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CDL Permit > General Knowledge > Flashcards

General Knowledge Flashcards

1
Q

You are driving on a straight, level highway at 50 mph. There are no vehicles in front of you. Suddenly a tire blew out of your vehicle, what should you do first?

A

Stay off the brake until the vehicle has slowed down

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2
Q

You are driving a truck with a manual transmission. What gear will you probably have to use to take a long, steep downhill grade?

A

A lower gear than you would use to climb the hill

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3
Q

You are checking your wheels and rims for a pre-trip inspection. Which of these statements is true?
• Rust around wheel nuts may mean that they are loose.

• A vehicle can be safely driven with one missing lug nut on a wheel.

• Mismatched lock rings can be used on the same vehicle.

A

Rust around wheel nuts may mean that they are loose

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4
Q

You are checking your tires for a pre-trip inspection. Which of these statements is true?
• Radial and bias-ply tires can be used together on the same vehicle.

• 2/32-inch tread depth is safe for front tires.

• Tires of mismatched sizes should not be used together in the same vehicle.

A

Tires of mismatched sizes should not be used together in the same vehicle

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5
Q

If a straight vehicle (not trailer or articulation) goes into front-wheel skid, it will:

A

Go straight ahead even if the steering wheel is turned

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6
Q

If you need to leave the road in a traffic emergency, you should:

A

Avoid braking until your speed has dropped to about 20 mph

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7
Q

Which of these statements about certain types of cargo is true?

• Unstable load such as hanging meat or livestock can require extra caution on curves.

• When liquids are hauled, the tank should always be loaded totally full.

• Oversize load can be hauled without special permit during times when the roads are not busy.

A

Unstable load such as hanging meat or livestock can require extra caution on curves

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8
Q

According to the driver’s manual, why should you limit the use of your horn?

A

It can startle other drivers

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9
Q

You do not have a hazardous materials endorsement on your commercials driver’s license. You are asked to deliver hazardous materials in a placarded vehicle. You should:

A

Refuse to haul the load

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10
Q

Which of these statements about staying alert to drive is true?
If you must stop to take a nap, it should be at
• a truck stop or other rest area and never on the side of the road.

• Sleep is the only thing that can overcome fatigue.

• A half-hour break for coffee will do more to keep you alert than a half-hour nap.

A

Sleep is the only thing that can overcome fatigue

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11
Q

Your vehicle has hydraulic brakes. While traveling on a level road, you press the brake pedal and find that it goes to the floor. Which of these statements is true?

• Pumping the brake pedal may bring the pressure up so you can stop the vehicle.

• The parking brake will not work either because it is a part of the same hydraulic system.

• Shifting into neutral will help to slow the vehicle.

A

Pumping the brake pedal may bring the pressure up so you can stop the vehicle

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12
Q

You are driving a vehicle at 55 mph on dry pavement. About how much total stopping distance will you need to bring it to a stop?

A

The length of a football field

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13
Q

Which of these statements about cold weather driving is true?

• Windshield washer antifreeze should be used.

• An engine cannot overheat when the weather is very cold.

• Exhaust system leaks are less dangerous in cold weather.

A

Windshield washer antifreeze should be used

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14
Q

When driving at night, you should:

A

Adjust your speed to keep your stopping distance within your sight distance

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15
Q

Which of these statements about downshifting is true?

• When double-clutching, you should let the rpm’s decrease while the clutch is released, and the shift lever is in neutral.

• When you downshift for a curve, you should do so before you enter the curve.

• When you downshift for a hill, you should do so after you start down the hill.

A

When you downshift for a curve, you should do so before you enter the curve

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16
Q

For your safety, when setting out reflective triangles you should:

A

Hold the triangles between yourself and oncoming traffic

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17
Q

As the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) goes up, what happens?

A

Judgment and self-control are affected

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18
Q

Which of these is a good thing to remember about using mirrors?

• Convex mirrors make things look larger and closer than they really are.

• There are blind spots that your mirror cannot show.

