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

What is the reason that placards are used?

so hazmat is not mixed with food

it is the law

communicate the risk

to prevent terrorism

2 / 40

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

seven

three

one

five

3 / 40

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

“faster”

“go”

“stop”

“turn up the music”

4 / 40

Which of the following are some suspension system defects?

cracked or broken spring hangers

all of these answers are correct

broken leaves in leaf spring

leaking shock absorbers

5 / 40

Do empty trucks have the best braking?

yes, but only if the truck is newer than 1998

yes

yes, but only on wet surfaces

6 / 40

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

your mirrors

all of these answers are correct

a helper

rear view cameras

7 / 40

Suspension systems:

keep the steering wheel tight

keep the brake drums from failing

keep the axles in place

keep the load secure

8 / 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

stay off the brake pedal

hold the steering wheel firmly

engage the brakes hard and immediately

9 / 40

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

too much weight on the steering axles

high center of gravity

under loaded front axles

too little weight on the driving axles

10 / 40

For what reason do you keep the starter switch key in your pocket during the pre-trip inspection?

you will need it to inspect the trailer

you will need it to open the side box

so you don't lose it

so no one moves the vehicle while you are inspecting underneath it

11 / 40

What is the most important reason for doing a vehicle inspection?

to insure that you will achieve the best gas mileage

safety for yourself and other road users

to save you money by preventing costly repairs

federal and state laws require you to inspect your vehicle

12 / 40

The two main things to look ahead for while driving are _____.

fire and flooding

traffic and road conditions

truck stops and police

bridges and tunnels

13 / 40

Tires should should be replaced:

when the tread separates

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

14 / 40

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

look for vehicles coming into your lane

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

determine if there are any hills coming up

look for brake lights from slowing vehicles

15 / 40

Before transporting a sealed load, you must check:

a picture of whatever is inside

all of these answers are correct

a small sample of whatever is inside

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

16 / 40

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

4/32

2/32

3/32

1/32

17 / 40

Which of the following statements is FALSE?

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

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

antilock braking systems (ABS) only activate when wheels are about to lock

18 / 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

19 / 40

To maintain alertness during the trip, drivers should:

schedule trips during the daytime hours

get 8-9 hours of sleep

all of these answers are correct

avoid medications that cause drowsiness

20 / 40

Which of the following are possible causes of tire fires?

poor cargo ventilation or short circuits

improperly loaded cargo and dual tires that touch

dual tires that touch and under-inflated tires

loose fuel connections or under-inflated tires

21 / 40

Which of the following statements about downshifting is NOT true?

downshift when you get to the bottom of a hill

downshift before climbing a hill

downshift before starting down a hill

downshift before entering a curve

22 / 40

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

check for yellow abs malfunction lamps on the instrument panel

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

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

all of these answers are correct

23 / 40

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

four

six

two

one

24 / 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

4 seconds

5 seconds

3 seconds

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 one block for city driving

about 1/4 mile for open highway driving

about 5 car lengths on the highway

about 12-15 seconds

26 / 40

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

open the hood and let the flames die down

find a service station to pull into

open the door and jump out of the vehicle

pull off the road and park in an open area

27 / 40

With the controlled braking method, you _____?

apply the brakes as hard as you can without locking the wheels

repeatedly tap the brakes as fast as you can

lightly apply braking pressure

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

28 / 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

29 / 40

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

first aid kit, fire extinguisher, flares

none of these answers are correct

warning devices for parked vehicles, first aid kit, flares

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

30 / 40

How should you know when to shift?

engine speed and road speed

road speed and wind speed

engine speed and the shift indicator light

every 3 to 5 seconds or engine speed

31 / 40

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

signal before you exit

signal when you are merging into traffic

signal when you want to change lanes

signal just before you start to make a turn

32 / 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

33 / 40

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

do a little exercise

get sleep

take a cold shower

drink coffee

34 / 40

You downshift automatic transmissions ______.

at the bottom of a hill

none of these answers are correct

before going down a hill

half way down a hill

35 / 40

You are driving a 60 foot truck at 55 MPH, how much space (in seconds) should you keep in front of you?

8 seconds

7 seconds

6 seconds

5 seconds

36 / 40

When accelerating:

"hammer down" when your wheels start to spin

speed up smoothly and gradually and avoid jerking

always use the parking brake to slow down

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

37 / 40

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

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

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

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

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

38 / 40

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

notify authorities

move the victims out of the way immediately

stop any bleeding and keep the victims warm

protect the area

39 / 40

Suspension systems:

keep the brake drums from failing

keep the steering wheel tight

keep the axles in place

keep the load secure

40 / 40

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

all of these answers are correct

wet-looking road

a shaded area

a bridge

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