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

Which of the following types of cargo can never be carrier on a bus with riders?

Emergency tear gas.

Emergency drug shipments.

Emergency hospital supplies.

Small arms ammunition (orm-d).

2 / 40

What is the standee line?

A 2 inch line on the floor that all passengers must stay behind.

A line at the back of the bus where passengers must stand before exiting.

A line around each seat to help each passenger have a little personal space.

A 2 inch line down the aisle to help keep passenger traffic flowing.

3 / 40

At 55 miles-per-hour it takes about 6 seconds to stop a fully loaded truck and the braking distance is:

about the length of a football field or 100 yards

about two truck lengths

about 1/4 mile

about two car lengths

4 / 40

Select the true statement:

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

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

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

None of the answers listed.

5 / 40

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

They are manually operated.

They will close in an emergency.

They protect the piping and tank during rear end collisions.

They will fall off in an emergency.

6 / 40

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

have the tractor and trailer aligned

back under the trailer in a straight path

back under the trailer at an angle

have the trailer kingpin centered over the fifth wheel

7 / 40

Your rig should be parked on__to uncouple double trailers.

the company's lot

level ground

a downgrade

grass

8 / 40

What is the main difference between a portable tank and a cargo tank?

Portable tanks must additionally show the owner or lessee's name on them.

All of these answers are correct.

Cargo tanks are permanently attached, portable tanks are temporarily attached.

Cargo tanks are filled while on the vehicle, portable tanks are filled while off the vehicle.

9 / 40

Who is responsible for packaging, labeling, and preparing the hazardous material shipping papers for a common carrier?

Your spouse

The carrier

The driver

The shipper

10 / 40

Which of the following is something the driver must watch for:

All of these answers are correct.

Appropriate clearance around and over the bus.

Poles and tree limbs at stops.

Gaps your bus needs to accelerate and merge with traffic.

11 / 40

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

you would have to get a CDL with a restriction otherwise

it is a federal requirement

you cannot receive a CDL at all otherwise

all trucks have air brakes

12 / 40

What are spring brakes?

they are big springs with air pressure in them if the air pressure decreases, the brakes are applied

they are large springs that are held closed by air pressure if the air pressure is increased the brakes are applied

none of the answers listed

they are powerful springs that are restrained by air pressure when the air pressure is removed, the brakes are applied

13 / 40

Where can you find a shipper’s certification?

It is a separate document that all hazmat drivers must keep in their vehicles.

On the original shipping paper.

On all packages.

There is no such thing.

14 / 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?

They should never pop out

20 psi

40 psi

70 psi

15 / 40

The sliding mechanism and locking device for a tandem axle on trailers is:

Suspension system

Apron

Metal frame

Locking pins/tandem release arm

16 / 40

Select the true statement in regards to empty trucks:

they are easier to stop because there isn't cargo shifting in the trailer

they may have poor traction due to bouncing and wheel lockup

they require a shorter stopping distance than a fully loaded trailer

none of the answers listed

17 / 40

What should you do if you start a trailer skid?

slowly apply a firm pressure to the brakes

release the brakes to get traction back

quickly step on the brakes

use your trailer hand brake

18 / 40

It takes special care to drive tankers with liquid in them because:

The movement of the liquid even when the truck is stopped.

The low center of gravity of the load.

The baffles create odd rocking motions.

The high center of gravity of the load.

19 / 40

If there is not a sight glass to check the oil level you are required to look for leaks around the _____.

transmission

wheel rims

axle seals/hub oil

brake pads

20 / 40

Which of the following factors is NOT used to determine your safe speed when going down a long steep downgrade?

weather

length and steepness of grade

time of day

total weight of the vehicle and cargo

21 / 40

Under which two special conditions should you downshift?

if there is an accident and in sudden heavy rain

before starting down a hill and before going up a hill

before entering a curve and before going up a hill

before starting down a hill and before entering a curve

22 / 40

The most stable tanker shape is:

Square

Elliptical

Cylindrical

Round

23 / 40

You can be sure air is supplied to the second trailer by:

going to the rear of the second trailer and open the emergency line shut off

watch the air gauge for a drop of 30 psi

you should get out and listen for air flowing through the lines

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

24 / 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 to remain seated while the bus is in motion.

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

25 / 40

The interlock system for the brake and accelerator on a transit coach may be used:

All of these answers are correct.

As a safety feature when the exit door is open.

To replace the parking brake.

To replace the rear door emergency buzzer.

26 / 40

What is the best way to figure out how many seconds of following distance you have?

text a friend and tell them to text you back in ten seconds and see how long that seemed to take compared to how far you traveled

use the stopwatch on your phone to try to determine how long before you reach a mile marker after the car in front of you appeared to reach it

get 1/4 closer to the car in front of you, then back off again multiply how long this took you by 4 for following distance

wait until a vehicle passes a shadow or landmark, then count the seconds until you pass it

27 / 40

You need to raise the landing gear just to the height of where it clears the pavement before driving.

only in ideal conditions

only in raining conditions

true

false

28 / 40

A safe haven is:

A place to stay once you have reported your company for illegal activity.

A place where it is safe to dump any kind of hazardous materials.

A place that has been approved to park unattended vehicles carrying explosives.

The slang term for the last stop at the end of your driving day when carrying hazardous materials.

29 / 40

The safety catch for the fifth wheel locking lever must be ____ for a coupling to be complete.

above the locking lever

below the locking lever

threaded through the locking lever

sticking straight up

30 / 40

On the Hazardous Materials Table, column 1 shows:

How much of the material can be put in a vehicle without placarding.

What materials can be loaded together.

To what shipping mode the information on that line applies.

How to ship an item.

31 / 40

You should never brake and should rely only steering inputs to avoid a crash while driving a tanker truck.

False

True, but only on downgrades

True

True, but only in ideal conditions

32 / 40

Animals and human foodstuffs should not be loaded in the same vehicle with?

Flammable gases

Explosives

Flammable liquids

Poisons

33 / 40

Your vehicle is going down a long hill and your brakes begin to fail. What should you do?

put the gears in neutral

downshift

pump the brake pedal

look for an escape ramp or an escape route

34 / 40

What are some things you should check on the front of your vehicle when doing the walk-around inspection?

tires, steering parts, suspension parts, headlights

low beams, high beams, four way flashers, turn signals

oil, transmission, air compressor, radiator

windshield, wipers, mirrors, hood latches

35 / 40

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

To decease heat and noise.

To make sure the electrical connections are good.

To prevent any steering problems.

To make sure that uncoupling easier.

36 / 40

You should adjust all the outside left and right side convex mirrors to see:

The right and left front tires touching the ground.

The entire area to the rear of the mirror along the side of the bus.

The children's exit path out of the main bus door.

200 feet behind the bus.

37 / 40

A commercial motor vehicle (CMV) is defined as:

all of these answers are correct

a vehicle with a gross weight over 26,001 lbs

a vehicle transporting 16 or more passengers

a vehicle transporting hazardous materials

38 / 40

Spring brakes are usually held back by_____during normal driving.

air pressure

pressure of the spring

clamps

heat

39 / 40

When checking for_____you are looking for dripping fluids or puddles on the ground below the transmission or engine.

coolant level

air brake system

leaks

power steering fluid

40 / 40

Your vehicle is going down a long hill and your brakes begin to fail. What should you do?

downshift

look for an escape ramp or an escape route

pump the brake pedal

put the gears in neutral

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