• You should look at a mirror for several seconds at a time.

A

There are blind spots that your mirror cannot show

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19
Q

Hydroplaning is more likely if:

A

tire pressure is low.

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20
Q

If you are being tailgated, you should:

A

Increase your following distance

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21
Q

A key principle to remember about loading cargo is to keep the load:

A

Balanced in the cargo area

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22
Q

How far should a driver look ahead of the vehicle while driving?

A

12-15 seconds

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23
Q

How do you correct a drive-wheel acceleration skid?

A

Stop accelerating

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24
Q

The purpose of the retarders is to:

A

Help slow the vehicle while driving and reduce brake wear

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25
Q

Controlled braking is used to:

A

keep a vehicle in a straight line when braking

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26
Q

Which of these is a good thing to do when steering to avoid a crash?

• Don’t turn any more than needed to clear what is in your way.

• Apply the brakes while turning.

• Steer with one hand so that you can turn the wheel more quickly.

A

Don’t turn any more than needed to clear what is in your way

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27
Q

You should stop driving when:

A

You become sleepy

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28
Q

Which of these is NOT a good rule to follow when caring for injured persons at an accident scene?

• Move severely injured person if there is a danger due to fire or passing traffic.

• Keep injured persons cool.

• If a qualified person is helping them, stay out of the way unless asked to assist.

A

Keep injured persons cool

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29
Q

You should avoid driving through deep puddles or flowing water. But if you must, which of these steps can help to keep your brakes working?

• Gently putting on the brakes while driving through the water.

• Turning on your brake heater.
Applying hard pressure on both the brake

• pedal and accelerator after coming out of the water.

A

Gently putting on the brakes while driving through the water

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30
Q

Which of these statements about drugs is true?
• A driver can use any prescription drug while driving.

• Use of drugs can lead to an accident and/or arrest.

• Amphetamines can be used to help the driver stay alert.

A

Use of drugs can lead to an accident and/or arrest

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31
Q

Which of these is a good thing to remember when crossing or entering traffic with a heavy vehicle?
• The best way to cross the traffic is to pull the vehicle partway across the road and block one lane while waiting for the other to clear.

• Because heavy vehicles are easy to see, you can count on other drivers to move out of your way slow down for you.

• Heavy vehicles need larger gaps in traffic than cars.

A

Heavy vehicles need larger gaps in traffic than cars

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32
Q

You are driving a heavy vehicle with a manual transmission. You have to stop the vehicle on the shoulder while driving on an uphill grade. Which of these is a good rule to follow when putting it back in motion up the grade?

• Keep the clutch slipping while slowly accelerating.

• Use the parking brake to hold the vehicle until the clutch engages.

•Let the vehicle roll backwards a few feet before you engage the clutch but turn the wheel so that the back moves away from the roadway.

A

Use the parking brake to hold the vehicle until the clutch engages

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33
Q

You are driving a heavy vehicle. You must exit a highway using an off-ramp that curves downhill, You should:

A

Slow down to a safe speed before the curve

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34
Q

You must park on a side of a level, straight, four-lane divided highway. Where should you place the reflective triangles?

A

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

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35
Q

You are driving on a two-lane road. An oncoming driver drifts into your lane and is headed straight for you. Which of these is most often the best action to take?

• Steer onto the left shoulder.

• Steer to the right.

• Hard braking.

A

Steer to the right

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36
Q

Brake fade can be caused by:

A

The brakes getting very hot

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37
Q

Which of these statements about engine overheating is true?

• Antifreeze is not needed when the weather is warm.

• You should never remove the radiator cap on a pressurized system until the system is cooled.

• You should never shut off an overheated engine until it cools.

A

You should never remove the radiator cap on a pressurized system until the system is cooled

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38
Q

Which of these statements about overhead clearance is true?
• The weight of a vehicle changes height.

• If the road surface causes your vehicle to tilt toward objects at the edge of the road, you should drive close to the shoulder.

• You should assume posted clearance signs correct.

