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 backing your vehicle, which of the following is NOT recommended

use the lowest reverse gear

back towards the right side

back and turn towards the driver's side

back as slow as possible

2 / 40

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

get sleep

do a little exercise

take a cold shower

drink coffee

3 / 40

Wet brakes can cause _____.

brakes to apply unevenly

all of these answers are correct

lack of braking power

pulling to one side or the other

4 / 40

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

all of these answers are correct

your mirrors

a helper

rear view cameras

5 / 40

Which two special conditions indicate that you should downshift?

starting down a hill and finishing a curve

starting down a hill and entering a curve

starting up a hill and entering a curve

starting up a hill and finishing a curve

6 / 40

When accelerating:

"hammer down" when your wheels start to spin

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

always use the parking brake to slow down

speed up smoothly and gradually and avoid jerking

7 / 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

8 / 40

Which of the following statements about overhead space is true?

athe heights posted at bridges are usually accurate

the weight of the cargo changes a truck's height

warning lights are always installed on low bridges and overpasses

an empty van is lower than a loaded one

9 / 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

10 / 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

ignore rude gestures and refuse to react negatively

avoid eye contact

11 / 40

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

drink caffeinated beverages

turn up the radio

roll down the windows

stop to sleep

12 / 40

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

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

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

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

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

13 / 40

What is the reason that placards are used?

to prevent terrorism

so hazmat is not mixed with food

communicate the risk

it is the law

14 / 40

Why should you cover cargo?

to protect individuals from any spilled cargo

to protect your cargo from bad weather

because many states require it

all of these answers are correct

15 / 40

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

engage the brakes hard and immediately

hold the steering wheel firmly

you need to be aware that a tire has failed

stay off the brake pedal

16 / 40

How should you know when to shift?

road speed and wind speed

engine speed and road speed

every 3 to 5 seconds or engine speed

engine speed and the shift indicator light

17 / 40

Which of the following statements about downshifting is NOT true?

downshift when you get to the bottom of a hill

downshift before starting down a hill

downshift before climbing a hill

downshift before entering a curve

18 / 40

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

someone might try to pass you on your left

someone might try to pass you on your right

all of these answers are correct

you might damage your leaf springs

19 / 40

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

6 seconds

3 seconds

7 seconds

4 seconds

20 / 40

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

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

warning devices for parked vehicles, first aid kit, flares

first aid kit, fire extinguisher, flares

none of these answers are correct

21 / 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

22 / 40

Which of the following statements is FALSE?

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

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

23 / 40

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

traffic and road conditions

fire and flooding

truck stops and police

bridges and tunnels

24 / 40

Shifting into a lower gear and removing your foot off of the accelerator to slow your vehicle is known as?

double clutching

anti-lock braking

engine braking

brake fade

25 / 40

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

steering knuckle

hydraulic fluid reservoir

tie rod

main spring

26 / 40

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

downshift

pump the brake pedal

look for an escape ramp or an escape route

put the gears in neutral

27 / 40

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

put the gears in neutral

look for an escape ramp or an escape route

downshift

pump the brake pedal

28 / 40

When driving in very hot temperatures, you should:

all of these answers are correct

check your tires every 2 hours or every 100 miles

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

insure that you have enough antifreeze in the system

29 / 40

You downshift automatic transmissions ______.

before going down a hill

at the bottom of a hill

none of these answers are correct

half way down a hill

30 / 40

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

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

oil, transmission, air compressor, radiator

windshield, wipers, mirrors, hood latches

tires, steering parts, suspension parts, headlights

31 / 40

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

accelerating

steering

first aid certification

safely backing

32 / 40

How often should you check your cargo?

every 150 miles or every three hours

after every break you take during driving

all of these answers are correct

within the first 50 miles after beginning a trip

33 / 40

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

signal when you want to change lanes

signal when you are merging into traffic

signal just before you start to make a turn

signal before you exit

34 / 40

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

it increases by four times

none of these answers are correct answers are correct

it stays about the same

it increases by two times

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.

defensive driving

distracted driving

road rage

aggressive driving

36 / 40

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

stop any bleeding and keep the victims warm

protect the area

move the victims out of the way immediately

notify authorities

37 / 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

too much weight on the steering axles

under loaded front axles

38 / 40

Do empty trucks have the best braking?

yes

yes, but only if the truck is newer than 1998

yes, but only on wet surfaces

39 / 40

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

weather

time of day

total weight of the vehicle and cargo

length and steepness of grade

40 / 40

Two causes of tire fires are ______.

duals that touch and road debris

under-inflated tires and duals that touch

hot brakes and under-inflated tires

under-inflated tires and poor retreads

Your score is

The average score is 72%

4.6/5 - (10 votes)

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CDL General
Knowledge Test