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 is a key steering component?

bearing plate

gear box

torque rod

leaf spring

2 / 40

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

under loaded front axles

too much weight on the steering axles

high center of gravity

too little weight on the driving axles

3 / 40

How should you know when to shift?

every 3 to 5 seconds or engine speed

road speed and wind speed

engine speed and road speed

engine speed and the shift indicator light

4 / 40

When accelerating:

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

speed up smoothly and gradually and avoid jerking

always use the parking brake to slow down

"hammer down" when your wheels start to spin

5 / 40

Which two special conditions indicate that you should downshift?

starting up a hill and finishing a curve

starting down a hill and entering a curve

starting down a hill and finishing a curve

starting up a hill and entering a curve

6 / 40

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

steering system defects

seating defects

tire problems

bad brake drums or shoes

7 / 40

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

“faster”

“turn up the music”

“go”

“stop”

8 / 40

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

3/32

4/32

1/32

2/32

9 / 40

Before transporting a sealed load, you must check:

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

all of these answers are correct

a small sample of whatever is inside

a picture of whatever is inside

10 / 40

Which of the following statements about overhead space is true?

the weight of the cargo changes a truck's height

an empty van is lower than a loaded one

warning lights are always installed on low bridges and overpasses

the heights posted at bridges are usually accurate

11 / 40

In safe driving, what does communicating mean?

all of these answers are correct

using a cb radio to let others know your intentions

using hand signals

letting others know you are there by using turn signals, four way flashers, and horn

12 / 40

What can you do at an accident site to help avoid another accident?

leave your vehicle, do nothing, and get to higher ground

put out warning devices so people don't run into the accident site

stay in your vehicle and do nothing until help arrives

have a drink to calm your nerves

13 / 40

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

steering knuckle

main spring

hydraulic fluid reservoir

tie rod

14 / 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

15 / 40

Signs of distracted drivers include:

drivers having conversations with passengers

vehicles exiting the roadway

individuals driving at a consistent speed above the speed limit

individuals listening to music too loudly

16 / 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

17 / 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 vehicles coming into your lane

determine if there are any hills coming up

look for brake lights from slowing vehicles

18 / 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 entering a curve

downshift before starting down a hill

19 / 40

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

to save you money by preventing costly repairs

federal and state laws require you to inspect your vehicle

to insure that you will achieve the best gas mileage

safety for yourself and other road users

20 / 40

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

stop any bleeding and keep the victims warm

move the victims out of the way immediately

notify authorities

protect the area

21 / 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

total weight of the vehicle and cargo

weather

time of day

22 / 40

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

use a helper

look at your path

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

use mirrors on both sides

23 / 40

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

about the length of a football field or 100 yards

about 1/4 mile

about two truck lengths

about two car lengths

24 / 40

With the controlled braking method, you _____?

lightly apply braking pressure

repeatedly tap the brakes as fast as you can

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

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

25 / 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

26 / 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

27 / 40

The manual says you should look _____ ahead while driving.

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

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

28 / 40

Suspension systems:

keep the load secure

keep the axles in place

keep the steering wheel tight

keep the brake drums from failing

29 / 40

Always try to back toward the driver's side because

it's more comfortable for turning your neck

all of these answers are correct

your truck will naturally pull toward the driver's side

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

30 / 40

You should place the starter switch key into your pocket while you are performing the pre-trip inspection because:

all of these answers are correct

someone could start and move the truck

someone could steal the truck

it could damage the starting mechanism

31 / 40

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

aggressively pump the accelerator

fully engage the clutch

apply the parking brake

shift to neutral

32 / 40

A commercial motor vehicle (CMV) is defined as:

a vehicle with a gross weight over 26,001 lbs

a vehicle transporting 16 or more passengers

a vehicle transporting hazardous materials

all of these answers are correct

33 / 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

34 / 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

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

avoid eye contact

35 / 40

Which of the following statements about downshifting is NOT true?

downshift before climbing a hill

downshift when you get to the bottom of a hill

downshift before entering a curve

downshift before starting down a hill

36 / 40

The average person requires how many hours of sleep per 24 hour period?

8 or 9

5 or 6

7 or 8

6 or 7

37 / 40

When driving in very hot temperatures, you should:

insure that you have enough antifreeze in the system

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

check your tires every 2 hours or every 100 miles

all of these answers are correct

38 / 40

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

stay off the brake pedal

you need to be aware that a tire has failed

hold the steering wheel firmly

engage the brakes hard and immediately

39 / 40

Which of the following are possible causes of tire fires?

dual tires that touch and under-inflated tires

loose fuel connections or under-inflated tires

improperly loaded cargo and dual tires that touch

poor cargo ventilation or short circuits

40 / 40

Tires should should be replaced:

when there are broken valve stems

all of these answers are correct

when the tread separates

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

Your score is

The average score is 76%

4.6/5 - (10 votes)

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CDL General
Knowledge Test