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

5 hours, 250 miles

2 hours, 100 miles

3 hours, 200 miles

1 hour, 50 miles

2 / 40

Which of the following statements about overhead space is true?

the weight of the cargo changes a truck's height

the 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

3 / 40

How often should you check your cargo?

every 150 miles or every three hours

after every break you take during driving

all of these answers are correct

within the first 50 miles after beginning a trip

4 / 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 one block for city driving

about 5 car lengths on the highway

about 12-15 seconds

about 1/4 mile for open highway driving

5 / 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

protect the area

move the victims out of the way immediately

6 / 40

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

signal before you exit

signal just before you start to make a turn

signal when you want to change lanes

signal when you are merging into traffic

7 / 40

Which of the following statements about downshifting is NOT true?

downshift before entering a curve

downshift before climbing a hill

downshift when you get to the bottom of a hill

downshift before starting down a hill

8 / 40

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

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

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

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

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

9 / 40

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

it stays about the same

none of these answers are correct answers are correct

it increases by two times

it increases by four times

10 / 40

Suspension systems:

keep the load secure

keep the axles in place

keep the steering wheel tight

keep the brake drums from failing

11 / 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

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

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

12 / 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

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

all of these answers are correct

13 / 40

Do empty trucks have the best braking?

yes, but only on wet surfaces

yes, but only if the truck is newer than 1998

yes

14 / 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

15 / 40

The manual says you should look _____ ahead while driving.

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

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

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

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

16 / 40

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

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

oil, transmission, air compressor, radiator

windshield, wipers, mirrors, hood latches

tires, steering parts, suspension parts, headlights

17 / 40

What is a common cause of tire fires?

underinflated tires

overinflated tires

all of these answers are correct

cold tires

18 / 40

Which of the following is a key steering component?

gear box

bearing plate

torque rod

leaf spring

19 / 40

Why should you cover cargo?

all of these answers are correct

to protect your cargo from bad weather

to protect individuals from any spilled cargo

because many states require it

20 / 40

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

protect the area

move the victims out of the way immediately

stop any bleeding and keep the victims warm

notify authorities

21 / 40

A commercial motor vehicle (CMV) is defined as:

a vehicle transporting hazardous materials

all of these answers are correct

a vehicle with a gross weight over 26,001 lbs

a vehicle transporting 16 or more passengers

22 / 40

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

protect the area

gather the contact information of all the drivers involved

notify authorities

care for the injured

23 / 40

You downshift automatic transmissions ______.

at the bottom of a hill

before going down a hill

half way down a hill

none of these answers are correct

24 / 40

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

pump the brake pedal

look for an escape ramp or an escape route

put the gears in neutral

downshift

25 / 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

26 / 40

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

accelerating

steering

first aid certification

safely backing

27 / 40

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

too little weight on the driving axles

under loaded front axles

high center of gravity

too much weight on the steering axles

28 / 40

Before transporting a sealed load, you must check:

a small sample of whatever is inside

a picture of whatever is inside

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

all of these answers are correct

29 / 40

What is the best way to see the sides and rear of your vehicle?

a helper

all of these answers are correct

your mirrors

rear view cameras

30 / 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

31 / 40

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

disengage the clutch so you are in neutral gear

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

32 / 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

33 / 40

Which of the following is NOT an important reason to look far ahead when you are driving?

look for brake lights from slowing vehicles

determine if there are any upcoming traffic lights that might require you to stop

look for vehicles coming into your lane

determine if there are any hills coming up

34 / 40

Which of the following statements about overhead space is true?

athe heights posted at bridges are usually accurate

the weight of the cargo changes a truck's height

warning lights are always installed on low bridges and overpasses

an empty van is lower than a loaded one

35 / 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

downshift

put the gears in neutral

36 / 40

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

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

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

to warn drivers behind you when you need to slow down

to alert drivers behind you that there are hazards ahead

37 / 40

Which of the following are possible causes of tire fires?

dual tires that touch and under-inflated tires

improperly loaded cargo and dual tires that touch

poor cargo ventilation or short circuits

loose fuel connections or under-inflated tires

38 / 40

Which of the following statements about downshifting is NOT true?

downshift before entering a curve

downshift before climbing a hill

downshift when you get to the bottom of a hill

downshift before starting down a hill

39 / 40

The act of operating a motor vehicle in a selfish, bold, or pushy manner, without regard for the rights or safety of others is known as.

defensive driving

distracted driving

aggressive driving

road rage

40 / 40

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

hold the brake down for 5 seconds and listen for leaks

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

all of these answers are correct

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

Your score is

The average score is 73%

4.6/5 - (10 votes)

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CDL General
Knowledge Test