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

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

so you don't lose it

you will need it to inspect the trailer

you will need it to open the side box

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

2 / 40

What can side to side surge cause?

A roll over.

A spontaneous combustion.

An engine system failure.

An increase in speed.

3 / 40

The manual says you should look _____ ahead while driving.

12 to 15 seconds, at highway speeds, about a quarter of a mile

9 to 12 seconds, at highway speeds, about a quarter of a mile

5 to 8 seconds, at highway speeds, about an eighth of a mile

15 to 20 seconds, at highway speeds, about a half of a mile

4 / 40

How should the hand valve be used?

when the trailer is fully loaded down

only in emergency situations

to test the trailer brakes

only in conjuction with the foot brake

5 / 40

Which of the following is NOT something you need to know in order to determine if you need to use placards?

The amount of a substance or material being shipped.

The amount of all hazardous materials of all classes in your vehicle.

The manufacturing date for the materials.

The substance or material's hazard class.

6 / 40

If you must stop on the shoulder of the road, you should place warning devices at all of the following places except...

about 100 feet in front of your vehicle

about 100 feet behind your vehicle

within 10 feet of the front or rear corners

on the other side of a divided highway

7 / 40

One reason hauling liquids in tank vehciles require special care is:

Because of the movement of the liquid.

Because of strong winds.

Because of uneven expansion.

Because of the extreme weight.

8 / 40

A slack adjuster is:

a lever that connects the return spring and the brake chamber push rod

a lever that connects the brake drum to the brake shoe

a lever that connects the brake camshaft with the brake chamber

a lever that connects the brake chamber push rod with the foundation brake camshaft

9 / 40

What color and shape is the trailer air supply control?

it is a square knob that is red

it is a square knob that is yellow

it is an 8-sided knob that is red

it is a triangle-shaped knob that is red

10 / 40

To avoid rollover when going through a curve, the best thing to do is:

Pump the brakes through the curve.

Drive at a speed higher than the posted speed limit.

Drive at a speed below the posted speed limit.

Ride the brakes through the curve.

11 / 40

Select which is not a mandatory emergency equipment:

A rated and properly charged fire extinguisher.

6 fuses, 3 red reflective triangles, or 3 liquid burning flares.

Tire changing equipment.

Extra electrical fuses.

12 / 40

The CDL manual indicates the last step on picking up students at the bus stop is as follows:

Make a final check to confirm all traffic stops before opening the bus door and signaling students to approach.

Activate the amber flashing caution lights to warn vehicles that the bus will stop to load passengers soon.

Place transmission in park or neutral and set parking brake.

Open the service door just enough to activate the alternating red light when traffic is in a safe distance from the bus.

13 / 40

Which of the following is NOT an acceptable type of marking for hazardous materials?

Descriptive name in roman print

Name in italics

Identification number

Un marks

14 / 40

How do you test the trailer service brakes?

apply pressure to the brake pedal

release air to the spring brakes

apply the hand control and check to see if you feel the trailer brakes come on

test the brakes out while driving at 5 mph

15 / 40

This item should be firmly attached the to frame, be solid, and clear of objects:

None of these answers are correct answers are correct

The catwalk

The locking jaw

The lock pins

16 / 40

Suspension systems:

keep the brake drums from failing

keep the load secure

keep the axles in place

keep the steering wheel tight

17 / 40

The front trailer supports should be____before driving away.

raised 1/3 of the way with the crank handle secured in its bracket

raised 1/2 way with the crank handle secured in its bracket

3 turns down from the top and the crank handle secured in its bracket

raised fully and the crank handle secured in its bracket

18 / 40

Check to ensure that____when inspecting the coupling.

the landing gear handle is free to hang down

the electrical cable is unplugged

there is no slack at all in the air lines

there is minimal slack in the air lines

19 / 40

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

weight distribution

the fuel to air ratio

percentage of alcohol

percentage of water

20 / 40

What handling effect will baffles have?

There will be an increase in slow surge.

There will be less side to side surging.

There will be less of surging front to back.

None of the answers listed.

