171 Most Common CDL Questions General Knowledge Flashcards
With a BAC of __ most people lose consciousness, and some die.
0.4
To prevent a load from shifting, there should be at least one tie-down for every __ feet of cargo.
10
Name two situations in which the legal maximum weights may not be safe to haul.
DURING BAD WEATHER; IN MOUNTAINS
If you are stopped at a rest area and found to have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .02, you will be placed out of service for___hours
24 HOURS.
The distance that you should look ahead of your vehicle while driving is about a ____ mile at highway speed.
1/4 MILE
Inspect your cargo after you have driven how many miles?
50 MILES, AGAIN AFTER 3 HOURS OR 150 MILES; AND AFTER EVERY STOP FOR A BREAK.
Medical certificates must be renewed every ___ years
2 YEARS.
What Is the minimum tread depth for tires other than front tires?
2/32 INCH
Escape ramps are used to stop…
RUNAWAY VEHICLES.
You are driving a vehicle that can be driven safely at 55 mph on an open road. Although the speed limit is 55 mph, traffic is heavy, moving at 35 mph. The safest speed for your vehicle in this situation is ____ MPH
35 MPH.
If you are driving a 30-foot vehicle at 55 mph, how many seconds of following distance should you allow?
4 SECONDS
How far ahead should you be looking while driving in town?
1 BLOCK
When driving a commercial vehicle with a height over 13 feet, you should stop and make sure if you aren’t certain that a clearance is ______ enough
HIGH
In your mirror, you see a car approaching from the rear. The next time you check your mirror, you don’t see the car. To change lanes, you should wait until you are sure the car isn’t in your ____ spot
BLIND
Turn signals should be used at least _______ feet before turning or changing lanes?
100 FEET
If you are driving a long distance, you should ______ often and take _____ breaks before you feel really drowsy or _____
STOP, SHORT, TIRED.
What does axle weight mean? The weight transmitted to the _______ by one axle or one set of axles
GROUND
The distance your vehicle travels from the time your eyes see a hazard to the time your brain recognizes it is called the ___________ distance
PERCEPTION
Optional safety equipment may include emergency phone numbers, tire chains, and ______changing equipment
TIRE
To prevent brake fade, you should select a ______ that will keep your vehicle at a safe speed on _____ downgrades
GEAR, STEEP
Wheel bearing seals should be checked for
LEAKS.
One can recognize hazardous materials by looking at the containers
LABEL.
High beams should be used when it is _______ and _______ to do so
SAFE, LEGAL
How do you calculate how many seconds of following distance you have?
WAIT UNTIL THE VEHICLE AHEAD OF YOU PASSES A CLEAR LANDMARK. THEN COUNT OFF THE SECONDS UNTIL YOU REACH THE SAME SPOT.
How do you test the hydraulic brakes for leaks?
PUMP THE BRAKE PEDAL THREE TIMES; THEN APPLY FIRM PRESSURE TO THE PEDAL AND HOLD IT FOR FIVE SECONDS. THE PEDAL SHOULD NOT MOVE.
Name two causes of fires. Under-inflated ______ and ______ that touch
TIRES, DUALS
What does communicating mean in safe driving? Letting other drivers know you’re there to help prevent _______
CRASHES
What is the proper way to hold the steering wheel? Firmly, with both hands on _________ sides of the wheel
OPPOSITE
The tendency for long commercial vehicles to swing wide on turns Is called off-_______
TRACKING.
How does the height of the vehicles center of gravity affect safe handling? Trucks with a high center of gravity can roll over at the _________ speed limit for a ______
POSTED, CURVE
You do not have a Hazardous Materials Endorsement on your commercial drivers license. You are asked to deliver hazardous materials in a placarded vehicle. You should_______to haul the load
REFUSE
The purpose of retarders is to help to slow the vehicle while ________ and reduce break _______
DRIVING, WEAR.
While driving, you see a small (1-foot-square) cardboard box ahead in your lane. You should steer around it without making a sudden or unsafe ________
MOVE.
If your vehicle catches fire while you are driving, you should park…
IN AN OPEN AREA.
When should you review the pre-trip inspection report from the last driver?
