Permit Knowledge Test Flashcards
What his the most important reason for doing a vehicle inspection?
Safety, for yourself and other road users.
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
- Trailor coupling devices
- Cargo securment devices
Name some key steering system parts?
- Steering wheel
- Steering shaft
- Steering knuckle
- Steering arm
- Power steering cylinder
- Spindle
- Tie rod
- Gear box
- Pitman arm
- Drag link
-Hydrolic fluid reservoir
Name some suspension system defects?
- Spring Hangers that allow movements of axle from proper position. Figure 2.2
- 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. Figure 2.3
- Broken leaves in a multi-leaf spring or leaves that have shifted so they might hit a tire or other part.
- Leaking shock absorbers.
- Torque rod or arm, u-bolts, spring hangers, or other axle positioning parts that are cracked, damaged, or missing.
- Air suspension systems that5 are damaged and/or leaking. Figure 2.4
- Any loose, cracked, broken or missing frame members.
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 fuses, or 3 burning flares).
What is the minimum tread depth for front tires? For other tires?
4/32 for front
2/32 on other tires
Name some things you should check on the front of your vehicle during the walk around inspection?
- Condition of front axle.
- Condition of steering system.
- No loose, worn, bent, damaged or missing parts
- Must grab steering mechanisms to test for looseness.
- Condition of windshield.
- Check for damage and clean if dirty.
- Check windshield Wimmer arms for proper spring tension.
- Check wiper blades for damage, “stiff” rubber, and securement.
- Lights and reflectors.
- Parking, clearance, and identification lights clean, operating, and proper color (amber at front).
- Reflectors clean and proper color (amber at front).
- Right front turn signal light clean, operating, and proper color (amber or white on signals facing forward).
What should wheel bearing seals be checked for?
Not 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, then there may be a leak or other problem. Get it fixed before driving.
Why put the starter switch key in your pocket during the vehicle inspection?
Safety
Why should to back toward the driver’s side?
Back to the driver’s side so that you can see better. Backing toward the right side is dangerous because you can’t see as well. If you back and turn toward the driver’s side, you can watch the rear of your vehicle by looking out the side window. Use driver-side backing–even if it means going around the block to put your vehicle in this position. The safety added is worth it.
If stopped on a hill, how can you start moving without rolling back?
For a manual transmission, partly engage the clutch before you take your right foot off the brake. Put on the parking brake whenever necessary to keep from rolling back. Release the parking b rake only when you have applied enough engine power to keep from rolling back. On a tractor-trailer equipped with a trailer brake hand valve, the hand valve can be applied to keep from rolling back.
When backing, why is it important to use a helper?
There are blind spots you can’t see. That’s why a helper is important. The helper should stand near the back of your vehicle where you can see the helper. Before you begin backing, work out a set of hand signals that you both understand. Agree on the signal for “stop”.
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 starting down a hill.
- Before entering a curve.
When should you downshift automatic transmissions?
Before a turn or hill.
Retarder keep you from skidding when the road is slippery. True or False?
False
What are the two ways to know when to shift?
- Use engine speed (rpm). Study the driver’s manual for your vehicle and learn the operating rpm range. Watch your tachometer, and shift up when your engine reaches the top of the range.
- Use the road speed (mph). Learn what speeds each gear is good for. Then, by using the speedometer, you’ll know when to shift up.
With either method, you may learn to use engine sounds to know when to shift.
How far ahead does the manual say you should look?
12 to 15 seconds.
What are two main things to look for ahead?
Vehicles coming onto the highway, into your lane, or turning. Watch for brake lights from slowing vehicles. Traffic lights.
What’s the most important way to see the sides and rear of your vehicle?
Check your mirrors regularly.
What does “communicating” mean in safe driving?
- Signaling your intentions.
- Communicating your presence.
Where should you place reflectors when stopped on a divided highway?
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?
Four
Empty trucks have the best braking. True or False?
False
What is hydroplaning?
