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

What keeps air in the tanks should the air compressor develop a leak?

the one-way check vavle

the engine protection valve

the air compressor

the tractor relay valve

2 / 40

Suspension systems:

keep the brake drums from failing

keep the steering wheel tight

keep the axles in place

keep the load secure

3 / 40

You should have the fifth wheel plate greased as recommened because:

it will ensure a good electrical connection

it will ensure a good air line connection

it will reduce noise and heat

it will prevent steering problems

4 / 40

You are driving a 40 foot truck at 35 MPH, how much space (in seconds) should you keep in front of you?

6 seconds

4 seconds

3 seconds

5 seconds

5 / 40

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

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

Must not have recapped or regrooved tires.

Must not be recapped, but can be regrooved.

Can be recapped, but never regrooved.

6 / 40

This object releases the fifth wheel locking jaw to allow uncoupling.

The release arm

The arm bar

The apron

The locking pins

7 / 40

When you have a major leak in the service line and put on the brake, the service air pressure will escape and cause the:

none of the ansers listed

the trailer tank pressure to decrease

the tractor spring brakes to activate

the trailer emergency brakes to activate

8 / 40

Where is compressed air stored?

in the hose lines

in the storage tank

in the compartment for the engine

in the gasoline tank

9 / 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

70 psi

40 psi

10 / 40

How should the hand valve be used?

to test the trailer brakes

only in conjuction with the foot brake

when the trailer is fully loaded down

only in emergency situations

11 / 40

Air tanks need to be drained:

to prevent water and oil from building up in the tank

air tanks should absolutely never be drained

to keep the tanks cold when not in use

to keep the tanks warm when not in use

12 / 40

If your engine runs a pump used during delivery of compressed gas, should you turn off the engine before or after unhooking hoses after delivery?

Turn it off before product transfer, before you hook the hose.

None of these answers are correct.

Turn it off during product transfer, while unhooking the hose.

Turn it off after product transfer, before you unhook the hose.

13 / 40

What should you do if the low air pressure warning comes on for only one system in a truck or bus that has a dual air brake system?

decrease your speed and test the other system

stop and safely park your vehicle only continue once the issue has been resolved

decrease your speed and head to the closest mechanic

continue on with your trip

14 / 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

15 / 40

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

A placarded cargo tank.

Two or more trailers.

None of these answers are correct.

A 200 inch wheelbase trailer.

16 / 40

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

brake pads

transmission

wheel rims

axle seals/hub oil

17 / 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 there is plenty of space between the two.

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

Inform someone and not load the battery acid.

18 / 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 in attendance must be authorized and able to move the vehicle.

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

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

19 / 40

You must not allow riders to stand:

Within two feet of any window.

Within two feet of an emergency exit.

In front of the standee line.

Between the wheel wells.

20 / 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

21 / 40

The two other places where the hazardous identification number must appear are:

Any bulk packaging and the cargo tanks.

On a temporary license plate holder and the steering wheel.

On the gas tank and a sticker in the glove compartment.

On the back of the truck and inside the glove compartment.

22 / 40

How often should you check your cargo?

all of these answers are correct

within the first 50 miles after beginning a trip

every 150 miles or every three hours

after every break you take during driving

23 / 40

Which of the following should you do when driving the school bus in high wind?

Keep a strong grip on the steering wheel and try to anticipate gust.

Speed up to get away from the wind as quickly as possible.

Drive only head-in to the wind to avoid cross-wind buffeting.

Pull off the road to wait for the winds to die down.

24 / 40

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

because other drivers do it

safety for yourself and other road users

to make sure nothing has been stolen from the vehicle

to make sure the vehicle will make your destination

25 / 40

This item should not be rusted, bent, or damaged and centered over evenly spaced tires and dual wheels.

Fifth wheel

Spacers

Frame

Lug bolts

26 / 40

Which is more likely to tip over due to the crack the whip effect?

a fully loaded trailer behind the tractor

any trailer

the last trailer of a double

the last trailer of a triple

27 / 40

On a bus, you may sometimes haul small-arms ammunition, emergency shipments of drugs, or hospital supplies. The total weight of all such hazardous materials must not be greater than:

250 pounds

300 pounds

500 pounds

100 pounds

28 / 40

A safe haven is:

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

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

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

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

29 / 40

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

pump the brake pedal

put the gears in neutral

look for an escape ramp or an escape route

downshift

30 / 40

Select the true statement about slack adjusters:

they can be adjusted automatically or manually

they should only be adjusted by a mechanic that is certified in slack adjusters

they do not ever need to be adjusted

they should move a minimum of 2 inches from the push rod attachment

31 / 40

Placarded vehicles must carry which type of fire extinguisher?

C-D fire extinguisher

Hazmat extinguisher

A-B fire extinguisher

B-C fire extinguisher

32 / 40

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

have the trailer brakes off

press down on the brake pedal twice

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

all answers listed

33 / 40

On tandem axle for trailers, the sliding mechanism and locking device is:

Metal frame

Fifth wheel

Tandem release (locking pin/arm)

Air brake system

34 / 40

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

all answers listed

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

the center of the kingpin is past the locking jaw

the kingpin is over the fifth wheel

35 / 40

When conducting a pre-trip inspection, the most important item to verify is _____.

that the registration is in the cup holder

that the tire tread is sufficient for the expected driving conditions

that there are no leaks in the air brake system

that the radio transmits a signal

36 / 40

Select the true statement in regards to the center of gravity for tanks:

The vehicle can handle higher speeds around curves than other large trucks.

The vehicle can turn over even when driving at the posted speed limit for curves.

The center of gravity is generally lower than with other large trucks.

None of the answers listed.

37 / 40

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

The high center of gravity.

The level of the fluid.

All answers listed.

The distrubition of weight.

38 / 40

An "A/W" the first column of the hazardous materials table means:

There is no restrictions with this material if shipped by water only.

It is ok to ship this material by air only.

This material is only restricted when shipped by air and/or water.

This material has no restrictions when shipped by air and/or water.

39 / 40

While completing the 2nd component of the air brake check you are required to turn the electrical power on, begin fanning off the air pressure by rapidly relasing and apply the foot brake and _____.

the tractor protection valve and parking brake valve should pop out before air pressure falls below 60 psi for combination vehicles

none of the answers listed

a low air warning device should sound before the air pressure drops below 60 psi

a low air warning device should sound before the air pressure drops below 40 psi

40 / 40

What are shippers trying to accomplish when they package the material?

Make it easy to open and close.

All of these answers are correct.

Make it as light as possible.

Make it easy to identify.

Your score is

The average score is 37%

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