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

7 seconds

6 seconds

5 seconds

8 seconds

2 / 40

If you must stop on the shoulder of the road, you should place warning devices at all of the following places except...

within ten feet of the front or rear corners

about 100 feet behind your vehicle

on the other side of a divided highway

about 100 feet in front of your vehicle

3 / 40

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

it could damage the starting mechanism

someone could start and move the truck

all of these answers are correct

someone could steal the truck

4 / 40

To maintain alertness during the trip, drivers should:

all of these answers are correct

avoid medications that cause drowsiness

get 8-9 hours of sleep

schedule trips during the daytime hours

5 / 40

The most important hand signal you should agree on with a helper is:

“go”

“faster”

“stop”

“turn up the music”

6 / 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

7 / 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

8 / 40

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

4/32

3/32

2/32

1/32

9 / 40

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

first aid certification

steering

accelerating

safely backing

10 / 40

What action should you take before driving while drowsy?

drink energy drinks

open your vehicle windows for some fresh air

pull off the road and get some sleep

drink a cup of coffee

11 / 40

A commercial motor vehicle (CMV) is defined as:

a vehicle with a gross weight over 26,001 lbs

a vehicle transporting 16 or more passengers

a vehicle transporting hazardous materials

all of these answers are correct

12 / 40

Operating a motor vehicle with the intent of doing harm to others or physically assaulting a driver or their vehicle is known as?

tailgating

aggressive driving

defensive driving

road rage

13 / 40

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

to make sure the vehicle will make your destination

because other drivers do it

to make sure nothing has been stolen from the vehicle

safety for yourself and other road users

14 / 40

How should you know when to shift?

engine speed and the shift indicator light

engine speed and road speed

road speed and wind speed

every 3 to 5 seconds or engine speed

15 / 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

16 / 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

time of day

length and steepness of grade

17 / 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 a cb radio to let others know your intentions

using hand signals

18 / 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

19 / 40

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

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

have a drink to calm your nerves

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

stay in your vehicle and do nothing until help arrives

20 / 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

you will need it to inspect the trailer

you will need it to open the side box

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

21 / 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

athe heights posted at bridges are usually accurate

warning lights are always installed on low bridges and overpasses

22 / 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

downshift

look for an escape ramp or an escape route

23 / 40

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

open the hood and let the flames die down

open the door and jump out of the vehicle

pull off the road and park in an open area

find a service station to pull into

24 / 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

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

all of these answers are correct

25 / 40

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

ensuring the freshness of sealed cargo

recognizing possible overloads

making sure that cargo is properly secured

inspecting the cargo

26 / 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

lightly apply braking pressure

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

repeatedly tap the brakes as fast as you can

27 / 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

first aid kit, fire extinguisher, flares

none of these answers are correct

28 / 40

What might happen if you swing wide to the left before you turn right?

someone might try to pass you on your right

all of these answers are correct

someone might try to pass you on your left

you might damage your leaf springs

29 / 40

Which of the following statements is FALSE?

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

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

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

30 / 40

Always try to back toward the driver's side because

it's more comfortable for turning your neck

your truck will naturally pull toward the driver's side

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

all of these answers are correct

31 / 40

How often should you check your cargo?

every 150 miles or every three hours

within the first 50 miles after beginning a trip

all of these answers are correct

after every break you take during driving

32 / 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

trucks traveling at higher speeds require greater stopping distances

trucks traveling on ice or snow require greater stopping distances

empty trucks require greater stopping distances because they have less traction

33 / 40

Which of the following are some suspension system defects?

broken leaves in leaf spring

leaking shock absorbers

cracked or broken spring hangers

all of these answers are correct

34 / 40

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

a shaded area

all of these answers are correct

wet-looking road

a bridge

35 / 40

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

rim, lug nuts, tire

main spring, axle, spring shackle

leaf spring, vehicle frame, torque rod

tie rod, spindle, pitman arm

36 / 40

When backing your vehicle, which of the following is NOT recommended

back towards the right side

use the lowest reverse gear

back and turn towards the driver's side

back as slow as possible

37 / 40

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

ignore rude gestures and refuse to react negatively

avoid eye contact

all of these answers are correct

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

38 / 40

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

steering system defects

bad brake drums or shoes

tire problems

seating defects

39 / 40

What is the reason that placards are used?

so hazmat is not mixed with food

to prevent terrorism

communicate the risk

it is the law

40 / 40

Which two special conditions indicate that you should downshift?

starting up a hill and entering a curve

starting down a hill and entering a curve

starting down a hill and finishing a curve

starting up a hill and finishing a curve

Your score is

The average score is 75%

4.6/5 - (10 votes)

CDL General Knowledge Test

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CDL General
Knowledge Test