south carolina
CDL Practice Test

This is a site to help you prepare to take the CDL permit test in South Carolina. You can take these practice test questions as many times as you like, and the site is free to use. The questions on this practice test cover rules from the SC CDL manual. 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

Before backing under the trailer you should______when coupling a tractor and trailer with air lines already connected.

have the trailer brakes off

all answers listed

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

press down on the brake pedal twice

2 / 40

You should check____when loading the small tanks of a cargo tank with bulkheads.

the fuel to air ratio

none of the answers listed

the expansion rate

the weight distribution

3 / 40

The baffles in a tank trailer help to control:

The flow of liquid side to side.

The movement of liquid from front to back.

The distrubition of weight.

The overall weight of the vehicle.

4 / 40

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

Explosives

Flammable liquids

Poisons

Flammable gases

5 / 40

What can side to side surge cause?

A spontaneous combustion.

An increase in speed.

A roll over.

An engine system failure.

6 / 40

You should____to check the free play of manual slack adjusters on S-Cam brakes.

apply the parking brake after stopping on level ground

after parking on a slight grade, release the parking brake, activate the service brakes and check for vehicle movements

drain off air pressure before adjusting after parking on level ground

chock the wheels and release the parking brakes after parking on a level ground

7 / 40

Start by___when coupling.

coupling the tractor to the second trailer

backing the converter dolly under the second trailer

having the second trailer against the dock

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

8 / 40

What handling effect will baffles have?

There will be less of surging front to back.

There will be less side to side surging.

None of the answers listed.

There will be an increase in slow surge.

9 / 40

What are some of the important parts in the steering system?

leaf spring, vehicle frame, torque rod

tie rod, spindle, pitman arm

main spring, axle, spring shackle

rim, lug nuts, tire

10 / 40

Never refuel your bus:

With any of the windows open.

With a higher grade of fuel.

Without a static chain.

In a closed building with passengers on board.

11 / 40

Overhead inside mirror is used to:

Monitor traffic that approaches and enters the blind spot area.

See the area where students exit the bus.

See all of the students.

See the blind spot immediately behind the bus.

12 / 40

How do you supply air to the trailer tanks?

by connecting the service line glad hand

by pushing in the trailer air supply valve

by pulling out the trailer air supply valve

by connecting the red and blue lines

13 / 40

Why is understanding the loading and unloading procedures so critical?

Because many students are killed while getting on and off a school bus each year.

Because only high school students understand how to cross the road.

Because motorists ignore students walking to school.

Because school district officials have the authority to conduct surprise quizzes and you must know the correct answers to keep your job.

14 / 40

Take extra caution when driving smooth bore tanks during:

All answers listed.

Drive down or up an incline.

Driving into the wind.

Stops and starts.

15 / 40

Which of the following is NOT a part of the steering system?

main spring

steering knuckle

tie rod

hydraulic fluid reservoir

16 / 40

Which of the following statements about downshifting is NOT true?

downshift before starting down a hill

downshift before climbing a hill

downshift before entering a curve

downshift when you get to the bottom of a hill

17 / 40

You should_____when an emergency requires you to quickly stop your tanker.

turn off the abs and brace for impact

use the emergency brakes only

use stab or controlled braking

keep a firm pressure on the brake pedal

18 / 40

If hazardous material is spilling from your vehicle, do not move your vehicle:

Any more than 500 feet.

In an upwind direction.

Any more than safety required.

Any more that 450 feet.

19 / 40

Urban mass transit coaches may have a brake and accelerator interlock system. Which of the following statements is true?

The interlock releases when you close the rear door.

Do not use this safety feature in place of the parking brake.

The interlock applies the brakes and holds the throttle in idle position when the rear door is open.

All of these answers are correct.

20 / 40

Select the true statement about double or triple trailers.

they can roll over due to abrupt steering movements

all answers listed

they present a rearward amplification hazard

they can have a dangerous "crack the whip" effect

21 / 40

Which of the following is the most important reason for doing a pre-trip inspection?

to make sure the vehicle will make your destination

because other drivers do it

safety for yourself and other road users

to make sure nothing has been stolen from the vehicle

22 / 40

When inspecting your bus, you must make sure that:

Rider signaling devices are working.

All of these answers are correct.

Every handhold and railing is secure.

Emergency exit handles are secure.

23 / 40

When driving a combination vehicle, the trailer breaks away severing the air lines. The trailer brakes should come on and ____.

the tractor will gain air pressure

the trailer supply valve will remain open

the tractor protection valve will close

the tractor to lose all air pressure in the tanks

24 / 40

Select the true statement about dual air brake systems:

they have a single set of air tanks and hoses

they have one set of controls for two air brake systems

they are required to have two warning alarms

they require less time to build up air pressure

25 / 40

Select the factor that is known to cause brakes to fail or fade. (more than one answer may be correct, but select only one)

when using the engine brake more than the brakes

tire retread that is mismatched

excessive heat from extensive use

brakes that are not aligned properly

26 / 40

Why should you cover cargo?

to protect your cargo from bad weather

to protect individuals from any spilled cargo

all of these answers are correct

because many states require it

27 / 40

You are required to have a tank endorsement when transporting:

Passengers

Bulk fertilizer

Materials that are hazardous

Gas or liquid

28 / 40

A driver of a tank vehicle should take curves, off ramps, and on ramps at a speed lower than the posted speed limit.