YOU SHOULD REVIEW IT DURING YOUR PRE-TRIP INSPECTION
You can see a Sign on a vehicle ahead of you. The sign is a red triangle with an orange center. What does the sign tell you about the vehicle?
IT IS A SLOW-MOVING VEHICLE
Name some important steering system parts. The tie rod, spindle and ________ arm
PITMAN
The gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) is the maximum GVW specified by the manufacturer for a single vehicle, including it’s _____
LOAD.
During a pre-trip inspection, you discover an exhaust leak or power steering leak. You should report the problem and make arrangements to use another ________
VEHICLE
The best drivers are those who watch and prepare for hazards. This is called being…
DEFENSIVE.
Name some things you should check on the FRONT of your vehicle during your pre-trip inspection. Low _____, high ______, four way__________, and turn ________
BEAMS, BEAMS, FLASHERS ,SIGNALS
The most common cause of serious vehicle skids is driving too ______ for road conditions
FAST
What Is an escape ramp? Ramps that are located a few miles from the top of a _____________ to help you stop
DOWNGRADE
A car suddenly cuts in front of you, creating a hazard. What should you NOT do? Honk and stay close behind the ______
CAR
If you are being tailgated, you should increase your __________ distance
FOLLOWING
What is a hazardous materials placard? Where is it placed and what does it identify?
A SIGN PLACED ON THE OUTSIDE OF A VEHICLE THAT IDENTIFIES THE HAZARD CLASS OF THE ______
CARGO.
What is the most important hand signal that you and your backing helper should agree on?
STOP
What is the definition of sleep debt?
THE CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF NOT GETTING ENOUGH ________
SLEEP
It is important to shift gears correctly to keep control of the _______
VEHICLE.
The reaction distance is the distance traveled from the time
THE BRAIN TELLS THE FOOT TO PUSH THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE TIME THE FOOT ACTUALLY PUSHES THE _________
PEDAL.
Bridge formulas permit
LESS MAXIMUM AXLE WEIGHT FOR AXLES THAT ARE ______ TOGETHER.
CLOSE
The purpose of a baffle is to control the _____ surge
LOAD
A vehicle is loaded with most of the weight on the steering axle. What may result?
HARD STEERING AND POSSIBLE DAMAGE TO THE ______
TIRES
Gross vehicle weight (GVW) is
THE TOTAL WEIGHT OF A SINGLE VEHICLE, INCLUDING ITS _______
LOAD.
You are starting your vehicle from a stop. As you apply power to the drive wheels, they start to spin. You should
TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE ________
ACCELERATOR.
For an average commercial vehicle being driven at 55 mph on dry pavement, it will take about the _________ of a football field to bring the vehicle to a stop. (300ft)
LENGTH
Tie-downs must be of the proper type and strength. The combined strength of the cargo tiedowns must be enough to lift
ONE AND ________ TIMES THE WEIGHT OF THE CARGO TIED DOWN.
ONE-HALF
You are driving a heavy vehicle and must exit a highway using an off ramp that curves downhill. You should
SLOW DOWN TO A _______ SPEED BEFORE TAKING THE _______
SAFE, CURVE.
What three things related to cargo are the drivers responsibility?
_____________THE CARGO, RECOGNIZING ____________, AND PROPERLY SECURING THE _______
INSPECTING, OVERLOADS, CARGO
When should you downshift an automatic transmission?
WHEN GOING DOWN GRADES
When should you wear seat belts?
ANYTIME YOU ARE IN A MOVING VEHICLE
What effects can wet brakes cause?
BRAKES CAN GRAB OR BECOME WEAK
You should try to park your vehicle so that you can…
PULL FORWARD WHEN YOU LEAVE.
Cargo that can shift should have at least __ tiedowns(s).
TWO
Containerized loads are typically used for…
FREIGHT CARRIED PARTWAY BY RAIL OR SHIP.
Converter dollies built on or after March 1, 1998 are required to have anti-lock brakes. These dollies will have a …
YELLOW MALFUNCTION LAMP ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DOLLY.
How many red reflective triangles should you carry?
THREE
It takes the body about ____ hours to get rid of the alcohol in four drinks.
FOUR
How does bleeding tar affect the road surface and driving conditions?
TAR RISES TO THE ROAD SURFACE IN VERY HOT WEATHER, CAUSING THE ROADS TO BECOME VERY SLIPPERY
Can federal inspectors inspect your truck or bus?
