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

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

signal when you are merging into traffic

signal just before you start to make a turn

signal when you want to change lanes

signal before you exit

2 / 40

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

back and turn towards the driver's side

back as slow as possible

back towards the right side

use the lowest reverse gear

3 / 40

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

“faster”

“turn up the music”

“go”

“stop”

4 / 40

Which of the following are some suspension system defects?

all of these answers are correct

leaking shock absorbers

cracked or broken spring hangers

broken leaves in leaf spring

5 / 40

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

open the door and jump out of the vehicle

pull off the road and park in an open area

open the hood and let the flames die down

find a service station to pull into

6 / 40

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

5 hours, 250 miles

1 hour, 50 miles

2 hours, 100 miles

3 hours, 200 miles

7 / 40

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

all of these answers are correct

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

avoid eye contact

ignore rude gestures and refuse to react negatively

8 / 40

Which of the following should you NOT do if you experience a tire failure?

stay off the brake pedal

engage the brakes hard and immediately

hold the steering wheel firmly

you need to be aware that a tire has failed

9 / 40

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

all of these answers are correct

rear view cameras

a helper

your mirrors

10 / 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

stay in your vehicle and do nothing until help arrives

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

have a drink to calm your nerves

11 / 40

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

a shaded area

a bridge

wet-looking road

all of these answers are correct

12 / 40

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

notify authorities

protect the area

move the victims out of the way immediately

stop any bleeding and keep the victims warm

13 / 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

14 / 40

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

6 seconds

7 seconds

3 seconds

4 seconds

15 / 40

A commercial motor vehicle (CMV) is defined as:

a vehicle transporting 16 or more passengers

all of these answers are correct

a vehicle with a gross weight over 26,001 lbs

a vehicle transporting hazardous materials

16 / 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

17 / 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

downshift

put the gears in neutral

18 / 40

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

windshield, wipers, mirrors, hood latches

oil, transmission, air compressor, radiator

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

tires, steering parts, suspension parts, headlights

19 / 40

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

steering knuckle

main spring

tie rod

hydraulic fluid reservoir

20 / 40

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

making sure that cargo is properly secured

ensuring the freshness of sealed cargo

recognizing possible overloads

inspecting the cargo

21 / 40

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

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

10 feet, 100 feet, and 200 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

22 / 40

Signs of distracted drivers include:

vehicles exiting the roadway

individuals listening to music too loudly

individuals driving at a consistent speed above the speed limit

drivers having conversations with passengers

23 / 40

Which of the following statements about overhead space is true?

the heights posted at bridges are usually accurate

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

24 / 40

When driving in very hot temperatures, you should:

all of these answers are correct

insure that you have enough antifreeze in the system

check your tires every 2 hours or every 100 miles

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

25 / 40

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

someone could steal the truck

it could damage the starting mechanism

someone could start and move the truck

all of these answers are correct

26 / 40

Suspension systems:

keep the brake drums from failing

keep the steering wheel tight

keep the axles in place

keep the load secure

27 / 40

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

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

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

28 / 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

29 / 40

With the controlled braking method, you _____?

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

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

30 / 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.

aggressive driving

distracted driving

defensive driving

road rage

31 / 40

Before transporting a sealed load, you must check:

all of these answers are correct

a picture of whatever is inside

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

a small sample of whatever is inside

32 / 40

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

steering

accelerating

safely backing

first aid certification

33 / 40

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

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

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

34 / 40

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

1/32

3/32

4/32

2/32

35 / 40

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

notify authorities

care for the injured

gather the contact information of all the drivers involved

protect the area

36 / 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

time of day

weather

length and steepness of grade

37 / 40

At 55 miles-per-hour it takes about 6 seconds to stop a fully loaded truck and the braking distance is:

about two truck lengths

about 1/4 mile

about the length of a football field or 100 yards

about two car lengths

38 / 40

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

check for yellow abs malfunction lamps on the instrument panel

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

39 / 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

road rage

tailgating

defensive driving

40 / 40

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

6 seconds

3 seconds

4 seconds

5 seconds

Your score is

The average score is 86%

4.6/5 - (10 votes)

CDL General Knowledge Test

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CDL General
Knowledge Test