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

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

put the gears in neutral

downshift

pump the brake pedal

look for an escape ramp or an escape route

2 / 40

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

apply the parking brake

shift to neutral

fully engage the clutch

aggressively pump the accelerator

3 / 40

In what location must you keep your shipping papers which describe any hazardous materials?

On the driver's seat anytime you are outside of the vehicle.

In a fire-safe pouch under the passenger seat while you are driving.

In a fire-safe pouch under the driver's seat that you can reach while you are driving.

In a locked glove compartment anytime you are outside of the vehicle.

4 / 40

Off-tracking happens when going around a corner and:

the rear wheels follow the front wheels in a straight path

the rear wheels follow a different pathway than that of the front wheels

the front part of the trailer pulls to the right

the rear part of the trailer goes into the shoulder

5 / 40

If students must cross the street, when they get off the bus, which statement is true?

For crossing, students should make eye contact with the bus driver and wait for the driver's signal that it is safe to proceed.

The student should wait to cross the street until the bus continues on its route.

When the driver signals that it is safe to proceed, the students must run across the street to reduce the exposure to danger.

If the bus is equipped with the crossing gate, the danger of running over the child is eliminated.

6 / 40

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

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

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

That has air brakes.

That is designed to carry more than nine passengers.

7 / 40

What is the purpose of a baffle?

It controls the surge of liquid forward and backwards.

It makes it easier to clean the tanker out.

It allows you to haul loads that are mixed.

It stops side to side surging.

8 / 40

This object is required to be checked for damage, that it's secure, and strong enough to handle any cargo.

The apron

The fifth wheel

The platform

The header board

9 / 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

10 / 40

Which of the following statements about "Radioactive" labels is true?

Yellow ii indicates the highest level of radioactivity.

White i indicates the highest level of radioactivity.

Black iii indicates the highest level of radioactivity.

Yellow iii indicates the highest level of radioactivity.

11 / 40

Select the factors that can cause your brakes to fade or fail:

using the service brakes excessively

the brakes are out of adjustment

all of these answers are correct

not relying on engine braking enough

12 / 40

How do you check the coolant level?

None of the answers listed.

While wearing rubber gloves and safety glasses.

Remove the radiator cap once it is at operating temperature.

Inspect the reservoir sight glass or remove the radiator cap if the engine isn't hot.

13 / 40

What gauge on the dashboard indicates electrical system charging rate?

The air gauge

The ammeter/voltmeter

The power gauge

The coolant pressure gauge

14 / 40

You should have the fifth wheel plate greased as recommened because:

it will reduce noise and heat

it will prevent steering problems

it will ensure a good air line connection

it will ensure a good electrical connection

15 / 40

Select the factor that has no effect on how much liquid you can carry:

How much the liquid will expand in transport.

The density of the liquid.

The legal amount of weight you can carry of any particular liquid.

The liquid's weight.

16 / 40

Tankers used to transport hazardous materials on vehicles must be marked with:

The owner's puco or icc number.

The chemtrec phone number.

The un or na id number of the product.

The date of manufacture.

17 / 40

How should you know when to shift?

engine speed and road speed

every 3 to 5 seconds or engine speed

engine speed and the shift indicator light

road speed and wind speed

18 / 40

After the initial drop, the maximum leakage rates per minute is:

4 psi for a combination vehicle and 3 psi for a single vehicle

10 psi for combination vehicle and 5 psi for single vehicle

6 psi for a combination vehicle and 5 psi for single vehicle

3 psi for combination vehicle and 1 psi for single vehicle

19 / 40

Two causes of tire fires are ______.

under-inflated tires and poor retreads

duals that touch and road debris

under-inflated tires and duals that touch

hot brakes and under-inflated tires

20 / 40

In Column 1 the symbol "I" means:

Invalid substance.

Iodine.

International transportation.

International restrictions.

21 / 40

The compressor is connected to the engine via _____?

v-belt or gears

r-belt

lines

stag gears

22 / 40

When driving a combination vehicle, the trailer breaks away severing the air lines. The trailer brakes should come on and ____.

the tractor protection valve will close

the tractor to lose all air pressure in the tanks

the trailer supply valve will remain open

the tractor will gain air pressure

23 / 40

At what pressure is the safety valve in the air compressor tank set to open?

150 psi

100 psi

225 psi

125 psi

24 / 40

A tank trailer should never be fully loaded due to:

The baffles aren't as effective.

The liquid can expand causing a leak from the trailer.

The movement is stronger.

The will be more shifting of the load.

25 / 40

For emergency braking to avoid a crash when driving a double trailer you should:

none of the answers listed

do stab or controlled braking

slam down the brake pedal and keep pressure on it

use the trailer brakes only

26 / 40

Wet brakes can cause _____.

brakes to apply unevenly

all of these answers are correct

pulling to one side or the other

lack of braking power

27 / 40

The air leakage rate for a combination vehicle should not exceed ____psi a minute.

28 / 40

What can side to side surge cause?

A spontaneous combustion.

An engine system failure.

An increase in speed.

A roll over.

29 / 40

Select the true statement in regards to crossing your air lines on a new trailer with spring brakes

you will have brakes that are not operational

you will be unable to release the tractor brakes

there is no way to know if there is an issue

you will be unable to realse the trailer brakes

30 / 40

Which of the following is a clue another driver is impaired:

Open window in warm weather.

All of these answers are correct.

Exiting the interstate when there's no gas station visible.

Stopping at a green light, or waiting too long at a stop.

31 / 40

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

roll down the windows

turn up the radio

drink caffeinated beverages

stop to sleep

32 / 40

Is this statement true or false: You do not need to use the parking brake if are leaving your vehicle for a short amount of time.

false

only when the vehicle has over 25,000 miles on it

true

only when the vehicle has over 60,000 miles on it

33 / 40

Select the true statement about empty trucks:

They have better traction on wet roads than full tanks.

They can take longer to stop than a truck with a full tank.

All answers listed.

They come to a stop faster when you use only the emergency brake.

34 / 40

For emergency braking when driving a double trailer and having to use your brakes to avoid a collision is to:

use stab or controlled braking

use just the trailer brakes

use the engine brake

apply a firm pressure to the brake pedal and don’t let off

35 / 40

Which of the following is NOT an important reason to look far ahead when you are driving?

look for brake lights from slowing vehicles

determine if there are any hills coming up

determine if there are any upcoming traffic lights that might require you to stop

look for vehicles coming into your lane

36 / 40

Overhead inside mirror is used to:

See all of the students.

See the area where students exit the bus.

Monitor traffic that approaches and enters the blind spot area.

See the blind spot immediately behind the bus.

37 / 40

How often should you drain your air tanks?

at the end of each week

at the end of each trip

at the beginning of each month

at the end of each shift

38 / 40

To inspect the______you should pump the pedal 3 times and hold it down for 5 seconds while making sure the pedal doesn't move during those 5 seconds.

air brakes

parking brakes

engine brakes

hydraulic brakes

39 / 40

You are driving a 60 foot truck at 55 MPH, how much space (in seconds) should you keep in front of you?

5 seconds

8 seconds

7 seconds

6 seconds

40 / 40

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

4/32

3/32

2/32

1/32

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