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 are shippers trying to accomplish when they package the material?

Make it easy to open and close.

Make it as light as possible.

All of these answers are correct.

Make it easy to identify.

2 / 40

While completing the 3rd component of the air brake check of a combination vehicle, at what psi should the tracor protection valve and parking brake valve should pop out?

40 psi

20 psi

70 psi

They should never pop out

3 / 40

A driver that hauls hazardous materials must attend training every:

None of these answers are correct

3 years

1 year

2 years

4 / 40

Why are you required to take an exam about air brakes?

all trucks have air brakes

you would have to get a CDL with a restriction otherwise

you cannot receive a CDL at all otherwise

it is a federal requirement

5 / 40

What do you do first during step 3 of starting the engine and inspecting the inside of the cab?

Make sure the parking brake is activated after getting in the cab.

Shift the gear to neutral.

Listen for any unsual noises after starting the engine.

Start the engine after getting in the cab.

6 / 40

Within 3 minutes, this gauge pressure should build to 90 psi from 50 psi.

Coolant pressure gauge

Oil pressure gauge

Voltmeter gauge

Air pressure gauge

7 / 40

Your bus starts to lean toward the outside on a banked curve, you are:

Driving with bad tires.

Driving too fast.

Driving in the mountains.

Driving on a wet surface.

8 / 40

As the driver of a bus, how can you best avoid hindering other traffic on the highway?

By never passing.

By driving faster than the other traffic.

By staying in the right lane if you can.

By passing only the slowest vehicles.

9 / 40

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

1 hour, 50 miles

2 hours, 100 miles

3 hours, 200 miles

5 hours, 250 miles

10 / 40

Select the true statement about empty trucks:

They can take longer to stop than a truck with a full tank.

They come to a stop faster when you use only the emergency brake.

They have better traction on wet roads than full tanks.

All answers listed.

11 / 40

Why is the proper adjustment and use of all mirrors so vital to the safe operation of the school bus?

In order to clear up blind spots around the bus.

In order to observe the danger zones around the bus and look for the students, traffic, and other objects in this area.

In order to observe the danger zones around the bus.

In order to see if small vehicles are driving in the bus blind spots.

12 / 40

Suspension systems:

keep the axles in place

keep the steering wheel tight

keep the brake drums from failing

keep the load secure

13 / 40

Select the statement that best describes what the trailer air supply control does:

when pulled out it supplies the trailer with air and when pushed in it shuts off the air and puts on the trailer emergency brakes

when pushed in it supplies the tractor with air and when pulled out it supplies the trailer with air

when pushed in it supplies the trailer with air and when you pull it out it shuts off the air supply and puts on the trailer emergency brakes

when pushed it it supplies the trailer with air and when pulled out it supplies the tractor with air

14 / 40

What can you do at an accident site to help avoid another accident?

have a drink to calm your nerves

leave your vehicle, do nothing, and get to higher ground

stay in your vehicle and do nothing until help arrives

put out warning devices so people don't run into the accident site

15 / 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 4 lbs in a minute while holding it down for a full minute in a combination vehicle

both of the answers listed

none of the answers listed

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

16 / 40

If you are required to stop at railroad crossings, you must:

Remember to never shift gears while crossing tracks.

Proceed only when you are sure no train is coming.

All of these answers are correct.

Stop 15 to 50 feet before the nearest rail.

17 / 40

A vehicle placarded for Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 explosives:

May never be parked on private property.

May not be parked on the cosignee's property.

May be left unattended in a safe haven.

May never be left unattended under any condition.

18 / 40

The trailer should be lowered so that _____.

you are able to use the landing gear to make adjustments

the tractor comes in contact with the nose of the trailer

the trailer is high above the fifth wheel

it is slightly raised when the tractor is backed under it

19 / 40

Which trailer is most likely to tip over due to the crack the whip effect?

the first trailer of a triples

the last trailer of a double

the heaviest trailer

the last trailer of a triple

20 / 40

When conducting a pre-trip inspection, the most important item to verify is _____.

that the radio transmits a signal

that there are no leaks in the air brake system

that the tire tread is sufficient for the expected driving conditions

that the registration is in the cup holder

21 / 40

What is a supply pressure gauge used for?

