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

Which of the following statements about overhead space is true?

warning lights are always installed on low bridges and overpasses

an empty van is lower than a loaded one

the weight of the cargo changes a truck's height

the heights posted at bridges are usually accurate

2 / 40

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

first aid certification

safely backing

accelerating

steering

3 / 40

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

to insure that you will achieve the best gas mileage

federal and state laws require you to inspect your vehicle

safety for yourself and other road users

to save you money by preventing costly repairs

4 / 40

What is the reason that placards are used?

so hazmat is not mixed with food

communicate the risk

it is the law

to prevent terrorism

5 / 40

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

signal just before you start to make a turn

signal before you exit

signal when you want to change lanes

signal when you are merging into traffic

6 / 40

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

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

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

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

7 / 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 the length of a football field or 100 yards

about 1/4 mile

about two car lengths

8 / 40

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

all of these answers are correct

a shaded area

a bridge

wet-looking road

9 / 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

10 / 40

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

within ten feet of the front or rear corners

about 100 feet behind your vehicle

about 100 feet in front of your vehicle

on the other side of a divided highway

11 / 40

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

main spring

tie rod

hydraulic fluid reservoir

steering knuckle

12 / 40

You downshift automatic transmissions ______.

before going down a hill

half way down a hill

at the bottom of a hill

none of these answers are correct

13 / 40

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

to make sure the vehicle will make your destination

to make sure nothing has been stolen from the vehicle

because other drivers do it

safety for yourself and other road users

14 / 40

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

three

one

seven

five

15 / 40

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

about 1/4 mile

about the length of a football field or 100 yards

about two truck lengths

about two car lengths

16 / 40

Do empty trucks have the best braking?

yes, but only on wet surfaces

yes

yes, but only if the truck is newer than 1998

17 / 40

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

four

two

six

one

18 / 40

A commercial motor vehicle (CMV) is defined as:

all of these answers are correct

a vehicle transporting 16 or more passengers

a vehicle with a gross weight over 26,001 lbs

a vehicle transporting hazardous materials

19 / 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

20 / 40

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

first aid kit, fire extinguisher, flares

warning devices for parked vehicles, first aid kit, flares

none of these answers are correct

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

21 / 40

How often should you check your cargo?

after every break you take during driving

within the first 50 miles after beginning a trip

all of these answers are correct

every 150 miles or every three hours

22 / 40

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

pump the brakes until you come to a stop

accelerate quickly until you find a place to pull over

disengage the clutch so you are in neutral gear

stay off the brake and hold the steering wheel firmly

23 / 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

4 seconds

3 seconds

24 / 40

Signs of distracted drivers include:

individuals listening to music too loudly

vehicles exiting the roadway

individuals driving at a consistent speed above the speed limit

drivers having conversations with passengers

25 / 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

length and steepness of grade

weather

26 / 40

What is a common cause of tire fires?

underinflated tires

all of these answers are correct

overinflated tires

cold tires

27 / 40

Why should you cover cargo?

to protect your cargo from bad weather

to protect individuals from any spilled cargo

because many states require it

all of these answers are correct

28 / 40

Which of the following are possible causes of tire fires?

improperly loaded cargo and dual tires that touch

dual tires that touch and under-inflated tires

loose fuel connections or under-inflated tires

poor cargo ventilation or short circuits

29 / 40

The minimum tire tread depth for front tires is:

1/32-inch

3/8-inch

4/32-inch

1/2-inch

30 / 40

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

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

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

all of these answers are correct

hold the brake down for 5 seconds and listen for leaks

31 / 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

32 / 40

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

ignore rude gestures and refuse to react negatively

all of these answers are correct

avoid eye contact

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

33 / 40

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

5 hours, 250 miles

3 hours, 200 miles

1 hour, 50 miles

2 hours, 100 miles

34 / 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

under loaded front axles

too much weight on the steering axles

35 / 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

road rage

defensive driving

36 / 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

37 / 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

put the gears in neutral

downshift

pump the brake pedal

38 / 40

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

do a little exercise

take a cold shower

get sleep

drink coffee

39 / 40

Suspension systems:

keep the axles in place

keep the load secure

keep the steering wheel tight

keep the brake drums from failing

40 / 40

Which of the following is a key steering component?

bearing plate

leaf spring

torque rod

gear box

Your score is

The average score is 67%

4.6/5 - (10 votes)

CDL General Knowledge Test

CDL Category Practice Tests

CDL General
Knowledge Test