TX CMV Handbook: General Knowledge 1

Question 1

When you stop for a break during your trip, you should ____________.

Answer 1

check critical items such as tires, brakes, and cargo tie downs.
- For an e-route inspection: check tires, wheels, and truck body for signs of heat whenever you stop during a trip.

Question 2

High beams should be ____________.

Answer 2

used when safe and legal to do so.
- Use them unless within 500 feet of an approaching vehicle.

Question 3

The safety release valve is located on the air tanks and is used by?

Answer 3

Self operated when the air pressure is above 150 PSI
- Installed in the first tank the first tank the air compressor pumps air to.
- Protects the tank & rest of system from too much pressure, and is usually set to automatically open at 150 PSI.

Question 4

Which of these is a proper use of vehicle lights and flashers?
- Turning on headlights during the day when visibility is reduced due to rain or snow
- Flashing brake lights to warn someone behind you of a hazard that will require slowing down
- Flashing brake lights to warn someone behind you that you are going to stop on the road

Answer 4

All answers are correct.
- Warn following drivers by flashing your brake lights; don’t stop suddenly. If you see a hazard that will require slowing down, warn drivers behind by flashing your brake lights.

Question 5

Which of the following is a key steering component?

Answer 5

Gear box
- Part of the steering system. Bearing plate, torque rod, & leaf spring are parts of the suspension system.

Question 6

How can you start moving without rolling backward?

Answer 6

-Engage the clutch before removing your foot from the brake.
- Apply the trailer brake hand valve.
- Set the parking brake whenever necessary.

Question 7

The four basic skills that operating a CMV requires are ____________.

Answer 7

1. Accelerating
2. Steering
3. Stopping
4. Backing safely

Question 8

____ is the average reacting distance.

Answer 8

61 feet
- 3/4 second to 1 second. At 55 mph this accounts for 61 feet traveled.

Question 9

The most common cause of serious vehicle skids is ____________.

Answer 9

driving too fast for road conditions

Question 10

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

Answer 10

1/4 mile (highway)
- Look ahead 12-15 seconds whether on the highway or while driving at lower speeds.

Question 11

If convicted of driving under the influence while operating a CMV (first offense) you will most likely get _____________.

Answer 11

At least a one-year suspension of your CDL

Question 12

What prevents your cargo from moving forward and protects you from the cargo in case of a collision?

Answer 12

Front end header boards

Question 13

The formula for stopping distance with air brakes is

Answer 13

Perception distance, reaction distance, brake lag distance, and effective braking distance.

Question 14

Especially a problem when coming out of tunnels?

Answer 14

Strong winds

Question 15

Regarding entering traffic, _________ need larger gaps in traffic than cars.

Answer 15

Heavy vehicles

Question 16

If a vehicle continues to drive in your blind spot, you should ______.

Answer 16

Back off
- Slowing down should cause the other vehicle to be forced out of the blind spot

Question 17

You are driving a 40 ft vehicle at 45 mph. In ideal driving conditions, what’s the least amount of space (in seconds) you should keep in front of your vehicle to be safe?

Answer 17

5 seconds

Question 18

The weight transmitted to the ground by one axle or one set of axles is ______.

Answer 18

Axle weight

Question 19

The new BAC (blood alcohol concentration) for CDL drivers to be considered intoxicated is ____%.

Answer 19

.04 or more

Question 20

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

Answer 20

More heat

Question 21

What’s a good rule to remember in a traffic emergency when the CMV may collide with another vehicle if you do not act?

Answer 21

Heavy vehicles can almost always turn more quickly than they can stop

Question 22

What does a red triangle with an orange center on the back of a vehicle mean?

Answer 22

It may be a slow moving vehicle.

Question 23

The parking brake should be tested while the vehicle is ______.

Answer 23

Parked
[Procedure]:
- Fasten safety belt, set parking brake, release trailer parking brake, place vehicle into a low gear, gently pull forward against parking brake to make sure the parking brake holds. If it doesn’t hold the vehicle, it is faulty; get it fixed.

Question 24

A __________ be shown immediately upon an officer’s request.

Answer 24

Driver’s grid log

Question 25

Under-loaded front axles may cause ______.

Answer 25

Poor traction

Question 26

When your vehicle hydroplanes, you should _________.

Answer 26

Release the accelerator
- NOTE: Do NOT use the brakes to slow down when hydroplaning. Instead, release the accelerator and push in the clutch.

Question 27

What should you do when the brakes get so hot they fail as you’re travelling down a long, steep hill?

Answer 27

Look for an escape ramp or escape route

Question 28

_________ is required for unstable loads (high/strange center of gravity) such as hanging meat or livestock.

Answer 28

Extra caution on curves

Question 29

Without a hazardous materials endorsement on your CDL, you can drive a vehicle hauling hazardous materials ____________.

Answer 29

Only when the vehicle does not require placards

Question 30

You should stop driving ____________.

Answer 30

when you become sleepy

Question 31

Three factors for the amount of liquid to load into a tank are _______, ________, and _______.

Answer 31

How much the liquid will expand in transit, weight of the liquid, and legal weight limits

Question 32

The two basic reasons to cover your cargo are 1. To protect cargo from weather, & 2. ______________.

Answer 32

To protect people, the roadway, vehicles following you from spilled cargo

Question 33

Three types of vehicle inspections _______, _______, & ________.

Answer 33

Pre-trip, en-route, post-trip

Question 34

Inspect cargo and it’s securing devices within the first ___ miles after beginning a trip.

Answer 34

50

Question 35

You should only use your horn when needed because it __________.

Answer 35

can startle other drivers

Question 36

Three things that can cause fires:

Answer 36

Under-inflated tires, loose fuel connections, & electrical short-circuits.

Question 37

When driving on a two-lane road & an oncoming driver drifts into your lane, you should _______.

Answer 37

Steer to the right

Question 38

For average CMVs driving at 55mph on dry pavement, it will take about _________ to bring the vehicle to a stop.

Answer 38

More than the length of a football field

Question 39

When tar on the road heats up, it ______.

Answer 39

Makes the road more slippery

Question 40

You should reduce your speed by ___ in snow and ice.

Answer 40

1/2

Question 41

How many tie downs are required for a 20-foot load?

Answer 41

2

Question 42

When freezing temperatures are present, which areas may be slippery?

Answer 42

A wet-looking road (black ice), a bridge, or a shaded area

Question 43

You should inspect wheel bearing seals for _______.

Answer 43

Leaks

Question 44

You should check that the a sealed load doesn’t ________.

Answer 44

Exceed gross weight or axle weight limits

Question 45

Try to use ______ as often as possible when driving at night.

Answer 45

High beams

Question 46

Only remove the radiator cap when ______.

Answer 46

The system has fully cooled down

Question 47

Your emergency kit should include __________.

Answer 47

Fire extinguisher(s), spare electrical fuses (unless equipped with circuit breakers), & warning devices for other vehicles