A

The weight of a vehicle changes height

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39
Q

Which of these statements about vehicle fire is true?
• If your engine is on fire, you should open the hood as soon as you can.

• A burning tire should be cooled with water.

•If cargo in a van or box trailer catches on fire, you should open the cargo door as soon as possible.

A

A burning tire should be cooled with water

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40
Q

You must drive on a slippery road. Which of these is a good thing to do in such a situation?
• Slow down gradually.

• Apply the brakes while on curves.

• Use a smaller following distance.

A

Slow down gradually

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41
Q

Which of these statements about acceleration is true?
• Rough acceleration can cause mechanical damage.

• When traction is poor, more power should be applied to the accelerator.

• You should feel a jerking motion if you accelerate your vehicle properly.

A

Rough acceleration can cause mechanical damage

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42
Q

Which of these statements about brakes is true?
• Brakes have more stopping power then they get very hot.

• The heavier a vehicle or the faster it is moving, the more heat the brakes must absorb to stop it.

• Brake drums cool very quickly when the vehicle is moving very fast.

A

The heavier a vehicle or the faster it is moving, the more heat the brakes must absorb to stop it

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43
Q

When the roads are slippery, you should turn:

A

As gently as possible

44
Q

You are checking your brakes and suspension system for a pre-trip inspection. Which of these statements is NOT true?

• One missing leaf in a leaf spring can be dangerous.

• Cracked drum should be replaced.

• Brake shoes should have brake fluid on them.

A

Brake shoes should have brake fluid on them.

45
Q

The driver’s manual suggests several things to do when you pass a vehicle. Which of these is NOT one of them?

• Assume that another driver does not see you.

• At night, turn on your high beams before you start to pass and leave them on until you have completely passed the vehicle.

• Lightly tap your horn.

A

At night, turn on your high beams before you start to pass and leave them on until you have completely passed the vehicle.

46
Q

The distance that you should look ahead of your vehicle while driving amounts to about ____ miles at normal highway speed.

A

1/4

47
Q

You are starting your vehicle in motion from a stop. As you apply power to the drive wheels, they start to spin. You should:

A

Take your foot off the accelerator

48
Q

Which of these is the most important thing to remember about emergency braking?
Disconnecting the steering axle brakes will
• keep your vehicle in a straight-line during emergency braking.

• If the wheels are skidding, you cannot control your vehicle.

• Never do it without downshifting first.

A

If the wheels are skidding, you cannot control your vehicle

49
Q

Which of these statements about tires and hot weather driving is true?
• If tires were too hot to touch, letting five or ten pounds of pressure out would cool them down.

• The air pressure of a tire decreases as the temperature of the tire increases.

• You should inspect your tires every two hours or every 100 miles when driving in very hot weather.

A

You should inspect your tires every two hours or every 100 miles when driving in very hot weather

50
Q

Your vehicle is in a traffic emergency and may collide with another vehicle if you do not take action. Which of these is a good rule to remember at such a time?

• You can almost always turn to miss an obstacle more quickly than you can stop.

• Leaving the road is always riskier than hitting another vehicle.

• Stopping is always the safest action in a traffic emergency.

A

You can almost always turn to miss an obstacle more quickly than you can stop

51
Q

In case of which fires can you use water to put it out?
• Electrical fires.
• Tire fires.
• Gasoline fires.

A

Tire fires

52
Q

To help you to stay alert while driving, you should:

A

Take periodic breaks

53
Q

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 into the pavement?

A

If the shoulder is clear, stay on the right until your vehicle comes to a stop then move back into the pavement when it is safe

54
Q

Which of these statements about driving in areas with strong wind is true?

• You should drive alongside other vehicles to help break up the wind.

• The lighter your vehicle, the less trouble you will have with the wind.

• Winds are especially a problem when coming out of tunnels.

A

Winds are especially a problem when coming out of tunnels

55
Q

Which of these is a good thing to do when driving at night?

