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 should the driver pay special attention to when driving smaller tanks?

All answers listed.

The distrubition of weight.

The high center of gravity.

The level of the fluid.

2 / 40

Which of these statements about signaling is correct?

Signal to others that it is safe to pass your bus.

Signaling is a warning, not a request.

Leave your signal on long after you've changed lanes.

Signal your intentions early and continuously.

3 / 40

Select the true statement:

None of the answers listed.

Lighter vehicles requiring more braking power to stop compared to heavier vehicles.

A "bobtail" tractor will take longer to stop than a combination vehicle that is fully loaded down to the maximum weight.

Wait as long as possible to brake when driving a heavy vehicle.

4 / 40

Air tanks should be drained:

all of these answers are correct

manually when the automatic devices fail

at the end of each shift or day

to prevent sludge from clogginng up the brake system valves

5 / 40

What gauge on the dashboard indicates electrical system charging rate?

The ammeter/voltmeter

The power gauge

The coolant pressure gauge

The air gauge

6 / 40

Most states require school bus drivers to take a physical examination:

Every 2 years

Annually

Twice per year

Every 3 years

7 / 40

This object should be clean with no obstructions, illegal stickers or damage to the glass.

The side mirrors

The lighting indicators

The headlights

The windshield

8 / 40

You should keep a minimum of ____between another vehicle and the double trailer with 100 ft truck driving at 30 mph.

13 seconds

15 seconds

8 seconds

10 seconds

9 / 40

Secure baggage and freight in ways that avoid damage and:

Allow riders to exit by any window or door in an emergency.

Allow the driver to move freely and easily.

All of these answers are correct.

Protect riders from injury if carry-ons fall or shift.

10 / 40

Before backing under the trailer after connecting the air lines you should:

take a walk around the vehicle to make sure it is clear of obstructions

have a random pedestrian direct your path of travel

supply air to the trailer system and then pull the air supply knob out

double check to make sure the trailer brakes are off

11 / 40

Select the true statement in regards to what the fifth wheel should be checked for.

if there is any missing or damaged parts

if it is properly greased

all answers listed

if the jaws are open

12 / 40

Unless you_____you will feel the effects of a liquid surge.

gradually come to a stop

all answers listed

haul thick liquids

make turns carefully and slowly

13 / 40

Which of the following statements about bus evacuation is true?

If time allows, notify the police.

If time allows, backup to the stop before evacuating the bus.

If time allows, notify the dispatcher about evacuation location, conditions, and type of assistance needed.

If time allows, walk through the bus and close all windows.

14 / 40

Always try to back toward the driver's side because

it's more comfortable for turning your neck

your truck will naturally pull toward the driver's side

you can see better, watching the vehicle rear out the side window

all of these answers are correct

15 / 40

In the event of an accident you should remember to do the following EXCEPT:

protect the area

move the victims out of the way immediately

notify authorities

stop any bleeding and keep the victims warm

16 / 40

Should your air compressor stop working:

the brakes will lock up on you immediately

there will still be air pressure left in the air tanks

you will lose your ability to brake immediately

there will be no affect to your brakes

17 / 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 transport index and the separation distances table.

The segregation and separation chart.

The list of hazardous materials and reportable quantities.

The table of hazardous materials.

18 / 40

The best way to have control on curves is:

keep pressure on the brake pedal through the turn

to shift to a lower gear before entering the curve

to decrease to your safe speed before entering the curve and then accelerate through it

you do not need to do anything different

19 / 40

Select the statement that describes how you could damage the landing gear.

have the tractor and trailer aligned

back under the trailer at an angle

back under the trailer in a straight path

have the trailer kingpin centered over the fifth wheel

20 / 40

Do you need to stop before a railroad crossing if you are hauling 100 pounds of Division 4.3 materials?

Yes

Impossible to tell without more information

Only if the arm is down telling vehicles to stop

21 / 40

You should be extra cautious when___while driving a smooth bore tanker combination.

unloading or loading

stopping and starting

driving up a hill

driving down a hill

22 / 40

The two main things to look ahead for while driving are _____.

traffic and road conditions

fire and flooding

truck stops and police

bridges and tunnels

23 / 40

A bus has a GVWR of 22,000 pounds and seats 24 passengers. What CDL class is this vehicle?

Class A

Class B

Class D

Class C

24 / 40

This object should not be spliced, cut, chafed, or worn through to allow steel braid to show.

Mud flaps

The lockjaw

Tires

Electric/air lines

25 / 40

You should____in order to inspect the coupling.

if necessary, use a flashlight

make sure the locking lever is in the open position

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

have the fifth wheel jaws open

26 / 40

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

air brake pressure

oil temperature

oil pressure

blood pressure

27 / 40

Which of the following about the front tires on a commercial bus is true?

Must not have recapped or regrooved tires.

Can be regrooved or recapped as long as they have 4/32 tread depth.

Must not be recapped, but can be regrooved.

Can be recapped, but never regrooved.

28 / 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?

the service brakes will move to a fully applied position

the emergency air line will release air

you should hear air escape from the open valve

none of the answers listed

29 / 40

Which of the following is a reason that shippers package material?

Because it is the shipper's responsibility to determine whether or not a material is hazardous.

All of these answers are correct.

Because it is the shipper's responsibility to correctly label the transport vehicle with precautionary placards.

Because it is the shipper's responsibilty to choose the correct packaging for a material classified as "hazardous".

30 / 40

Drivers who transport route controlled radioactive materials must carry a dated certificate of radioactive materials training. This training must have ocurred within the last:

4 years

2 years

3 years

1 years

31 / 40

What is the purpose of cladding in a tanker?

It controls the temperature of the cargo.

It protects the cargo from changes in temperature.

It eliminates liquid surge.

It protects the tanker form any corrosive cargo.

32 / 40

The best way to describe a dual air brake system is:

there is a primary and secondary system that is 2 separate air brake systems

all of these answers are correct

there are 2 separate air brake systems that supply air to the trailer if there is one

there are 2 separate air brake systems that have their own hoses, lines etc

33 / 40

This item does not need to be checked during the cab check.

The air conditioning

The windshield wipers and fluid levels

The defroster/heater

The horn

34 / 40

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

use stab or controlled braking

maintain pressure on the brake pedal

use only the engine brakes

use the hand valve

35 / 40

Off-tracking happens when going around a corner and:

the front part of the trailer pulls to the right

the rear part of the trailer goes into the shoulder

the rear wheels follow a different pathway than that of the front wheels

the rear wheels follow the front wheels in a straight path

36 / 40

Which of the following should you do when confronted by an aggressive driver?

all of these answers are correct

avoid eye contact

ignore rude gestures and refuse to react negatively

if you can safely do it, call the police from a cell phone

37 / 40

To inspect the______you should pump the pedal 3 times and hold it down for 5 seconds while making sure the pedal doesn't move during those 5 seconds.

air brakes

engine brakes

hydraulic brakes

parking brakes

38 / 40

You must be alert for road hazards so that:

Accident reports will be accurate.

Law enforcement personnel can be called.

You will have time to plan your escape if the hazard becomes an emergency.

You can help impaired drivers.

39 / 40

The object that doesn't get checked at the side of the trailer is the:

Electrical/air connections

The locking pins/tandem release arm

The frame

The landing gear

40 / 40

Two causes of tire fires are ______.

under-inflated tires and duals that touch

hot brakes and under-inflated tires

duals that touch and road debris

under-inflated tires and poor retreads

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