District of Columbia
CDL Practice Test

Simply because the District of Columbia is the only place in the country that has legal taxation without representation doesn't mean there are no laws at all! Every commercial driver in Washington DC must have a valid commercial driver's license. Typically those licenses will be issued in other jurisdictions but Washington DC can and does issue its own. This online exam will help you practice for the District of Columbia CDL Test. You will be presented with 40 questions and you must answer 34 questions correctly to pass. There is a 50 minute time limit. You may not go back once you answer a question. Click the "Start Test" button below to begin. Good luck!

1 / 40

Never refuel your bus:

In a closed building with passengers on board.

With a higher grade of fuel.

Without a static chain.

With any of the windows open.

2 / 40

Five hazard classes that require placarding in any amount are ______.

poison gas 23, dangerous when wet 43, explosives 13, explosives 12, and explosives 11

corrosive 4, hazardous 14, flammable 2, explosives 7, and radioactive 12

none of these answers are correct

explosives 11, corrosive 8, flammable 3, explosives 14, and poison 61

3 / 40

What kind of surge can occur in a tank with baffles?

Back to front

All answers listed

Side to side

Bottom to top

4 / 40

Check that the parking brake will hold by____when the parking brake is engaged and the trailer brakes released if not a combination vehicle.

shift up into a high gear and let off the clutch quickly

while in neutral increase the rpm to 1500

all answers listed

shifting down to a low gear and trying to pull forward gently

5 / 40

The pintle hook should be_____ and the converter dolly air tank drain valve is___when doing a walk around inspection of a triple or double trailer.

free, open

latched, open

free, closed

latched, closed

6 / 40

Bus drivers must have a CDL if they drive a vehicle:

That has air brakes.

That has a gross weight rating of more than 26,000 pounds.

That is designed to carry more than nine passengers.

Designed to seat more than 16 or more persons, including the driver.

7 / 40

Select the true statement in regards to brake drums:

They are bolted to the wheels.

They are located at both ends of the axles of the vehicle.

All of these answers are correct.

Hold the brake linings and shoes.

8 / 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

someone could start and move the truck

it could damage the starting mechanism

all of these answers are correct

9 / 40

When should air tanks be drained?

every 7 days

at every restroom break stop

at the end of each working day

they don't need to be drained

10 / 40

You should____in order to inspect the coupling.

if necessary, use a flashlight

make sure to have space between the lower and upper fifth wheel

make sure the locking lever is in the open position

have the fifth wheel jaws open

11 / 40

Check to ensure that____when inspecting the coupling.

the landing gear handle is free to hang down

the electrical cable is unplugged

there is no slack at all in the air lines

there is minimal slack in the air lines

12 / 40

Where can you find a shipper’s certification?

On the original shipping paper.

There is no such thing.

On all packages.

It is a separate document that all hazmat drivers must keep in their vehicles.

13 / 40

This should have no illegal stickers, dirt, obstructions, or damage to the glass.

The headlights

Mirrors and windshield

None of the answers listed

The rearview mirror

14 / 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

15 / 40

Which of the following statements about bus evacuation is true?

If time allows, notify the dispatcher about evacuation location, conditions, and type of assistance needed.

If time allows, notify the police.

If time allows, backup to the stop before evacuating the bus.

If time allows, walk through the bus and close all windows.

16 / 40

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

four

one

two

six

17 / 40

Which of the following statements about downshifting is NOT true?

downshift before starting down a hill

downshift before climbing a hill

downshift when you get to the bottom of a hill

downshift before entering a curve

18 / 40

When transporting explosives you may not park:

Near an open fire.

Within 5 feet of the traveled part of the road.

Within 300 feet of a tunnel.

All of these answers are correct.

19 / 40

Start by___when coupling.

backing the converter dolly under the second trailer

having the second trailer against the dock

coupling the tractor to the second trailer

coupling the converter hook to the pintle tongue of the first trailer

20 / 40

Make sure____when the front trailer supports are up and the trailer is sitting on the tractor.

both of the answers listed

there is enough space for clearance between the nose of the trailer and the tops of the tractor tires

there is enough space for clearance between the landing gear and the tractor frame

neither of the answers listed

21 / 40

Why is understanding the loading and unloading procedures so critical?

Because only high school students understand how to cross the road.

Because many students are killed while getting on and off a school bus each year.

Because motorists ignore students walking to school.

Because school district officials have the authority to conduct surprise quizzes and you must know the correct answers to keep your job.

22 / 40

The best way to test the low air pressure warning signal is to:

apply pressure on and off the brake pedal with the engine off to drop the air pressure to below 60 psi

apply pressure on and off the brake pedal until the air pressure drops below 20 psi

manually release the air out of your brakes to see if the signal activates

apply pressure on and off the brakes while the engine is running

23 / 40

This item does not need to be checked during the cab check.

The air conditioning

The windshield wipers and fluid levels

The defroster/heater

The horn

24 / 40

The best way to describe a dual air brake system is:

there are 2 separate air brake systems that have their own hoses, lines etc

there are 2 separate air brake systems that supply air to the trailer if there is one

all of these answers are correct

there is a primary and secondary system that is 2 separate air brake systems

25 / 40

The most dangerous time during the school bus ride is:

When loading and unloading students.

Crossing railway crossing.

When the students become unruly on the bus.

On long bus journeys.

26 / 40

The purpose for the emergency air line is:

supply air to the tractor air tanks and on combination vehicles controls the emergency brakes

to supply air to the trailer air tanks and, on combination vehicles, controls the emergency brakes

supply air to the trailer air tanks and on combination vehicles, controls the service brakes

none of the answers listed

27 / 40

When transporting hazardous waste, you must:

Have the word "waste" before the name of the material on the bills.

Carry a uniform hazardous waste manifest in the truck.

All of these answers are correct.

Sign a uniform hazardous waste manifest.

28 / 40

On tandem axle for trailers, the sliding mechanism and locking device is:

Metal frame

Air brake system

Fifth wheel

Tandem release (locking pin/arm)

29 / 40

Which of the following is NOT a basic step to be taken at a crash scene?

gather the contact information of all the drivers involved

protect the area

care for the injured

notify authorities

30 / 40

Select the true statement in regards to large combination vehicles taking longer to stop.

they take longer to stop when they are empty

they take longer to stop than bobtail tractors

they take longer to stop when loaded down

they take the same amount of time to stop when empty or loaded

31 / 40

How often should you check the tires if your placarded trailer has dual tires?

Check tires every 4 hours or 200 miles.

Check tires every 3 hours or 150 miles.

Check tires every 2 hours or 100 miles.

Check tires every hour or 75 miles.

32 / 40

You need to be extra careful when driving smooth bore tanks:

When stopping or starting.

When hauling food or milk products.

When unloading or loading.

All answers listed.

33 / 40

To avoid rollover when going through a curve, the best thing to do is:

Drive at a speed below the posted speed limit.

Pump the brakes through the curve.

Ride the brakes through the curve.

Drive at a speed higher than the posted speed limit.

34 / 40

While completing the 3rd component of the air brake check of a combination vehicle, at what psi should the tracor protection valve and parking brake valve should pop out?

40 psi

They should never pop out

20 psi

70 psi

35 / 40

Which of the following statements is true about speed management?

Speed limits for buses are the same as cars.

You should be able to stop within the distance that you can see ahead.

All of these answers are correct.

The posted speed limit is safe for all conditions.

36 / 40

Always try to back toward the driver's side because

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

all of these answers are correct

it's more comfortable for turning your neck

your truck will naturally pull toward the driver's side

37 / 40

You should_____when the low pressure warning is activated:

come to a safe stop while you still have control of the brakes

maintain highway speed and keep an eye on your air pressure gauge

wait until the air brakes kick in automatically

pump the brake pedal to come to a stop immediately

38 / 40

Select the true statement about tractor protection valve:

it provides the air supply to the brake system

if the air supply drops to a certain level it will automatically close itself

all of these answers are correct

it is closed by the parking brakes

39 / 40

You should brake on a long steep downgrade hill as a supplement to the braking effects of the engine

when the GVCW is above 20,000 lbs

yes

when the vehicle is runaway

40 / 40

To prevent a roll over a driver can 1) keep the cargo as low to the ground as possible and 2) _____.

have the fifth wheel's free play as tight as possible

drive while intoxicated

have the brakes properly adjusted

take turns slowly

Your score is

The average score is 0%

5/5 - (1 vote)

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How To Get A District of Columbia Commercial Drivers License

In the District of Columbia, there are classifications of motor vehicles that may only be driven by those with a current commercial drivers license. Additionally, there are four classes of endorsements, including school bus, passenger and tanker. Any vehicle with a gross weight rating over 26,000 pounds is considered commercial in the District of Columbia.

Additional endorsements also include:

Hazardous Materials
Double/Triple Trailer
Tanker
Passenger
School Bus

Requirements to Obtain a District of Columbia CDL:

Have a valid non-commercial driver license
Meet identity, residency, and good driving history eligibility qualifications
Take the applicable CDL knowledge tests
Get a CDL learner permit
Pass the CDL road skills test

A Commercial Driver in Washington DC is held to a higher standard than drivers of typical passenger or other non-commerical vehicles. CDL holders must pass both written tests as well as a practical / skills test. You may practice for the written test using our online CDL test tool above. Upon successful completion, of the official Washington DC CDL skills test, you will be a fully licensed driver and ready to take to the open road!

Hit the Open Road

District of Columbia CDL License Test Tips

You think you're ready? Hold on there, Turbo! Check out these CDL Test Tips before you go zipping to the DMV for your exam!

You must have your CDL learner permit for at least 30 days prior to scheduling your road skills test.
Make an appointment on the DC Online Road Test Appointment Scheduler. Make sure to have your driver license number handy...you'll need it.
On your test day, arrive 15 minutes early. You will need to bring a CDL licensed driver aged 21 or older and this person must hold the CDL class and endorsements you are testing for.

You'll need to bring a few other things with you as well.

valid CDL learner permit
valid NCDL
DOT medical certification card
an appropriate vehicle in which to complete your CDL test
current registration and insurance for the vehicle

If you fail the CDL test you must wait three calendar days before attempting it again. If you fail a second time, you cannot re-test for ninety days!

Additional Information

Information on the Washington DC Department of Motor Vehicles

The District of Columbia CDL certifying agency is responsible for testing and certifying all commercial drivers. To get more information contact them via:

Website: https://dmv.dc.gov/service/obtain-commercial-driver-license
Phone: 202.673.6813
Email: [email protected]

Additional Washington DC CDL Helpful Links

Please use the links below to learn more about helpful topics related to the District of Columbia CDL testing program or other CDL-related topics.

District of Columbia CDL Practice Test

District of Columbia Drivers Test

District of Columbia Motorcycle Test

District of Columbia CDL Test

CDL Category Practice Tests

CDL Practice Test

How To Get A District of Columbia Commercial Drivers License

Hit the Open Road

District of Columbia CDL License Test Tips

Additional Information

Information on the Washington DC Department of Motor Vehicles

Additional Washington DC CDL Helpful Links

District of Columbia
CDL Practice Test