pennsylvania
CDL Practice Test

Welcome to the Pennsylvania CDL practice test site. CDL rules and regulations covered on these practice tests come from the PA DMV CDL Manual. You can take these practice test questions as many times as you like as you attempt to obtain your PA CDL. 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 action should you take if there is no phone available and you discover your hazardous materials shipment leaking at a rest stop?

Keep driving for help as quickly as possible.

Leave your truck parked with emergency lights on and walk for help.

Keep driving, slowly and cautiously, until you reach a phone.

Send someone for help with all the necessary information.

2 / 40

You can be sure air is supplied to the second trailer by:

you should get out and listen for air flowing through the lines

watch the air gauge for a drop of 30 psi

going to the rear of the second trailer and open the emergency line shut off

while driving at 10 mph apply the hand valve you should stop at the same in the same distance as a single trailer driving at 5 mph

3 / 40

While completing the 1st component of the air brake check you are required to fully push down on the foot brake and _____.

see if the air pressure drops more than 3 lbs in a minute while holding it down for that full minute in a single vehicle

none of the answers listed

both of the answers listed

see if the air pressure drops more than 4 lbs in a minute while holding it down for a full minute in a combination vehicle

4 / 40

You should____in order to inspect the coupling.

make sure to have space between the lower and upper fifth wheel

have the fifth wheel jaws open

make sure the locking lever is in the open position

if necessary, use a flashlight

5 / 40

When transporting explosives you may not park:

Within 300 feet of a tunnel.

Near an open fire.

All of these answers are correct.

Within 5 feet of the traveled part of the road.

6 / 40

Select the true statement in regards to large combination vehicles taking longer to stop.

they take the same amount of time to stop when empty or loaded

they take longer to stop than bobtail tractors

they take longer to stop when loaded down

they take longer to stop when they are empty

7 / 40

School buses are one of the safest means of transportation. What two key factors contribute to this impressive safety record?

Vehicles and road conditions.

Vehicles and drivers.

School district policies and police involvement.

Bus drivers and driver training.

8 / 40

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

The headlights

The windshield

The lug bolts

The mirrors

9 / 40

Select the statement that is true in regards to what is required of a driver with a double or triple trailers:

drive with extra care in mountains and in bad weather

all of the answers listed

increase your following distance

none of the answers listed

10 / 40

You should_____when an emergency requires you to quickly stop your tanker.

use the emergency brakes only

use stab or controlled braking

turn off the abs and brace for impact

keep a firm pressure on the brake pedal

11 / 40

How much space should you see between the lower and upper fifth wheel when checking the coupling of a converter dolly?

it depends on how heavy the load is

none

1 to 1 1/2 inches

1/2 to 1 inch

12 / 40

This gauge will indicate if the generator or alternator is charging:

Gas tank

Coolant

Oil pressure

Voltmeter/ammeter

13 / 40

Select the true statement about slack adjusters:

they can be adjusted automatically or manually

they should move a minimum of 2 inches from the push rod attachment

they do not ever need to be adjusted

they should only be adjusted by a mechanic that is certified in slack adjusters

14 / 40

What should you hear when you test the trailer brakes by opening the service air line at rear of trailer with the hand valve on?

you should hear air escape from the open valve

the emergency air line will release air

the service brakes will move to a fully applied position

none of the answers listed

15 / 40

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

125 psi

150 psi

100 psi

75 psi

16 / 40

There are 2 reasons as to why hauling liquids take special care. One reason is the ___center of gravity.

long

narrow

high

low

17 / 40

In the slide mechanism of the sliding fifth wheel, this object should have no missing pins or be loose when fully engaged.

Rock jaw

Kingpin

Pintle hook

Locking pins

18 / 40

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

Some liquids will expand more than others when warm.

Some of the denser liquids don't need any.

None of these answers are correct.

Tank baffles may not always be permitted with outage.

19 / 40

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

roll down the windows

drink caffeinated beverages

turn up the radio

stop to sleep

20 / 40

How often should air tanks be drained?

every 4-5 days

once a day

every 6 hours

every 7 days

21 / 40

You downshift automatic transmissions ______.

before going down a hill

at the bottom of a hill

none of these answers are correct

half way down a hill

22 / 40

The floor liner for explosives may not:

Contain nails or screws.

Contain any of these materials.

Contain steel or iron.

Contain cracks or holes.

23 / 40

Do empty trucks have the best braking?

yes, but only on wet surfaces

yes

yes, but only if the truck is newer than 1998

24 / 40

This object should not be worn dangerously thin where visible.

The brake linings

All answers listed

The air system lines

The brake chambers

25 / 40

A minimum tread depth of 2/32 inch is required for:

Driving axle tires.

Donut tires.

Parking axle tires.

Non-steer axle tires.

26 / 40

You are driving a 40 foot truck at 35 MPH, how much space (in seconds) should you keep in front of you?

