflective triangles that you should carry?

three

five

seven

one

3 / 40

Tires should should be replaced:

all of these answers are correct

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

when the tread separates

when there are broken valve stems

4 / 40

Your vehicle is going down a long hill and your brakes begin to fail. What should you do?

downshift

put the gears in neutral

pump the brake pedal

look for an escape ramp or an escape route

5 / 40

Shifting into a lower gear and removing your foot off of the accelerator to slow your vehicle is known as?

brake fade

engine braking

double clutching

anti-lock braking

6 / 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

stay off the brake pedal

engage the brakes hard and immediately

hold the steering wheel firmly

7 / 40

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

look at your path

use mirrors on both sides

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

use a helper

8 / 40

Why should you cover cargo?

because many states require it

to protect your cargo from bad weather

all of these answers are correct

to protect individuals from any spilled cargo

9 / 40

Which of the following is the most important reason for doing a pre-trip inspection?

safety for yourself and other road users

to make sure nothing has been stolen from the vehicle

to make sure the vehicle will make your destination

because other drivers do it

10 / 40

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

2/32

3/32

1/32

4/32

11 / 40

What is the reason that placards are used?

so hazmat is not mixed with food

it is the law

communicate the risk

to prevent terrorism

12 / 40

Which contains more alcohol: a 12-ounce glass of 5% beer, a 5-ounce glass of 12% wine or a 1 1/2-ounce shot of 80 proof liquor?

1 1/2-ounce shot of 80 proof liquor

they all contain the same amount of alcohol

5-ounce glass of 12% wine

12-ounce glass of 5% beer

13 / 40

You are driving a 60 foot truck at 55 MPH, how much space (in seconds) should you keep in front of you?

5 seconds

6 seconds

8 seconds

7 seconds

14 / 40

Your vehicle is going down a long hill and your brakes begin to fail. What should you do?

look for an escape ramp or an escape route

put the gears in neutral

downshift

pump the brake pedal

15 / 40

You downshift automatic transmissions ______.

half way down a hill

none of these answers are correct

at the bottom of a hill

before going down a hill

16 / 40

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

oil, transmission, air compressor, radiator

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

tires, steering parts, suspension parts, headlights

windshield, wipers, mirrors, hood latches

17 / 40

A commercial motor vehicle (CMV) is defined as:

a vehicle with a gross weight over 26,001 lbs

a vehicle transporting hazardous materials

a vehicle transporting 16 or more passengers

all of these answers are correct

18 / 40

Which of the following statements is FALSE?

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

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

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

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

19 / 40

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

check for yellow abs malfunction lamps on the instrument panel

all of these answers are correct

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

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

20 / 40

The average person requires how many hours of sleep per 24 hour period?

8 or 9

6 or 7

5 or 6

7 or 8

21 / 40

Under which two special conditions should you downshift?

before entering a curve and before going up a hill

before starting down a hill and before going up a hill

before starting down a hill and before entering a curve

if there is an accident and in sudden heavy rain

22 / 40

For any flatbed load you must have at least ____ tie downs.

one

two

four

six

23 / 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

during every driving brake on the trip

before the trip

within the first 50 miles of driving

24 / 40

Which of the following is NOT a part of the steering system?

main spring

steering knuckle

hydraulic fluid reservoir

tie rod

25 / 40

Which of the following should you do when confronted by an aggressive driver?

all of these answers are correct

avoid eye contact

if you can safely do it, call the police from a cell phone

ignore rude gestures and refuse to react negatively

26 / 40

What are the three types of emergency equipment that you must have with your vehicle?

warning devices for parked vehicles, first aid kit, flares

fire extinguisher, spare electrical fuses, warning devices for parked vehicles

none of these answers are correct

first aid kit, fire extinguisher, flares

27 / 40

Before transporting a sealed load, you must check:

that you don't exceed gross weight and axle weight limits

a picture of whatever is inside

all of these answers are correct

a small sample of whatever is inside

28 / 40

Which of the following statements about downshifting is NOT true?

downshift before starting down a hill

downshift before entering a curve

downshift when you get to the bottom of a hill

downshift before climbing a hill

29 / 40

Suspension systems:

keep the steering wheel tight

keep the load secure

keep the brake drums from failing

keep the axles in place

30 / 40

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

notify authorities

stop any bleeding and keep the victims warm

move the victims out of the way immediately

protect the area

31 / 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

on the other side of a divided highway

within ten feet of the front or rear corners

about 100 feet in front of your vehicle

32 / 40

Signs of distracted drivers include:

individuals listening to music too loudly

drivers having conversations with passengers

individuals driving at a consistent speed above the speed limit

vehicles exiting the roadway

33 / 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 warn drivers behind you when you need to slow down

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

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

34 / 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 hand signals

using a cb radio to let others know your intentions

35 / 40

What are some of the important parts in the steering system?

main spring, axle, spring shackle

rim, lug nuts, tire

leaf spring, vehicle frame, torque rod

tie rod, spindle, pitman arm

36 / 40

Which of the following statements about downshifting is NOT true?

downshift before entering a curve

downshift before climbing a hill

downshift before starting down a hill

downshift when you get to the bottom of a hill

37 / 40

Always try to back toward the driver's side because

your truck will naturally pull toward the driver's side

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

it's more comfortable for turning your neck

all of these answers are correct

38 / 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

7 seconds

6 seconds

39 / 40

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

a shaded area

a bridge

wet-looking road

all of these answers are correct

40 / 40

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

care for the injured

protect the area

notify authorities

gather the contact information of all the drivers involved

Your score is

The average score is 67%

4.6/5 - (10 votes)

CDL General Knowledge Test

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CDL General
Knowledge Test