cdl Flashcards
What is the most important reason for doing a
vehicle inspection?
A Vehicle inspection will help
you find problems that could cause a crash or
breakdown.
What things should you check during a trip?
Watch gauges for signs of trouble. Use your senses to check for problems (look, listen, smell, feel). Check critical items when you stop: • Tires, wheels and rims. • Brakes. • Lights and reflectors. • Brake and electrical connections to trailer. • Trailer coupling devices. • Cargo securement devices.
Why must air tanks be drained?
Water can freeze, causing break failure.
What is a supply pressure gauge used for?
To show how much pressure is in the air tank.
All vehicles with air brakes must have a
low air pressure warning signal. True or
False?
True.
What are spring brakes?
Brakes that are used when the air pressure is removed.
Front wheel brakes are good under all
conditions. True or False?
True.
How do you know if your vehicle is
equipped with antilock brakes?
Check the certification label.
Name some key steering system parts?
steering
column, steering gear box, or tie rods.
Name some suspension system defects.
• Spring hangers that allow movement of axle
from proper position.
• Cracked or broken spring hangers.
• Missing or broken leaves in any leaf spring. If
one-fourth or more are missing, it will put the
vehicle “out of service”, but any defect could be
dangerous.
What three kinds of emergency equipment
must you have?
Fire extinguisher(s).
Spare electrical fuses (unless equipped with
circuit breakers).
Warning devices for parked vehicles (for
example, three reflective warning triangles or 6
fusees or 3 liquid burning flares).
What is the minimum tread depth for front
tires? For other tires?
4/32 – Front
2/32 – All other
Name some things you should check on the
front of your vehicle during the walk around
inspection.
low beams
are on and both of the four-way flashers are
working.
Push dimmer switch and check that high beams
work.
Turn off headlights and four-way emergency
flashers.
Turn on parking, clearance, side-marker, and
identification lights.
Turn on right turn signal
What should wheel bearing seals be checked
for?
Leaking.
How many red reflective triangles should you
carry?
3
How do you test hydraulic brakes for leaks?
pump the brake pedal three
times. Then apply firm pressure to the pedal and
hold for five seconds. The pedal should not move.
If it does, there may be a leak or other problem.
Why put the starter switch key in your pocket
during the Vehicle inspection?
So nobody moves it while you’re under it inspecting.
Why should you back toward the driver’s
side?
Back
to the driver’s side so that you can see better.
If stopped on a hill, how can you start
moving without rolling back?
Put on
the parking brake whenever necessary to keep
from rolling back. Release the parking brake only
when you have applied enough engine power to
keep from rolling back.
When backing, why is it important to use a
helper?
Blind spots
What’s the most important hand signal that
you and the helper should agree on?
Stop
What are the two special conditions where
you should downshift?
Before going downhill and when approaching a curve.
When should you downshift automatic
transmissions?
Before going downhill and when approaching a curve.
Retarders keep you from skidding when
the road is slippery. True or False?
False, Retarders help
slow a vehicle, reducing the need for using your
brakes.
What are the two ways to know when to
shift?
Engine Speed, and Road Speed.
. How far ahead does the manual say you
should look?
12-15 Seconds
What are two main things to look for
ahead?
Because stopping or changing lanes can take a lot
of distance, knowing what the traffic is doing on all
sides of you is very important.
What’s your most important way to see the
sides and rear of your vehicle?
Mirrors.
What does “communicating” mean in safe
driving?
Turn signals
Where should you place reflectors when
stopped on a divided highway?
Place warning devices 10 feet, 100
feet, and 200 feet toward the approaching traffic
What three things add up to total stopping
distance?
Perception Distance, Reaction Distance, Braking Distance
. If you go twice as fast, will your stopping
distance increase by two or four times?
4
Empty trucks have the best braking. True
or False?
F
What is hydroplaning?
Tires lose their contact with the road and
have little or no traction
What is “black ice”?