• Keep your speed slow enough that you can stop within the range of your headlights.

• Look directly at the oncoming headlights only briefly.

• Keep your instrument lights bright.

A

Keep your speed slow enough that you can stop within the range of your headlights

56
Q

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 you should keep in front of your vehicle to be safe?

A

4 seconds

57
Q

What is the proper way to hold a steering wheel?

A

With both hands, on opposite sides of the wheel

58
Q

High beams should be used when:

A

it is safe and legal to do so

59
Q

You can see a marking on a vehicle ahead of you. The marking is a red triangle with an orange center. What does the marking mean?

A

It may be a slow-moving vehicle

60
Q

Which of these is NOT part of the pre-trip inspection of the engine compartment?
• Valve clearance.
• Engine oil level.
• Worn electrical wiring insulation.

A

Valve clearance

61
Q

The road you are driving on becomes very slippery due to glare ice. Which of these is a good thing to do in such a situation?

• Keep varying your speed by accelerating and braking.

• Stop driving as soon as you can safely do so.

• Downshift to stop.

A

Stop driving as soon as you can safely do so

62
Q

You are driving a vehicle that could be driven safely at 55 mph on an open road. But traffic is heavy and other vehicles drive at the speed of 35 mph, though the speed limit is 55 mph. The safest speed for your vehicle is more likely to be:

A

35 mph

63
Q

What is countersterring?

A

Turning the wheel back in the other direction after steering to avoid a traffic emergency

64
Q

Which of these statements about backing a heavy vehicle is true?
• You should avoid backing whenever you can.

• Helpers should be out of the driver’s sight and use only voice signals to communicate with the driver.

• It is safer to back toward the right side of the vehicle than toward the driver’s side.

A

You should avoid backing whenever you can

65
Q

How do you use the brake pedal on a steep downhill grade?

A

Release the brake when you are 5 MPH below your safe speed, then let your speed come back up to your safe speed and repeat again, (bring speed down 5 MPH below your safe speed.)

66
Q

Which of these statements about using turn signals is true?
• When turning, you should signal early.

• You should use your turn signal to mark your vehicle when it is pulled off on the side of the road.

• You do not need to use your turn signal when changing lanes in traffic on a four-lane highway.

A

When turning, you should signal early

67
Q

Which of these statements about double clutching and shifting is true?

• You can use the tachometer to tell you when to shift.

• Double clutching should only be used with a heavy load.

• Double clutching should not be used when the road is slippery.

A

You can use the tachometer to tell you when to shift

68
Q

Which of these statements about speed management is true?

• When you double your speed, it will take twice the distance to stop.

•You should choose a speed that lets you stop within the distance that you can see ahead.

• Empty trucks always stop in a shorter distance than fully loaded.

A

You should choose a speed that lets you stop within the distance that you can see ahead

69
Q

Retarders can cause:

A

the driver wheels to skid when they have poor traction

70
Q

To correct a drive wheel braking skid, you should:

A

Stop braking, turn quickly, then counter steer

71
Q

When exiting or entering on a curved freeway ramp, you should:

A

Maintain a speed 5-10 mph under the posted speed limit

72
Q

Which of the following vehicles will have the longest stopping distance?
• Bobtail tractor.
• Empty truck.
• Loaded truck.

A

Empty truck

73
Q

How many red reflective triangles are you required to carry?

A

3

74
Q

You are required to inspect your truck within how many miles after beginning the trip?

A

50

75
Q

There are two types of jackknife, they are:

A

Both trailer and tractor

76
Q

The BAC (Blood Alcohol Concentration) for commercial drivers to be considered intoxicated when driving a commercial vehicle is:

A

0.04

77
Q

Where should the ignition key be during the pre-trip inspection?

