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

Select the statement that describes smooth bore tanks:

They are divided down into smaller tanks.

None of the answers listed.

They are divided with holes from liquid to flow through controlling surge.

They are 1 large tank.

2 / 40

The trailer should be lowered so that _____.

the trailer is high above the fifth wheel

the tractor comes in contact with the nose of the trailer

you are able to use the landing gear to make adjustments

it is slightly raised when the tractor is backed under it

3 / 40

Cylinders containing compressed gases may only be loaded onto a vehicle without a flat floor or platform if the cylinders are:

Loaded in an upright or horizontal position.

All of these answers are correct.

Loaded into racks attached to the vehicle.

In boxes that will keep them from turning over.

4 / 40

Select the correct setup for shut-off valves:

the front shut-off valves are closed and the rear trailer valves are open

the front and back shut-off valves are closed

the front and back shut-off valves are open

the rear shut-off valves are closed and the front trailer valves are open

5 / 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 500 feet.

Do not park within 200 feet.

6 / 40

______is a device that connects the service and emergency air lines between the tractor and trailer.

Top off valves

Relay knife

Glad hands

Service lines

7 / 40

How many seats may be placed in the aisle if the bus is a charter and is carrying agricultural (farm) workers?

8 / 40

How often should you check your cargo?

all of these answers are correct

every 150 miles or every three hours

within the first 50 miles after beginning a trip

after every break you take during driving

9 / 40

Which of the following is NOT an appropriate reason to flash your braking lights?

to warn drivers behind you when you need to slow down

to alert drivers behind you that there are hazards ahead

to signal to tailgaters that they are too close to your vehicle

to warn vehicles approaching you from behind that you are driving slowly

10 / 40

What is the most important reason for doing a school bus inspection?

For safety required by federal, state, and local laws.

To assist the school principal with their report.

To check for flat tires.

To give the mechanic something to do.

11 / 40

Unless you_____you will feel the effects of a liquid surge.

gradually come to a stop

haul thick liquids

make turns carefully and slowly

all answers listed

12 / 40

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

Back toward the side opposite the driver.

Use your head as the mirrors are unreliable.

Back and turn toward the driver's side.

Back quickly while no one is coming.

13 / 40

You should check your tires every ____ or every ____ when driving in very hot weather.

5 hours, 250 miles

1 hour, 50 miles

3 hours, 200 miles

2 hours, 100 miles

14 / 40

Hazardous materials (that are not forbidden) carried on a bus must be:

Carried in a metal box

Stored in the passenger compartment

Labeled

All of these answers are correct

15 / 40

The baffles in a tank trailer help to control:

The movement of liquid from front to back.

The distrubition of weight.

The overall weight of the vehicle.

The flow of liquid side to side.

16 / 40

What must vehicles with air brakes have?

an air pressure gauge that shows the pressure available for braking

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

a minimum of 2 air tanks

all of these answers are correct

17 / 40

You should turn off your engine when loading flammable liquid unless:

You are loading at night and need the headlights.

The material does not need a placard.

You need the engine to run the pump.

You are a non-smoker.

18 / 40

What should you hook up before backing a tractor to a trailer for coupling?

the safety bar

the electrical service line

the service and emergency air lines

there is nothing to be hooked up

19 / 40

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

Bus drivers and driver training.

Vehicles and drivers.

Vehicles and road conditions.

School district policies and police involvement.

20 / 40

What is the value of the overhead rear-view mirror inside of the bus?

To provide visibility directly in the back of the bus.

To monitor passenger activity.

To check blind spots.

To monitor the driver's appearance.

21 / 40

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

Donut tires.

Parking axle tires.

Non-steer axle tires.

Driving axle tires.

22 / 40

If you are carrying Division 1.2 or 1.3 materials, how far away must you park from the traveled portion of the roadway?

