new york
CDL Practice Test

Welcome to the CDL practice test site for New York State. Our test questions are designed to prepare you for the questions you’ll see on the New York State DMV CDL Test. The questions on these practice tests cover topics from the NYS CDL manual. You can take these New York CDL practice tests as many times as you need to, and the tests are free to take. 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 factors is NOT used to determine your safe speed when going down a long steep downgrade?

weather

total weight of the vehicle and cargo

time of day

length and steepness of grade

2 / 40

Which of the following statements is FALSE?

if a tire blows, you should put the brakes on hard to stop quickly

you can almost always turn to miss an obstacle more quickly than you can stop

anti-lock braking systems (ABS) only activate when wheels are about to lock

stopping is not always the safest thing to do in an emergency

3 / 40

What action should you take before driving while drowsy?

pull off the road and get some sleep

drink a cup of coffee

drink energy drinks

open your vehicle windows for some fresh air

4 / 40

Shifting into a lower gear and removing your foot off of the accelerator to slow your vehicle is known as?

anti-lock braking

brake fade

double clutching

engine braking

5 / 40

A trailer is at the right height to have the tractor backed up to it when:

the fifth wheel will not come in contact with the kingpin

the kingpin is about 1 1/5 inches above the fifth wheel

the top of the kingpin is even with the bottom of the fifth wheel

it'll raise slightly when the tractor is backed up under it

6 / 40

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

you will be unable to release the tractor brakes

you will be unable to realse the trailer brakes

you will have brakes that are not operational

there is no way to know if there is an issue

7 / 40

Select the true statement in regards to an application pressure gauge:

it is connected to the generator

it shows how much air pressure you are applying to the brakes

when accelerating it releases air

it prevents the brakes from failing

8 / 40

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

The side mirrors

The lighting indicators

The headlights

The windshield

9 / 40

The most stable tanker shape is:

Round

Elliptical

Square

Cylindrical

10 / 40

What is a passive railway crossing?

The type of crossing where you can pass the tracks without stopping.

The type of crossing, which does not have any type of traffic control device.

The type of crossing with no cross buck sign.

The type of crossing on which the driver does not have to stop.

11 / 40

It is important to know the outage required for the liquids you carry because:

Some liquids will expand more than others when warm.

None of these answers are correct.

Some of the denser liquids don't need any.

Tank baffles may not always be permitted with outage.

12 / 40

The CDL manual indicates the last step on picking up students at the bus stop is as follows:

Open the service door just enough to activate the alternating red light when traffic is in a safe distance from the bus.

Place transmission in park or neutral and set parking brake.

Make a final check to confirm all traffic stops before opening the bus door and signaling students to approach.

Activate the amber flashing caution lights to warn vehicles that the bus will stop to load passengers soon.

13 / 40

The golden rule for school buses when approaching and crossing railroad tracks is:

Stop, look, and listen.

None of these answers are correct.

Stop, go, and stop.

Stop, look, and turn on the radio lights overhead.

14 / 40

The belt that you need to make sure is securely mounted, without frays, and adjusts and latches properly is the:

The power steering belt

The air compressor belt

The seat/safety belt

The water pump belt

15 / 40

Select the true statement in regards to quick steering movements and double trailers:

it is easier to tip doubles and triples from quick steering movements than other vehicles

nothing will occur

it is easier to countersteer doubles/triples than other vehicles

you should apply a firm pressure to the brake pedal at the same moment you do quick steering movements

16 / 40

How do you check the coolant level?

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.

While wearing rubber gloves and safety glasses.

None of the answers listed.

17 / 40

You should____to check the free play of manual slack adjusters on S-Cam brakes.

chock the wheels and release the parking brakes after parking on a level ground

drain off air pressure before adjusting after parking on level ground

after parking on a slight grade, release the parking brake, activate the service brakes and check for vehicle movements

apply the parking brake after stopping on level ground

18 / 40

What is incorrect concerning disruptive passengers?

It may be safer to wait and discharge the disruptive passenger at the next scheduled stop or a well-lighted area where there are other people.

You must remove the disruptive passenger immediately for the safety of the others.

You must ensure the disurptive rider's safety as well as that of others.

Don't discharge such riders where it would be unsafe for them.

19 / 40

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

look for vehicles coming into your lane

determine if there are any hills coming up

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

look for brake lights from slowing vehicles

20 / 40

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

federal and state laws require you to inspect your vehicle

safety for yourself and other road users

to save you money by preventing costly repairs

to insure that you will achieve the best gas mileage

21 / 40

The amount of liquid you can carry depends on:

The density or weight of the liquid.

How much you can legally carry.

How much the liquid will expand during the trip.

All answers listed.

22 / 40

If you park the trailer at an angle to the tractor when uncoupling:

you will have more space to maneuver in the lot

damage could occur to the landing gear

the process will be faster and easier

you won't have to take as many steps around the vehicle

23 / 40

This object should not move more than an inch by pulled by hand with the brakes released for manual slack adjusters.

