virginia
CDL Practice Test

Use this site as a guide to help you prepare for the CDL test in Virginia. Questions on our CDL knowledge exams come from sections of the Virginia DMV CDL manual. You can take these practice test questions 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

When fueling a placarded vehicle, someone must always be:

Within 10 feet of the pump with a fire extinguisher.

At the emergency power shut off for the pump.

Be at the rear most corner on the vehicle.

At the nozzle, controlling the fuel flow.

2 / 40

These tires should have a minimum tread depth of 4/32 inches.

Non-steering axle tires

Drive axle tires

Steering axle tires

Donut tires

3 / 40

Select the action that is not recommended when driving on slippery roads:

use a speed retarder or engine brake

keep other drivers out of your side space

use a light pressure with the the brake and accelerator pedals

none of the answers listed

4 / 40

The most dangerous time during the school bus ride is:

On long bus journeys.

When the students become unruly on the bus.

When loading and unloading students.

Crossing railway crossing.

5 / 40

When stopping for railroad tracks, you must stop no closer than how many feet before the nearest track?

6 / 40

Which of the following is the proper definition of a cargo tank?

A bulk container which can be securely affixed to a vehicle.

None of these answers are correct.

A bulk container not permanently attached to a vehicle.

A bulk container permanently attached to a vehicle.

7 / 40

Another term for a smooth bore tank is:

A tank that is made out of stainless steel.

A liquid tank that has baffles.

A tank that is easily portable.

A liquid tank that does not have baffles.

8 / 40

Which of the following must drivers have in their possession while transporting class A or B explosives?

The carrier's insurance policy.

A gas mask.

None of these answers are correct.

The written route plan.

9 / 40

When should you check your mirrors for a lane change?

All of these answers are correct.

After completing the lane change.

Before and after signaling the change.

Right after starting the lane change.

10 / 40

Where should you place your warning devices if you must stop on a one-way or divided highway?

100 feet, 200 feet, and 300 feet toward approaching traffic

50 feet, 100 feet, and 150 feet toward approaching traffic

20 feet, 50 feet, and 100 feet toward approaching traffic

10 feet, 100 feet, and 200 feet toward approaching traffic

11 / 40

Is this statement true or false: You do not need to use the parking brake if are leaving your vehicle for a short amount of time.

false

only when the vehicle has over 25,000 miles on it

true

only when the vehicle has over 60,000 miles on it

12 / 40

You should line up_____when getting ready to back under the trailer.

about 12 degrees to the left of the trailer

for the kingpin to activate on the driver's side first

above 12 degrees to the right of the trailer

directly in front of the trailer

13 / 40

Select the purpose of fanning air brakes:

lower air pressure

it decreases the braking power

it increases the air pressure

it cools them down

14 / 40

Select the statement that best describes what the service line is for.

it is controlled by the foot brake or trailer hand brake and carries air

it is controlled by the foot brake and carries air

all answers listed

it is controlled by the trailer hand brake and carries air

15 / 40

This gauge will indicate if the generator or alternator is charging:

Gas tank

Voltmeter/ammeter

Oil pressure

Coolant

16 / 40

What is the best way to see the sides and rear of your vehicle?

your mirrors

a helper

rear view cameras

all of these answers are correct

17 / 40

The 3 parts of the air brake system are: service brakes, parking brakes, and ____.

v-cam brakes

foot brakes

bolt brakes

disc brakes

18 / 40

You may use DANGEROUS placards instead of separate placards for each Table 2 hazard class when:

The correct answer is not listed.

You have 1,001 pounds or more of two or more table 2 hazard classes, requiring different placards.

Both of these conditions must be met.

You have not loaded 2,205 pounds or more of any table 2 hazard class material at any one place (you must use the specific placard for this material).

19 / 40

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

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

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

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

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

20 / 40

What is always required before loading, driving, or unloading a tanker?

Shift into park

An inspection

Clean the vehicle

Registration of driving plan

21 / 40

How do you check the coolant level?

While wearing rubber gloves and safety glasses.

None of the answers listed.

Inspect the reservoir sight glass or remove the radiator cap if the engine isn't hot.

Remove the radiator cap once it is at operating temperature.

22 / 40

Some school busses are marked with the LNG placard. What does LNG stand for?

Low-range pneumatic gearbox.

None of these answers are correct.

Liquified natural gas.

Lifted neutral graftring.

23 / 40

What is the purpose of cladding in a tanker?

It protects the tanker form any corrosive cargo.

It controls the temperature of the cargo.

It protects the cargo from changes in temperature.

