3 RD DECK

Question 1

101. If you must drive in reverse, it is helpful to:

Answer 1

› First exit the truck and walk the path to look for obstacles.
If you must drive in reverse, you should first walk around the vehicle to check for hazards in
your path of travel. Make frequent use of the mirrors on both sides of your vehicle while
backing. Always back up as slowly as possible.

Question 2

102. Dual tires should:

Answer 2

› Not come into contact with one another.
When inspecting a vehicle, you should verify that your dual tires do not come into contact
with one another, or with any other part of the vehicle.

Question 3

103. If you are turning left at an intersection where there are two available turn lanes:

Answer 3

› It is best to use the right lane.
You may have to swing right to safely make a left turn. If there are two left turn lanes
available at an intersection, you should always begin your turn in the rightmost lane.

Question 4

104. Most heavy vehicles require ____ to change gears.

Answer 4

› Double clutching
Most heavy vehicles with manual transmissions require double clutching to change gears. A
driver should release the accelerator, push in the clutch, and shift into neutral at the same
time. After releasing the clutch and allowing the vehicle to change to the necessary speed,
the driver should push in the clutch, shift gears, then simultaneously release the clutch and
accelerate.

Question 5

105. Slow down and be extra careful:

Answer 5

› When approaching a work zone.
Slow down and be especially careful when driving in and around work zones, in places where
the pavement drops off sharply at the edge of the road, when foreign objects are present on
the road, and on freeway on- and off-ramps.

Question 6

106. The two indicators that determine when you should upshift are:

Answer 6

› Engine speed and road speed.
There are two indicators that determine when you need to shift into a higher gear. One
indicator is the engine speed (rpm). You should read your vehicle’s manual to learn its rpm
range and shift up when you reach the top of that range. The other indicator is road speed
(mph). You should learn which speeds each gear can accommodate, then keep an eye on
the speedometer and shift up as needed.

Question 7

7. Leaking shock absorbers:

Answer 7

› Indicate a potentially dangerous defect.
The suspension system keeps a vehicle’s axles in place. Damaged suspension parts, such as
leaking shock absorbers, may be potentially dangerous defects on a vehicle.

Question 8

108. If you need to travel down a hill, you should switch into a lower gear:

Answer 8

› Before you start moving downhill.
Always downshift before beginning to drive downhill. Forcing an automatic transmission into
a lower gear at a high speed could damage the transmission and also lead to a loss of ability
to engine brake. Drive at a speed that will allow you to control your vehicle without overusing
your brakes. When determining a safe speed to drive, you should take into account the
steepness of the grade, the length of the grade, the weight of your vehicle, road conditions,
and weather conditions.

Question 9

109. For safety purposes, when should you turn off a retarder?

Answer 9

› When the roadways are slippery
Retarders are mechanisms in some vehicles that help slow a vehicle and reduce the need for
braking. However, using a retarder may cause wheels to skid when they have poor traction.
Turn off retarders when traveling under wet, snowy, or icy conditions.

Question 10

110. Texting while driving is especially dangerous because:

Answer 10

› It is both a mental and physical distraction.
Texting while driving is particularly dangerous because it is both a mental and physical
distraction to the driver. In addition to diverting a driver’s mental attention away from the
road, texting requires a person to remove at least one hand from the vehicle’s controls.

Question 11

111. When checking your vehicle’s lights before driving:

Answer 11

› The engine should be turned off.
To check your vehicle’s lights before a trip, you should set the parking brake, turn off the
engine, remove the key from the ignition, and take the key with you. Turn on your low beam
headlights and four-way flashers. Get out of the vehicle to make sure the lights are working
properly.

Question 12

112. When testing a parking brake, the vehicle should:

Answer 12

› Be placed in a low gear while the driver attempts to pull forward.
To test a parking brake, you should fasten your safety belt, set the parking brake for the
power unit, release the trailer parking brake (if applicable), place the vehicle in low gear, and
attempt to pull forward against the parking brake. If the parking brake does not hold while
you are attempting to pull forward against it, the brake is faulty and must be fixed.

Question 13

113. When parked on the side of the road, you should:

Answer 13

› Use your four-way flashers.
Always turn on your four-way emergency flashers if you must park on the side of the road.
This is especially important when traveling at night.

Question 14

114. If driving a vehicle with a manual transmission, you can prevent your vehicle from rolling
     backward when starting from a stop by:

Answer 14

› Partly engaging the clutch before removing your foot from the brake pedal.
To prevent rolling backward when starting from a stop, you should partly engage the clutch
before removing your foot from the brake. Apply the parking brake whenever necessary to
prevent your vehicle from rolling back.

Question 15

115. In cool weather, as the temperature begins to rise and ice begins to melt:

Answer 15

› The road will become even more slippery.
As the temperature begins to rise and ice on the road begins to melt, the road surface will
often become even more slippery. Water from the slight melting will sit on top of the ice,
decreasing the available traction even more. Always decrease your speed and drive with
caution when traveling on slippery surfaces.

Question 16

116. How does doubling your speed from 20 mph to 40 mph affect your vehicle’s braking distance?

Answer 16

› It quadruples.
Increasing your vehicle’s speed will increase your vehicle’s striking power and braking
distance. Doubling your vehicle’s speed from 20 to 40 mph will multiply its braking distance
by four.