A

In your pocket

78
Q

When loading a trailer, if the cargo is loaded all to the rear, it may result in:

A

Poor traction on drive wheels

79
Q

Communication means:

A

To communicate your intention to other motorists

80
Q

If you are convicted for driving under the influence while driving a commercial vehicle, and this is your first offense, you most likely will get:

A

At least one-year suspension of your CDL

81
Q

If you are stopped at a roadside rest area and found to have a BAC (Blood Alcohol Concentration) of 0.02 you will:

A

Be placed out of service for 24 hours

82
Q

Which of the following statements about speed management is true?

• If you double your speed, stopping distance will double.

• If you double your speed, stopping distance will be increased by 4 times.

• Empty truck and loaded trucks will have the same stopping distance.

A

If you double your speed, stopping distance will be increased by 4 times

83
Q

You are traveling down a long, steep hill. Your brakes get so hot that they have failed. What should you do?

A

Look for an escape ramp or escape route

84
Q

The center of gravity of a load can make a vehicle :

A

more likely to tip over on curves if it is high

85
Q

To prevent a load from shifting, there should be at least one tie down for every
___ feet of cargo.

A

10

86
Q

While driving, ice builds up on your wipers and they no longer clean the windshield. You should:

A

Stop safely and fix the problem

87
Q

When the hydraulic brakes fail while you are driving, the system will not build up pressure and the brake pedal will feel spongy or go to the floor. What should you do?

A

Pump the brake pedal to generate pressure

88
Q

Which may be a sign of tire failure?
• A loud hissing noise.
• Vibration.
• Wheels skidding.

A

Vibration

89
Q

To prevent brake fade you should:

•Select the gear, which will keep your vehicle to a safe speed on a deep downgrade.

• Coast downhill if it’s not very steep.

•Apply constant hard pressure on the brakes while driving downhill.

A

Select the gear, which will keep your vehicle to a safe speed on a deep downgrade

90
Q

A full stop is required at a railroad crossing when:

A

The nature of the cargo makes a stop mandatory under the State or Federal regulations

91
Q

When driving at night you should use your high beams when oncoming traffic is not within ____ feet?

A

500

92
Q

When driving through the work zone you should:

A

Watch for sharp pavement drop off

93
Q

When is backing of the commercial vehicle dangerous?

A

Always

94
Q

When you are parked on the side of the road at night you must:

A

Turn on your four-way-emergency flashers to warn others.

95
Q

You must stop on a hill or curve on a two-lane-two-way road. How far should you place reflective triangles?

A

Within 500 feet behind you

96
Q

Stab braking should not be used on vehicles with:

A

Anti-lock brakes

97
Q

Sometimes you need to leave a road to avoid a hazard or emergency. When you do, you should keep in mind, that:

A

It is less dangerous to drive onto the shoulders than to cause a collision

98
Q

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of tire failure?
• Vehicle’s fishtail
• Cold steering.
• Steering wheel twisting.

A

Cold steering

99
Q

Most skids are caused by:

A

going too fast or trying to stop too quickly

100
Q

In bad weather many drivers tailgate large vehicles. What should you do?

A

Increase your following distance

101
Q

Which of the following systems should receive extra attention during winter weather inspection?
• Steering.
• Suspension.
• Exhaust.

A

Exhaust

102
Q

What happens to tar on the road pavement during hot weather?

A

It bleeds making the road surface slippery

103
Q

What is the best advice for drivers when a heavy fog occurs?

A

Park the truck until the fog disappears

104
Q

In mountain driving you will have to use a lower gear to drive safely on a grade. Which of these does NOT affect your choice of gear?
• The weight of the load.
• The length of the grade.
• Tire thread’s depth.

A

Tire thread’s depth

105
Q

What should you do before driving in
mountains?

A

Know escape ramp locations on your way

106
Q

Escape ramps should be used by:

A

any driver who loses braking power

107
Q

Which of these is true about notifying the authorities after an accident occurs?
• You should notify authorities about an accident before doing anything else.
• If you have a cellular phone or CB radio you should notify the authorities before exiting the vehicle.
• An exact location is not necessary just identify the road and the vehicles involved.

A

If you have a cellular phone or CB radio you should notify the authorities before exiting the vehicle

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