massachusetts
CDL Practice Test

Welcome to the Massachusetts CDL practice test site. You this site as a study guide as you prepare to take the CDL Test in Massachusetts. Questions on these practice tests cover areas addressed in the MA CDL manual. You can take the MASS CDL permit practice tests as many times as you need to and the tests are free. 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

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

2 / 40

Select the true statement in regards to stopping distance and speed:

You require 4 times as much stopping distance when driving at 40 mph compared to 20 mph.

A wet road will double the stopping distance at any speed.

Larger / heavier vehicles generally take longer to stop.

All answers listed.

3 / 40

This object should not have any missing parts, be fully raised, the crank handle is secured, and that there is no damage to the frame.

Drop arm

Release arm

Lifts/doors/tires

Landing gear

4 / 40

A battery box check is important. The battery must be secure, connection must be tight, and cell caps must be present. In addition these items should be checked:

The fluid level inside the battery.

Battery connection should show signs of excessive wear.

Battery connections should not show signs of excessive corrosion, and the battery box and cover or door should not be damaged and should be secure.

Battery connections should not show signs of excessive corrosion, but the battery box and cover or door is unimportant.

5 / 40

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

Side to side

Bottom to top

All answers listed

Back to front

6 / 40

How high should you crank the landing gear?

for it to be 6 inches above the ground

until the crank handle is loose

so that you can clear railroad tracks

as high up as it will go

7 / 40

Before pulling away, make sure the landing gear of the trailer is:

Raised and that the handle is secured.

Down and that the handle is secured.

Down and that the handle is hanging free.

Raised and that the handle is hanging free.

8 / 40

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

The headlights

None of the answers listed

The rearview mirror

Mirrors and windshield

9 / 40

The method used to make sure the spring brakes will come on automatically is to:

Apply pressure on and off the brake pedal to decrease the air tank pressure. The parking brake knob should pop out when the air pressure meets to the manufacturer’s specification.

Apply pressure on and off the brake pedal to decrease the air tank pressure while driving at a high a speed. The parking brake knob should pop out when the air pressure meets to the manufacturer’s specification.

Apply pressure on and off the brake pedal to increase the air tank pressure. The parking brake knob should pop out when the air pressure meets to the manufacturer’s specification.

Apply pressure on and off the brake pedal to decrease the air tank pressure. The parking brake knob should pop out when the air pressure drops to 120 psi.

10 / 40

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

10 cartons

10 pounds

Any amount

100 pounds

11 / 40

If you are drowsy, you should _____ before you drive.

get sleep

take a cold shower

do a little exercise

drink coffee

12 / 40

The reason a bulk liquid tanker is hard to handle is:

Because the cargo has a low center of gravity.

Because the cargo has a high center of gravity.

Because of the high friction point.

Because the cargo has a high density.

13 / 40

A "transport index" relates to products that are:

Liquid

Overweight

Meant for human consumption

Radioactive

14 / 40

An "A/W" the first column of the hazardous materials table means:

There is no restrictions with this material if shipped by water only.

It is ok to ship this material by air only.

This material is only restricted when shipped by air and/or water.

This material has no restrictions when shipped by air and/or water.

15 / 40

The walls that separate compartments inside the tanks and having openings at the top and bottom are called:

Bulktears

Layers

Baffles

Free walls

16 / 40

Overhead inside mirror is used to:

See the blind spot immediately behind the bus.

See the area where students exit the bus.

Monitor traffic that approaches and enters the blind spot area.

See all of the students.

17 / 40

Should the air pressure in the service air tanks fall below____the driver must be alerted via warning mechanism in the truck cab.

50 psi

30 psi

80 psi

60 psi

18 / 40

Alcohol evaporators in some air brake systems help to:

decrease the chances of ice in the air brake valves in cold weather

decreases the risk of water in the air brake valves in cold weather

cleans out oil from the air lines

it removes fuel from the air lines

19 / 40

You should make sure the_____before backing under a trailer.

landing gear is fully raised

air brakes have been shut off

trailer brakes are locked down

tractor shut off valve is normal

20 / 40

What is the normal operating range for a truck's oil pressure?

This is engine-specific

40-60 psi

30-75 psi

20-30 psi

21 / 40

Commerical vehicles typically have this type of brake.

stab brakes

S-Cam brakes

drum brakes

rectangle brakes

22 / 40

Who is responsible for certifying on the bills of lading that the hazardous materials are prepared properly?

The dock workers

The shipper

The driver

The carrier

23 / 40

Select how brakes work on long, steep downgrades:

it's the main braking mechanism with the engine braking system available for emergency situations

they are a supplement to the braking effect of the engine

it does not do anything

it is the main braking mechanism

24 / 40

The safety catch for the fifth wheel locking lever must be ____ for a coupling to be complete.

threaded through the locking lever

sticking straight up

below the locking lever

above the locking lever

25 / 40

To find out if a shipment includes a hazardous material, you should:

Ask the driver.

Check for a fence around the loading dock.

Open and inspect every package and container.

Look at the shipping papers.

26 / 40

There must not be more than_____for engine compartment belts.

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

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

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

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

27 / 40

Do not tow or push a disabled bus with riders aboard the vehicle, unless:

Getting off the bus would be unsafe.

