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

This object should be checked to make sure that the cap(s) are on tight, that it is secure, and there are no leaks.

Fuel tank

Air coolant system

Exhaust system

Windshield fluid line

2 / 40

What are spring brakes?

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

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

none of the answers listed

3 / 40

You should check the_____when loading small tanks equipped with bulkheads.

expansion rate

fuel to air ratio

distribution of the weight

percentage of water

4 / 40

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

All answers listed.

The higher center of gravity on a tank truck.

The posted speed limit may be too high for safety.

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

5 / 40

At the end of each shift you should:

All of these answers are correct.

Inspect your bus.

Report any defects.

Report any damage.

6 / 40

You must keep shipping papers describing hazardous materials ______.

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

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

within 100 feet of the hazardous materials at all times

with the bills of lading

7 / 40

What action should you take if there is no phone available and you discover your hazardous materials shipment leaking at a rest stop?

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

Keep driving for help as quickly as possible.

Send someone for help with all the necessary information.

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

8 / 40

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

in an open position

in a halfway open position

in a closed position

in a 1/3 way open position

9 / 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

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

nothing will occur

10 / 40

____is the most common type of foundation brakes used by heavy vehicles.

Rectangle brakes

S-Cam drum

None of the answers listed

Wedge drum

11 / 40

You should____when an emergency requires you to quickly stop due to a crash.

use stab or controlled braking

use the hand valve

maintain pressure on the brake pedal

use only the engine brakes

12 / 40

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

100 psi

225 psi

125 psi

150 psi

13 / 40

A tractor should not be backed under a trailer until the whole air system is:

at half of its normal pressure

at a level of 50 and 70 psi

at a level of 70 and 90 psi

at a normal pressure

14 / 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:

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

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.

15 / 40

Five hazard classes that require placarding in any amount are ______.

poison gas 23, dangerous when wet 43, explosives 13, explosives 12, and explosives 11

explosives 11, corrosive 8, flammable 3, explosives 14, and poison 61

none of these answers are correct

corrosive 4, hazardous 14, flammable 2, explosives 7, and radioactive 12

16 / 40

Where is compressed air stored?

in the hose lines

in the storage tank

in the compartment for the engine

in the gasoline tank

17 / 40

Which of the following is NOT a part of the steering system?

tie rod

main spring

steering knuckle

hydraulic fluid reservoir

18 / 40

Be careful to check the_____when unloading the smaller tanks of bulk heads.

percentage of water

weight distribution

the fuel to air ratio

percentage of alcohol

19 / 40

How do you know when your brakes are fading?

to control your speed on a downgrade you have to push harder on the brake pedal

your speed increases when pressure is removed from the brake pedal

the brake pedal flops to the cabin floor

to control your speed on a downgrade you have to apply less pressure to the break pedal

20 / 40

Where should the safety catch for the fifth wheel locking lever be located for coupling to be complete?

above the locking lever

outside of the locking lever

below the locking lever

through the locking lever

21 / 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 500 feet.

Do not park within 300 feet.

Do not park within 200 feet.

22 / 40

Select the true statement about tractor protection valve:

if the air supply drops to a certain level it will automatically close itself

it is closed by the parking brakes

it provides the air supply to the brake system

all of these answers are correct

23 / 40

Tires should should be replaced:

if the tread depth on your front tires is less than 4/32 deep

all of these answers are correct

when there are broken valve stems

when the tread separates

24 / 40

Check that the parking brake will hold by____when the parking brake is engaged and the trailer brakes released if not a combination vehicle.

while in neutral increase the rpm to 1500

shifting down to a low gear and trying to pull forward gently

all answers listed

shift up into a high gear and let off the clutch quickly

25 / 40

Your rig should be parked on__to uncouple double trailers.

a downgrade

level ground

the company's lot

grass

26 / 40

Liquid surge affects the handling of a tanker by:

Decreasing the wind drag.

Allowing you to take tighter turns.

Moving the truck in the direction of liquid flow.

Allowing you to stop faster.

27 / 40

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

use stab or controlled braking

use the emergency brakes only

keep a firm pressure on the brake pedal

turn off the abs and brace for impact

28 / 40

For any flatbed load you must have at least ____ tie downs.

six

two

four

one

29 / 40

A placarded vehicle must have at least ___ placards?

three

six

two

four

30 / 40

How should the pintle hook be when backing a dolly under the second trailer?

in the latched position

in the unlatched position

removed from the dolly

in a halfway open position

31 / 40

When driving in very hot temperatures, you should:

let your tires cool down (remain stopped) if they are too hot to touch

all of these answers are correct

insure that you have enough antifreeze in the system

check your tires every 2 hours or every 100 miles

32 / 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.

All answers listed.

Larger / heavier vehicles generally take longer to stop.

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

33 / 40

What is the purpose of a driver placarding his or her vehicle?

Warning those with children to drive in another lane.

Forcing other drivers to stay 20 feet away in every direction.

Giving people something interesting to look at while driving.

Communicating risk.

34 / 40

Tires should should be replaced:

all of these answers are correct

if the tread depth on your front tires is less than 4/32 deep

when the tread separates

when there are broken valve stems

35 / 40

Water is drained from the compressed air tanks because:

braking power is decreased due to the low boiling point of water

the water will over cool the compressor

to keep the oil in the air compressor clean

the water could freeze in cold weather and cause braking failure

36 / 40

You should brake on a long steep downgrade hill as a supplement to the braking effects of the engine

yes

when the vehicle is runaway

when the GVCW is above 20,000 lbs

37 / 40

Is it mandatory that all vehicles with air brakes have low air pressure warning signals?

for small vehicles only

yes

for large vehicles only

38 / 40

Select the load of the trailer that will require the shorter distance to stop.

a 1/3 loaded trailer

an empty trailer

a half loaded trailer

a fully loaded trailer

39 / 40

The amount of liquid you can carry depends on:

The density or weight of the liquid.

How much you can legally carry.

All answers listed.

How much the liquid will expand during the trip.

40 / 40

If your bus has an emergency exit door, it must:

Be closed when operating the bus.

All of these answers are correct.

Not have any signs, stickers, or markings anywhere near it.

Have a red electric door light turned on at all times.

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