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

When stopped on a divided highway where should your reflectors be placed?

15 feet, 75 feet, and 150 feet toward the approaching traffic

30 feet, 100 feet, and 150 feet toward the approaching traffic

20 feet, 150 feet, and 300 feet toward the approaching traffic

10 feet, 100 feet, and 200 feet toward the approaching traffic

2 / 40

The manual says you should look _____ ahead while driving.

15 to 20 seconds, at highway speeds, about a half of a mile

5 to 8 seconds, at highway speeds, about an eighth of a mile

12 to 15 seconds, at highway speeds, about a quarter of a mile

9 to 12 seconds, at highway speeds, about a quarter of a mile

3 / 40

Which of the following are possible causes of tire fires?

loose fuel connections or under-inflated tires

improperly loaded cargo and dual tires that touch

poor cargo ventilation or short circuits

dual tires that touch and under-inflated tires

4 / 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

pull off the road and park in an open area

open the hood and let the flames die down

5 / 40

When accelerating:

speed up smoothly and gradually and avoid jerking

always use the parking brake to slow down

"hammer down" when your wheels start to spin

do not engage the clutch before you take your foot off the brake

6 / 40

You should place the starter switch key into your pocket while you are performing the pre-trip inspection because:

someone could steal the truck

all of these answers are correct

it could damage the starting mechanism

someone could start and move the truck

7 / 40

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

2/32

1/32

4/32

3/32

8 / 40

To transport cargo safely, which of these are you NOT responsible for?

making sure that cargo is properly secured

ensuring the freshness of sealed cargo

inspecting the cargo

recognizing possible overloads

9 / 40

Signs of distracted drivers include:

individuals listening to music too loudly

individuals driving at a consistent speed above the speed limit

drivers having conversations with passengers

vehicles exiting the roadway

10 / 40

Wet brakes can cause _____.

brakes to apply unevenly

lack of braking power

pulling to one side or the other

all of these answers are correct

11 / 40

Tires should should be replaced:

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

all of these answers are correct

when there are broken valve stems

when the tread separates

12 / 40

What action should you take before driving while drowsy?

drink energy drinks

open your vehicle windows for some fresh air

drink a cup of coffee

pull off the road and get some sleep

13 / 40

If you double your speed, what will happen to your stopping distance?

it increases by two times

it increases by four times

it stays about the same

none of these answers are correct answers are correct

14 / 40

If you are stopped on an incline, how can you start moving without rolling back?

aggressively pump the accelerator

shift to neutral

fully engage the clutch

apply the parking brake

15 / 40

Which of the following statements about overhead space is true?

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

an empty van is lower than a loaded one

16 / 40

To maintain alertness during the trip, drivers should:

avoid medications that cause drowsiness

all of these answers are correct

get 8-9 hours of sleep

schedule trips during the daytime hours

17 / 40

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

seating defects

steering system defects

tire problems

bad brake drums or shoes

18 / 40

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

all of these answers are correct

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

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

19 / 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

brake fade

engine braking

20 / 40

In safe driving, what does communicating mean?

letting others know you are there by using turn signals, four way flashers, and horn

all of these answers are correct

using hand signals

using a cb radio to let others know your intentions

21 / 40

A commercial motor vehicle (CMV) is defined as:

a vehicle with a gross weight over 26,001 lbs

a vehicle transporting hazardous materials

all of these answers are correct

a vehicle transporting 16 or more passengers

22 / 40

A commercial motor vehicle (CMV) is defined as:

a vehicle transporting hazardous materials

a vehicle with a gross weight over 26,001 lbs

all of these answers are correct

a vehicle transporting 16 or more passengers

23 / 40

What is a common cause of tire fires?

cold tires

all of these answers are correct

overinflated tires

underinflated tires

24 / 40

Which two special conditions indicate that you should downshift?

starting up a hill and entering a curve

starting up a hill and finishing a curve

starting down a hill and finishing a curve

starting down a hill and entering a curve

25 / 40

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

signal when you are merging into traffic

signal just before you start to make a turn

signal when you want to change lanes

signal before you exit

26 / 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 entering a curve

before starting down a hill and before going up a hill

if there is an accident and in sudden heavy rain

27 / 40

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

bridges and tunnels

traffic and road conditions

fire and flooding

truck stops and police

28 / 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

tires, steering parts, suspension parts, headlights

oil, transmission, air compressor, radiator

29 / 40

What is the reason that placards are used?

to prevent terrorism

it is the law

communicate the risk

so hazmat is not mixed with food

30 / 40

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

emergency flashers

low beams

high beams

novelty lights

31 / 40

What is NOT one of the four skill areas that operating a commercial vehicle requires?

accelerating

safely backing

first aid certification

steering

32 / 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

33 / 40

Do empty trucks have the best braking?

yes, but only if the truck is newer than 1998

yes, but only on wet surfaces

yes

34 / 40

Which of the following statements about stopping distances is NOT true?

brakes, tires, springs and shocks are designed to work best when the truck is empty

empty trucks require greater stopping distances because they have less traction

trucks traveling at higher speeds require greater stopping distances

trucks traveling on ice or snow require greater stopping distances

35 / 40

Which of the following factors is NOT used to determine your safe speed when going down a long steep downgrade?

weather

total weight of the vehicle and cargo

length and steepness of grade

time of day

36 / 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

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

stay in your vehicle and do nothing until help arrives

37 / 40

Where should you place your warning devices if you must stop on a one-way or divided highway?

20 feet, 50 feet, and 100 feet toward approaching traffic

10 feet, 100 feet, and 200 feet toward approaching traffic

100 feet, 200 feet, and 300 feet toward approaching traffic

50 feet, 100 feet, and 150 feet toward approaching traffic

38 / 40

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

put the gears in neutral

downshift

pump the brake pedal

look for an escape ramp or an escape route

39 / 40

Vehicle handling can become unsafe if the weight is not properly balanced. Hard steering can be caused by:

too much weight on the steering axles

high center of gravity

under loaded front axles

too little weight on the driving axles

40 / 40

With the controlled braking method, you _____?

apply the brakes all the way until the wheels lock up, release the brakes and apply them again when the wheels start to roll again

apply the brakes as hard as you can without locking the wheels

repeatedly tap the brakes as fast as you can

lightly apply braking pressure

Your score is

The average score is 74%

4.6/5 - (10 votes)

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CDL General
Knowledge Test