YES, AND THEY CAN PLACE IT OUT OF SERVICE.
How far ahead should you look in seconds?
12-15
You should have a minimum of tread on your steering tires.
4/32 INCH
You are driving a 40-foot vehicle at 35 mph. The road Is dry and visibility is good. What Is the least amount of space (in seconds) you should keep in front of your vehicle to be safe?
4 SECONDS
You do not have a Hazardous Materials Endorsement on your commercial driver’s license. You can drive a vehicle hauling hazardous materials when…
THE VEHICLE DOES NOT REQUIRE PLACARDS.
How can you avoid wet brake problems?
SLOW DOWN, SHIFT TO A LOW GEAR, AND GENTLY APPLY THE BRAKES
On a two-way, two-lane road, if you must stop on a hill, how far back should you place your reflective triangles?
WITHIN 500 FEET BEHIND THE VEHICLE
When should you test the stopping action of your service brakes?
WHEN THE VEHICLE IS MOVING AT ABOUT 5 MPH
Some liquid tanks are divided into several smaller tanks by …
BULKHEADS.
Why should you be in the proper gear before starting down a hill?
YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SHIFT INTO A LOWER GEAR ONCE YOU ARE GOING DOWN A HILL
The total weight of the powered unit, the trailer, and the cargo is called the gross…
COMBINATION WEIGHT.
To avoid a crash, you had to drive onto the right shoulder. You are now driving at 40 mph on the shoulder. How should you move back onto the pavement?
IF POSSIBLE, COME TO A COMPLETE STOP BEFORE STEERING BACK ONTO THE PAVEMENT
When approaching a traffic light that has been green for a long time, you should
START TO SLOW DOWN SO YOU WILL BE READY TO STOP.
For your safety, when setting out reflective triangles, you should hold…
THE TRIANGLES BETWEEN YOURSELF AND ONCOMING TRAFFIC.
If you have been drinking alcohol, before you drive, you should wait…
FOR IT TO WEAR OFF.
You must park on the side of a level, straight, two-lane road. Where should you place the reflective triangles?
ONE WITHIN 10 FEET OF THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, ONE ABOUT 100 FEET TO THE REAR, AND ONE ABOUT 100 FEET IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE
If you do not have a CB radio, what is the first thing you should do at an accident scene?
PROTECT THE ACCIDENT SCENE
What is your most valuable way to see the sides and rear while driving?
CHECK YOUR MIRRORS REGULARLY
Implied consent means that when you sign the driver’s license application form, you consent to be tested for…
ALCOHOL IN YOUR BLOOD.
If a straight vehicle (no trailer or articulation) goes into a front-wheel skid, it will go…
STRAIGHT AHEAD EVEN IF THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED.
You should look back and turn toward the drivers side so you can…
WATCH THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE BY LOOKING OUT THE SIDE WINDOW.
Stab braking involves, releasing the brakes only after…
THE WHEELS LOCK UP.
The oil pressure gauge should come up to normal within how long after starting the engine?
SECONDS
When backing up, why Is it important to have a helper?
BECAUSE THERE ARE BLIND SPOTS YOU CANT SEE.
The load means?
THE MAXIMUM SAFE WEIGHT A TIRE CAN CARRY AT A SPECIFIED PRESSURE.
When inspecting mirrors and windshields for cracks, dirt, illegal stickers, and other obstructions to your vision, you should…
CLEAN AND ADJUST AS NECESSARY.
You are driving a new truck with a manual transmission. To take a long, steep downhill grade, you should use…
A LOWER GEAR THAN YOU WOULD USE TO CLIMB THE HILL.
Truck escape ramps are…
DESIGNED TO STOP RUNAWAY VEHICLES SAFELY WITHOUT INJURING DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS.
What should you do if you get stuck on the railroad tracks?
GET OUT OF YOUR VEHICLE AND AWAY FROM THE TRACKS
What items should be checked for safety on the steering column?
STEERING ARMS, NUTS, BOLTS, AND COTTER KEYS
If the vehicle in front of you is smaller than yours, it can probably stop…
FASTER THAN YOU.
You should use a helper to help back your vehicle when ________
POSSIBLE.