True but only in rainy conditions

True

False

True but only in ideal conditions

29 / 40

Select the true statement about handling triples and doubles:

because of the crack the whip effect, the rear trailer of a 100-foot triple is less likely to tip over

triples and doubles handle the same as singles

due to off-tracking, a triple bottom rig can come to a stop faster than a 5-axle tractor

a tip over of the rear trailer can occur due to sudden movements of the steering wheel

30 / 40

Select the true statement in regards to handing triples and doubles

due to off tracking, a triple bottom rig can come to a stop quicker than a 5 axle semi trailer

due to the crack the whip effect, the rear trailer of a 100 foot triple is less likely to tip than a single trailer

a sudden movement of the steering wheel may result in the rear trailer tipping over

none of the answers listed

31 / 40

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

damage could occur to the landing gear

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

the process will be faster and easier

you will have more space to maneuver in the lot

32 / 40

Select the true statement about seeing ahead.

good drivers will shift their attention from far and near and back and forth

many individuals do not look far enough ahead while driving

you should look up to 1/4 mile ahead when driving at highway speeds

all answers listed

33 / 40

What does it mean when the safety valve releases air?

pressure has passed 150 psi

there is too much air in the air compressor

you need it to have it checked out by a mechanic because something is wrong

all of these answers are correct

34 / 40

To test the security of the tractor semi trailer connection you should:

look at it carefully after pulling forward gently in a low gear against the locked trailer brakes

you don't need to check it

with the trailer brakes locked, rock the trailer back and forth

put the tractor in a high gear and quickly pull ahead

35 / 40

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

percentage of water

weight distribution

the fuel to air ratio

percentage of alcohol

36 / 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

on the other side of a divided highway

about 100 feet behind your vehicle

within 10 feet of the front or rear corners

37 / 40

What are slack adjusters?

all of these answers are correct

they are between the push rod on disc brakes and power screw

they are a part of the air brake system that adjusts the brakes

they are between the S-Cam on drum brakes and the push rod

38 / 40

Select the statement that describes smooth bore tanks:

They are divided with holes from liquid to flow through controlling surge.

They are 1 large tank.

None of the answers listed.

They are divided down into smaller tanks.

39 / 40

The best way to go into a curve is to decrease your speed going into the curve and then ____going through it.

none of the answers listed

slightly accelerate

shift down 2 gears

ride the brake

40 / 40

Select the true statement in regards to when a bulk tank vehicle stops at an intersection on a slippery surface:

The liquid may leak out of the tank.

The trailer may slide to the side due to the rocking motion.

The movement of the liquid may push the truck into the intersection.

The trailer may slide into the oncoming traffic.

Your score is

The average score is 0%

5/5 - (1 vote)

CDL Category Practice Tests

CDL Practice Test

How To Get A south carolina Commercial Drivers License

To be eligible for a CDL in South Carolina, applicants must meet the following age eligibility requirements.

Be at least 18 years old to operate a commercial vehicle intrastate (within South Carolina only).
Be at least 21 years old to operate a commercial vehicle interstate (outside of South Carolina).

South Carolina CDL applicants must be certified that they are medically fit enough to operate a commercial vehicle and pass a vision test. Applicants are required to submit the following documents.

(Form MCSA-5876) Medical Examiner’s Certificate
(Form DL-405A) Medical Certification Requirements

Interstate non-excepted (drivers who do not work for the state or federal governments) must meet federal DOT requirements. Intrastate non-excepted drivers must meet the state requirements. Drivers who have had their licenses revoked, suspended, denied or canceled are not eligible for a CDL in South Carolina. Applicants can be disqualified for having multiple licenses.

South Carolina 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

south carolina CDL License Test Tips

All South Carolina CDL applicants must pass the general knowledge test prior to taking the skills test. To pass the South Carolina test, applicants must score 80 percent or higher. Applicants who require additional endorsements must pass additional tests and pay the required fees. The South Carolina skills test can be taken 14 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 currently enlisted in the military.
Possess a valid South Carolina driver’s license.
Have operated a commercial vehicle as part of their military duties.
Have been discharged from the military within the past 12 months.
Submit (Form DL-408A) CDL Skills Test Waiver Application for Military Personnel. The commanding officer must sign this document within 90 days of the CDL application.

Additional Information

Information on the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles

The South Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles administers CDL license requirements in South Carolina. To get more information contact them via:

Website: http://www.scdmvonline.com/Driver-Services/Commercial-Licenses

Phone: 803.896.5000

Additional South Carolina CDL Helpful Links

Please use the links below to access South Carolina CDL testing resources and to learn more about practice driving tests for the state of South Carolina.

south carolina CDL Practice Test

CDL Category Practice Tests

CDL Practice Test

How To Get A south carolina Commercial Drivers License

Hit the Open Road

south carolina CDL License Test Tips

Additional Information

Information on the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles

Additional South Carolina CDL Helpful Links

south carolina
CDL Practice Test