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

Tires should should be replaced:

when the tread separates

if the tread depth on your front tires is less than 4/32 deep

all of these answers are correct

when there are broken valve stems

2 / 40

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

empty trucks require greater stopping distances because they have less traction

trucks traveling at higher speeds require greater stopping distances

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

trucks traveling on ice or snow require greater stopping distances

3 / 40

Why should you cover cargo?

to protect individuals from any spilled cargo

all of these answers are correct

to protect your cargo from bad weather

because many states require it

4 / 40

Always try to back toward the driver's side because

all of these answers are correct

it's more comfortable for turning your neck

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

your truck will naturally pull toward the driver's side

5 / 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

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

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

6 / 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

on the other side of a divided highway

about 100 feet in front of your vehicle

7 / 40

To maintain alertness during the trip, drivers should:

get 8-9 hours of sleep

avoid medications that cause drowsiness

schedule trips during the daytime hours

all of these answers are correct

8 / 40

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

signal when you are merging into traffic

signal before you exit

signal just before you start to make a turn

signal when you want to change lanes

9 / 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

10 / 40

Which of the following statements is FALSE?

stopping is not always the safest thing to do in an emergency

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

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

if a tire blows, you should put the brakes on hard to stop quickly

11 / 40

Two causes of tire fires are ______.

under-inflated tires and poor retreads

hot brakes and under-inflated tires

duals that touch and road debris

under-inflated tires and duals that touch

12 / 40

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

safety for yourself and other road users

to insure that you will achieve the best gas mileage

federal and state laws require you to inspect your vehicle

to save you money by preventing costly repairs

13 / 40

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

length and steepness of grade

weather

total weight of the vehicle and cargo

time of day

14 / 40

Which of the following is NOT an appropriate reason to flash your braking lights?

to warn vehicles approaching you from behind that you are driving slowly

to warn drivers behind you when you need to slow down

to alert drivers behind you that there are hazards ahead

to signal to tailgaters that they are too close to your vehicle

15 / 40

When accelerating:

"hammer down" when your wheels start to spin

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

16 / 40

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

bridges and tunnels

truck stops and police

traffic and road conditions

fire and flooding

17 / 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

18 / 40

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

rear view cameras

all of these answers are correct

your mirrors

a helper

19 / 40

What action should you take before driving while drowsy?

open your vehicle windows for some fresh air

drink a cup of coffee

drink energy drinks

pull off the road and get some sleep

20 / 40

What is a common cause of tire fires?

overinflated tires

cold tires

all of these answers are correct

underinflated tires

21 / 40

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

first aid certification

safely backing

steering

accelerating

22 / 40

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

drink caffeinated beverages

roll down the windows

stop to sleep

turn up the radio

23 / 40

Operating a motor vehicle with the intent of doing harm to others or physically assaulting a driver or their vehicle is known as?

tailgating

aggressive driving

road rage

defensive driving

24 / 40

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

brake fade

engine braking

anti-lock braking

double clutching

25 / 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

26 / 40

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

inspecting the cargo

making sure that cargo is properly secured

ensuring the freshness of sealed cargo

recognizing possible overloads

27 / 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

28 / 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

wait until a vehicle passes a shadow or landmark, then count the seconds until you pass 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

29 / 40

If you are transporting cargo, you should inspect the cargo and securing devices:

before the trip

within the first 50 miles of driving

before the trip, within 50 miles after beginning the trip, and at least every 150 miles or 3 hours

during every driving brake on the trip

30 / 40

The manual says you should look _____ ahead while driving.

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

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

31 / 40

What are some of the important parts in the steering system?

leaf spring, vehicle frame, torque rod

rim, lug nuts, tire

tie rod, spindle, pitman arm

main spring, axle, spring shackle

32 / 40

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

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

look at your path

use a helper

use mirrors on both sides

33 / 40

Which contains more alcohol: a 12-ounce glass of 5% beer, a 5-ounce glass of 12% wine or a 1 1/2-ounce shot of 80 proof liquor?

12-ounce glass of 5% beer

5-ounce glass of 12% wine

they all contain the same amount of alcohol

1 1/2-ounce shot of 80 proof liquor

34 / 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

35 / 40

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

hydraulic fluid reservoir

main spring

steering knuckle

tie rod

36 / 40

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

tire problems

seating defects

bad brake drums or shoes

steering system defects

37 / 40

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

use the lowest reverse gear

back as slow as possible

back towards the right side

back and turn towards the driver's side

38 / 40

Tires should should be replaced:

when there are broken valve stems

when the tread separates

all of these answers are correct

if the tread depth on your front tires is less than 4/32 deep

39 / 40

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

one

seven

three

five

40 / 40

Before transporting a sealed load, you must check:

a small sample of whatever is inside

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

a picture of whatever is inside

all of these answers are correct

Your score is

The average score is 0%

4.6/5 - (10 votes)

CDL General Knowledge Test

CDL Category Practice Tests

CDL General
Knowledge Test