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

3 seconds

4 seconds

6 seconds

7 seconds

2 / 40

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

one

two

four

six

3 / 40

To maintain alertness during the trip, drivers should:

all of these answers are correct

get 8-9 hours of sleep

avoid medications that cause drowsiness

schedule trips during the daytime hours

4 / 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)

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

all of these answers are correct

5 / 40

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

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

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

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

6 / 40

Always try to back toward the driver's side because

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

all of these answers are correct

your truck will naturally pull toward the driver's side

it's more comfortable for turning your neck

7 / 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

8 / 40

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

your mirrors

a helper

rear view cameras

all of these answers are correct

9 / 40

With the controlled braking method, you _____?

lightly apply braking pressure

repeatedly tap the brakes as fast as you can

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

10 / 40

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

to warn drivers behind you when you need to slow down

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

to alert drivers behind you that there are hazards ahead

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

11 / 40

Tires should should be replaced:

all of these answers are correct

when there are broken valve stems

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

when the tread separates

12 / 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

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

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

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

13 / 40

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

back and turn towards the driver's side

back towards the right side

use the lowest reverse gear

back as slow as possible

14 / 40

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

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

look for brake lights from slowing vehicles

determine if there are any hills coming up

look for vehicles coming into your lane

15 / 40

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

signal before you exit

signal when you want to change lanes

signal just before you start to make a turn

signal when you are merging into traffic

16 / 40

The minimum tire tread depth for front tires is:

1/2-inch

4/32-inch

3/8-inch

1/32-inch

17 / 40

Two causes of tire fires are ______.

duals that touch and road debris

hot brakes and under-inflated tires

under-inflated tires and poor retreads

under-inflated tires and duals that touch

18 / 40

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

safety for yourself and other road users

to make sure nothing has been stolen from the vehicle

to make sure the vehicle will make your destination

because other drivers do it

19 / 40

You are driving a 40 foot truck at 35 MPH, how much space (in seconds) should you keep in front of you?

4 seconds

6 seconds

5 seconds

3 seconds

20 / 40

Suspension systems:

keep the steering wheel tight

keep the axles in place

keep the brake drums from failing

keep the load secure

21 / 40

A commercial motor vehicle (CMV) is defined as:

all of these answers are correct

a vehicle with a gross weight over 26,001 lbs

a vehicle transporting hazardous materials

a vehicle transporting 16 or more passengers

22 / 40

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

“stop”

“faster”

“turn up the music”

“go”

23 / 40

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

3/32

2/32

1/32

4/32

24 / 40

Signs of distracted drivers include:

drivers having conversations with passengers

individuals driving at a consistent speed above the speed limit

individuals listening to music too loudly

vehicles exiting the roadway

25 / 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

26 / 40

The manual says you should look _____ ahead while driving.

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

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

27 / 40

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

protect the area

stop any bleeding and keep the victims warm

move the victims out of the way immediately

notify authorities

28 / 40

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

main spring, axle, spring shackle

leaf spring, vehicle frame, torque rod

tie rod, spindle, pitman arm

rim, lug nuts, tire

29 / 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 on ice or snow require greater stopping distances

empty trucks require greater stopping distances because they have less traction

trucks traveling at higher speeds require greater stopping distances

30 / 40

Do empty trucks have the best braking?

yes

yes, but only on wet surfaces

yes, but only if the truck is newer than 1998

31 / 40

Which of the following statements about overhead space is true?

warning lights are always installed on low bridges and overpasses

the weight of the cargo changes a truck's height

an empty van is lower than a loaded one

athe heights posted at bridges are usually accurate

32 / 40

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

2 hours, 100 miles

5 hours, 250 miles

3 hours, 200 miles

1 hour, 50 miles

33 / 40

In safe driving, what does communicating mean?

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

using hand signals

using a cb radio to let others know your intentions

all of these answers are correct

34 / 40

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

all of these answers are correct

a bridge

wet-looking road

a shaded area

35 / 40

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

it stays about the same

it increases by four times

none of these answers are correct answers are correct

it increases by two times

36 / 40

Why should you cover cargo?

because many states require it

to protect your cargo from bad weather

all of these answers are correct

to protect individuals from any spilled cargo

37 / 40

Which of the following statements about downshifting is NOT true?

downshift before climbing a hill

downshift before entering a curve

downshift before starting down a hill

downshift when you get to the bottom of a hill

38 / 40

Wet brakes can cause _____.

all of these answers are correct

lack of braking power

brakes to apply unevenly

pulling to one side or the other

39 / 40

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

someone might try to pass you on your right

you might damage your leaf springs

someone might try to pass you on your left

all of these answers are correct

40 / 40

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

about 100 feet behind your vehicle

about 100 feet in front of your vehicle

on the other side of a divided highway

within ten feet of the front or rear corners

Your score is

The average score is 64%

4.6/5 - (10 votes)

CDL General Knowledge Test

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CDL General
Knowledge Test