CDL Practice Questions

General Knowledge

1. How does tire pressure affect hydroplaning?

a. Hydroplaning is not affected by tire pressure
b. Hydroplaning is more likely to occur when tire pressure is low
c. Hydroplaning is more likely to occur when tires are over inflated.

2. What are some steering systems defects to look for?

a. Missing nuts, bolts, cotter keys, or other bent or broken parts
b. Steering play of two degrees
c. Steering play of five degrees

3. How many times more distance does it take to stop whenever you double your speed?

a. Twice as much distance
b. Three times as much distance
c. Four times as much distance

Air Brakes

1. What is used to make the brakes work?

a. Compressed Oxygen
b. Compressed Nitrogen
c. Compressed Air

2. No automatic tank drains, when should you drain the air tanker?

a. Once a month
b. Every day
c. Once a week

3. What does the air compressor do?

a. Pumps air into the air storage tanks
b. Keep the tires inflated to proper pressure
c. Comes on only if you have to make an emergency stop

Cargo and Tank

1. A tank vehicle includes which of the following?

a. Portable tanks having a capacity of 100 gallons or more
b. Dry bulk tank vehicles
c. Transit mix trucks and cement mixers

2. What is a tank compartment?

a. A tank for storing hoses and couplings
b. A liquid tight division of a tank
c. A wall with many openings

3. How is a bulkhead different form a baffle?

a. Bulkheads are larger than baffles
b. Bulkheads are liquid-tight and baffles have hobs in them
c. Bulkheads are places vertically while baffles are horizontal

Combination Vehicles

1. What is the cause of more than half the truck driver deaths in crashes?

a. Rush hour traffic
b. Truck rollovers
c. Heart attacks

2. What two thinks can a driver do to prevent rollovers?

a. Keep the cargo close to the ground as possible and go slowly around turns
b. Go slowly around turns and try to raise the center of gravity of your load
c. Accelerate slowly and slow down quickly

3. Why must you be extra careful when bobtailing?

a. Bobtails may not be equipped with splash guards or back bumpers
b. Bobtails stop more smoothly but take longer to stop
c. Bobtails can be hard to stop smoothly and take longer to stop then a loaded tractor-semi

Doubles and Triples

1. What is one purpose of the emergency air line?

a. It allows you to continue your trip when the primary system is malfunctioning
b. It activates an emergency locator transmitter
c. It supplies air to the trailer air tanks

2. Why must the fifth wheel plate have enough grease?

a. To prevent sparks and smoke
b. To prevent squeaking
c. To prevent steering problems

3. Before backing up how should you position the tractor in relation to the trailer?

a. Slightly to the left of the trailer
b. Slightly to the left of the center of the trailer
c. Directly in front of the trailer

Hazardous Materials

1. What are placards?

a. Diamond shaped warning signs placed on vehicles
b. Warning signs that are placed on boxes and other packages
c. Stickers that must be displayed in the lower right hand side of the windshield

2. Before transporting certain radioactive materials a route restriction?

a. May be required if the shipper tells you about it
b. Should be obtained
c. May be necessary

3. Which is not part of a correct shipping name?

a. NOS
b. The technical name of the product
c. The brand name of the product

Passenger and School Bus

1. On which wheels may buses have recapped or regrooved tires?

a. On all wheels
b. On all wheels except the front wheels
c. On all wheels except the drivers

2. In backing up which is more dangerous?

a. Backing to the right
b. Backing to the left
c. They are equally dangerous

3. When may a disabled bus be towed to a safe place with passengers on board?

a. When the emergency exit is not working
b. Only if getting off the bus would be inconvenient for the passengers
c. Only if getting off the bus would be unsafe for the passengers

Answer Key

1. General Knowledge

1. b.
2. a.
3. c.

2. Air Brakes

1. c.
2. b.
3. a.

3. Cargo and Tank

1. c.
2. b.
3. b.

4. Combination Vehicle

1. b.
2. a.
3. c.

5. Doubles and Triples

1. c.
2. c.
3. c.

6. Hazardous Materials

1. a.
2. c.
3. c.

7. Passenger and School Bus

1. b.
2. a.
3. c.