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

You must first______to supply air to the trailer.

cross the air lines to check for the presence of leaks

push in the tractor protection valve

turn off the engine so you can hear the brakes

pull out the tractor protection valve

2 / 40

In what position should shut off valves on the rear of the last trailer be in on a set of double trailers?

in a closed position

in an open position

in an open position for the rear trailer and a closed position for the front trailer

in a closed position for the rear trailer and an open position for the front trailers

3 / 40

At what pressure is the safety valve in the air compressor tank set to open?

225 psi

150 psi

100 psi

125 psi

4 / 40

What should you hear when you have the hand valve on and are testing the trailer brakes by opening the service air line at the back of the trailer?

the emergency line valve to release air

the engine brake to kick on

the service brakes more to a fully applied position

air leaving the open valve

5 / 40

This object should not move more than an inch by pulled by hand with the brakes released for manual slack adjusters.

The brake chambers

The air lines

The brake pushrod

The bounce absorbers

6 / 40

Which of the following statements about downshifting is NOT true?

downshift before climbing a hill

downshift before starting down a hill

downshift when you get to the bottom of a hill

downshift before entering a curve

7 / 40

A tank vehicle:

Is a vehicle that can transport liquified gasses.

Is a vehicle that can transport bulk fertilizer.

Is a vehicle that can transport liquid.

All answers listed.

8 / 40

Operating a motor vehicle with the intent of doing harm to others or physically assaulting a driver or their vehicle is known as?

defensive driving

tailgating

road rage

aggressive driving

9 / 40

This object should be free of shiny treads, rust, free of cracks and distortions.

Bolt spacers

Lug nuts

Rims

None of the answers listed

10 / 40

For Division 1.1 or 1.2 Explosives A, should the floor liner required be stainless steel?

Any type of floor liner is sufficient

Never use a floor liner for any explosive class

Yes

11 / 40

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

Getting off the bus would be unsafe.

Your employer tells you to.

You are also a class a tow truck driver.

Bus is on a drawbridge.

12 / 40

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

protect the area

notify authorities

stop any bleeding and keep the victims warm

move the victims out of the way immediately

13 / 40

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

service brake system

none of the answers listed

engine brake system

lock brake system

14 / 40

When there is a hazardous materials emergency. You should:

Keep people away and warn them of the danger.

All of these answers are correct.

Contact emergency authorities.

Prevent smoking and keep open flames away.

15 / 40

Select the best description of a baffle tank:

It is one large tank.

They are tanks divided down into multiple smaller tanks.

They are divided and have holes for liquid to flow through controlling surge.

None of the answers listed.

16 / 40

This should have no illegal stickers, dirt, obstructions, or damage to the glass.

Mirrors and windshield

The rearview mirror

The headlights

None of the answers listed

17 / 40

Select when you should use the hand valve to park a combination vehicle.

never

when parking in a commercial lot

when parking on a downgrade

when parking at a loading dock

18 / 40

How often should air tanks be drained?

every 7 days

once a day

every 4-5 days

every 6 hours

19 / 40

You do not have a hazardous materials endorsement on your commercial driver license. When can you legally haul hazardous materials?

Only when the vehicle does not require placards.

Only when the shipment does not cross state lines.

Never.

Only in the event of a federally declared emergency situation.

20 / 40

You are required to have a tank endorsement when transporting:

Gas or liquid

Bulk fertilizer

Passengers

Materials that are hazardous

21 / 40

When would a drive-wheel skid result in a jackknife when pulling doubles?

when the tractor brakes lock up

when the tractor spins around

when the trailer pushes the towed vehicle sideways

when the trailer slides to the right into the shoulder

22 / 40

This object should not be damaged, bent, or rusted through and be evenly centered with the tires and dual wheels evenly separated.

Budd spacing or spacers

Tire rims

All answers listed

Lug bolts

23 / 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

24 / 40

What is the reason that placards are used?

communicate the risk

so hazmat is not mixed with food

it is the law

to prevent terrorism

25 / 40

The minimum tire tread depth for front tires is:

3/8-inch

4/32-inch

1/32-inch

1/2-inch

26 / 40

You must not allow riders to stand:

Within two feet of an emergency exit.

In front of the standee line.

Within two feet of any window.

Between the wheel wells.

27 / 40

In column 1, the "D" symbol means:

Detonators

Domestic transportation

Domestic restrictions

Devices

28 / 40

With the engine cut off and the brakes released the air loss in a straight truck or bus should not be more than:

5 psi in a minute

2 psi in a minute

4 psi in a minute

3 psi in a minute

29 / 40

What is the best way to stop all skids?

quickly turn the steering wheel side to side

accelerate and countersteer

use controlled or stab braking

restore traction back to the tires

30 / 40

After deciding the type of evacuation that is necessary, the next step you must take is:

Notifying the dispatch office of the evacuation.

Dangle the radio microphone out of the driver window for later use.

Securing the bus.

Opening the emergency exits.

31 / 40

Select the true statement about retest markings:

All answers listed.

Must have a date of the last retest marked.

It shows what type of inspection or test was completed.

They must be stamped on the tank.

32 / 40

Another term for a smooth bore tank is:

A liquid tank that does not have baffles.

A tank that is easily portable.

A tank that is made out of stainless steel.

A liquid tank that has baffles.

33 / 40

How do you determine if slack adjusters need to be adjusted?

activiate the parking brake and service brake

pull out the automatic slack adjustment control knob

release the parking brakes and service brakes

release the parking brakes and activate the service brakes

34 / 40

Cargo tanks are:

Bulk packaging temporarily attached to your vehicle.

Filled while they are off your vehicle, then attached for transportation.

Only made in one size.

Bulk packaging permanently attached to your vehicle.

35 / 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

36 / 40

Which of the following hazard classes utilizes a transport index in order to determine how much of it can be loaded on a single vehicle for transport?

Class 3—flammable liquids

Class 4—live chickens

Class 1—explosives

Class 7—radioactive materials

37 / 40

Within 3 minutes, this gauge pressure should build to 90 psi from 50 psi.

Coolant pressure gauge

Voltmeter gauge

Air pressure gauge

Oil pressure gauge

38 / 40

The emergency air line is used to:

engage the trailer brakes when there is an air pressure loss

to alert emegency services when there is a problem

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

provide back up air pressure

39 / 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?

20 psi

70 psi

They should never pop out

40 psi

40 / 40

Why is understanding the loading and unloading procedures so critical?

Because motorists ignore students walking to school.

Because many students are killed while getting on and off a school bus each year.

Because only high school students understand how to cross the road.

Because school district officials have the authority to conduct surprise quizzes and you must know the correct answers to keep your job.

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