CDTS, Inc.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE PRACTICE TEST
a. 1/8 mile.
b. 1/4 mile.
c. 1/2 mile.
d. 3/4 mile.
2. You are driving a heavy vehicle and must exit the highway using an off ramp that curves downhill. You should:
a. use the posted speed limit for the ramp.
b. slow down to a safe speed before the ramp.
c. wait until you are in the curve before you start to downshift.
d. shift to a higher gear before the turn.
3. Which of these statements are true about downshifting.
a. When you downshift for a curve, you should do so before you enter the curve.
b. When you downshift for a hill, you should do so after you start down the grade.
c. When you downshift for a curve, you should do so after you enter the curve.
d. When you downshift for a curve, do so just after the curve.
4. Which fires can you put out with water?
a. tire fires.
b. fuel fires.
c. electrical fires.
d. chemical fires.
5. Which of these statements about backing a heavy vehicle is true.
a. never get out and look before backing.
b. You should avoid backing whenever you can.
c. When you use a helper, he/she should use clear voice signals
d. it is safer to back to the right side of the vehicle than it is to the drivers side.
6. The key point in balancing cargo weight is to keep the load.
a. to the front.
b. to the rear.
c. centered.
d. low to the floor.
7. In normal driving some drivers use the hand valve before the brake pedal to prevent a jackknife. Which of these statements are true?
a. This should not be done.
b. This results in less skidding.
c. Lets driver steer with both hands.
d. Best way to brake in a straight line.
8. There are two things a driver can do to prevent a roll over, the first, keep the cargo as close to the floor as possible and what is the other?
a. make sure the brakes are adjusted.
b. keep both hands firmly on the wheel.
c. go slow around turns.
d. keep 5th wheel free play tight.
9. Brakes can get wet when you drive through a heavy rain. Wet brakes can cause?
a. wheel lockup.
b. trailer jackknife.
c. pulling to one side.
d. all the above.
10. You are checking your steering and exhaust systems during a pre-trip inspection. Which of these statements is true?
a. Steering wheel play of more than 10 degrees ( 2 inches on a 20-inch steering wheel) can make it hard to steer.
b. Leaks in the exhaust system are not a problem if they are outside of the cab.
c. Some leakage of power steering fluid is normal.
d. if you find a leak in the exhaust system, drive with the window open.
11. Your vehicle is in a traffic emergency and may collide with another vehicle if you do not take action.
a. You can almost always turn to miss an obstacle more quickly than you can stop.
b. Stopping is always the safest action in a traffic emergency.
c. Leaving the road is always more risky than hitting another vehicle.
d. Unbuckle your seat belt before impact so you will not be trapped inside your vehicle.
12. Which of these is a good rule to follow when driving at night?
a. Always use your high beams at night.
b. Look directly at the oncoming headlights.
c. Keep your speed slow enough to stop within the range of your headlights.
d. Keep your instrument lights bright.
13. Which of these statements are true about brakes?
a. The heavier a vehicle or the faster it is moving, the more heat the brakes have to absorb to stop it.
b. Brakes have more stopping power when they get very hot.
c. When going down hill, heavy use of the brakes is recommended.
d. Brake drums cool very quickly.
14. Which of these is the most important thing to remember about emergency brakes?
a. Disconnecting the steering axle brakes will keep the vehicle in a straight line.
b. To keep the rear wheels from skidding, brake hard.
c. Never do it without downshifting first.
d. If the wheels are skidding, you cannot control the vehicle.
15. How do you test hydraulic brakes for leaks?
a. Hydraulic brakes can not leak, so there is no need to test them.
b. Move the vehicle slowly and see if it stops when the brakes are applied.
c. With vehicle stopped, pump the pedal three times, apply firm pressure, hold for five seconds and see if the pedal moves.
d. Step on the brake pedal and the accelerator at the same time and see if the vehicle moves.
16. You do not have a hazardous materials endorsement on your commercial driver license. When can you legally haul hazardous materials.
a. When the load does not require placards.
b. When the gvwr is 26,001 lbs or more.
c. When the shipment will not cross State lines.
d. When a person who has the hazardous materials endorsement rides in the vehicle.
17. You are checking your wheels and rims during a pre-trip inspection. Which of these statements is true?
a. Rust around wheel nuts may mean they are loose.
b. Cracked wheels or rims can be used if they have been welded.
c. Missing, bent or broken studs are not a safety hazard.
d. Mismatched lock rings may be used on the same vehicle.
