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

all of these answers are correct

a helper

rear view cameras

your mirrors

2 / 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

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

lightly apply braking pressure

3 / 40

Which of the following statements about overhead space is true?

warning lights are always installed on low bridges and overpasses

the heights posted at bridges are usually accurate

an empty van is lower than a loaded one

the weight of the cargo changes a truck's height

4 / 40

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

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

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

5 / 40

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

weather

total weight of the vehicle and cargo

time of day

length and steepness of grade

6 / 40

Under which two special conditions should you downshift?

if there is an accident and in sudden heavy rain

before entering a curve and before going up a hill

before starting down a hill and before going up a hill

before starting down a hill and before entering a curve

7 / 40

Which two special conditions indicate that you should downshift?

starting up a hill and entering a curve

starting down a hill and finishing a curve

starting down a hill and entering a curve

starting up a hill and finishing a curve

8 / 40

What is the reason that placards are used?

so hazmat is not mixed with food

to prevent terrorism

communicate the risk

it is the law

9 / 40

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

none of these answers are correct answers are correct

it increases by four times

it increases by two times

it stays about the same

10 / 40

Always try to back toward the driver's side because

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

it's more comfortable for turning your neck

all of these answers are correct

your truck will naturally pull toward the driver's side

11 / 40

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

put the gears in neutral

pump the brake pedal

look for an escape ramp or an escape route

downshift

12 / 40

The minimum tire tread depth for front tires is:

1/2-inch

1/32-inch

4/32-inch

3/8-inch

13 / 40

Wet brakes can cause _____.

brakes to apply unevenly

lack of braking power

pulling to one side or the other

all of these answers are correct

14 / 40

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

5 seconds

7 seconds

6 seconds

8 seconds

15 / 40

How often should you check your cargo?

all of these answers are correct

after every break you take during driving

every 150 miles or every three hours

within the first 50 miles after beginning a trip

16 / 40

Which of the following are some suspension system defects?

broken leaves in leaf spring

cracked or broken spring hangers

all of these answers are correct

leaking shock absorbers

17 / 40

Signs of distracted drivers include:

drivers having conversations with passengers

individuals driving at a consistent speed above the speed limit

vehicles exiting the roadway

individuals listening to music too loudly

18 / 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

19 / 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

20 / 40

If you do become sleepy while driving, you should _____.

roll down the windows

turn up the radio

stop to sleep

drink caffeinated beverages

21 / 40

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

do a little exercise

take a cold shower

get sleep

drink coffee

22 / 40

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

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)

check for yellow abs malfunction lamps on the instrument panel

all of these answers are correct

23 / 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 1/4 mile for open highway driving

about 5 car lengths on the highway

about 12-15 seconds

about one block for city driving

24 / 40

Two causes of tire fires are ______.

duals that touch and road debris

under-inflated tires and poor retreads

under-inflated tires and duals that touch

hot brakes and under-inflated tires

25 / 40

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

“go”

“stop”

“turn up the music”

“faster”

26 / 40

A commercial motor vehicle (CMV) is defined as:

a vehicle transporting hazardous materials

all of these answers are correct

a vehicle with a gross weight over 26,001 lbs

a vehicle transporting 16 or more passengers

27 / 40

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

apply the parking brake

aggressively pump the accelerator

fully engage the clutch

shift to neutral

28 / 40

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

emergency flashers

high beams

novelty lights

low beams

29 / 40

Before transporting a sealed load, you must check:

a small sample of whatever is inside

all of these answers are correct

a picture of whatever is inside

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

30 / 40

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

20 feet, 150 feet, and 300 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

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

31 / 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 car lengths

about two truck lengths

32 / 40

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

steering knuckle

tie rod

main spring

hydraulic fluid reservoir

33 / 40

The manual says you should look _____ ahead while driving.

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

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

15 to 20 seconds, at highway speeds, about a half of a mile

12 to 15 seconds, at highway speeds, about a quarter of a mile

34 / 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

all of these answers are correct

someone could start and move the truck

it could damage the starting mechanism

35 / 40

Which of the following would NOT be part of a standard vehicle inspection?

seating defects

bad brake drums or shoes

steering system defects

tire problems

36 / 40

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

use a helper

look at your path

use mirrors on both sides

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

37 / 40

What action should you take before driving while drowsy?

pull off the road and get some sleep

open your vehicle windows for some fresh air

drink energy drinks

drink a cup of coffee

38 / 40

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

look for brake lights from slowing vehicles

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

determine if there are any hills coming up

look for vehicles coming into your lane

39 / 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

40 / 40

When accelerating:

always use the parking brake to slow down

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

speed up smoothly and gradually and avoid jerking

"hammer down" when your wheels start to spin

Your score is

The average score is 64%

4.6/5 - (10 votes)

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CDL General
Knowledge Test