6 seconds

5 seconds

4 seconds

3 seconds

27 / 40

Select the true statement about converter dollies:

they typically require a glad hand converter

they usually do not have spring brakes

all answers listed

because of their small size they have little braking power

28 / 40

The best way to go into a curve is to decrease your speed going into the curve and then ____going through it.

slightly accelerate

none of the answers listed

shift down 2 gears

ride the brake

29 / 40

Wet brakes can cause _____.

brakes to apply unevenly

pulling to one side or the other

all of these answers are correct

lack of braking power

30 / 40

Which of the following statements about the bus interior is false?

If there is a red emergency door light, it must work.

Never drive with an open emergency exit door or window.

The seats must be safe for riders all seats must be securely fastened to the bus.

If you use your outside lights, you don't need to turn on red emergency door light.

31 / 40

What is the next step after securing the bus when you have an unruly child on board?

Call school administrator or the police to remove the student.

Unload the student at the next stop.

Remove the student from the vehilce for the safety of the other children.

Stand up and speak respectfully to the offender, if a change of setting is needed, have the student move to a seat near you.

32 / 40

This object should be free of shiny treads, rust, free of cracks and distortions.

Lug nuts

Bolt spacers

Rims

None of the answers listed

33 / 40

What must vehicles with air brakes have?

an air pressure gauge that shows how much air is used by the brake chambers for braking

a minimum of 2 air tanks

an air pressure gauge that shows the pressure available for braking

all of these answers are correct

34 / 40

Do converter dollies have spring brakes?

none of the answers listed

yes

some do

35 / 40

Why should you use chocks when parking a trailer without spring brakes?

the trailer wheels are free to turn as there will be no emergency brakes should the air supply in the trailer air tank leak

to prevent someone from stealing the vehicle

the trailer wheels are free to turn as there will be no service brakes should the air supply in the trailer air tank leak

to prevent a runaway trailer

36 / 40

Overhead inside mirror is used to:

See the blind spot immediately behind the bus.

See all of the students.

See the area where students exit the bus.

Monitor traffic that approaches and enters the blind spot area.

37 / 40

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

air brake pressure

blood pressure

oil temperature

oil pressure

38 / 40

How do you test your service brakes?

after releasing the parking brake, move forward slowly and apply pressure to the brake pedal

release the air pressure and activate the parking brake

pull over and activate the parking brake

apply pressure to the brake pedal when moving at highway speeds

39 / 40

You must control how far packages labeled "Radioactive II" or "Radioactive III" are located from people and cargo space walls by referring to:

The list of hazardous materials and reportable quantities.

The table of hazardous materials.

The transport index and the separation distances table.

The segregation and separation chart.

40 / 40

A placarded vehicle must carry what type of fire extinguisher?

One with a rating of 10 b/c minimum.

One with a rating of 5 a/b minimum.

One with a rating of 10 a/b minimum.

One with a rating of 5 b/c minimum.

Your score is

The average score is 0%

5/5 - (1 vote)

CDL Category Practice Tests

CDL Practice Test

How To Get A pennsylvania Commercial Drivers License

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

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

Pennsylvania CDL applicants must be medically certified that they are physically fit enough to operate a commercial vehicle and pass a vision test. Pennsylvania applicants must get assistance with the forms from a qualified CDL physician and submit the following documents:

(Form MCSA-5875) Medical Examination Report Form
(Form MCSA-5876) Medical Examiner’s Certificate

Applicants who receive a CDL must keep their Medical Examiner’s Certificate with them at all times while they are operating a commercial vehicle.

Drivers who have had their licenses revoked, suspended, denied or canceled are not eligible for a CDL in Pennsylvania. Applicants can be disqualified for having multiple licenses.

Pennsylvania CDL Endorsements

H – Hazmat Vehicles
N – Tank Vehicles
P – Passenger Vehicles
S – School Bus
T – Double or Triple Trailer
X – Combination Tank Vehicles and Hazmat Vehicles

Hit the Open Road

pennsylvania CDL License Test Tips

All Pennsylvania CDL applicants must pass the general knowledge test prior to taking the skills test. To pass the Pennsylvania test, applicants must score 80 percent or higher. Applicants who require additional endorsements must pass additional tests and pay the required fees. The Pennsylvania skills test can be taken 15 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 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.
Operate a commercial vehicle as part of their military duties.
Have been discharged from the military within the past 12 months.
Submit an Application for CDL Skills Test Waiver.

Additional Information

Information on the Pennsylvania Department of Motor Vehicles

The Pennsylvania Department of Motor Vehicles administers CDL license regulations in Pennsylvania. To get more information contact them via:

Website: https://www.dmv.pa.gov/Driver-Services/Commercial-Driver/Pages/default.aspx

Phone: 717.412.5300

Additional Pennsylvania CDL Helpful Links

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

pennsylvania CDL Practice Test

CDL Category Practice Tests

CDL Practice Test

How To Get A pennsylvania Commercial Drivers License

Hit the Open Road

pennsylvania CDL License Test Tips

Additional Information

Information on the Pennsylvania Department of Motor Vehicles

Additional Pennsylvania CDL Helpful Links

pennsylvania
CDL Practice Test