CDL STUDY PRACTICE EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.
What is the most important reason for doing a vehicle inspection? - CORRECT ANSWER Safety. Safety for
yourself and other road user.
What things should you check during a trip? - CORRECT ANSWER Watch gauges, mirrors, use your senses
to check for problems. Look, listen, and smell. Check critical items when you stop; tires, wheels, and rims
; brakes, lights and reflectors; brake and electrical connections to trailer. trailer coupling devices. Cargo
securement devices.
Name some key steering system parts. - CORRECT ANSWER Control arm, steering shaft, pitman arm,
steering wheel, hydraulic fluid reservoir
Name some suspension system defects - CORRECT ANSWER Spring hangers that allow movement of axle
from proper position, 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. Any defect could be dangerous.
What three kinds of emergency equipment must you have? - CORRECT ANSWER Fire extinguisher, spare
electrical fuses , warning devices for parked vehicles. ( three reflective triangles, and at least 6 fuses or 3
liquid burning flares).
What is the minimum tread depth for front tires? For other tires? - CORRECT ANSWER 4/32 inch on
every major groove of front tires. 2/32 on other tires. No fabric should show through the side wall or
tread
Name some things you should check on the front of your vehicle during the walk around inspection -
CORRECT ANSWER Clean glass, Clean and secure mirrors, door latches or locks work, condition of tire
rims and tires, tight lug nuts, hub oil level is between the add and full mark, no leaks, springs, shock
absorbers, front axle, steering system condition, condition of brakes, spare tire.
What should wheel bearing seals be checked for? - CORRECT ANSWER Hub oil level and no leaks
,How many red reflective triangles should you carry? - CORRECT ANSWER Three
How do you test hydraulic brakes for leaks? - CORRECT ANSWER Pump the brake pedal three times, then
apply firm pressure to the pedal and hold for five seconds. The pedal should not move.
Why put the starter switch key in your pocket during the vehicle inspection? - CORRECT ANSWER For
your saftey
Why should you back toward the driver's side? - CORRECT ANSWER So you can see better. Backing
toward the right side or "blind side" is very dangerous because you can't see as well.
If stopped on a hill, how can you start moving without rolling back? - CORRECT ANSWER Partly engage
the clutch before taking foot off the brake. Put on the parking brake whenever necessary. Release the
parking brake when you have applied enough engine power to keep from rolling back.
When backing, why is it important to use a helper? - CORRECT ANSWER There are blind spots you
cannot see
What is the most important hand signal that you and the helper should agree on? - CORRECT ANSWER
Agree on a signal for stop most importantly.
Retarders keep you from skidding when the road is slippery. True or false? - CORRECT ANSWER False
What are the two ways to know when to shift? - CORRECT ANSWER Use engine speed (rpm) or road
speed (mph)
When preparing to do a pre-trip inspection you must check to see that the parking brakes are on and/or
chocked - CORRECT ANSWER True
When getting in to start the engine and inspect inside of the cab you must? - CORRECT ANSWER Make
sure the parking brake is on, Put the gearshift in neutral (or park if automatic). Start engine and listen for
unusual noises.
,Look at the gauges- the oil pressure gauge should come up to normal within how long after starting the
engine? - CORRECT ANSWER Within seconds
You should check the following for looseness, sticking, damage or improper settings. - CORRECT
ANSWER the steering wheel, accelerator, brake and clutch pads
After inspecting mirrors and windshields for cracks, dirt, illegal stickers or other obstructions to see, you
should... - CORRECT ANSWER Clean and adjust as necessary
When checking lights you should... - CORRECT ANSWER Make sure that the parking brake is set, turn off
the engine and take the key with you, turn on the headlights and four way flashers
What is the proper way to hold the steering wheel? - CORRECT ANSWER Firmly with both hands on
opposite sides of the wheel.
What are two special conditions where you should down shift - CORRECT ANSWER Before starting down
a hill and before entering a curve.
When should you downshift automatic transmissions - CORRECT ANSWER When going down grades.
How far ahead should you look? - CORRECT ANSWER Most good drivers look 12 to 15 seconds ahead
What are two main things to look for ahead? - CORRECT ANSWER Traffic coming onto the highway, into
your lane, or turning. Brake lights or turn signals
What's your most important way to see the sides and rear of your vehicle? - CORRECT ANSWER Mirrors
What does "communicating" mean in safe driving? - CORRECT ANSWER Showing other drivers your
intentions
, Where should you place reflectors when stopped on a divided highway? - CORRECT ANSWER 10 feet 100
feet and 200 feet toward the approaching traffic
What three things add up to total stopping distance? - CORRECT ANSWER Perception distance +
Reaction distance + braking distance. At 55mph it takes 290 feet or 6 seconds.
If you go twice as fast, will your stopping distance increase by two or four times? - CORRECT ANSWER
Four
Empty trucks have the best braking. True or False? - CORRECT ANSWER FALSE. The brakes, tires, springs,
and shock absorbers on heavy vehicles are designed to work best when the vehicle is fully loaded.
Empty trucks require greater stopping distances because an empty vehicle has less traction.
What is hydroplaning? - CORRECT ANSWER Like water skiing, tires lose contact with the road and have
little or no traction. You may not be able to steer or brake. You can regain control by releasing the
accelerator and pushing in the clutch.
What is "Black Ice"? - CORRECT ANSWER A thin layer of ice that is clear enough to see the road through.
Any time the temperature is below freezing and the road looks wet, be cautious.
How do you find out how many seconds of following distance space you have? - CORRECT ANSWER One
second per 10 feet of vehicle length at speeds below 40 mph. At greater speeds add 1 second.
If you are driving a 30-foot vehicle at 55 mph, how many seconds of following distance should you
allow? - CORRECT ANSWER Allow at least 4 seconds
You should decrease your following distance if somebody is following you too closely. True or False? -
CORRECT ANSWER True
If you swing wide to the left before turning right, another driver may try to pass you on the right. True or
False? - CORRECT ANSWER True.
A following driver may think you are turning left and try to pass you on the right. You may crash into
other vehicle as you complete your turn.