If you need to leave the road in a traffic emergency, you should avoid braking, until your speed has decreased to about ____ mph
20 MPH.
Before transporting a sealed load, you must check that the load is properly _________
SECURED.
As your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) rises, what happens?
YOUR JUDGMENT AND SELF-CONTROL ARE AFFECTED
According to the drivers manual, why should you limit the use of your horn?
BECAUSE IT CAN STARTLE OTHER DRIVERS.
Why make emergency plans when you see a hazard?
TO PROTECT YOURSELF AND OTHERS
Every time you park your vehicle and shut the engine off, you should apply the ________ brake
PARKING
What is hydroplaning?
WHEN THE TIRES LOSE THEIR CONTACT WITH THE ROAD
What is the minimum length for mud flaps?
WITHIN 8 INCHES OF THE SURFACE OF THE ROAD
What Is the new blood alcohol concentration (BAC) for commercial drivers to be considered intoxicated when driving a commercial vehicle?
0.04
At night, when a vehicle is carrying a load that extends four feet or more beyond the rear of the body, there must be 2 ____ ____ at the extreme end of the load.
RED LIGHTS
You are driving a 40-foot vehicle at 50 mph. Driving conditions are ideal (dry pavement, good visibility). What is the least amount of space that you should keep in front of your vehicle to be safe?
5 SECONDS
When driving at night, use your low beams when an oncoming vehicle is within _______ feet
500
What is black ice?
A THIN LAYER OF ICE CLEAR ENOUGH THAT YOU CAN SEE THE ROAD UNDERNEATH IT
To prevent skidding, you should adjust to conditions while _______
DRIVING.
When you check the condition of visible parts during your pre-trip inspection, make sure that the air ____ and electrical ______ are secured against snagging, rubbing, or wearing.
LINES, WIRING
If you are convicted for driving under the influence (DUI) while driving a commercial vehicle, and this is your first offense, you will most likely get at least a ______ year suspension of your CDL
ONE
Stab braking should not be used on vehicles with…
ANTI-LOCK BRAKES.
Dry bulk tanks and hanging meat are unstable _______
LOADS.
When a doctor prescribes medication for you and you know you will be driving, you should ask the doctor if the medication wil affect your ability to _____
DRIVE.
When looking ahead of your vehicle while you are driving, you should look back and _____, near and ____
FORTH, FAR.
A key principle to remember about loading cargo is to keep the load balanced in the _____ ____
CARGO AREA.
What is an advantage of going right instead of left around an obstacle?
IF YOU ARE BLOCKED ON BOTH SIDES, A MOVE TO THE RIGHT WON’T FORCE ANOTHER VEHICLE INTO AN OPPOSING TRAFFIC LANE AND A POSSIBLE HEAD-ON COLLISION
Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is calculated by measuring a persons body ______
WEIGHT.
Hydroplaning is mostly likely when the tire pressure is ____
LOW.
Brake fade can be caused but the brakes becoming too____
HOT.
Retarders can cause the drive wheels to _____ when they have poor ______
SKID, TRACTION.
To correct a drive-wheel braking skid, you should counter- ______
STEER.
When you take a break in the middle of your trip, you should check critical items, such as…
TIRES, BRAKES, AND CARGO TIE-DOWNS.
Your truck has a dual air system, and one of the systems loses its pressure. What will happen to the front or rear brakes?
EITHER THE FRONT OR REAR BRAKES WILL NOT BE FULLY OPERATIONAL
You should schedule your driving for the hours you are normally _____
AWAKE.
If you go twice as fast, your stopping distance will increase by ______ times
FOUR
What is the first thing you should try to do if your brakes fail while driving downhill?
GET OFF THE ROAD AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
What should you do before driving if you are sleepy? Get some _____
SLEEP
What should the wheel bearing seals be checked for?
THE HUB OIL LEVEL AND POSSIBLE LEAKS
Controlled braking is used to keep a vehicle in a straight line when _____
BRAKING.
Is it legal to drive with one-fourth of a vehicles leaf springs broken or missing?
NO
How many seconds does it take a typical tractor-trailer to clear a single railroad track? A many seconds for a double railroad track?
