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

For Division 1.1 or 1.2 Explosives A, should the floor liner required be stainless steel?

Yes

Never use a floor liner for any explosive class

Any type of floor liner is sufficient

2 / 40

When should air tanks be drained?

every 7 days

they don't need to be drained

at every restroom break stop

at the end of each working day

3 / 40

How do you check the air compressor governor "cut in" and "cut out" pressures?

run the engine at a fast idle

decrease the tank pressure by stepping on and off the brake

all of these answers are correct

monitor the air pressure gauge

4 / 40

Select the true statement about stop valves in a cargo tank:

They protect the piping and tank during rear end collisions.

They are manually operated.

They will close in an emergency.

They will fall off in an emergency.

5 / 40

Select the statement that is true in regards to managing space to the sides.

you should always keep your vehicle to the right side of the lane

you should try to avoid driving next to others when possible

all answers listed

high gust winds do not cause any issues for triples and doubles

6 / 40

You should follow behind other vehicles ______when traveling under 40 mph.

as close as possible so other drivers won't cut in front of you

at a distance of 1 second for every 15 feet of your vehicle length

at a distance of 1 seconds for every 10 feet of your vehicle length

at a distance of 1 second for every 5 feet of your vehicle length

7 / 40

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

Check tires every hour or 75 miles.

Check tires every 3 hours or 150 miles.

Check tires every 4 hours or 200 miles.

Check tires every 2 hours or 100 miles.

8 / 40

Before backing under the trailer after connecting the air lines you should:

double check to make sure the trailer brakes are off

supply air to the trailer system and then pull the air supply knob out

have a random pedestrian direct your path of travel

take a walk around the vehicle to make sure it is clear of obstructions

9 / 40

How can you check slack adjusters?

by frequently checking the pressure gauge

it is not possible to check manually

by using a fixed wrench

by pulling hard on each slack adjuster

10 / 40

Which of the following is a necessary qualification for non-bulk packaging?

All of these answers are necessary qualifications.

Maximum water capacity of 454 kg or less if used as a receptacle for gases.

A maximum capacity of 450 l or less if it is used as a receptacle for liquids.

Maximum net mass of 400 kg, or less than 450 l if used as a receptacle for a solid.

11 / 40

You should activate hazard lights within approximately how many feet before railroad crossing?

300 feet

250 feet

200 feet

400 feet

12 / 40

Air pressure loss in a vehicle with a fully charged air system should be less than_______after the initial drop and brake applied.

4 psi a minute

3 psi a minute

none of the answers listed

1 psi a minute

13 / 40

The basic description of a hazardous material includes the hazard class, the identification number, and the proper shipping name. Which one must appear first on the shipping paper?

The identification number.

The proper shipping name.

The box number.

The hazard class.

14 / 40

This object should be clean with no obstructions, illegal stickers or damage to the glass.

The side mirrors

The lighting indicators

The windshield

The headlights

15 / 40

If the hazardous materials are classified as FORBIDDEN you should:

Remove the placards from the trailer.

Take special caution in transporting the material.

Place the materials in the front of the trailer.

Refuse the load.

16 / 40

Select the accurate statement in regards to rolling up the landing gear to complete the coupling process.

you should use a low gear until the tractor is supporting the trailer

you should use a high gear to make the process faster

you should leave the landing gear at the half way mark to make the uncoupling process easier later

you should grease the landing gear the increase the speed of the process

17 / 40

What is most likely to occur when driving double and a set of trailer wheels goes into a skid?

the trailer will jackknife

the tractor will continue moving in a straight line no matter how you turn the steering wheel

the rig will continue straight ahead but will slide sideways

none of the answers listed

18 / 40

Select the first action to do when the low air pressure warning comes on:

shift into a higher gear

adjust the engine brake

release the supply control valve

come to a stop and safely park as soon as possible

19 / 40

What are the three hazard classes should NOT be loaded into a trailer that has a heater air conditioner unit?

Class 1 explosives, class 8 corrosives, and division 5 oxidizers.

None of these answers are correct.

Class 1 explosives, class 3 flammable liquids, and division 21 flammable gas.

Class 2 explosives, class 3 flammable solids, and division 21 inhalation hazard.

20 / 40

Which trailer is more likely to roll over when pulling 3 trailers?

the second trailer

the tractor

the first trailer

the last trailer

21 / 40

With the controlled braking method, you _____?

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

lightly apply braking pressure

repeatedly tap the brakes as fast as you can

22 / 40

Your bus is disabled. With riders aboard, the bus may be towed or pushed to a safe place only:

If getting off the bus would be more risky for the riders.

By another bus with its four-way flashers on.

By a 27,000 lbs gvwr or larger tow truck.

If the distance is less than 500 yards.

23 / 40

What should you do if the low air pressure warning comes on for only one system in a truck or bus that has a dual air brake system?

stop and safely park your vehicle only continue once the issue has been resolved

continue on with your trip

decrease your speed and test the other system

decrease your speed and head to the closest mechanic

24 / 40

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

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

trucks traveling at higher speeds require greater stopping distances

empty trucks require greater stopping distances because they have less traction

25 / 40

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

downshift

pump the brake pedal

put the gears in neutral

look for an escape ramp or an escape route

26 / 40

What will occur if you cross the connect the air lines?

there will not be air going to the trailer brakes

the tractor will not be able to move

nothing will occur, it'll funciton as normal

the tractor brakes will lock up

27 / 40

When fueling a placarded vehicle, someone must always be:

Within 10 feet of the pump with a fire extinguisher.

At the emergency power shut off for the pump.

Be at the rear most corner on the vehicle.

At the nozzle, controlling the fuel flow.

28 / 40

Select the true statement about baffled tankers:

None of the answers listed.

It has hollow balls in it to slow the motion of the liquid in the trailer.

It has walls with holes inside for liquid to flow through.

It has separate tanks.

29 / 40

This object should not be damaged, bent, or rusted through and be evenly centered with the tires and dual wheels evenly separated.

All answers listed

Tire rims

Lug bolts

Budd spacing or spacers

30 / 40

Which of the following statements is true about speed management?

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.

Speed limits for buses are the same as cars.

31 / 40

What can side to side surge cause?

An increase in speed.

A spontaneous combustion.

A roll over.

An engine system failure.

32 / 40

This carries hydraulic fluid or air to the wheel brake assemby.

Brake lines/hoses

Slack pieces

Brake drums

Connector rods

33 / 40

Select the true statement in regards to converter dollies:

they typically do not have spring brakes

they typically have a lot of stopping power because of their size

they typically require a hand converter

they typically have small braking power because of their size

34 / 40

When transporting hazardous loads, you must check the tires at least:

Every 200 miles.

Every two hours or 100 miles.

Twice every day.

Every six hours.

35 / 40

How do you check the air flow to the last trailer?

pull the vehicle forward and then step on the brakes

watch the brake lights as you step on the brake pedal

while on an level surface, test the emergency brake lines

listen for escaping air after opening the emergency shut off valve

36 / 40

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

The headlights

None of the answers listed

Mirrors and windshield

The rearview mirror

37 / 40

How often should you drain your air tanks?

at the end of each shift

at the end of each week

at the beginning of each month

at the end of each trip

38 / 40

Select when you should use the hand valve to park a combination vehicle.

when parking at a loading dock

never

when parking in a commercial lot

when parking on a downgrade

39 / 40

You should check your tires every ____ or every ____ when driving in very hot weather.

3 hours, 200 miles

5 hours, 250 miles

2 hours, 100 miles

1 hour, 50 miles

40 / 40

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

it stays about the same

it increases by two times

none of these answers are correct answers are correct

it increases by four times

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