A thin layer that is clear
enough that you can see the road underneath it.
How do you find out how many seconds of
following distance space you have?
Find a mutual landmarker, and count how many seconds it takes you to reach that spot
If you are driving a 30-foot vehicle at 55
mph, how many seconds of following
distance should you allow?
4 Seconds
You should decrease your following
distance if somebody is following you too
closely. True or False?
F
If you swing wide to the left before turning
right, another driver may try to pass you on
the right. True or False?
T
What is a hazard?
A hazard is any road condition
or other road user (driver, bicyclist, pedestrian) that
is a possible danger.
What are some tips to follow so you won’t
become a distracted driver?
• Assessing all potential in-vehicle distractions
before driving
• Developing a preventative plan to
reduce/eliminate possible distractions
• Expecting distractions to occur
• Discussing possible scenarios before getting
behind the wheel
• Do not type or read a text message on a mobile
device while driving.
• Familiarize yourself with your vehicle’s features
and equipment, before you get behind the wheel.
• Adjust all vehicle controls and mirrors to your
preferences prior to driving.
• Pre-program radio stations and pre-load your
favorite CDs.
• Clear the vehicle of any unnecessary objects
and secure cargo.
• Review maps, program the GPS and plan your
route before you begin driving.
• Don’t attempt to read or write while you drive.
• Avoid smoking, eating and drinking while you
drive. Leave early to allow yourself time to stop
to eat.
How do you recognize a distracted driver?
• Vehicles that may drift over the lane divider
lines or within their own lane.
• Vehicles traveling at inconsistent speeds.
• Drivers who are preoccupied with maps, food,
cigarettes, cell phones, or other objects.
• Drivers who appear to be involved in
conversations with their passengers.
What is the difference between aggressive
driving and road rage?
• Aggressive driving is the act of operating a motor
vehicle in a selfish, bold, or pushy manner, without
regard for the rights or safety of others.
• Road rage is operating a motor vehicle with the
intent of doing harm to others or physically
assaulting a driver or their vehicle.
What should you do when confronted with an
aggressive driver?
- Get Away
- Don’t challenge them
- Avoid eye contact
- Don’t react to them
What are some things you can do to reduce
your stress before and while you drive?
Listen to calm music, Don’t drive slow in the left lane. etc
You should use low beams whenever you
can. True or False?
False
What should you do before you drive if you
are drowsy?
Sleep
What effects can wet brakes cause? How
can you avoid these problems?
Brakes become weak. Avoid deep puddles
You should let air out of hot tires so the
pressure goes back to normal. True or
False?
False
You can safely remove the radiator cap as
long as the engine isn’t overheated. True
or False?
False
Why should you be in the proper gear before
starting down a hill?
You won’t be able to shift when your speed is built up.
Describe the proper braking technique when
going down a long, steep downgrade.
Brake until 5mph below safe speed. Repeat
What type of vehicles can get stuck on a
railroad-highway crossing?
Low slung units (lowboy, car carrier, moving
van, possum-belly livestock trailer).
Single-axle tractor pulling a long trailer with its
landing gear set to accommodate a tandemaxle
tractor.
How long does it take for a typical tractortrailer
unit to clear a double track?
15 seconds
Stopping is not always the safest thing to do
in an emergency. True or False?
T
What are some advantages of going right
instead of left around an obstacle?
Won’t run anybody into oncoming traffic
What is an “escape ramp?”
stop runaway vehicles safely without injuring
drivers and passengers.
If a tire blows out, you should put the brakes
on hard to stop quickly. True or False?
F
How do you know if your vehicle has antilock
brakes?
malfunction lamps
What is the proper braking technique when
driving a vehicle with antilock brakes?
Use only the braking force necessary to stop
safely and stay in control
How do antilock brakes help you?
ABS helps you avoid wheel lock up and maintain
control.
What are some things to do at an accident
scene to prevent another accident?
