illinois
CDL Practice Test

Welcome to the Illinois CDL Practice Test site. This is a free site and you are able to take the tests as a study guide as you prepare for the Illinois CDL test. The topics covered in these practice tests are taken from the Illinois CDL book. 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.

1 / 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 seconds for every 10 feet of your vehicle length

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

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

2 / 40

How do you test the trailer service brakes?

test the brakes out while driving at 5 mph

apply the hand control and check to see if you feel the trailer brakes come on

apply pressure to the brake pedal

release air to the spring brakes

3 / 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 at higher speeds require greater stopping distances

empty trucks require greater stopping distances because they have less traction

trucks traveling on ice or snow require greater stopping distances

4 / 40

Air tanks should be drained:

to prevent sludge from clogginng up the brake system valves

at the end of each shift or day

manually when the automatic devices fail

all of these answers are correct

5 / 40

What does outage mean?

It is the allowance needed for the expansion of liquid.

It is the movement of the liquid.

It is how quickly the tanks drain.

It is the weight of the liquid.

6 / 40

Select the item that is not checked in the engine compartment:

The coolant level

The power steering fluid

The oil pressure

The level of the oil

7 / 40

Where should the safety catch for the fifth wheel locking lever be located for coupling to be complete?

above the locking lever

below the locking lever

outside of the locking lever

through the locking lever

8 / 40

What are the 3 methods for securing a second trailer before coupling?

parking on level ground, chocking the tires, and charging the trailer air tank if it doesn't have spring brakes

chocking the tires, parking on level ground, and charging the air tank

parking against another trailer, locking the trailer door, and chocking the tires

all answers listed

9 / 40

What is the brake system that applies and releases the brakes when the brake pedal is used?

none of the answers listed

service brake system

lock brake system

engine brake system

10 / 40

This should be cleaned and then adjusted properly while inside the cab.

The windshield

The mirrors

The headlights

The lug bolts

11 / 40

What will happen should a driver cross the air lines when hooking up the an older trailer?

none of the answers listed

the hand valve will activate the tractor brakes instead of the trailer brakes

the brake pedal will activate the trailer spring brakes instead of the air brakes

if there are no spring brakes, you can drive on but there will be no trailer brakes

12 / 40

Which trailer should be the first one after the tractor?

the trailer that weighs the most

none of the answers listed

the trailer that weighs the least

the trailer that is the shortest in length

13 / 40

Bus drivers must have a commercial driver license if they drive a vehicle designed to seat more than:

20 or more persons, excluding the driver.

10 or more persons, including the driver.

15 or more persons, including the driver.

16 or more persons, including the driver.

14 / 40

When checking the wheelchair lift, the things you should look for are:

Bent or dinged lift floor.

Leaking, damaged, or missing wheelchairs.

Stripped screw drive linkages and fluid drips.

Leaking, damaged, or missing parts and that the lift is fully retracted and latched.

15 / 40

Which of the following is something the driver must watch for:

Gaps your bus needs to accelerate and merge with traffic.

All of these answers are correct.

Appropriate clearance around and over the bus.

Poles and tree limbs at stops.

16 / 40

If you are driving a 100-foot truck with double trailers at 30 mph in dry conditions, how many seconds of space should there be between your truck and other vehicles?

17 / 40

Select when you should use the parking brake:

each time you leave your vehicle for any amount of time

when you are leaving your vehicle for more than an hour

with rare exception, every time you leave your vehicle

when in residential areas

18 / 40

What does the air compressor governor control?

when the air is taken out of the hoses

when the valve system releases pressure

when air is pumped into the air tanks

when air pressure is applied to the brakes

19 / 40

Where is compressed air stored?

in the hose lines

in the storage tank

in the gasoline tank

in the compartment for the engine

20 / 40

Which of the following types of emergency equipment must you have on your bus?

Reflectors, fire extinguisher, and accident reporting kit.

Spare electric fuses, fire extinguisher, and accident reporting kit.

Fire extinguisher, spare electric fuses, and reflectors.

Hydraulic jack, fire extinguisher, and signal flares.

21 / 40

You must have placards for explosives, poison gas or flammables exceeding:

10 cartons

Any amount

10 pounds

100 pounds

22 / 40

Cargo tanks ____.

are bulk packagings permanently attached to a vehicle

are large drums used to contain hazmat that is loaded on a trailer

are large drums temporarily attached to a vehicle

are tanks that the military uses to transport hazardous materials

23 / 40

Select which is not a mandatory emergency equipment:

6 fuses, 3 red reflective triangles, or 3 liquid burning flares.

A rated and properly charged fire extinguisher.

Extra electrical fuses.

Tire changing equipment.

24 / 40

The Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG):

Was created by the national department of transportation, so it is used nationwide.

Is studied by emergency personnel to help keep the public safe.

Contains an index of hazardous material id numbers, which is why you must label things correctly.

All of these answers are correct.

25 / 40

Select the answer that is not a part of the braking process when driving a tractor-trailer combination vehicle that has ABS:

you should monitor the tractor and trailer as you decrease your speed to keep control

only use the braking that is necessary to safely stay in control of the vehicle

you should drive at a higher speed to keep the trailer in line

you should brake in the same manner regardless of what you are driving

26 / 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

windshield, wipers, mirrors, hood latches

tires, steering parts, suspension parts, headlights

oil, transmission, air compressor, radiator

27 / 40

What position should the heaviest trailer be in when pulling 3 trailers?

in the middle

in the front

it makes no difference

in the back

28 / 40

It has just reached freezing. Which of the following areas is slippery?

a bridge

all of these answers are correct

wet-looking road

a shaded area

29 / 40

When must a driver’s inspection report be completed?