At least twenty feet

At least half a mile

At least five feet

At least ten feet

23 / 40

When driving a combination vehicle, the trailer breaks away severing the air lines. The trailer brakes should come on and ____.

the trailer supply valve will remain open

the tractor protection valve will close

the tractor will gain air pressure

the tractor to lose all air pressure in the tanks

24 / 40

Cargo tanks ____.

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

are large drums temporarily attached to a vehicle

are tanks that the military uses to transport hazardous materials

are bulk packagings permanently attached to a vehicle

25 / 40

While completing the 2nd component of the air brake check you are required to turn the electrical power on, begin fanning off the air pressure by rapidly relasing and apply the foot brake and _____.

the tractor protection valve and parking brake valve should pop out before air pressure falls below 60 psi for combination vehicles

a low air warning device should sound before the air pressure drops below 60 psi

a low air warning device should sound before the air pressure drops below 40 psi

none of the answers listed

26 / 40

Air tanks should be drained:

all of these answers are correct

at the end of each shift or day

manually when the automatic devices fail

to prevent sludge from clogginng up the brake system valves

27 / 40

If your engine runs a pump used during delivery of compressed gas, should you turn off the engine before or after unhooking hoses after delivery?

None of these answers are correct.

Turn it off after product transfer, before you unhook the hose.

Turn it off during product transfer, while unhooking the hose.

Turn it off before product transfer, before you hook the hose.

28 / 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 a closed position

in an open position

in a halfway open position

in a 1/3 way open position

29 / 40

On a drawbridge, you do not need to stop, but must slow down and make sure it's safe, when:

There is a traffic light showing green.

Both of these answers are correct.

None of these answers are correct.

The bridge has an attendant or traffic officer who controls traffic whenever the bridge opens.

30 / 40

What will happen right away should the service air line come apart but the emergency line is intact while driving a combination vehicle?

the trailer's air tank will leak through the one line

you will come to a complete stop

the emergency tractor brakes will activate

nothing will occur until you try to use the brakes

31 / 40

The Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG):

Was created by the national department of transportation, so it is used nationwide.

Is studied by emergency personnel to help keep the public safe.

All of these answers are correct.

Contains an index of hazardous material id numbers, which is why you must label things correctly.

32 / 40

What is the earliest way to notice a trailer skid?

you can feel it pulling your steering wheel

you can hear the tires squealing

you can feel a jerk in the back of the tractor

you can see it in your mirrors

33 / 40

What do yo need to do before supplying air to the air tanks of the second trailer?

close the shut off valves at the back of the second trailer and open the shut off valves at the back of the first trailer

open the shut off valves at the back of the second trailer and close the shut off valves at the back of the first trailer

close the shut off valves at the back of the first and second trailer

open the shut off valves at the back of the first and second trailer

34 / 40

Select the statement that best describes what the service line is for.

it is controlled by the foot brake or trailer hand brake and carries air

it is controlled by the trailer hand brake and carries air

it is controlled by the foot brake and carries air

all answers listed

35 / 40

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

Division 62

Division 64

Division 61

Division 63

36 / 40

Surge affects the handling of a tanker by:

Allowing you to take tighter turns.

Increasing the wind drag.

Moving the truck in the direction the liquid flows in.

None of the answers listed.

37 / 40

Placarded vehicles must carry which type of fire extinguisher?

C-D fire extinguisher

Hazmat extinguisher

A-B fire extinguisher

B-C fire extinguisher

38 / 40

Select the true statement about tractor protection valve:

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

it provides the air supply to the brake system

all of these answers are correct

it is closed by the parking brakes

39 / 40

Which of the following is a recommended procedure when unloading the students?

Let the students begin moving to the front of the bus before it's fully stopped to maximize efficiency.

Tell students to remain seated until they are told to exit.

Position yourself outside of the bus in front of crossover mirror to supervise unloading.

Put the transmission in neutral gear and put on the brakes.

40 / 40

You should expect____when backing a tractor under a trailer.

the trailer to lift slightly

the end of the kingpin to be level with the top of the fifth wheel

the trailer to be completely still

the trailer landing gear to be fully extended

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