21 / 40

The safety valve is usually set to open at:

75 psi

150 psi

125 psi

225 psi

22 / 40

A disruptive passenger:

Is not your responsibility.

May be thrown off the bus.

Should not be allowed on the bus.

Should not be discharged where it would be unsafe for them.

23 / 40

Select the true statement in regards to large combination vehicles taking longer to stop.

they take longer to stop when they are empty

they take the same amount of time to stop when empty or loaded

they take longer to stop than bobtail tractors

they take longer to stop when loaded down

24 / 40

Which of the following is a necessary qualification for non-bulk packaging?

Maximum water capacity of 454 kg or less if used as a receptacle for gases.

All of these answers are necessary qualifications.

Maximum net mass of 400 kg, or less than 450 l if used as a receptacle for a solid.

A maximum capacity of 450 l or less if it is used as a receptacle for liquids.

25 / 40

Make sure that_____before you back under a trailer.

the air supply knob has been pulled out

the air brakes are in an off position

the trailer brakes have been locked

the air supply knob has been pushed it

26 / 40

What is the normal operating range for a truck's oil pressure?

30-75 psi

This is engine-specific

40-60 psi

20-30 psi

27 / 40

Which of the following statements about special danger of loading and unloading is true?

Students should be told to pick up any dropped objects as long as it is not under the bus.

Students should be told to leave any dropped objects and move to the point of safety out of danger and get the driver's attention to retrieve the object.

Students should be told not to use the handrails when exiting the bus due to the possibility of causing a clothing hang up.

Students should be told to remain seated while the bus is in motion.

28 / 40

Students exit the bus and walk:

At least 10 feet away from the side of the bus.

At least 8 feet away from the side of the bus.

The distance it takes to clear the danger zone.

Across the street.

29 / 40

Where are shut-off valves located?

at the back of the trailer

at the front and back of the trailer

either at the front or the back of the trailer

at the front of the trailer

30 / 40

If a rider wants to bring a car battery or a can of gasoline or kerosene aboard your bus, you should:

Put the materials in the bus's "safe box".

Instruct the rider to sit next to an open window.

Have the rider pay a second fare.

Not allow the rider to do it.

31 / 40

Which of the following statements about overhead space is true?

warning lights are always installed on low bridges and overpasses

athe heights posted at bridges are usually accurate

an empty van is lower than a loaded one

the weight of the cargo changes a truck's height

32 / 40

Select the two reasons as to why special care is needed when driving a tank vehicle:

None of the answers listed.

The danger of surge and the low center of gravity.

The danger of surge and the high center of gravity.

The chance of rollover and of spontaneous combustion.

33 / 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 list of hazardous materials and reportable quantities.

The table of hazardous materials.

The segregation and separation chart.

The transport index and the separation distances table.

34 / 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

35 / 40

You don't want to use wheel chocks when hooking a combination to a second trailer with no spring brakes. What should you do?

make sure the trailer will not roll away when coupling

use a portable generator to supply brake pressure

supply air to the trailer air system via the tractor and then disconnect the emergency line

none of the answers listed

36 / 40

To test the tractor-trailer connection for security, you should:

rock the trailer side to side with the trailer brakes on

drive forward in a high gear with the trailer brakes on and check it

drive forward with a sharp jerk

drive forward in a low gear with the trailer brakes locked and then look at it carefully

37 / 40

What color are all school buses painted?

The individual district decides the exact color.

National school bus yellow.

Florescent yellow.

Orange yellow.

38 / 40

What is the correct number of red reflective triangles that you should carry?

one

seven

three

five

39 / 40

A placard is required for a combustible liquid at?

Any amount

100 gallons

110 gallons

1,001 pounds or more

40 / 40

What do you check when doing a visual inspection of the coupling?

none of the answers listed

that the locking jaw is open around the kingpin and that there is some space between the lower and upper fifth wheel

the locking jaw is closed around the kingpin and there is no space beween the lower and upper fifth wheel

that the locking jaw is closed around the kingpin and that there is no space between the upper and lower fifth wheel

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