CDL Oregon 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
24 hours
The distance that you should look ahead of your vehicle while driving is about _____ at highway speed.
1/4 mile
Inspect your cargo after you have driven
25 miles or 50 miles, depending on the law in the state you are in; again after 3 hours or 150 miles; and after every stop for a break
medical certificates must be renewed every
2 years
what is the minimum tread depth for tires other than front tires?
2/32 inch
Escape ramps are
used to stop runway 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
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 high enough
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 blind spot
turn signals should be used
at least 100 feet before turning or changing lanes
if you are driving a long distance, you should
stop often and take short breaks before you feel really drowsy or tired
what does axle weight mean
the weight transmitted to the ground by one axle or one set of axles
The distance your vehicle travels from the time your brain recognizes it is called_____?
Perception distance
Optional safety equipment may include emergency phone numbers, tire chains, and
Tire changing equipment
To prevent brake fade, you should
select gear that will keep your vehicle at a safe speed on steep downgrades
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 safe and legal to do so
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 thr pedal and hold it for 5 seconds. The pedal should not move
Name 2 causes of fires
Under inflated tires and duals touch together
What does communicating mean in safe driving?
Letting other drivers know that you’re there to help prevent crashes
what is the proper way to hold the steering wheel
Firmly, with both hands on the opposite sides of the wheel
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 posted speed limit for a 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
Refuse to haul the load
The purpose of retarders is to
Help slow the vehicle while driving and reduce brake 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.
Tie rod, Spindle, and Pitman arm
The gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) is the
Maximum GVW specified by the manufacturer for a single vehicle, including its 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 beams, High beams, Four way flashers, and turn signals
The most common cause of serious vehicle skids is
Driving to fast for road conditions
What is an “escape ramp?”
Ramps that are located a few miles from the top of a downgrade to help you stop.
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 following distance.
What is a hazardous materials placard?
A sign place on the outside of a vehicle that identifies the hazard class of the cargo.
What is the most important hand signal that 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 close together.
The purpose of a baffle is too
Control the load surge.
A vehicle is loaded with the 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 it’s 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 55mph on dry pavement, it will take about ____ to bring the vehicle to a stop.
The length of a football field (300 Feet)
Tie-downs must be of the proper type and strength. The combined strength of the cargo tie-downs must be enough to lift.
One and one-half times the weight of the cargo tied down.
You are driving a heavy vehicle and must exit a highway using an off ramp that curves downhill. You should
Slow down to a safe speed before taking the curve.
What three things related to cargo are the driver’s responsibility?
Inspecting the cargo, recognizing overloads, and properly securing the cargo.
When should you downshift an automatic transmission?
When going down grades.
When should you wear a 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___tie-downs(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 breaks. 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?
12-15 seconds.
You should have a minimum of ____ tread on your steering tires.
4/32 inch
You are driving a 40-foot vehicle at 35mph. The road is dry and visibility is good. What is the least amount of space 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-day, 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.
Where and when should you test the stopping action of your service brakes?
When the vehicle is moving at about 5m 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 in a lower gear once you are going down a hill
The total weight of the powered unit, the trailer, and the cargo is called
Gross Combination weight
To avoid a crash, you have 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 the 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 real while driving
Check your mirrors regularly
Implied consent means that when you sign the drivers 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 back and turn toward the drivers side
so you can watch the rear of the vehicle by looking out the side of the 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, why is it important to have a helper?
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 necessary
You are driving a new truck with a manual transmission. To take a long, steep downhill grade
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 should not be missing any nuts, bolts, or 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 20 MPH
Before transporting a sealed load, you must check that
the load is probably secured
As your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) rises, what happens
Judgement and self control are affected
According to the drivers manual, why should you limit the use of your horn?
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 parking brake
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 ___________ at the extreme end of the load.
2 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
500 feet
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 ____________ are secured against snagging, rubbing, or wearing.
Air lines and electrical wires
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 one-year suspension of your CDL
Stab braking should not be used on vehicles with
Anti- lock braking
Dry bulk tanks and hanging meat
Are unstable laods
When a doctor prescribes medication for you and you know you will be driving, you should
Ask the Doctor if the medication will affect your ability to drive
When looking ahead of your vehicle while you are driving, you should look
Back and forth, near and 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 left around an obstacle
If you are blocked on both sides, a move to the right wont force another vehicle into an opposing traffic lane and a possible head-on collision
BAC is calculated by measuring a persons
Body weight
Hydroplaning
Is more likely when the tire pressure is low
Brake fade
Can be caused by the brakes becoming too hot
Retarders
Can cause the drive wheels to skid when they have poor traction
To correct a drive wheel braking skid, you should
countersteer
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?
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
Four times
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 vehicle’s leaf springs broken or missing?
No.
How long does it take a typical tractor-trailer to clear single railroad track? 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 it’s 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
May move into your traffic lane.
How can you test the parking brake?
Set the parking brake, try to move slowly.
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 the vehicle through snow
You must park on the side of a level, straight, four lane, 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 clutch before you take your right foot off the brake.
What is a “pull-up?”
Pulling forward while backing a trailer to reposition it.
What three things add up to total stopping distance for your truck or bus?
Perception distance, reaction distance, braking distance.
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 clear
Convex curved mirrors
Show a wider area that flat mirrors.
If required, a drivers trip log
Must be shown immediately when an officer requests it.
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 breaks before you get drowsy.
If your brakes get wet while driving on a rainy day, what can happen when you apply the brakes?
Trailer jackknifing.
What are two ways to know when to shift?
Use engine speed (RPM) and road speed(MPH)
When driving through roadway work zones, you should
Watch your 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 vehicle, length of the grade, steepness, road conditions, and weather.
What are the two main things to look for ahead?
Traffic and road conditions
What things should you check during a trip?
Watch gauges and mirrors and use your senses to check for problems: Look, Listen and 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 speed (RPM) and road speed (MPH)
What should you do if you see a hazard in the roadway?
Use your four-way flashers or brake lights to warn others.
Blocking the cargo to keep it from sliding must be done
At the front, back and/or sides of a piece of cargo
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 high beams when legal and keep your interior lights off.
While driving, you should use your mirrors to check
Where the rear of your vehicle is while you make turns.
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
A cracked or broken spring hanger, broken leaves in a leaf spring, leaking shock absorbers.
