north carolina
CDL Practice Test

Welcome to the CDL practice test site for North Carolina. You can use this site to prepare for the official North Carolina DMV CDL Test. The questions on these practice tests apply to all of the areas you'll need to be knowledgeable in to obtain your NC CDL. You can take these practice tests as many times as you need to, and all of these 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

What are spring brakes?

they are big springs with air pressure in them if the air pressure decreases, the brakes are applied

they are powerful springs that are restrained by air pressure when the air pressure is removed, the brakes are applied

they are large springs that are held closed by air pressure if the air pressure is increased the brakes are applied

none of the answers listed

2 / 40

This item does not need to be checked during the cab check.

The windshield wipers and fluid levels

The horn

The defroster/heater

The air conditioning

3 / 40

How should you inspect a converter dolly?

as if it is a trailer

as if it is an engine

as if it is cargo

as if it is an axle with a fifth wheel

4 / 40

Which of the following is NOT a basic step to be taken at a crash scene?

protect the area

gather the contact information of all the drivers involved

care for the injured

notify authorities

5 / 40

At what "cut out" level does the governor stop pumping air?

75 psi

150 psi

100 psi

125 psi

6 / 40

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

in the front

it makes no difference

in the middle

in the back

7 / 40

How do you test the trailer service brakes?

apply pressure to the brake pedal

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

release air to the spring brakes

test the brakes out while driving at 5 mph

8 / 40

You must keep shipping papers describing hazardous materials ______.

within 100 feet of the hazardous materials at all times

in a pouch on the driver’s door or in clear view within immediate reach while the seat belt is fastened while driving on the driver’s seat when out of the vehicle

with the bills of lading

in a pouch on the drivers door or in the overhead compartment above the driver’s seat only

9 / 40

Air tanks should be drained:

at the end of each shift or day

all of these answers are correct

to prevent sludge from clogginng up the brake system valves

manually when the automatic devices fail

10 / 40

What might happen if you swing wide to the left before you turn right?

all of these answers are correct

you might damage your leaf springs

someone might try to pass you on your left

someone might try to pass you on your right

11 / 40

Which of the following statements about downshifting is NOT true?

downshift before entering a curve

downshift when you get to the bottom of a hill

downshift before starting down a hill

downshift before climbing a hill

12 / 40

Select the true statement about baffled tankers:

It has separate tanks.

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

None of the answers listed.

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

13 / 40

Select the true statement in regards to managing the space to the sides:

you should try to avoid driving next to others when possible

high wind gusts will not cause any issues for doubles or triples

you should drive down the center of both lanes over the pavement markings

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

14 / 40

How do you make sure the air lines are not crossed and the trailer brakes are working after supplying air to the trailer?

release the tractor brakes

lift the brake pedal up

activate the parking brakes

listen for brake sounds as you apply pressure off and on the trailer brakes

15 / 40

To test the tractor-trailer connection for security, you should:

rock the trailer side to side with the trailer brakes on

drive forward in a high gear with the trailer brakes on and check it

drive forward in a low gear with the trailer brakes locked and then look at it carefully

drive forward with a sharp jerk

16 / 40

What kind of surge occurs with baffles?

Bottom to top

Back to front

Circular

Side to side

17 / 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 4 hours or 200 miles.

Check tires every 2 hours or 100 miles.

Check tires every 3 hours or 150 miles.

18 / 40

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

200

125

250

19 / 40

What handling effect should you expect when your tank has baffles?

There is no difference in handling when you have baffles.

There will not be as much front to back surge compared to a tank without baffles.

The surge will be slower than a tank without baffles.

There will not be as much side to side surge compared to a tank without baffles.

20 / 40

You need to be extra careful when driving smooth bore tanks:

When unloading or loading.

All answers listed.

When stopping or starting.

When hauling food or milk products.

21 / 40

The gauge that needs to come up to normal levels after starting the engine within a few seconds is _____.

blood pressure

air brake pressure

oil pressure

oil temperature

22 / 40

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

Lug nuts

Locking jaw

Locking pins

Tandem release arm

23 / 40

With Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 Class A or B, how close can you park to a bridge, tunnel, or building?

Do not park within 100 feet.

Do not park within 300 feet.

Do not park within 200 feet.

Do not park within 500 feet.

24 / 40

What is a king pin?

it is a pin that locks the trailer to the tractor on the fifth wheel

it is a pin that locks the air brake lines together

it is a pin that a driver receives for being a safe driver

it is a pin that holds the wheel on to the axles

25 / 40

Which trailer is most likely to turn over when you make a sudden turn while pulling doubles?

the front trailer is twice as likely

the rear trailer is twice as likely

trailers will never turn over

there is an even chance for either trailer

26 / 40

Overhead inside mirror is used to:

Monitor traffic that approaches and enters the blind spot area.

See the blind spot immediately behind the bus.

See all of the students.

See the area where students exit the bus.

27 / 40

The trailer should be lowered so that _____.

the tractor comes in contact with the nose of the trailer

you are able to use the landing gear to make adjustments

the trailer is high above the fifth wheel

it is slightly raised when the tractor is backed under it

28 / 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

true

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

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

29 / 40

The 3 parts of the air brake system are: service brakes, parking brakes, and ____.

disc brakes

bolt brakes

v-cam brakes

foot brakes

30 / 40

Where are shut-off valves located?

at the back of the trailer

at the front of the trailer

either at the front or the back of the trailer

at the front and back of the trailer

31 / 40

Of the following hazardous material classes, which is the most dangerous?

Division 63

Division 64

Division 61

Division 62

32 / 40

Do converter dollies have spring brakes?

yes

none of the answers listed

some do

33 / 40

You should follow the posted speed limits for curves and be aware of:

The higher center of gravity on a tank truck.

A rollover may occur even when driving at the posted speed limit.

All answers listed.

The posted speed limit may be too high for safety.

34 / 40

You must not allow riders to stand:

Within two feet of an emergency exit.

Within two feet of any window.

Between the wheel wells.

In front of the standee line.

35 / 40

At a railroad crossing, the bus is required to stop at the stop line. If there is no clearly marked stop line, what is the required minimum and maximum stopping distance?

No closer than 10 feet and no further than 60 feet, where you have the best view of the tracks.

No closer than 10 feet and no further than 40 feet, where you have the best view of the tracks.

No closer than 15 feet and no further than 30 feet, where you have the best view of the tracks.

No closer than 15 feet and no further than 50 feet, where you have the best view of the tracks.

36 / 40

Upon what does the amount of liquid you can carry in a load depend?

The amount of expansion that will occur.

All of the answers listed.

The legal weight limits.

The weight of it.

37 / 40

Which of the following must drivers have in their possession while transporting class A or B explosives?

The written route plan.

A gas mask.

None of these answers are correct.

The carrier's insurance policy.

38 / 40

Which of the following should you do when confronted by an aggressive driver?

avoid eye contact

if you can safely do it, call the police from a cell phone

ignore rude gestures and refuse to react negatively

all of these answers are correct

39 / 40

Which of the following factors is NOT used to determine your safe speed when going down a long steep downgrade?

length and steepness of grade

time of day

total weight of the vehicle and cargo

weather

40 / 40

The direction of liquid movement not prevented by baffles is:

Bottom to top.

Side to side.

None of the answers listed.

Back to front.

Your score is

The average score is 60%

5/5 - (3 votes)

CDL Category Practice Tests

CDL Practice Test

How To Get A north carolina Commercial Drivers License

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

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

North Carolina applicants must provide proof that they are medically fit to operate a commercial vehicle and pass a vision test. Applicants are required to submit the following documents.

(Form CDL-MED-1) Medical Certification of Driver Type or Commercial Driver’s License
Medical Card
Full Medical Report (depending on the circumstances)

Drivers who have had their licenses revoked, suspended, denied or canceled are not eligible for a CDL in North Carolina. Applicants can be disqualified from the application process for having multiple licenses.

North Carolina CDL Endorsements
H – Hazmat Vehicles
N – Tank Vehicles
P – Passenger Vehicles
S – School Bus
T – Double or Triple Trailer

Hit the Open Road

north carolina CDL License Test Tips

All North Carolina CDL applicants must pass the general knowledge test prior to taking the skills test. The general knowledge test consists of 50 questions. To pass the North Carolina test, applicants must score 80 percent or higher. Applicants who require additional endorsements must pass additional tests and pay the required fees. The North Carolina 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 meet the requirements. To qualify for a waiver, applicants must:

Be active duty military personnel.
Have operated a motor vehicle equivalent to a commercial motor vehicle in the military within 2 years of the application date.
Submit a Certification for Waiver of CDL Skills Test for Military Personnel.

Additional Information

Information on the North Carolina Department of Transportation

The North Carolina Department of Transportation provides administers CDL license requirements in North Carolina. To get more information contact them via:

Website: https://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/license-id/driver-licenses/commercial/Pages/default.aspx

Phone: 915.715.7000

Additional North Carolina CDL Helpful Links

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

north carolina CDL Practice Test

CDL Category Practice Tests

CDL Practice Test

How To Get A north carolina Commercial Drivers License

Hit the Open Road

north carolina CDL License Test Tips

Additional Information

Information on the North Carolina Department of Transportation

Additional North Carolina CDL Helpful Links

north carolina
CDL Practice Test