It eliminates liquid surge.

24 / 40

You should____in order to inspect the coupling.

if necessary, use a flashlight

make sure to have space between the lower and upper fifth wheel

have the fifth wheel jaws open

make sure the locking lever is in the open position

25 / 40

Do converter dollies have spring brakes?

yes

none of the answers listed

some do

26 / 40

Which of the following should you NOT do if you experience a tire failure?

hold the steering wheel firmly

stay off the brake pedal

engage the brakes hard and immediately

you need to be aware that a tire has failed

27 / 40

____is the most common type of foundation brakes used by heavy vehicles.

Wedge drum

None of the answers listed

Rectangle brakes

S-Cam drum

28 / 40

On the Hazardous Materials Table, column 1 shows:

To what shipping mode the information on that line applies.

How to ship an item.

What materials can be loaded together.

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

29 / 40

What is the purpose of a driver placarding his or her vehicle?

Forcing other drivers to stay 20 feet away in every direction.

Warning those with children to drive in another lane.

Giving people something interesting to look at while driving.

Communicating risk.

30 / 40

What is the next step after securing the bus when you have an unruly child on board?

Stand up and speak respectfully to the offender, if a change of setting is needed, have the student move to a seat near you.

Remove the student from the vehilce for the safety of the other children.

Unload the student at the next stop.

Call school administrator or the police to remove the student.

31 / 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 substance or material's hazard class.

The manufacturing date for the materials.

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

32 / 40

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

Metal frame

Air brake system

Tandem release (locking pin/arm)

Fifth wheel

33 / 40

Remember to_____when steering to avoid a crash while driving doubles.

be prepared to counter-steer

keep your foot off the brake while turning

all answers listed

have both hands on the steering wheel

34 / 40

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

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

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

All of these answers are correct.

The interlock releases when you close the rear door.

35 / 40

How do you test the trailer service brakes?

apply pressure to the brake pedal

release air to the spring brakes

test the brakes out while driving at 5 mph

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

36 / 40

If there is rust around the nuts, what may it indicate?

They need to be changed out.

There is a leak somewhere.

They are loose.

They are fitted just right.

37 / 40

Why should you not use the trailer hand brake to straighten out a jack knifing trailer?

this is the only situation in which you should use the hand brake

none of the answers listed

the trailer wheels caused the skid in the first place once the trailer wheels grip the road again, the trailer will start to follow the tractor and straighten out

the tractor wheels caused the skid in the first place once the trailer wheels grip the road again, the trailer will start to push the tractor and straighten out

38 / 40

What color are all school buses painted?

Orange yellow.

Florescent yellow.

National school bus yellow.

The individual district decides the exact color.

39 / 40

Select the reason as to why air tanks need to be drained:

to prevent the left sided brake from locking up

tanks usually do not need to be drained

to provide greater control of your vehicle

to release water and other contaminents which may cause brakes to fail in freezing weather

40 / 40

What is the reason that placards are used?

communicate the risk

to prevent terrorism

so hazmat is not mixed with food

it is the law

Your score is

The average score is 65%

5/5 - (1 vote)

CDL Category Practice Tests

CDL Practice Test

How To Get A virginia Commercial Drivers License

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

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

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

(Form 649-F) Medical Examiner Report
(Form DL-8) Commercial Driver’s License Self-Certification (This form must be completed by a FMCSA-approved medical examiner.

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 Virginia. Applicants can be disqualified for having multiple licenses.

Virginia 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

virginia CDL License Test Tips

All Virginia CDL applicants must pass the general knowledge test prior to taking the skills test. To pass the Virginia test, applicants must score 80 percent or higher. Applicants who require endorsements must pass additional tests and pay the required fees. The Virginia skills test can be taken 14 days after applicants pass the knowledge test if applicants have never applied for a CDL before and they pass a state-approved driver education program. 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 an active member of the military.
Possess a valid Virginia driver’s license.
Have operate a commercial vehicle as part of their military duties.
Have been recently discharged from the military.

Additional Information

Information on the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles

The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles administers CDL license testing and regulations in Virginia. To get more information contact them via:

Website: https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/drivers/#whatiscdl.asp

Phone: 804.497.7100

Additional Virginia CDL Helpful Links

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

virginia CDL Practice Test

CDL Category Practice Tests

CDL Practice Test

How To Get A virginia Commercial Drivers License

Hit the Open Road

virginia CDL License Test Tips

Additional Information

Information on the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles

Additional Virginia CDL Helpful Links

virginia
CDL Practice Test