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

You downshift automatic transmissions ______.

before going down a hill

half way down a hill

at the bottom of a hill

none of these answers are correct

2 / 40

Which of the following statements about downshifting is NOT true?

downshift before entering a curve

downshift when you get to the bottom of a hill

downshift before climbing a hill

downshift before starting down a hill

3 / 40

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

you will need it to open the side box

you will need it to inspect the trailer

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

so you don't lose it

4 / 40

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

avoid eye contact

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

all of these answers are correct

ignore rude gestures and refuse to react negatively

5 / 40

Do empty trucks have the best braking?

yes

yes, but only on wet surfaces

yes, but only if the truck is newer than 1998

6 / 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

7 / 40

If you are traveling at 55 mph in a 30-foot vehicle, you should leave how many seconds of following distance?

6 seconds

3 seconds

7 seconds

4 seconds

8 / 40

What is the first thing to do if your vehicle catches fire while driving?

find a service station to pull into

open the door and jump out of the vehicle

open the hood and let the flames die down

pull off the road and park in an open area

9 / 40

What is the most important reason for doing a vehicle inspection?

federal and state laws require you to inspect your vehicle

to save you money by preventing costly repairs

safety for yourself and other road users

to insure that you will achieve the best gas mileage

10 / 40

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

pump the brake pedal

put the gears in neutral

look for an escape ramp or an escape route

downshift

11 / 40

Which of the following would NOT be part of a standard vehicle inspection?

steering system defects

tire problems

bad brake drums or shoes

seating defects

12 / 40

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

first aid kit, fire extinguisher, flares

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

warning devices for parked vehicles, first aid kit, flares

none of these answers are correct

13 / 40

While driving at night, which lights should you use as often as you can?

emergency flashers

low beams

high beams

novelty lights

14 / 40

When using turn signals, which of the following should be avoided?

signal before you exit

signal when you are merging into traffic

signal when you want to change lanes

signal just before you start to make a turn

15 / 40

Which of the following statements is FALSE?

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

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

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

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

16 / 40

The method for testing hydraulic brakes for leaks is to _____.

pump the brake pedal five times and apply firm pressure for 3 seconds the pedal should not move

all of these answers are correct

pump the brake pedal three times and apply firm pressure for 5 seconds the pedal should not move

hold the brake down for 5 seconds and listen for leaks

17 / 40

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

to warn drivers behind you when you need to slow down

to alert drivers behind you that there are hazards ahead

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

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

18 / 40

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

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

have a drink to calm your nerves

stay in your vehicle and do nothing until help arrives

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

19 / 40

When driving in very hot temperatures, you should:

check your tires every 2 hours or every 100 miles

all of these answers are correct

let your tires cool down (remain stopped) if they are too hot to touch

insure that you have enough antifreeze in the system

20 / 40

How often should you check your cargo?

after every break you take during driving

every 150 miles or every three hours

within the first 50 miles after beginning a trip

all of these answers are correct

21 / 40

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

steering knuckle

hydraulic fluid reservoir

tie rod

main spring

22 / 40

Which of the following are possible causes of tire fires?

loose fuel connections or under-inflated tires

poor cargo ventilation or short circuits

improperly loaded cargo and dual tires that touch

dual tires that touch and under-inflated tires

23 / 40

Which of the following is a key steering component?

torque rod

leaf spring

gear box

bearing plate

24 / 40

The minimum tire tread depth for front tires is:

3/8-inch

1/2-inch

4/32-inch

1/32-inch

25 / 40

The two main things to look ahead for while driving are _____.

bridges and tunnels

truck stops and police

fire and flooding

traffic and road conditions

26 / 40

Which of the following statements about overhead space is true?

the weight of the cargo changes a truck's height

athe heights posted at bridges are usually accurate

an empty van is lower than a loaded one

warning lights are always installed on low bridges and overpasses

27 / 40

A commercial motor vehicle (CMV) is defined as:

all of these answers are correct

a vehicle transporting 16 or more passengers

a vehicle with a gross weight over 26,001 lbs

a vehicle transporting hazardous materials

28 / 40

Tires should should be replaced:

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

when there are broken valve stems

when the tread separates

all of these answers are correct

29 / 40

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

stop any bleeding and keep the victims warm

move the victims out of the way immediately

notify authorities

protect the area

30 / 40

Wet brakes can cause _____.

all of these answers are correct

brakes to apply unevenly

lack of braking power

pulling to one side or the other

31 / 40

How often should you check your cargo?

after every break you take during driving

within the first 50 miles after beginning a trip

every 150 miles or every three hours

all of these answers are correct

32 / 40

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

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

all of these answers are correct

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

check for yellow abs malfunction lamps on the instrument panel

33 / 40

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

anti-lock braking

double clutching

engine braking

brake fade

34 / 40

Before transporting a sealed load, you must check:

all of these answers are correct

a picture of whatever is inside

a small sample of whatever is inside

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

35 / 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?

12-ounce glass of 5% beer

5-ounce glass of 12% wine

they all contain the same amount of alcohol

1 1/2-ounce shot of 80 proof liquor

36 / 40

It is important for driving safety to always be looking ahead. Which of the following is NOT a recommended time/distance that you should be looking ahead?

about 5 car lengths on the highway

about one block for city driving

about 12-15 seconds

about 1/4 mile for open highway driving

37 / 40

Suspension systems:

keep the brake drums from failing

keep the steering wheel tight

keep the load secure

keep the axles in place

38 / 40

Which of the following statements about overhead space is true?

the heights posted at bridges are usually accurate

warning lights are always installed on low bridges and overpasses

the weight of the cargo changes a truck's height

an empty van is lower than a loaded one

39 / 40

You are driving a 40 foot truck at 35 MPH, how much space (in seconds) should you keep in front of you?

6 seconds

4 seconds

3 seconds

5 seconds

40 / 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

within the first 50 miles of driving

during every driving brake on the trip

before the trip

Your score is

The average score is 64%

4.6/5 - (10 votes)

CDL General Knowledge Test

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CDL General
Knowledge Test