If your vehicle is involved in the accident, try to
get it to the side of the road. This will help
prevent another accident and allow traffic to
move.
If you’re stopping to help, park away from the
accident. The area immediately around the
accident will be needed for emergency vehicles.
Put on your flashers.
Set out reflective triangles to warn other traffic.
Make sure other drivers can see them in time to
avoid the accident.
Name two causes of tire fires.
Under-inflated tires and duals that touch.
What kinds of fires is a B:C extinguisher not
good for?
Purple K Dry Chemical
Dry Powder Special Compound
Water
Water With Anti-Freeze
When using your extinguisher, should you get
as close as possible to the fire?
False
Name some causes of vehicle fires.
After Accidents. Spilled fuel, improper use of
flares.
Tires. Under-inflated tires and duals that touch.
Electrical System. Short circuits due to
damaged insulation, loose connections.
Fuel. Driver smoking, improper fueling, loose
fuel connections.
Cargo. Flammable cargo, improperly sealed or
loaded cargo, poor ventilation.
Common medicines for colds can make you
sleepy. True or False?
T
Coffee and a little fresh air will help a drinker
sober up. True or False?
F
What is a hazardous materials placard?
Placards are used to warn others of hazardous
materials.
Why are placards used?
Placards are used to warn others of hazardous
materials.
What four things related to cargo are drivers
responsible for?
Inspecting your cargo.
Recognizing overloads and poorly balanced
weight.
Knowing your cargo is properly secured and
does not obscure your view ahead or to the
sides.
Knowing your cargo does not restrict your
access to emergency equipment.
How often must you stop while on the road to
check your cargo?
Inspect the cargo and its securing
devices again within the first 50 miles
After you have driven for 3 hours or 150 miles.
After every break you take during driving.
Name two situations where legal maximum
weights may not be safe.
Bad weather
What can happen if you don’t have enough
weight on the front axle?
Poor traction
What is the minimum number of tie-downs for
any flatbed load?
1 tie-down for every 10ft
What is the minimum number of tie-downs for
a 20-foot load?
2
What must you check before transporting a
sealed load?
Gross weight & axle limits
What is a dual air brake system?
two separate air brake systems, which use a single
set of brake controls.
What are the slack adjusters?
you can increase or decrease the braking resistance for the type of driving you plan to do for
How can you check slack adjusters?
Turn off the parking brakes so you can move the slack adjusters. Use gloves and pull hard on each slack adjuster that you can reach. If a slack adjuster moves more than about one inch where the push rod attaches to it, it probably needs adjustment. Adjust it or have it adjusted.
How can you test the low pressure warning
signal?
Shut the
engine off when you have enough air pressure so
that the low pressure warning signal is not on. Turn
the electrical power on and step on and off the
brake pedal to reduce air tank pressure. The low
air pressure warning signal must come on before
the pressure drops to less than 60 psi in the air
tank (or tank with the lowest air pressure, in dual
air systems).
How can you check that the spring brakes
come on automatically?
Continue to fan off the air
pressure by stepping on and off the brake pedal to
reduce tank pressure.
What are the maximum leakage rates?
three psi in one
minute
Why should you be in the proper gear before
starting down a hill?
Because you can’t change gears going downhill
What factors can cause brakes to fade or
fail?
Brakes can fade or fail
from excessive heat caused by using them too
much and not relying on the engine braking effect
The use of brakes on a long, steep
downgrade is only a supplement to the
braking effect of the engine. True or False?
T
If you are away from your vehicle only a short
time, you do not need to use the parking
brake. True or False?
F
How often should you drain air tanks?
End of everyday
How should you brake when you drive a
tractor-trailer combination with ABS?
Brake as normal.
You still have normal brake functions if your
ABS is not working. True or False?
T
Study sections 11, 12, and 13
https://www.txdps.state.tx.us/internetforms/Forms/DL-7C.pdf