18. To avoid a crash, you had to drive on the right shoulder. How should you move back onto the pavement?
a. Come to a complete stop, if possible, before steering back onto the pavement.
b. Brake hard to slow the vehicle, then steer sharply onto the pavement.
c. Steer sharply onto the pavement, then brake hard as you counter steer.
d. Keep moving at the present speed and steer very gently back onto the pavement.
19. If you are being tailgated, you should?
a. Increase the space in front of your vehicle.
b. Flash your brake lights.
c. Speed up.
d. Signal the tailgater when it is safe to pass.
20. Which of these statements about staying alert to drive is true?
a. A half hour brake for coffee will do more to keep you alert than a half hour nap.
b. There are drugs that can over come being tired.
c. It is not possible to fall asleep while sitting up.
d. The only thing that can cure fatigue is sleep.
21. Which of these statements about speed management is true?
a. Empty trucks always stop faster than fully loaded ones.
b. As the speed of the vehicle doubles, its stopping distance also doubles.
c. Choose a driving speed that lets you stop in the space that you can see ahead.
d. Following to closely is not a problem if the driver is alert.
22. How far should a driver look ahead of the vehicle while driving?
a. 1-2 seconds.
b. 5-8 seconds.
c. 12-15 seconds.
d. 18-21 seconds.
23. You are driving a 40 foot vehicle at 45 mph. Driving conditions are ideal (dry pavement, good visibility). The least amount of space that you should keep in front of your vehicle to be safe is the distance you would travel in:
a. 2 seconds.
b. 3 seconds.
c. 4 seconds.
d. 5 seconds
24. Which of these statements about drinking alcohol is true?
a. Some people aren't effected by drinking.
b. A few beers has the same effect on driving as a few shots of whiskey.
c. Coffee and fresh air can sober a person up.
d. If you drink alcohol fast enough, it will effect you less.
25. As the Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) goes up, what happens?
a. The effects of alcohol decreases.
b. The drinker is always aware of increased effects.
c. The person is even more dangerous if allowed to drive.
d. The driver can sober up in less time.
26. Driving under the influence of a drug which makes you drive unsafely is?
a. Permitted if it is prescribed by a doctor.
b. Against the law.
c. Permitted if it is a diet or cold medicine.
d. Easier if combined with a small amount of alcohol.
27. You wish to turn right from a two-lane street to another two-lane street. Your vehicle is so long that you must swing wide to make the turn. Which of these drawings show how the turn should be made.
28. Some traffic emergencies may require you to leave the road. Which of these is a good thing to remember?
a. If you must leave the road, try to get all wheels off the pavement.
b. You should brake hard as you leave the road.
c. You should avoid braking until your speed has dropped to about 20 mph.
d. Most shoulders will not hold a large truck.
29. Cargo that can shift should have at least _____ tiedowns?
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
30. Which of these statements about cargo loading is true?
a. The legal maximum weight allowed by a state is safe for all driving conditions.
b. If cargo is loaded by the shipper, the driver is not responsible for overloads.
c. State regulations dictate legal weight limits.
d. If the initial inspection is thorough, it is not necessary to check the load on the road.
31. If a straight vehicle goes into a front wheel skid, it will?
a. Slide sideways and spin out.
b. Slide sideways somewhat, but not spin out.
c. Go straight ahead but will turn if you turn the steering wheel.
d. Go straight ahead even if the steering wheel is turned.
32. The most common cause of serious vehicle skids is?
a. Driving to fast for road conditions.
b. Poorly adjusted brakes.
c. To much weight on the front axle.
d. Bad tires.
33. Which of these statements about downshifting is true?
a. When you downshift for a hill, speed up at the same time.
b. When you downshift for a curve, you should do so before you enter the curve.
c. When you downshift for a hill, you should do so after you start down the hill.
d. When you downshift for a curve, you should do so after you enter the curve.
34. You should avoid driving through deep puddles or flowing water. But if you must, what will keep your brakes working?
a. Gently pressing the brake pedal while driving through the water.
b. Applying hard pressure on both the brake pedal and the accelerator after coming out of the water.
c. Disconnecting the steering axle brakes after coming out of the water.
d. Decrease engine RPM while crossing the water.