IT TAKES 14 SECONDS TO CLEAR A SINGLE TRACK AND MORE THAN 15 SECONDS TO CLEAR A DOUBLE TRACK
What should you do if a car coming toward you at night keeps its high beams on?
LOOK TOWARD THE RIGHT EDGE OF YOUR LANE OR THE RIGHT EDGE OF THE ROAD.
When you are passing another vehicle, pedestrian, or bicyclist, you should assume that they move into your…
TRAFFIC LANE.
How can you test the parking brake?
SET THE PARKING BRAKE, TRY TO MOVE SLOWLY FORWARD
You are driving on a straight, level highway at 50 mph. There are no vehicles in front of you. Suddenly a tire blows out. What should you do first?
STAY OFF THE BRAKES UNTIL THE VEHICLE SLOWS DOWN ON ITS OWN.
The braking effect of the engine is greatest when the engine is _____ the governed rpm and the transmission is in the _____ gears.
NEAR; LOWER
When driving in cold weather conditions, your tires should provide enough traction to steer and push a vehicle through the _____
SNOW
You must park on the side of a level, straight, fourlane, divided highway. Where should you place the three reflective triangles?
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
To avoid rollbacks when you start, you should partly engage the _____ before you take your right foot off the ____
CLUTCH, BRAKE.
What is a pull-up?
PULLING _________ WHILE _______ A TRAILER TO REPOSITION IT
FORWARD, BACKING
What three distances that add up to total stopping distance for your truck or bus?
PERCEPTION, REACTION, BRAKING
What should you do if your vehicle hydroplanes? Release the _______
ACCELERATOR.
If you have a heavy load that is slowing you down on an upgrade, you should shift into a lower ____
GEAR.
Convex curved mirrors show a wider area than ______ mirrors
FLAT
If required, a drivers trip log must be shown when an ________ requests it
OFFICER
How do you correct a rear-wheel acceleration skid?
STOP ______________
ACCELERATING.
While driving, ice builds up on your wipers and they no longer clean the windshield. You should stop safely and
FIX THE __________
PROBLEM.
To help you stay alert while driving, you should take short ____ before you get _____
BREAKS, DROWSY.
If your brakes get wet while driving on a rainy day, what can happen when you apply the brakes? Trailer Jack ______
KNIFING
What are two ways to know when to shift? Use engine ______ (RPM) and road _____ (MPH).
SPEED, SPEED
When driving through roadway work zones, you should watch for sharp pavement drop-____
OFFS.
When roads are slippery, you should make turns as carefully as _______
POSSIBLE.
Why are placards used? To communicate the ______
RISK
What factors determine your choice of safe speed when going down a long, steep downgrade?
- TOTAL WEIGHT OF THE ______
- LENGTH OF THE ______
- STEEPNESS
- _______ CONDITIONS
- WEATHER
VEHICLE, GRADE, ROAD
What are the two main things to look for ahead? Traffic and _____ conditions.
ROAD
What things should you check during a trip?
WATCH _________ AND ________,
USE YOUR SENSES TO CHECK FOR PROBLEMS.
LOOK, LISTEN, AND _______
GAUGES, MIRRORS, SMELL
What is countersteering?
TURNING THE WHEEL BACK IN THE OTHER DIRECTION AFTER STEERING TO AVOID A TRAFFIC _________
EMERGENCY
What are two ways to know when to shift?
USE ENGINE _______ (RPM) AND ROAD _______ (MPH)
SPEED, SPEED
What should you do if you see a hazard in the roadway? Use your four-way _______ or _______ lights to warn others
FLASHERS, BRAKE
Blocking the cargo to keep it from sliding must be done at the _____, back, and/or _____ of a piece of cargo
FRONT, SIDES
When driving in an area with few streetlights on a clear night, if you cannot see well with your head-lights, you should use your _____ beams when legal and keep your interior lights ____
HIGH, OFF.
While driving, you should use your mirrors to check where the _____ of your vehicle is while you make turns
REAR
What is the most important reason for being alert to hazards? You will have time to plan your escape if the hazard becomes an _____________
EMERGENCY.
Name some suspension system defects.
- CRACKED OR BROKEN SPRING _______
- BROKEN LEAVES IN A LEAF _____
- LEAKING ______ ABSORBERS
HANGER, SPRING, SHOCK