it tells you how much slack is in the slack adjusters

it tells you how much pressure is in the air lines

it tells you how much pressure is in the air tanks

all of these answers are correct

22 / 40

The Emergency Response Guide, ERG, can best be explained as _____.

a guidebook for firefighters, police, industry workers, truck drivers, dock workers, and shippers on how to protect themselves and the public from hazardous materials

a guide explaining what materials can be hauled together in the same vehicle and a guidebook for firefighters, police, and industry workers on how to protect themselves and the public from hazardous materials

a guide explaining what materials can be hauled together in the same vehicle

none of these answers are correct

23 / 40

Your engine runs a pump when you are delivering compressed gas. Should you turn off your engine before or after you unhook the hoses after finishing that delivery?

Turn it off before unhooking.

Turn it off on arrival—use other power to run the pump.

Turn if off after unhooking.

Leave it on the entire time.

24 / 40

What should you do if you start a trailer skid?

release the brakes to get traction back

quickly step on the brakes

use your trailer hand brake

slowly apply a firm pressure to the brakes

25 / 40

What is most likely to occur when driving a tanker truck and the front wheels begin to skid?

The surge will disconnect the tank from the truck.

No matter how you steer, you will continue in a straight line.

Nothing will occur.

The tank will roll over.

26 / 40

When transporting both hazardous and non hazardous materials, your bills must:

Have the hazardous materials highlighted.

Describe the hazardous materials first.

Any one of the above.

Identify the materials by the letter x or rq in the hm column.

27 / 40

Select the true statement in regards to as why you should make sure the fifth wheel plate is greased as recommended:

To prevent any steering problems.

To make sure the electrical connections are good.

To make sure that uncoupling easier.

To decease heat and noise.

28 / 40

How do you make sure the trailer height is correct before coupling?

visually check that the rear trailer is lower than the fifth wheel so that the trailer raises slightly when the dolly is pushed under it

visually check that they are level height wise

you do not need to do a visual check

visually check that the lead trailer is higher than the fifth wheel so that the trailer will lower when the dolly is pushed under it

29 / 40

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

Every six hours.

Every 200 miles.

Every two hours or 100 miles.

Twice every day.

30 / 40

Cargo tanks ____.

are tanks that the military uses to transport hazardous materials

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

are bulk packagings permanently attached to a vehicle

are large drums temporarily attached to a vehicle

31 / 40

Select the false statement about tractor protection valves.

the trailer air supply valve in the cab controls it

should the trailer air leak, it keeps the air in the tractor

air is allowed to leak from the tractor line when it is closed

if the air pressure is low it will automatically close

32 / 40

This carries hydraulic fluid or air to the wheel brake assemby.

Brake drums

Slack pieces

Connector rods

Brake lines/hoses

33 / 40

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

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

damage could occur to the landing gear

you will have more space to maneuver in the lot

the process will be faster and easier

34 / 40

This object should not be damaged, bent, or rusted through and be evenly centered with the tires and dual wheels evenly separated.

Lug bolts

All answers listed

Tire rims

Budd spacing or spacers

35 / 40

On a bus, you may sometimes haul small-arms ammunition, emergency shipments of drugs, or hospital supplies. The total weight of all such hazardous materials must not be greater than:

300 pounds

100 pounds

250 pounds

500 pounds

36 / 40

Select the step that comes first:

apply a firm pressure to the trailer brakes

lower the landing gear

shift into reverse

connect the air supply lines

37 / 40

The air leakage rate for a combination vehicle should not exceed ____psi a minute.

38 / 40

The school bus driver may be the only contact person from school system some parents meet. The percentage of such parents is as high as:

0.85

0.72

0.5

0.65

39 / 40

The best way to test if the spring brakes come on automatically is to:

apply pressure on and off the brake pedal until the parking valve pops out on single vehicles

all of these answers are correct

apply pressure on and off the brake pedal until the manufacturer's low psi specification has been met for the spring brakes to deploy

apply pressure on and off the brake pedal until the parkng brake valve pops out on tractor-trailer vehicles

40 / 40

The walls that separate compartments inside the tanks and having openings at the top and bottom are called:

Bulktears

Free walls

Layers

Baffles

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