tennessee
CDL Practice Test

This is a practice test site for helping you earn your CDL in Tennessee. Rules and regulations covered on these practice tests are based on the Tennessee CDL Manual. You can take these practice tests as many times as you like as the site is free to use. 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

Select which vehicles are required to have a low air pressure warning signal:

all operating vehicles with air brakes

they are optional

all vehicles built after 2010

all vehicles built after 2005

2 / 40

Select the true statement in regards to the braking power of spring brakes.

it depends on the adjustment of the service brakes

braking power can only be tested by licensed mechanics

the braking prower increases when the brakes are hot

it will not be affect by the condition of the service brakes

3 / 40

A truck with baffles will handle:

The same as a tanker with no baffles.

With less front to back surge compared to trailers without baffles.

Heavier that it actually is.

None of the answers listed.

4 / 40

Do empty trucks have the best braking?

yes, but only if the truck is newer than 1998

yes

yes, but only on wet surfaces

5 / 40

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

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

Place transmission in park or neutral and set parking brake.

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.

6 / 40

The _____of the kingpin has the locking jaw close around it.

shank

apex

tip

dull section

7 / 40

What are slack adjusters?

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

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

all of these answers are correct

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

8 / 40

It is very important that you never smoke around which hazard classes?

It is ok to smoke anywhere.

Explosives, flammable gas, oxidizers, flammable solids, flammable liquids.

Corrosive, radioactive, dangerous, slippery when wet, inhalation.

All hazard classes.

9 / 40

The most dangerous time during the school bus ride is:

When the students become unruly on the bus.

When loading and unloading students.

On long bus journeys.

Crossing railway crossing.

10 / 40

Select the true statement about handling triples and doubles:

triples and doubles handle the same as singles

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

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

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

11 / 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, 4, and 51

Classes 1, 3, and 6

Classes 1, 21, and 3

Classes 1, 3, and 4

12 / 40

The trailer height is correct for connecting a converter dolly to a second or third trailer when:

the center of the kingpin is past the locking jaw

the trailer will rise slightly when the converter dolly is backed underneath it

all answers listed

the kingpin is over the fifth wheel

13 / 40

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

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.

The right and left front tires touching the ground.

14 / 40

Vehicle handling can become unsafe if the weight is not properly balanced. Hard steering can be caused by:

high center of gravity

too little weight on the driving axles

under loaded front axles

too much weight on the steering axles

15 / 40

If you are already carrying 100 pounds of silver cyanide, what precautions must you take if you are given papers at a dock to carry 100 cartons of battery acid?

Make sure the silver cyanide is loaded on top of the battery acid.

Make sure the battery acid is loaded on top of the silver cyanide.

Inform someone and not load the battery acid.

Make sure there is plenty of space between the two.

16 / 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".

Have the rider pay a second fare.

Not allow the rider to do it.

Instruct the rider to sit next to an open window.

17 / 40

Is it important to look into the back of the fifth wheel to see if the lockpin is locked in?

yes

only every 7 days

only at the end of the shift

18 / 40

Select the factor that has no effect on how much liquid you can carry:

The density of the liquid.

How much the liquid will expand in transport.

The liquid's weight.

The legal amount of weight you can carry of any particular liquid.

19 / 40

Select the statement that best explains the "crack-the-whip" effect.

it is when you make a sudden movement of the steering wheel or a quick lane change and the rear trailer tends to swing out. The force of the rear trailer becomes amplified, which will cause it to roll over (rearward amplification).

it is when the trailer is half full with the cargo loaded in the front half of the trailer. When you make a sudden movement of your steering wheel the cargo will forcefully slide towards the back of the trailer which will force the trailer to roll over.

it is when you make a sudden movement of the steering wheel or a quick lane change and the tractor tends to rock and sway. The velocity of the rearmost trailer forces the tractor to roll over before the trailer.

it is when the trailer is half full with the cargo loaded in the rear half of the trailer. When you make a sudden movement of your steering wheel the cargo will forcefully slide towards the back of the trailer which will force the trailer to roll over.

20 / 40

You should place the starter switch key into your pocket while you are performing the pre-trip inspection because:

all of these answers are correct

someone could steal the truck

it could damage the starting mechanism

someone could start and move the truck

21 / 40

Select the true statement in regards to unhooking the pintle hook while the converter dolly is still under the trailer.

this is not recommended as it could could cause damage to the pintle hook

this is recommended because it keeps the trailer from tipping over

this is not recommended because it may result in injury

this is recommended as it is standard procedure

22 / 40

Class A explosives must not be transported in a combination vehicle if the vehicle includes:

A 200 inch wheelbase trailer.

Two or more trailers.

None of these answers are correct.

A placarded cargo tank.

23 / 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

24 / 40

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

recognizing possible overloads

making sure that cargo is properly secured

ensuring the freshness of sealed cargo

inspecting the cargo

25 / 40

When fueling a placarded vehicle, someone must always be:

At the emergency power shut off for the pump.

At the nozzle, controlling the fuel flow.

Be at the rear most corner on the vehicle.

Within 10 feet of the pump with a fire extinguisher.