When water or slush collects on the road, your vehicle can hydroplane. It’s like water skiing–the tires lose their contact with the road and have little or no traction. You may not be able to steer or brake.
What is black ice?
The thin layer of ice that is clear enough that you can see the road underneath it. It makes the road look wet. Any time the temperature is below freezing and the road looks wet, watch out for black ice.
How do you find out how many seconds of following distance space you have?
Wait until the vehicle ahead passes a shadow on the road, a pavement marking, or some other clear landmark. Then count off the seconds like this: “one thousand and one, one thousand and two” and so on, until you reach the same spot. Compare your count with the rule with the rule of one second for every ten feet of length.
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 you following distance if somebody is following you too closely. True or False?
True
If you swing wide to the left before turning right, another driver may try to pass you on the right. True or False?
True
What is a hazard?
A hazard is any road condition or other road user (driver, bicyclist, pedestrian) that is a possible danger. For example,a car in front of you is headed toward the freeway exit, but his brake lights come on and he begins braking hard. This could mean that the driver is uncertain about taking the off ramp. He might suddenly return to the highway. This car is a hazard. If the driver of the car cuts in front of you, it is no longer just a hazard; it is an emergency.
Why make emergency plans when you see a hazard?
You will have more time to plan and react.
What are some tips to follow so you won’t become a distracted driver?
- Turn off all communication devices.
- Do not type or read a text message on a mobile device while driving.
- Familiarize yourself with all your vehicle’s features and equipment before you get behind the wheel.
- Pre-program radio stations or pre-load CDs.
- Clear the vehicle of any unnecessary objects.
- Review maps, program your 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 time to stop and eat.
- Don’t engage in complex or emotionally intense conversations with other occupants.
- Secure commencement from other occupants to behave responsibly and to support the driver in reducing distractions.
How do you use in-vehicle communications equipment cautiously?
???
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.
- Driver’s 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?
- Put your pride in the back seat. Do not challenge them by speeding up or attempting to hold-your-own in your travel lane.
- Avoid eye contact.
- Ignore gestures and refuse to react to them.
- Report aggressive drivers to the appropriate authorities by providing a vehicle description, license number, location and, if possible, direction of travel.
- If you have a cell phone, and can do it safely, call the police.
- If an aggressive driver is involved in a crash farther downtown he road, stop a safe distance from the crash scene, wait for the police to arrive, and report the driving behavior that you witnessed.
What are some things you can do to reduce your stress before and while you drive?
- Listen to “easy listening” music.
- Don’t allow yourself to become distracted by talking on your cell, eating, etc.
- Expect delays because of traffic, construction or bad weather and make allowances.
- You you are going to be later than expected - deal with it. Take a deep breathe and accept the delay.
You should use low beams whenever you can. True or False?
False
What should you do before you drive if you are drowsy?
- Get sleep. 8 to 9 hours
- Prepare route to carefully identify total distance, stopping points and other logistic considerations.
- Schedule trips for the hours you are normally awake, not the middle of the night.
- Drive with a passenger
- Avoid medications that cause drowsiness.
- Consult a physician if you suffer from daytime sleepiness, have difficulty sleeping at night or take frequent naps.
- Incorporate exercise into your daily life to give you more energy.
What effects can wet brakes cause? How can you avoid these problems?
Wet brakes can cause the brakes to be weak, to apply unevenly, or to grab. This can cause lack of braking power, wheel lockups, pulling to one side or the other, and jackknife if you pull a trailer.
To avoid:
-Slow down and place transmission in a low gear.
-Gently put on the brakes. This presses linings against brake drums or discs and keeps mud, silt, sand, and water from getting in.
-Increase engine rpm and cross the water while keeping light pressure on the brakes.
-When out of the water, maintain light pressure on the brakes for a short distance to heat them up and dry them out.
-Make a test stop when safe to do so.
You should let air out of hot tires so the pressure goes back to normal. True or False?
False