General knowledge Flashcards
Where should you place your warning devices if you must stop on a one-way road or divided highway?
10 feet, 100 feet, and 200 feet toward approaching traffic
If you double your speed, how much more distance will it take to brake to a stop
Four times as much
What might happen if you swing wide to the left before you turn right?
Someone might try to pass you on your right.
How many tie-downs are required for a 20-foot load
4
The rule is that you should have one tie-down per 10 feet of cargo, and you must have at least two per load, regardless of the length. So for 20 feet, you should have two tie-downs.
What is the best way to figure out how many seconds of following distance you have?
Wait until the vehicle ahead of you passes a shadow or landmark. Then count the seconds until you reach it.
What is the gross vehicle weight (GVW)?
The total weight of a single vehicle and its load
Why is Letting the air out of hot tires bad?
It’s a bad idea because when the tires cool off, the pressure will be too low
For how long will you lose your CDL driving privileges if you are convicted of a second DUI offense in either a CMV or your private vehicle?
For Life
Do empty trucks have the best braking
No
You should put the starter switch key into your pocket while you perform the pre-trip inspection because
someone could start and move the truck.
The minimum tire tread depth for front tires is
4/32 inch
On wet roads, you should reduce your speed by
one-third
What is a common cause of tire fires?
Underinflated tires
How long does it take a typical tractor-trailer to clear a double railroad track?
More than 15 seconds
Are vehicle lights a primary or secondary control component?
Secondary component
How long do you apply the brake peddle when testing hydraulic brakes?
5 seconds
You have coupled with a semitrailer. Where should you put the front trailer supports before driving away?
Fully raised with the crank handle secured in its bracket
When backing a tractor under a trailer you should
Always use the lowest reverse gear
How much space should be between the upper and lower fifth wheel after coupling
None
What does emergency breaking mean?
Responding to a hazard by slowing down the vehicle
Placards must be
Placed on all four sides of vehicle
Excessive use of the service brakes results in overheating, which can lead to:
Expansion of the break drums
The braking power of the spring brakes depend on the?
Service brakes being in adjustment
When is it not a good time to apply the parking brakes?
If the brakes are very hot (i.e., after just coming down a steep grade)
The spring brakes used on tractors and straight trucks will bring your truck to a stop when the air pressure drops below what PSI?
20 PSI
The air brake lag distance at 55 mph on dry pavement adds about:
32 feet to your stopping distance
Under normal conditions, in order to engage the parking brakes, the driver must first:
Let the air out of the air brake system
What causes a brake “fade”
Can be caused by the air brakes getting very hot
In the event of a rear tire failure, dual rear tires help prevent what?
Will usually prevent a fishtail
The total weight of a powered unit, the trailer, and the cargo is called:
The Gross combination weight
Drivers of trucks and truck tractors with cargo must check that the cargo is well-secured within the first:
50 miles of a trip
What is the best way to stay alert and fit to drive?
Sleep is the only thing that can overcome fatigue
When starting a bus on a level surface with good traction there is often no need for:
The parking brake
What should be tested while the vehicle is stopped?
The parking brake
What lights cannot be checked at the same time?
Turn signals, brake lights, and four-way flashers
During an inspection of hydraulic brakes, you should pump the brake pedal three times, then apply firm pressure to the pedal for five seconds. If the brakes are working properly the pedal should:
Not move