The bounce absorbers

The brake chambers

The brake pushrod

The air lines

24 / 40

What do you check when doing a visual inspection of the coupling?

that the locking jaw is closed around the kingpin and that there is no space between the upper and lower fifth wheel

none of the answers listed

the locking jaw is closed around the kingpin and there is no space beween the lower and upper fifth wheel

that the locking jaw is open around the kingpin and that there is some space between the lower and upper fifth wheel

25 / 40

An air system that is fully charged will typically have ___ psi of pressure.

250

125

200

26 / 40

How do you check the power steering fluid?

Via indicator light on the dashboard.

Via the power steering fluid dipstick.

By looking through the reservoir sight glass.

Undo the oil fill cap and check the level.

27 / 40

What should you do if you start a trailer skid?

quickly step on the brakes

use your trailer hand brake

slowly apply a firm pressure to the brakes

release the brakes to get traction back

28 / 40

You should look into the back of the fifth wheel on a dolly to see if it is locked onto the kingpin.

only in a level loading dock

only at the end of a shift

false

true

29 / 40

These tires should have a minimum tread depth of 4/32 inches.

Steering axle tires

Non-steering axle tires

Donut tires

Drive axle tires

30 / 40

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

Every two hours or 100 miles.

Twice every day.

Every six hours.

Every 200 miles.

31 / 40

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

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

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

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

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

32 / 40

Which of these statements about speed management and braking is true?

The total stopping distance of a bus is the distance it takes to stop once the brakes are applied.

The posted speed limit will always allow you to stop safely.

You need about four times as much stopping distance at 40 mph as at 20 mph.

Stopping time increases by one second for each 10 mph over 20 mph.

33 / 40

Why do air brakes take longer to stop than hydraulic brakes?

longer reaction time

it takes more time for the air to flow through the lines

the lines are hotter

none of the answers listed

34 / 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?

decrease your speed and test the other system

continue on with your trip

decrease your speed and head to the closest mechanic

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

35 / 40

Select the true statement about convex ("spot") mirrors.

they make things look farther away and smaller than they actually are

they are against the law in the majority of states

you do not need to look at them as often as flat mirrors

they make things closer and larger than they really are

36 / 40

Never refuel your bus:

With a higher grade of fuel.

Without a static chain.

In a closed building with passengers on board.

With any of the windows open.

37 / 40

Select the true statement in regards to brake drums or discs:

they should not have cracks that are longer than half the width of the friction area

the linings should fit loosely around the brake shoe

they are not allowed to have any cracks

they should always be kept well-greased up

38 / 40

To maintain alertness during the trip, drivers should:

schedule trips during the daytime hours

get 8-9 hours of sleep

avoid medications that cause drowsiness

all of these answers are correct

39 / 40

Select whether the following statement is true or false: Front wheel brakes are good to use in all conditions.

only in ideal conditions

true

false

only in bad weather

40 / 40

When is it best to wear your seat belt?

Only when you will be driving over 35 mph.

Only if your bus holds more than 27 people.

Only if required by company policy.

Always.

Your score is

The average score is 0%

4.6/5 - (5 votes)

CDL Category Practice Tests

CDL Practice Test

How To Get A new york Commercial Drivers License

To be eligible for a CDL in New York, applicants must meet the following age eligibility requirements.

Be at least 18 years old to operate a commercial vehicle intrastate (within New York only).
Be at least 21 years old to operate a commercial vehicle interstate (outside of New York).

To be eligible to drive a commercial vehicle in New York, applicants must provide verification that they are physically capable of operating a commercial vehicle. New York applicants must pass a vision test. All applicants must submit the following documents when they apply for a CDL.

(Form 649-F) Medical Examination Report (must be signed by applicant and physician)
CDL Holder Self-Certification document

Drivers who have had their licenses revoked, suspended, denied or canceled and drivers with multiple licenses in different states are not eligible for a CDL in New York. Available endorsements include:

H – Hazmat Vehicles
M – Metal Coil
N – Tank Vehicles
P – Passenger Vehicles
R – Recreational Vehicles Over 26,000 pounds
S – School Bus
T – Double or Triple Trailer
W – Tow Truck
X – Combination Tank and Hazmat Vehicle

Hit the Open Road

new york CDL License Test Tips

Every New York CDL applicant must pass the general knowledge test prior to taking the skills test. This test consists of 50 questions. To pass the New York test, applicants must score 80 percent or higher. Applicants who require additional endorsements must pass additional tests and pay the required fees. The New York skills test can be taken 14 days after applicants pass the knowledge test. It includes a pre-trip vehicle inspection, basic control skills and on-road driving. Applicants must pass each section.

Military veterans who were discharged within 1 year of the application and current military members can apply to have the skills exam waived if they can show proof of military enlistment or discharge, have operated an equivalent military vehicle in the past two years, possess a valid NY driver’s license, and submit an application for the Military Skills Test Waiver that is signed by the commanding officer.

Additional Information

Information on the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles

The New York Motor State Department of Motor Vehicles provides administers CDL license requirements in New York. To get more information contact them via:

Website: https://dmv.ny.gov/commercial-drivers/commercial-driver-licenses

Phone: 518.486.9786

Additional New York CDL Helpful Links

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

new york CDL Practice Test