Your employer tells you to.

Bus is on a drawbridge.

You are also a class a tow truck driver.

28 / 40

Which seats not securely fastened to the bus are usually allowed?

None of these answers are correct.

Window seats.

Any of the last row seats.

The driver's seat only.

29 / 40

Cargo tanks ____.

are tanks that the military uses to transport hazardous materials

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

are bulk packagings permanently attached to a vehicle

are large drums temporarily attached to a vehicle

30 / 40

What is most likely to occur when the front wheels begin to skid?

You will continue heading in a straight line and moving forward no matter what direction you turn the steering wheel.

The power of the surge will disconnect the tank from the truck.

All answers listed.

A roll over will occur.

31 / 40

To maintain alertness during the trip, drivers should:

all of these answers are correct

schedule trips during the daytime hours

get 8-9 hours of sleep

avoid medications that cause drowsiness

32 / 40

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

Tandem release arm

Locking jaw

Lug nuts

Locking pins

33 / 40

If you must stop on the shoulder of the road, you should place warning devices at all of the following places except...

about 100 feet behind your vehicle

on the other side of a divided highway

about 100 feet in front of your vehicle

within 10 feet of the front or rear corners

34 / 40

Select the definition for outage:

It is the liquid that must be drained off to meet legal carry limit.

It is the process of liquid expansion as it becomes warm.

It is loss of power to the headlights.

It is how much power is lost to the hydraulics.

35 / 40

_____ create a little above 90 degree angle between the adjuster arm and push rod when the brakes are released and no less than 90 degrees when the brakes are applied.

slack adjusters

brake disc

air lines

brake drums

36 / 40

Select the true statement about seeing ahead.

many individuals do not look far enough ahead while driving

you should look up to 1/4 mile ahead when driving at highway speeds

all answers listed

good drivers will shift their attention from far and near and back and forth

37 / 40

The compressor is connected to the engine via _____?

stag gears

r-belt

lines

v-belt or gears

38 / 40

In what position should shut off valves on the rear of the last trailer be in on a set of double trailers?

in an open position

in a closed position for the rear trailer and an open position for the front trailers

in a closed position

in an open position for the rear trailer and a closed position for the front trailer

39 / 40

Which of the following statements about special danger of loading and unloading is true?

Students should be told to remain seated while the bus is in motion.

Students should be told to leave any dropped objects and move to the point of safety out of danger and get the driver's attention to retrieve the object.

Students should be told to pick up any dropped objects as long as it is not under the bus.

Students should be told not to use the handrails when exiting the bus due to the possibility of causing a clothing hang up.

40 / 40

Which of these is a good rule for backing a straight bus?

Back quickly while no one is coming.

Back toward the side opposite the driver.

Back and turn toward the driver's side.

Use your head as the mirrors are unreliable.

Your score is

The average score is 0%

4.7/5 - (4 votes)

CDL Category Practice Tests

CDL Practice Test

How To Get A massachusetts Commercial Drivers License

Applicants must be at least 21 years or older to apply for a CDL. Applicants that are between the ages of 18 and 21 may apply for a restricted CDL. A restricted CDL doesn’t include a HazMat Endorsement and restricts the driver to intrastate driving, meaning only driving in the state of Massachusetts. All applicants must present a DOT medical card that certifies they have the necessary physical and vision requirements for driving a commercial vehicle.

There are certain instances in which applicants will be disqualified from obtaining their CDL in the state of Massachusetts. These include the following:

Having multiple driver’s licenses.
Being convicted of driving impaired in a commercial vehicle within 24 months prior to submitting your application.
Having CDL disqualifications in another State.
Having a canceled, denied, revoked, or suspended driver’s license.

Massachusetts applicants looking to get their CDL must take both a hands-on skills test and one or more knowledge tests.

Endorsements
T – Double or Triple Trailers
P- Passenger Vehicles
N – Tank Vehicles
H – Hazardous Materials
X – Tank and Hazardous Materials Combination

Hit the Open Road

massachusetts CDL License Test Tips

The CDL Class and any endorsements that an applicant is seeking will determine how many tests they must take. All Classes require a 50 question test on the subject of commercial driving. Class A applicants must take an additional 20 question assessment testing their knowledge of combination information. If an applicant is seeking endorsements, they will be required to take one additional test per endorsement sought. These tests range from 20 to 30 questions depending on the endorsement. All knowledge tests must be passed with a score of 80 percent or higher for an applicant to be eligible for the practical skills test to get their CDL and necessary endorsements.

Each CDL applicant must successfully pass a three-part practical skills test. This is comprised of a driving test, basic control skills test, and vehicle safety inspection. To be eligible for specific endorsements, individuals must take their skills test with the type of vehicle they are seeking the endorsement for. For example, those applicants looking to remove the Air Brake Restriction must take the skills test with a vehicle that has air brakes.

Additional Information

Information on the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles

The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles provides oversight of the of CDL requirements in Massachusetts. To get more information contact them via:

Website: https://www.mass.gov/commercial-drivers-licenses-cdl

Contact: https://massgov.formstack.com/forms/ask_the_rmv

Additional Massachusetts CDL Helpful Links

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

massachusetts CDL Practice Test