35. Which of these statements about backing a heavy vehicle is true?
a. If the trailer begins to drift, turn the top of the steering wheel in the opposite direction of the drift.
b. You should avoid backing whenever you can.
c. You should use a helper, he/she should use clear voice signals.
d. It is safer to back a vehicle than to drive forward.
36. High beams should?
a. Be used whenever it is safe and legal to do so.
b. Be turn on when an oncoming driver does not dim his/her lights.
c. Be dimmed when you are within 100 feet of another vehicle.
d. Be used as sparingly as possible.
37. Stab Braking -
a. Should never be used.
b. Involves locking the wheels.
c. Involves steady pressure on the brake pedal.
d. Will not allow you to turn.
38. For an average driver driving 55 MPH on dry pavement, it will take about ____ to bring the vehicle to a stop.
a. Twice the length of the vehicle.
b. Half the length of a football field.
c. The length of a football field.
d. Sixty feet.
39. The parking brake should be tested while the vehicle is?
a. Parked.
b. Moving slowly.
c. Going down hill.
d. Moving at least 30 MPH.
40. Control braking -
a. lock the brakes and release the pedal when you have stopped.
b. Apply the brakes as hard as you can without locking the brakes.
c. Apply the brakes as hard as you can until the brakes lockup then release them.
d. Can never be used on a heavy vehicle.
41. The vehicle in front of you has a red triangle with an orange center on the rear. What does this mean?
a. The vehicle is hauling hazardous materials.
b. It is a slow moving vehicle.
c. It has an over sized load.
d. The vehicle does not pay road use taxes.
42. You must park on the side of a level, straight, two-lane road. Where should you place the three reflective triangles?
a. One within 10 feet of the rear of the vehicle, one about 100 feet to the rear of the vehicle, and one about
100 feet from the front of the vehicle
b. One within 10 feet of the rear of the vehicle, one about 100 feet to the rear, and one about 200 feet to the rear.
c. One about 50 feet from the rear of the vehicle, one about 100 feet to the rear of the vehicle and one about 10 feet from the front of the vehicle.
d. One within 100 feet of the rear of the vehicle, one about 10 feet to the rear and one about 10 feet from the front of the vehicle.
43. The key principle in balancing cargo weight is to keep the load?
a. Centered.
b. To the front.
c. To the rear.
d. None of the above.
44. When should you check your load?
a. Before you leave on your trip.
b. At the start of the trip and at your first stop.
c. Before you leave, after the first 25 miles and every 150 miles or 3 hours.
d. After the first 25 miles.
45. If a vehicle is loaded with very little weight on the front axle, what can happen?
a. Poor traction.
b. Damage to drive axle tires.
c. Better handling.
d. All the above.
46. Cargo inspections
a. Should be done only before driving.
b. Should be done at every break during trip.
c. Are only needed if you are hauling hazardous materials.
d. Should be done every 6 hours or 300 miles.
47. How do you correct a rear-wheel acceleration skid?
a. Increase acceleration to the wheels.
b. Apply the brakes.
c. Stop accelerating and push in the clutch.
d. Apply the brakes.
48. Which of these statements about double-clutching and shifting is true?
a. It should not be done when the road is slippery.
b. You can use the sound of the engine to tell you when to shift.
c. You must use both clutch pedals.
d. All the above.
49. Which of these statements about tires and hot weather driving are true?
a. You should inspect your tires more often.
b. If a tire is to hot to touch, You should drive on it to cool it off.
c. Recapped tires are less likely to fail in hot weather than new tires.
d. None of the above.
50. What should you do if your vehicle hydroplanes?
a. Start stab braking.
b. Downshift immediately.
c. Accelerate slightly.
d. Release the accelerator.
Click here to know the Answers to above CDL Practice Test - General Knowledge Test sample questions.
1. b
2. b
3. a
4. a
5. b
6. c
7. a
8. c
9. d
10. a
11. a
12. c
13. a
14. d
15. c
16. a
17. a
18. a
19. a
20. d
21. c
22. c
23. d
24. b
25. c
26. b
27. b
28. c
29. b
30. c
31. d
32. a
33, b
34. a
35. b
36. a
37. b
38. C
39. b
40. b
41. b
42. a
43. a
44. c
45. a
46. b
47. c
48. b
49. a
50. d
Check out CDL Practice Test - GENERAL KNOWLEDGE PRACTICE TEST Sample Questions