26 / 40

When approaching railroad tracks, stop your bus:

15 and 50 feet before railroad crossings.

On the tracks so you can see if the train is coming.

Only if you have manual transmission, then proceed with flashers on.

5-10 feet before railroad tracks.

27 / 40

If you have riders on board, you must never refuel:

Unless on a scenic tour bus.

With any window open.

At any time.

In a closed building.

28 / 40

Which of the following types of emergency equipment must you have on your bus?

Spare electric fuses, fire extinguisher, and accident reporting kit.

Reflectors, fire extinguisher, and accident reporting kit.

Fire extinguisher, spare electric fuses, and reflectors.

Hydraulic jack, fire extinguisher, and signal flares.

29 / 40

How do you release the dolly brakes when coupling twin trailers?

by charging the air line

by opening the shut off valve

by opening the air tank petcock

by flushing the brake line

30 / 40

Select the true statement in regards to converter dollies:

they typically do not have spring brakes

they typically have small braking power because of their size

they typically have a lot of stopping power because of their size

they typically require a hand converter

31 / 40

Which of the following statements about loading and unloading cargo tanks is false?

The person in attendance must be aware of the danger.

The person attending the tanker must have a clear view of it.

The person in attendance must be within 50 ft of the tanker.

The person in attendance must be authorized and able to move the vehicle.

32 / 40

What must vehicles with air brakes have?

an air pressure gauge that shows how much air is used by the brake chambers for braking

a minimum of 2 air tanks

all of these answers are correct

an air pressure gauge that shows the pressure available for braking

33 / 40

The bus driver must accept responsibility for supervising and controlling students while on the bus route. Who is the person in charge?

The school district superintendent.

Parents of the students on the bus.

Bus driver.

Students on the bus.

34 / 40

How should the shut off valves at the rear of the trailer be when inspecting doubles?

closed at the rear of the last trailer and open at the rear of the front trailer

closed at the rear of the last trailer and front trailer

open at the rear of the last trailer and front trailer

none of the answers listed

35 / 40

You are inspecting the_____when looking for broken welds, cracks, holes, or other damage to the longitudinal frame member, cross members, box, and floor.

catwalk

frame

apron

fifth wheel

36 / 40

Select the definition of "off-tracking."

none of the answers listed

it is wheen the rear wheel skid and the front wheels maintain a straight path

it is when the trailer wheels go in a different direction from the front wheels

it is when the rear wheels of the vehicle follow a different path way than that of the front wheels

37 / 40

Select the answer that is not a part of the braking process when driving a tractor-trailer combination vehicle that has ABS:

you should drive at a higher speed to keep the trailer in line

only use the braking that is necessary to safely stay in control of the vehicle

you should brake in the same manner regardless of what you are driving

you should monitor the tractor and trailer as you decrease your speed to keep control

38 / 40

Select the true statement about retest markings:

It shows what type of inspection or test was completed.

They must be stamped on the tank.

Must have a date of the last retest marked.

All answers listed.

39 / 40

The Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG):

Contains an index of hazardous material id numbers, which is why you must label things correctly.

All of these answers are correct.

Is studied by emergency personnel to help keep the public safe.

Was created by the national department of transportation, so it is used nationwide.

40 / 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

Your score is

The average score is 0%

5/5 - (1 vote)

CDL Category Practice Tests

CDL Practice Test

How To Get A tennessee Commercial Drivers License

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

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

Tennessee CDL applicants must be medically certified that they are physically fit 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 (This document must be completed by an FMCSA-certified physician.)
(SF-1438) Self-Certification Form

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 Tennessee. Applicants can be disqualified for having multiple licenses. Tennessee CDL applicants will conduct a driving record check of the past 10 years in all 50 states.

Tennessee CDL Endorsements

H – Hazmat Vehicles
N – Tank Vehicles
P – Passenger Vehicles
S – School Bus
T – Double or Triple Trailer

Hit the Open Road

tennessee CDL License Test Tips

All Tennessee CDL applicants must pass the general knowledge test prior to taking the skills test. This test consists of 50 questions. To pass the Tennessee test, applicants must score 80 percent or higher. Applicants who require additional endorsements must pass additional tests and pay the required fees. The Tennessee 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 and:

Be a Tennessee resident with a valid Tennessee driver’s license or eligible for a Tennessee license.
Possess a military operator’s permit.
Have a minimum of 2 years of experience operating the same type of vehicle as the applicant is applying to drive.
Have been discharged from the military within the past 12 months.
Submit (Form SF-1507) CDL Skills Test Waiver Application. The commanding officer must sign this document within 90 days of the CDL application.

Additional Information

Information on the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security

The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Commercial Driver License Division administers CDL license regulations and testing in Tennessee. To get more information contact them via:

Website: https://www.tn.gov/safety/driver-services/commercial-driver-license.html

Phone: 615.253.5221

Additional Tennessee CDL Helpful Links

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

tennessee CDL Practice Test

CDL Category Practice Tests

CDL Practice Test

How To Get A tennessee Commercial Drivers License

Hit the Open Road

tennessee CDL License Test Tips

Additional Information

Information on the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security

Additional Tennessee CDL Helpful Links

tennessee
CDL Practice Test