The Commercial Drivers License (CDL) Study Guide

 

Questions you need to know for a CDL Written Test

Here are questions you must be able to answer fully. Fill in the blanks and then click the answer link to check your responses.

  1. You are required to notify your employer if your license is suspended, revoked, or cancelled or if you are disqualified from operating a commercial vehicle. Do this before the end of the business day following the day you received notice of the action.
  2. You must notify your employer, in writing, of all traffic convictions within thirty days. This includes those in your private automobile as well as a commercial vehicle.
  3. You must notify the Department of Licensing of all out-of-state traffic convictions, in writing, within thirty days of the conviction.
  4. If any level of alcohol is detected, law enforcement can place a commercial driver out-of-service for 24 hours. It is illegal to operate a commercial vehicle with any alcohol in your system.
  5. Tire Chains Between November 1 and April 1, any vehicle or combination of vehicles over 10,000 pounds are required to carry sufficient tire chains when traveling state highways crossing the mountains.
  6. Unless otherwise posted, the maximum allowable speed for trucks and buses is 60 mph on interstate or State highways (except autostages is 65), 50 mph on county roads and 25 mph on city and town streets.
  7. Right Lane Rule When driving a heavy vehicle or combination, travel in the right lane except when preparing to turn left or to pass another vehicle.

  8. Left Lane Rule No vehicle or combination over ten thousand pounds may be driven in the left-hand lane of a limited access roadway having three or more lanes for traffic moving in one direction except when preparing for a left turn at an intersection, exit, or into a private road or driveway when a left turn is legally permitted.

  9. If you are driving a slow-moving vehicle on a two-lane highway and five or more vehicles are backed up behind you, unable to pass, pull off the roadway at the first safe, available turnout.
  10. When traveling with another truck or bus in a “convoy,” leave enough space between vehicles in the convoy so other vehicles can pull back into the lane safely.
  11. Do not drive: More than 10 hours.
  12. No driver can be on duty: More than 60 hours in any seven consecutive days.
  13. No driver can be on duty. More than 70 hours in any eight consecutive days for carriers operating vehicles every day of the week.
  14. Inspections - federal and state laws require inspection by the driver.
  15. Put on the parking brake whenever necessary to keep from rolling back.
  16. Backing toward the right side is very dangerous because you can’t see as well.
  17. If you back and turn toward the driver’s side, you can watch the rear of your vehicle by looking out the side window.
  18. Use driver-side backing — even if it means going around the block to put your vehicle in this position. The added safety is worth it. Use a Helper.
  19. When backing, there are blind spots you can’t see.
  20. When backing a trailer, make pull-ups to reposition your vehicle as needed.
  21. Most heavy vehicles with manual transmissions require double clutching to change gears.
  22. There are three things that add up to total stopping distance: Perception Distance + Reaction Distance + Braking Distance = Total Stopping Distance
  23. Whenever you double your speed, it takes about four times as much distance to stop and your vehicle will have four times the destructive power in a collision.
  24. Empty trucks require greater stopping distances, because an empty vehicle has less traction. It can bounce and lock up its wheels, giving much poorer braking. (This is not usually the case with buses)
  25. Black ice is a thin layer that is clear enough that you can see the road underneath it.
  26. Hydroplaning is: the tires lose their contact with the road and have little or no traction.
  27. To know how much 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.
  28. Dealing with tailgaters: Increase your following distance. Opening up room in front of you will help you to avoid having to make sudden speed or direction changes. It also makes it easier for the tailgater to get around you.
  29. If you swing wide to the left before turning right, another driver may try to pass you on the right. True or false?
  30. If you are sleepy, the only safe cure is to get off the road and get some sleep. If you don’t, you risk your life and the lives of others.
  31. Use high beams when you can. Some drivers make the mistakeof always using low beams. True or false?
  32. Do not let air out or the pressure will be too low when the tires cool off.
  33. If your brakes are wet, you should:
  34. In Mountain Driving; Your most important consideration is to select a speed that is not too fast for the:
  35. When you see a hazard, think about the emergencies that could develop and figure out what you would do.
  36. A single motor vehicle, except certain municipal transport buses, is 40 feet.
  37. A single vehicle or trailer in a combination, with or without load, is 53 feet
  38. Double trailer combinations can’t exceed a total of 61 feet for the combined length of the trailers.
  39. No vehicle, with or without its load, may exceed more than 8 1/2 feet (102 inches) in width
  40. No vehicle, including its load, may be more than 14 feet high
  41. Axles carrying more than 10,000 pounds and equipped with single tires, are limited to 500 pounds per inch of width of tires. • 80,000 pounds for any combination of vehicles
  42. Unless otherwise posted, the maximum allowable speed for trucks and buses is 60 mph on interstate or State highways (except autostages is 65), 50 mph on county roads and 25 mph on city and town streets
  43. Put your turn signal on before changing lanes (100 feet minimum).
  44. Your horn can startle others and could be dangerous when used unnecessarily.True or false?
  45. In mountain driving, gravity plays a major role.
  46. A cause of fires is: Underinflated tires and duals that touch. True or false?
  47. The B:C type fire extinguisher is designed to work on electrical fires and burning liquids. True or false?
  48. The A:B:C type is designed to work on burning wood, paper, and cloth. True or false?
  49. When using the extinguisher, stay as far away from the fire as possible.
  50. The first part of the brain affected by alcohol controls judgement and self control
  51. As blood alcohol concentration continues to build up, muscle control, vision, and coordination are affected.
  52. Placards are signs placed on the outside of a vehicle to show the hazard class(es) of products on board.

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This site is meant to enhance your learning of the Rules of the Road and is not intended to replace the Drivers Manual supplied by the Motor Vehicle Department of your State. Send mail to web master with questions or comments about this web site.

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