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 driving tank vehicles you should:

Maintain the posted speed limit as you enter the curve.

Come to a stop before entering a curve and then accelerate through it.

None of the answers listed.

Decrease your speed before entering a curve and then accelerate through it.

2 / 40

On a drawbridge, you do not need to stop, but must slow down and make sure it's safe, when:

Both of these answers are correct.

There is a traffic light showing green.

None of these answers are correct.

The bridge has an attendant or traffic officer who controls traffic whenever the bridge opens.

3 / 40

Some hazardous materials may not be loaded together with other hazardous materials. The prohibited combinations are listed in the:

List of hazardous materials and reportable quantities.

Segregation and separation chart.

Hazardous materials table.

Hazardous waste manifest.

4 / 40

The system that needs to be checked for signs of leaks with rust or carbon soot and damage is the _____.

fifth wheel

none of the answers listed

air brake system

exhaust

5 / 40

Which seats not securely fastened to the bus are usually allowed?

Any of the last row seats.

The driver's seat only.

Window seats.

None of these answers are correct.

6 / 40

Air pressure loss in a vehicle with a fully charged air system should be less than_______after the initial drop and brake applied.

3 psi a minute

4 psi a minute

none of the answers listed

1 psi a minute

7 / 40

What are the three hazard classes should NOT be loaded into a trailer that has a heater air conditioner unit?

Class 1 explosives, class 3 flammable liquids, and division 21 flammable gas.

Class 1 explosives, class 8 corrosives, and division 5 oxidizers.

None of these answers are correct.

Class 2 explosives, class 3 flammable solids, and division 21 inhalation hazard.

8 / 40

You should check your mirrors while making a lane change:

all answers listed

right after you start the lane change

after you signal your intent to change lanes

after you have completed the lane change

9 / 40

Select the true statement about baffled tankers:

It has hollow balls in it to slow the motion of the liquid in the trailer.

None of the answers listed.

It has separate tanks.

It has walls with holes inside for liquid to flow through.

10 / 40

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

threaded through the locking lever

sticking straight up

above the locking lever

below the locking lever

11 / 40

Before transporting a sealed load, you must check:

a small sample of whatever is inside

that you don't exceed gross weight and axle weight limits

a picture of whatever is inside

all of these answers are correct

12 / 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:

300 pounds

500 pounds

100 pounds

250 pounds

13 / 40

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

The high center of gravity.

All answers listed.

The level of the fluid.

The distrubition of weight.

14 / 40

How often should you check the tires on a placarded trailer that has dual tires?

Each time you stop.

Once every three hours.

Once every 100 miles.

Start of each day and every time you stop.

15 / 40

Select the true statement in regards to converter dollies:

they typically require a hand converter

they typically do not have spring brakes

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

they typically have small braking power because of their size

16 / 40

Which of the following are some suspension system defects?

leaking shock absorbers

all of these answers are correct

broken leaves in leaf spring

cracked or broken spring hangers

17 / 40

Which of the following is not a prohibited practice on the bus:

Towing a disabled bus with riders aboard when getting off would be a safe option.

Fueling your bus with riders on board if about to run out of fuel.

Talking with riders while driving.

Refueling in a closed building with riders on board.

18 / 40

Select whether the following statement is true or false: Front wheel brakes are good to use in all conditions.

false

true

only in ideal conditions

only in bad weather

19 / 40

A driver of a tanker should use an escape ramp when _____.

only when it's raining

the vehicle has lost braking power

when the tanks has bulkheads

only in ideal conditions

20 / 40

The blind spot behind the bus could extend to how many feet?

200 feet

300 feet

400 feet

100 feet

21 / 40

In the event of an accident you should remember to do the following EXCEPT:

notify authorities

stop any bleeding and keep the victims warm

protect the area

move the victims out of the way immediately

22 / 40

How far away are you required to park from a bridge, tunnel, or building if you are carrying Division 1.2 or 1.3 materials?

At least 300 feet

At least 500 feet

At least 400 feet

At least 600 feet

23 / 40

You need to be extra careful when driving smooth bore tanks:

When hauling food or milk products.

When stopping or starting.

When unloading or loading.

All answers listed.

24 / 40

How should the hand valve be used?

only when the trailer is loaded to its maximum weight

only when accompanied by the foot brake

only when accompanied by the service brakes

to test the trailer brakes

25 / 40

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

Hydraulic jack, fire extinguisher, and signal flares.

Reflectors, fire extinguisher, and accident reporting kit.

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

Fire extinguisher, spare electric fuses, and reflectors.

26 / 40

Select the true statement in regards to driving a truck with triple or double trailers:

extra care should be taken when driving in bad weather and in the mountains

the risk of trailer jackknifes and tipping is increased compared to shorter trucks

all answers listed

the truck requires increased following distance compared to smaller vehicles

27 / 40

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

wheel rims

transmission

axle seals/hub oil

brake pads

28 / 40

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

use a speed retarder or engine brake

avoid having traffic in your side space

none of the answers listed

use a light pressure on the brake and accelerator pedals

29 / 40

Which of the following statements is FALSE?

anti-lock braking systems (ABS) only activate when wheels are about to lock

stopping is not always the safest thing to do in an emergency

if a tire blows, you should put the brakes on hard to stop quickly

you can almost always turn to miss an obstacle more quickly than you can stop

30 / 40

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

tanks usually do not need to be drained

to prevent the left sided brake from locking up

to provide greater control of your vehicle

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

31 / 40

You are required to have a tank endorsement when transporting:

Gas or liquid

Bulk fertilizer

Passengers

Materials that are hazardous

32 / 40

There are 2 reasons as to why hauling liquids take special care. One reason is the ___center of gravity.

high

narrow

long

low

33 / 40

Before pulling away, make sure the landing gear of the trailer is:

Down and that the handle is secured.

Raised and that the handle is hanging free.

Raised and that the handle is secured.

Down and that the handle is hanging free.

34 / 40

The baffles in a tank trailer help to control:

The movement of liquid from front to back.

The distrubition of weight.

The overall weight of the vehicle.

The flow of liquid side to side.

35 / 40

Select the true statement about slack adjusters:

they do not ever need to be adjusted

they can be adjusted automatically or manually

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

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

36 / 40

What is the brake system that applies and releases the brakes when the brake pedal is used?

none of the answers listed

lock brake system

engine brake system

service brake system

37 / 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

True but only in rainy conditions

False

True but only in ideal conditions

38 / 40

Overhead inside mirror is used to:

see the blind spot immediately behind the bus

monitor traffic that approaches and enters the blind spot area

see all of the students

see the area where students exit the bus

39 / 40

What is the benefit of ABS?

it prevents the wheels from locking up during heavy braking or slippery conditions

it decreases your stopping distance

all of these answers are correct

it provides an added layer of safety for truck drivers

40 / 40

Which of the following is a recommended procedure when unloading the students?

Position yourself outside of the bus in front of crossover mirror to supervise unloading.

Let the students begin moving to the front of the bus before it's fully stopped to maximize efficiency.

Put the transmission in neutral gear and put on the brakes.

Tell students to remain seated until they are told to exit.

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