Question 17

117. When backing, it is best to:

Answer 17

› Use a helper, if possible.
If you must drive in reverse, you should back up slowly and use the mirrors on both sides of
your vehicle. Use a helper to monitor your blind spots whenever possible. You and the helper
should agree on a signal for “stop.”

Question 18

118. A truck should be parked:

Answer 18

› So that it can be pulled forward to leave the space.
Because you can’t see everything behind you, backing is always dangerous and should be
avoided whenever possible. Choose parking spaces from which you can pull forward when
you leave.

Question 19

119. In hot weather, spots on the pavement where tar is bleeding:

Answer 19

› Are very slippery.
Tar in road pavement often rises to the surface of the road, or “bleeds,” in very hot weather.
Watch for such areas because they can be very slippery.

Question 20

120. When near a railroad crossing:

Answer 20

› You may not hear a train, even if one is approaching.
You should never assume that you will hear an approaching train. The train operator may fail
to sound the horn, or the use of a train’s horn may be prohibited in a specific area. Even if
the train does sound its horn, noise from inside your own vehicle may prevent you from
hearing the train until it is dangerously close.

Question 21

121. When approaching a railroad crossing, you should:

Answer 21

› Not rely solely on warning signals to indicate if a train is approaching.
You should not rely solely upon the presence of warning signals, gates, or flaggers to alert
you to the approach of a train. Be especially alert to approaching trains at crossings that are
not controlled by gates or signals. At any railroad crossing, you should operate under the
assumption that a train is coming.

Question 22

122. When using your mirrors, you should frequently look at your tires to:

Answer 22

› Watch for tire fires.
Check your tires regularly when looking in your mirrors. This helps ensure that you will notice
a tire fire, if one should happen. Tire fires may occur when a tire is under-inflated, if dual tires
are touching, or if the tires are otherwise overheated.

Question 23

123. What should you do if your vehicle gets stuck on railroad tracks?

Answer 23

› Get out of the vehicle and call for assistance.
If your CMV gets stuck on railroad tracks, you should immediately leave the vehicle and get
away from the tracks. Check the signposts or signal housing at the crossing for emergency
contact information and call 911, or another appropriate emergency number.

Question 24

124. To avoid a hazard, you:

Answer 24

› May need to swerve your vehicle out of the way.
Stopping is not always the best way to avoid a hazard. If there is not enough space for you
to stop to avoid coming into contact with the hazard, swerving out of the way may be your
safest option.

Question 25

125. You must put out emergency warning devices within ____ of stopping on the side of the
     road.

Answer 25

› 10 minutes
If you must stop on the shoulder of a road, put out your emergency warning devices within
10 minutes of stopping. When pulling off the road to stop, be sure to turn on your four-way
emergency flashers.

Question 26

126. Texting while driving a CMV is:

Answer 26

› Prohibited.
Texting while driving a commercial motor vehicle is both illegal and dangerous. Manually
entering text into or reading text from any electronic device is considered texting.

Question 27

127. If a driver begins to feel fatigued while driving, they should:

Answer 27

› Stop and rest.
If you begin to feel drowsy while driving, the only safe response is to safely leave the road
and get some sleep. Using artificial stimulants can be dangerous because they may cause
extreme fatigue when they begin to wear off.

Question 28

128. How could you reduce your stress while driving?

Answer 28

› Listen to calming music
Being under stress can lead to aggressive driving, which is dangerous. Playing calming
music can help you become more relaxed if you are feeling stressed while driving.

Question 29

129. If an aggressive driver confronts you, you should not:

Answer 29

› Challenge them.
When confronted with an aggressive driver, your first priority should be to get out of their
way. Do not provoke the driver by making eye contact, trying to race, or refusing to move out
of your traffic lane. Additionally, ignore any gestures that are intended to provoke you.

Question 30

130. If a tire fails, you should:

Answer 30

› Stay off the brakes.
Braking after a tire fails can result in a loss of control. Stay off your brakes, if possible, until
your vehicle has slowed considerably.

Question 31

131. When driving a vehicle equipped with an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), you should:

Answer 31

› Brake as you would in a vehicle not equipped with ABS.
When driving a tractor-trailer combination that is equipped with an Anti-Lock Braking
System (ABS), you should brake in the same manner that you would if the vehicle was not
equipped with ABS.

Question 32

132. After an accident, flares should be used with caution because:

Answer 32

› There may be fuel spilled on the ground that could catch fire.
A common cause of vehicle fires in the aftermath of an accident is the improper use of flares
near spilled fuel. Use flares with caution.

Question 33

133. If you have an engine fire, you should:

Answer 33

› Turn off the engine as soon as possible.
To keep an engine fire from spreading, you should turn off the vehicle’s engine as soon as
possible. Do not open the hood if you don’t have to.

Question 34

134. If an approaching driver is using their high beam headlights, you should:

Answer 34

› Look to the right side of your lane until the vehicle has passed.
If a vehicle is coming toward you while using its high beam headlights, glance away from the
headlights and toward the right side of the road until the vehicle has passed. This will keep
you from being blinded by the lights.

Question 35

135. When trying to put out an electrical fire, you should:

Answer 35

Use a B:C extinguisher.
B:C fire extinguishers are designed to work on electrical fires and burning liquids. Don’t pour
water on an electrical fire.

Question 36

136. If you’re not sure what to do to extinguish a fire in your vehicle, you should: