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

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

fully engage the clutch

apply the parking brake

shift to neutral

aggressively pump the accelerator

2 / 40

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

total weight of the vehicle and cargo

weather

length and steepness of grade

time of day

3 / 40

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

none of these answers are correct

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

4 / 40

In safe driving, what does communicating mean?

using a cb radio to let others know your intentions

all of these answers are correct

using hand signals

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

5 / 40

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

3 hours, 200 miles

2 hours, 100 miles

5 hours, 250 miles

1 hour, 50 miles

6 / 40

Which of the following statements about downshifting is NOT true?

downshift before climbing a hill

downshift before starting down a hill

downshift when you get to the bottom of a hill

downshift before entering a curve

7 / 40

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

tie rod, spindle, pitman arm

leaf spring, vehicle frame, torque rod

rim, lug nuts, tire

main spring, axle, spring shackle

8 / 40

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

aggressive driving

tailgating

defensive driving

road rage

9 / 40

Suspension systems:

keep the brake drums from failing

keep the load secure

keep the steering wheel tight

keep the axles in place

10 / 40

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

high center of gravity

too little weight on the driving axles

too much weight on the steering axles

under loaded front axles

11 / 40

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

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

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

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

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

12 / 40

What is the reason that placards are used?

so hazmat is not mixed with food

to prevent terrorism

it is the law

communicate the risk

13 / 40

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

downshift

look for an escape ramp or an escape route

put the gears in neutral

pump the brake pedal

14 / 40

What is the best way to figure out how many seconds of following distance you have?

text a friend and tell them to text you back in ten seconds and see how long that seemed to take compared to how far you traveled

use the stopwatch on your phone to try to determine how long before you reach a mile marker after the car in front of you appeared to reach it

get 1/4 closer to the car in front of you, then back off again multiply how long this took you by four for following distance

wait until a vehicle passes a shadow or landmark, then count the seconds until you pass it

15 / 40

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

steering knuckle

tie rod

hydraulic fluid reservoir

main spring

16 / 40

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

drink coffee

do a little exercise

get sleep

take a cold shower

17 / 40

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

first aid certification

safely backing

accelerating

steering

18 / 40

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

empty trucks require greater stopping distances because they have less traction

trucks traveling on ice or snow require greater stopping distances

trucks traveling at higher speeds require greater stopping distances

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

19 / 40

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

have a drink to calm your nerves

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

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

stay in your vehicle and do nothing until help arrives

20 / 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

21 / 40

The minimum tire tread depth for front tires is:

4/32-inch

3/8-inch

1/2-inch

1/32-inch

22 / 40

Suspension systems:

keep the brake drums from failing

keep the axles in place

keep the steering wheel tight

keep the load secure

23 / 40

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

protect the area

notify authorities

move the victims out of the way immediately

stop any bleeding and keep the victims warm

24 / 40

Always try to back toward the driver's side because

it's more comfortable for turning your neck

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

your truck will naturally pull toward the driver's side

all of these answers are correct

25 / 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

within the first 50 miles of driving

before the trip

26 / 40

How often should you check your cargo?

within the first 50 miles after beginning a trip

after every break you take during driving

every 150 miles or every three hours

all of these answers are correct

27 / 40

Under which two special conditions should you downshift?

before starting down a hill and before entering a curve

before entering a curve and before going up a hill

if there is an accident and in sudden heavy rain

before starting down a hill and before going up a hill

28 / 40

What is a common cause of tire fires?

underinflated tires

cold tires

all of these answers are correct

overinflated tires

29 / 40

Tires should should be replaced:

all of these answers are correct

when the tread separates

when there are broken valve stems

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

30 / 40

When backing, what is the best method to use to avoid blind spots?

use a helper

look at your path

back towards the driver's side, where you can see better

use mirrors on both sides

31 / 40

You downshift automatic transmissions ______.

none of these answers are correct

half way down a hill

at the bottom of a hill

before going down a hill

32 / 40

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

4 seconds

3 seconds

7 seconds

6 seconds

33 / 40

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

someone could start and move the truck

someone could steal the truck

it could damage the starting mechanism

all of these answers are correct

34 / 40

Wet brakes can cause _____.

brakes to apply unevenly

all of these answers are correct

pulling to one side or the other

lack of braking power

35 / 40

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

move the victims out of the way immediately

stop any bleeding and keep the victims warm

protect the area

notify authorities

36 / 40

When accelerating:

"hammer down" when your wheels start to spin

always use the parking brake to slow down

speed up smoothly and gradually and avoid jerking

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

37 / 40

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

all of these answers are correct

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

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

38 / 40

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

emergency flashers

high beams

novelty lights

low beams

39 / 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?

they all contain the same amount of alcohol

1 1/2-ounce shot of 80 proof liquor

5-ounce glass of 12% wine

12-ounce glass of 5% beer

40 / 40

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

accelerate quickly until you find a place to pull over

pump the brakes until you come to a stop

stay off the brake and hold the steering wheel firmly

disengage the clutch so you are in neutral gear

Your score is

The average score is 75%

4.6/5 - (10 votes)

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CDL General
Knowledge Test