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

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

None of these answers are correct.

There is a traffic light showing green.

Both of these answers are correct.

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

2 / 40

Drivers who transport route controlled radioactive materials must carry a dated certificate of radioactive materials training. This training must have ocurred within the last:

3 years

4 years

2 years

1 years

3 / 40

How often should air tanks be drained?

every 7 days

once a day

every 6 hours

every 4-5 days

4 / 40

Select the true statement about dual air brake systems:

they require less time to build up air pressure

they are required to have two warning alarms

they have one set of controls for two air brake systems

they have a single set of air tanks and hoses

5 / 40

You should activate hazard lights within approximately how many feet before railroad crossing?

250 feet

300 feet

400 feet

200 feet

6 / 40

The emergency air line is used to:

provide back up air pressure

engage the tractor's front brake when there is air pressure loss

engage the trailer brakes when there is an air pressure loss

to alert emegency services when there is a problem

7 / 40

What placards, if any, do you need if your load includes 20 pounds of Division 2.3 gas and 1,001 pounds of flammable gas?

Just dangerous placards are required.

None, you cannot load these materials together.

Poison 23 and dangerous.

Poison 23 and flammable gas 21.

8 / 40

What is the correct number of red reflective triangles that you should carry?

three

seven

one

five

9 / 40

This object is required to be checked for damage, that it's secure, and strong enough to handle any cargo.

The header board

The apron

The platform

The fifth wheel

10 / 40

The method for testing hydraulic brakes for leaks is to _____.

hold the brake down for 5 seconds and listen for leaks

pump the brake pedal 3 times and apply firm pressure for 5 seconds the pedal should not move

all of these answers are correct

pump the brake pedal 5 times and apply firm pressure for 3 seconds the pedal should not move

11 / 40

Tankers used to transport hazardous materials on vehicles must be marked with:

The date of manufacture.

The owner's puco or icc number.

The un or na id number of the product.

The chemtrec phone number.

12 / 40

Liquid surge affects the handling of a tanker by:

Allowing you to stop faster.

Moving the truck in the direction of liquid flow.

Allowing you to take tighter turns.

Decreasing the wind drag.

13 / 40

If there is no traffic light or attendant, how far from the draw of a drawbridge must you stop?

100 feet

30 feet

50 feet

5 feet

14 / 40

When using turn signals, which of the following should be avoided?

signal when you are merging into traffic

signal when you want to change lanes

signal before you exit

signal just before you start to make a turn

15 / 40

Which of the following must be closed while the bus is in motion?

Windows

Roof vents

Emergency windows

Both hatches

16 / 40

Why are you required to take an exam about air brakes?

you cannot receive a CDL at all otherwise

all trucks have air brakes

you would have to get a CDL with a restriction otherwise

it is a federal requirement

17 / 40

You don't want to use wheel chocks when hooking a combination to a second trailer with no spring brakes. What should you do?

use a portable generator to supply brake pressure

make sure the trailer will not roll away when coupling

supply air to the trailer air system via the tractor and then disconnect the emergency line

none of the answers listed

18 / 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

19 / 40

The Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG):

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

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

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

All of these answers are correct.

20 / 40

Make sure____when the front trailer supports are up and the trailer is sitting on the tractor.

neither of the answers listed

both of the answers listed

there is enough space for clearance between the landing gear and the tractor frame

there is enough space for clearance between the nose of the trailer and the tops of the tractor tires

21 / 40

The pintle hook should be_____ and the converter dolly air tank drain valve is___when doing a walk around inspection of a triple or double trailer.

free, closed

free, open

latched, open

latched, closed

22 / 40

Is it mandatory that all vehicles with air brakes have low air pressure warning signals?

for large vehicles only

yes

for small vehicles only

23 / 40

Which of the following is something the driver must watch for:

Gaps your bus needs to accelerate and merge with traffic.

Appropriate clearance around and over the bus.

All of these answers are correct.

Poles and tree limbs at stops.

24 / 40

There must be a hazardous materials identification number on the ______ and on the ______.

shipping papers, package

invoice, shipping papers

package, trailer

trailer, packages

25 / 40

Where are the two main places where the hazardous material identification number appears?

On the package and on paperwork at the shipping point of origin.

On the package and on paperwork at the shipping destination.

On the shipping papers and on the package.

On the shipping papers and on a secret document in the driver's wallet.

26 / 40

When driving in very hot temperatures, you should:

let your tires cool down (remain stopped) if they are too hot to touch

all of these answers are correct

insure that you have enough antifreeze in the system

check your tires every 2 hours or every 100 miles

27 / 40

What color and shape is the trailer air supply control?

it is a square knob that is yellow

it is a square knob that is red

it is a triangle-shaped knob that is red

it is an 8-sided knob that is red

28 / 40

Select the two reasons as to why special care is needed when driving a tank vehicle:

The chance of rollover and of spontaneous combustion.

The danger of surge and the high center of gravity.

The danger of surge and the low center of gravity.

None of the answers listed.

29 / 40

How often should you check the cargo you are transporting?

within the first 50 miles after beginning a trip

after every break you take during driving

every 150 miles or every three hours

all of these answers are correct

30 / 40

Which of the following statements is true about speed management?

You should be able to stop within the distance that you can see ahead.

The posted speed limit is safe for all conditions.

All of these answers are correct.

Speed limits for buses are the same as cars.

31 / 40

Select which is not an engine compartement belt:

A power steering belt

An air compressor belt

A safety belt

A water pump belt

32 / 40

Select the part that is not a part of the drum brake:

safety valve

axle

brake drum

slack adjuster

33 / 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 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 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 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 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.

34 / 40

There should be ___space between the upper and lower fifth wheel after coupling.

1/12 inch

1/30 inch

none of the answers listed

1/8 inch

35 / 40

When inspecting the_____you pump the pedals 3 times and then hold it down for 5 seconds feeling for no movement to occur.

hydraulic brakes

engine brakes

emergency brakes

all answers listed

36 / 40

Do not tow or push a disabled bus with riders aboard the vehicle, unless:

Your employer tells you to.

You are also a class a tow truck driver.

Getting off the bus would be unsafe.

Bus is on a drawbridge.

37 / 40

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

38 / 40

This item does not need to be checked during the cab check.

The horn

The defroster/heater

The air conditioning

The windshield wipers and fluid levels

39 / 40

A hazard class that uses transport indexes to determine the amount that can be loaded in a single vehicle is _____.

Class 1 explosives

Class 7 radioactive materials

Class 6 poisons

Class 3 flammable liquids

40 / 40

You must control how far packages labeled "Radioactive II" or "Radioactive III" are located from people and cargo space walls by referring to:

The list of hazardous materials and reportable quantities.

The table of hazardous materials.

The segregation and separation chart.

The transport index and the separation distances table.

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