All of these answers are correct.

At the end of each shift.

Before driving your bus.

Only if defects are found.

30 / 40

When should you check your mirrors for a lane change?

All of these answers are correct.

After completing the lane change.

Right after starting the lane change.

Before and after signaling the change.

31 / 40

This item should not be rusted, bent, or damaged and centered over evenly spaced tires and dual wheels.

Fifth wheel

Lug bolts

Spacers

Frame

32 / 40

The two other places where the hazardous identification number must appear are:

On a temporary license plate holder and the steering wheel.

Any bulk packaging and the cargo tanks.

On the back of the truck and inside the glove compartment.

On the gas tank and a sticker in the glove compartment.

33 / 40

If you have to swerve to avoid a hazard, it's important to:

Know where other vehicles are around your bus by checking your mirrors.

None of these answers are correct.

Warn passengers with a loud and clear voice.

Make sure your passengers are wearing seat belts.

34 / 40

When approaching a school bus stop, you should:

Activate your overhead amber lights.

Continuously check all mirrors.

All of these answers are correct.

Gradually decrease speed until the stop.

35 / 40

There must not be more than_____for engine compartment belts.

1/2 inch of play at the center of the belt

1/4 inch of play at the ends of the belt

3/4 inch of play at the center of the belt

1/2 inch of play at the end of the belts

36 / 40

A shipment described on the Hazardous Waste Manifest may only be delivered to another _______ carrier or treatment facility, who then signs the ______, giving you a copy which you must keep.

licensed, manifest

trucking, uniform hazardous waste manifest

responsible, papers

registered, uniform hazardous waste manifest

37 / 40

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

to save you money by preventing costly repairs

safety for yourself and other road users

federal and state laws require you to inspect your vehicle

to insure that you will achieve the best gas mileage

38 / 40

When this item is missing or loose, movement may occur between the fifth wheel assembly and the frame.

Locking jaw

Lug nuts

Locking pins

Tandem release arm

39 / 40

What should the driver pay special attention to when driving smaller tanks?

The level of the fluid.

The high center of gravity.

All answers listed.

The distrubition of weight.

40 / 40

After coupling with a trailer, what position should the front trailer supports be in before driving away?

none of the answers listed

raised half way with the crank handle stored in the cab

in the fully raised position with the crank handle secured to its bracket

raised to the top and then taken 3 cranks down and the crank handle stored in its bracket

Your score is

The average score is 60%

5/5 - (2 votes)

CDL Category Practice Tests

CDL Practice Test

How To Get An illinois Commercial Drivers License

Applicants can apply for their CDL and any endorsements they wish at the age of 21 years old. Those under the age of 21, but over the age of 18 are eligible to receive an in-state only CDL. Those under 21 are not eligible for driving hazmat vehicles or transporting passengers. All applicants must supply a Department of Transportation (DOT) medical certificate and pass the CDL vision test in order to be qualified to receive their CDL. All applicants are required to pass a vision test, knowledge test(s), and a practical skills assessment in order to be considered for a CDL license.

Any applicant that is described by any of the sentences below is considered disqualified from getting their CDL.

A driver that has their commercial driving privileges revoked in another state.
Any driver convicted of driving impaired in a commercial vehicle in the past 24 months.
A driver that possess more than one driver’s license.
Any driver whose license is currently denied, canceled, suspended, or revoked.

Endorsements
L – Air Brake Restriction
X – Combination
P – Passenger
C – Charter Bus
T – Doubles/Triples
H – Hazardous Materials
S – School Bus
N – Tank

Hit the Open Road

illinois CDL License Test Tips

The written exam or knowledge test is required of all CDL applicants. This exam is comprised of 50 specific questions about commercial driving. Those applying for endorsements must complete an additional knowledge test for that endorsement. These tests are between 20 and 30 questions. Those who are applying for a Class A CDL must complete an additional 20 questions about combination vehicles. All knowledge tests must be passed with a grade of 80 percent or more for an applicant to receive their CDL permit.

The Illinois CDL skills assessment must be completed by an applicant. Each assessment includes a pre-trip inspection, basic control skills, and on-road driving test. The on-road driving test includes real-life driving instances, such as low clearance bridges, downgrading for a stop, increasing gears, curves, expressways, and other instances. These are mean to ensure the applicant is fully capable of driving a commercial vehicle safely.

Additional Information

Information on the Office of the Illinois Secretary of State

The Office of the Illinois Secretary of State is responsible for the administration of the CDL requirements and testing in Illinois. To get more information contact them via:

Website: https://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/drivers/drivers_license/CDL/cdl.html

Phone: 800.252.8980

Additional Illinois CDL Helpful Links

Please use the links below to access more valuable Illinois CDL testing resources and to learn more about practice driving tests for the state of Illinois.

illinois CDL Practice Test

CDL Category Practice Tests

CDL Practice Test

How To Get An illinois Commercial Drivers License

Hit the Open Road

illinois CDL License Test Tips

Additional Information

Information on the Office of the Illinois Secretary of State

Additional Illinois CDL Helpful Links

illinois
CDL Practice Test