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

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

six

four

one

two

2 / 40

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

empty trucks require greater stopping distances because they have less traction

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

trucks traveling on ice or snow require greater stopping distances

trucks traveling at higher speeds require greater stopping distances

3 / 40

Which of the following statements about overhead space is true?

an empty van is lower than a loaded one

warning lights are always installed on low bridges and overpasses

the heights posted at bridges are usually accurate

the weight of the cargo changes a truck's height

4 / 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

5 / 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?

5-ounce glass of 12% wine

they all contain the same amount of alcohol

12-ounce glass of 5% beer

1 1/2-ounce shot of 80 proof liquor

6 / 40

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

have a drink to calm your nerves

stay in your vehicle and do nothing until help arrives

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

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

7 / 40

If you are drowsy, you should _____ before you drive.

get sleep

drink coffee

take a cold shower

do a little exercise

8 / 40

You should check your tires every ____ or every ____ when driving in very hot weather.

2 hours, 100 miles

1 hour, 50 miles

5 hours, 250 miles

3 hours, 200 miles

9 / 40

When driving in very hot temperatures, you should:

check your tires every 2 hours or every 100 miles

insure that you have enough antifreeze in the system

all of these answers are correct

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

10 / 40

If you do become sleepy while driving, you should _____.

roll down the windows

stop to sleep

drink caffeinated beverages

turn up the radio

11 / 40

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

three

seven

five

one

12 / 40

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

aggressively pump the accelerator

shift to neutral

apply the parking brake

fully engage the clutch

13 / 40

When accelerating:

speed up smoothly and gradually and avoid jerking

"hammer down" when your wheels start to spin

always use the parking brake to slow down

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

14 / 40

Which of the following is a key steering component?

torque rod

leaf spring

bearing plate

gear box

15 / 40

Which of the following are some suspension system defects?

leaking shock absorbers

cracked or broken spring hangers

broken leaves in leaf spring

all of these answers are correct

16 / 40

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

2/32

1/32

4/32

3/32

17 / 40

Wet brakes can cause _____.

all of these answers are correct

pulling to one side or the other

brakes to apply unevenly

lack of braking power

18 / 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

engage the brakes hard and immediately

hold the steering wheel firmly

stay off the brake pedal

19 / 40

Suspension systems:

keep the brake drums from failing

keep the steering wheel tight

keep the axles in place

keep the load secure

20 / 40

How often should you check your cargo?

after every break you take during driving

every 150 miles or every three hours

all of these answers are correct

within the first 50 miles after beginning a trip

21 / 40

If you are transporting cargo, you should inspect the cargo and securing devices:

during every driving brake on the trip

before the trip, within 50 miles after beginning the trip, and at least every 150 miles or 3 hours

before the trip

within the first 50 miles of driving

22 / 40

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

you might damage your leaf springs

someone might try to pass you on your left

someone might try to pass you on your right

all of these answers are correct

23 / 40

Which of the following statements about downshifting is NOT true?

downshift before entering a curve

downshift before starting down a hill

downshift when you get to the bottom of a hill

downshift before climbing a hill

24 / 40

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

5 or 6

8 or 9

6 or 7

7 or 8

25 / 40

In the event of a tire failure you should...

stay off the brake and hold the steering wheel firmly

pump the brakes until you come to a stop

accelerate quickly until you find a place to pull over

disengage the clutch so you are in neutral gear

26 / 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

pump the brake pedal

put the gears in neutral

downshift

27 / 40

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

back towards the right side

back and turn towards the driver's side

back as slow as possible

use the lowest reverse gear

28 / 40

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

“go”

“turn up the music”

“stop”

“faster”

29 / 40

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

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

warning devices for parked vehicles, first aid kit, flares

first aid kit, fire extinguisher, flares

none of these answers are correct

30 / 40

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

it increases by four times

it stays about the same

none of these answers are correct answers are correct

it increases by two times

31 / 40

Two causes of tire fires are ______.

under-inflated tires and poor retreads

hot brakes and under-inflated tires

under-inflated tires and duals that touch

duals that touch and road debris

32 / 40

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

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

all of these answers are correct

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

check for yellow abs malfunction lamps on the instrument panel

33 / 40

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

bad brake drums or shoes

steering system defects

tire problems

seating defects

34 / 40

What action should you take before driving while drowsy?

pull off the road and get some sleep

open your vehicle windows for some fresh air

drink a cup of coffee

drink energy drinks

35 / 40

In safe driving, what does communicating mean?

using hand signals

using a cb radio to let others know your intentions

all of these answers are correct

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

36 / 40

What is the reason that placards are used?

so hazmat is not mixed with food

communicate the risk

it is the law

to prevent terrorism

37 / 40

Which of the following statements about downshifting is NOT true?

downshift before starting down a hill

downshift before climbing a hill

downshift before entering a curve

downshift when you get to the bottom of a hill

38 / 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 12-15 seconds

about 5 car lengths on the highway

about 1/4 mile for open highway driving

about one block for city driving

39 / 40

The manual says you should look _____ ahead while driving.

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

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

40 / 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

all of these answers are correct

a vehicle transporting hazardous materials

Your score is

The average score is 74%

4.6/5 - (10 votes)

CDL General Knowledge Test

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CDL General
Knowledge Test