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

You are driving a 60 foot truck at 55 MPH, how much space (in seconds) should you keep in front of you?

7 seconds

6 seconds

5 seconds

8 seconds

2 / 40

Remember to____when connecting the converter dolly to the rear trailer.

all answers listed

check the trailer height

lock the trailer brakes

ensure that the landing gear is slighty off of the ground

3 / 40

Why is it dangerous to unlock the pintle hook with the dolly still under the rear trailer?

the spring brakes may release

the dolly tow bar may fly up

the fifth wheel may be misaligned

the kingpin may snap in half

4 / 40

When is it best to wear your seat belt?

Always.

Only if your bus holds more than 27 people.

Only if required by company policy.

Only when you will be driving over 35 mph.

5 / 40

What should you do if you start a trailer skid?

release the brakes to get traction back

slowly apply a firm pressure to the brakes

use your trailer hand brake

quickly step on the brakes

6 / 40

Which of the following statements is FALSE:

Do not transport intoxicated passengers.

Do not tow or push a disabled bus with riders aboard either vehicle, unless getting off the bus would be unsafe.

Avoid fueling your bus with riders on board unless absolutely necessary. never refuel in a closed building with riders on board.

Do not talk with riders or engage in any other distracting activity while driving.

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?

Send someone for help with all the necessary information.

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

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

Keep driving for help as quickly as possible.

8 / 40

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

in the unlatched position

in a halfway open position

in the latched position

removed from the dolly

9 / 40

Select the true statement in regards to a converter dolly:

it is a connecting device consisting of one axle which disconnects a semitrailer combination vehicle converting it into two separate trailers

it is a coupling device with one or two axles and a fifth wheel with which a semitrailer can be coupled to the rear of a tractor-trailer combination forming a double bottom rig

it is a coupling device with only two axles and a sixth wheel to which a semitrailer can be coupled to the rear of a tractor-trailer combination forming a double bottom rig

none of the answers listed

10 / 40

For what reason do you keep the starter switch key in your pocket during the pre-trip inspection?

you will need it to inspect the trailer

you will need it to open the side box

so you don't lose it

so no one moves the vehicle while you are inspecting underneath it

11 / 40

Start by___when coupling.

backing the converter dolly under the second trailer

having the second trailer against the dock

coupling the tractor to the second trailer

coupling the converter hook to the pintle tongue of the first trailer

12 / 40

To transport cargo safely, which of these are you NOT responsible for?

making sure that cargo is properly secured

inspecting the cargo

recognizing possible overloads

ensuring the freshness of sealed cargo

13 / 40

Front wheel brakes are good under what kind of conditions?

icy or wet conditions

any weather conditons

ideal weather conditions

they are not ideal

14 / 40

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

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

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

Never drive with an open emergency exit door or window.

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

15 / 40

The act of operating a motor vehicle in a selfish, bold, or pushy manner, without regard for the rights or safety of others is known as.

distracted driving

defensive driving

aggressive driving

road rage

16 / 40

Who is responsible for certifying on the bills of lading that the hazardous materials are prepared properly?

The carrier

The dock workers

The driver

The shipper

17 / 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 a runaway trailer

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

18 / 40

Select the true statement about speed and stopping distance.

You need two times the stopping distance when driving at 40 mph compared to 20 mph.

When the road is wet it will double your stopping distance.

None of these answers are correct.

Tank surge will decrease your stopping distance.

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

the brake pedal flops to the cabin floor

your speed increases when pressure is removed from the brake pedal

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

20 / 40

Select the statement that is not part of the air-brake system:

service brake system

clutch brake system

parking brake system

emergency brake system

21 / 40

A drawbridge does not have a traffic light showing green or a traffic control attendant. How many feet before the draw of a bridge must a bus driver stop?

At least 50 feet.

At least 100 feet.

At least 25 feet.

At least 75 feet.

22 / 40

Which of the following is the proper definition of a cargo tank?

A bulk container which can be securely affixed to a vehicle.

A bulk container not permanently attached to a vehicle.

A bulk container permanently attached to a vehicle.

None of these answers are correct.

23 / 40

Tires should should be replaced:

when there are broken valve stems

when the tread separates

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

all of these answers are correct

24 / 40

How often should you check the tires on a placarded trailer that has dual tires?

Once every three hours.

Once every 100 miles.

Start of each day and every time you stop.

Each time you stop.

25 / 40

Where are shut off valves located on trailers that are doubles or triples?

on service air lines

on emergency and service air lines

on parking brake lines

on emergency air lines

26 / 40

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

Coolant

Gas tank

Voltmeter/ammeter

Oil pressure

27 / 40

Select the correct setup for shut-off valves:

the front and back shut-off valves are closed

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

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

the front and back shut-off valves are open

28 / 40

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

Any one of the above.

Have the hazardous materials highlighted.

Describe the hazardous materials first.

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

29 / 40

What should you do if the low air pressure warning comes on for only one system in a truck or bus that has a dual air brake system?

decrease your speed and test the other system

continue on with your trip

stop and safely park your vehicle only continue once the issue has been resolved

decrease your speed and head to the closest mechanic

30 / 40

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

air brake pressure

oil pressure

oil temperature

blood pressure

31 / 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

500 pounds

100 pounds

250 pounds

32 / 40

Select the true statement about stop valves in a cargo tank:

They protect the piping and tank during rear end collisions.

They will fall off in an emergency.

They will close in an emergency.

They are manually operated.

33 / 40

Select the true statement in regards to driving a truck with triple or double trailers:

all answers listed

extra care should be taken when driving in bad weather and in the mountains

the truck requires increased following distance compared to smaller vehicles

the risk of trailer jackknifes and tipping is increased compared to shorter trucks

34 / 40

Which of the following three hazard classes should NOT be placed into a temperature-controlled trailer (one with a heater/air conditioner unit)?

Classes 1, 3, and 6

Classes 1, 4, and 51

Classes 1, 21, and 3

Classes 1, 3, and 4

35 / 40

A shipment described on the Hazardous Waste Manifest may only be delivered to another _______ carrier or treatment facility, who then signs the ______, giving you a copy which you must keep.

licensed, manifest

registered, uniform hazardous waste manifest

responsible, papers

trucking, uniform hazardous waste manifest

36 / 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

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

watch the air gauge for a drop of 30 psi

37 / 40

When driving in very hot temperatures, you should:

insure that you have enough antifreeze in the system

check your tires every 2 hours or every 100 miles

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

all of these answers are correct

38 / 40

The direction of liquid movement not prevented by baffles is:

None of the answers listed.

Side to side.

Back to front.

Bottom to top.

39 / 40

What is the brake system that applies and releases the brakes when the brake pedal is used?

none of the answers listed

lock brake system

engine brake system

service brake system

40 / 40

To prevent a roll over a driver can 1) keep the cargo as low to the ground as possible and 2) _____.

drive while intoxicated

have the fifth wheel's free play as tight as possible

have the brakes properly adjusted

take turns slowly

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