Questions you need to know for a CDL Written Test

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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.
53. What should you check about recapped tires on buses? regrooved tires may not be used on the front wheels of buses
54. What three items of emergency equipment are required for your bus?a functional, fully charged fire extinguisher,emergency reflectors, and spare electrical fuses unless the bus is equipped with circuit breakers.
55. What should you check for in the bus interior?Aisle and stairwells must always be clear.
56. What should you check about emergency exits?ease of operation,correct markings and to ensure that any warning buzzers or devices properly work.
57. What is a standee line? a 2 inch line on the floor or some other means of showing riders where they can not stand.
58. How should baggage be stored?in ways that avoids damage, allows the driver to move freely and easily, allows riders to exit by any window or door in emergency, and protects riders from injury if carry-ons fall or shift.
59. What should you check for concerning Hazardous materials? diamond shipping labels
60. What are the special loading and unloading rules for school bus drivers?Students must remain seated while the bus is moving. Students must enter and leave the bus only at their regular stops, unless permission is granted by school district policy. Students must cross the street in front of the school bus, never behind. Drivers should never leave students unattended in a school
61. What visibility distance is required for school bus stops? 500 feet in each direction is required when student must cross the road or if the bus can’t pull completely off the road.
62. On an eight-light school bus when should the amber lights be activated where posted speed is 35 mph or less?no less than 100 feet and no more than 300 feet from the bus stop where the posted speed limit is 35 mph or less. Over 35 mph?no less than 300 feet and no more than 500 feet where the posted speed limit is more than 35 mph.
63. When is a school bus driver not required to use the bus’ stop sign and warning lights? When passengers do not have to cross a roadway and the bus is stopped completely off the traveled portion of the roadway. When a school bus is stopped upon school grounds for the purpose of receiving or discharging passengers, and passengers are not required to cross the roadway.
64. How should brakes be applied for smooth stops?steadily at the beginning of a stop and then ease off as the vehicle slows down.
65. How much space should a bus keep from vehicles ahead?1 second for each 10 feet of vehicle length. Also add 1 second for speeds over 40 MPH.
66. How far ahead should a driver look?the distance you will travel in 12 to 15 seconds.
67. How should you go around curves?Slow to a safe speed before entering curves, then accelerate slightly through them.
68. What are the rules for buses to stop at railroad crossings? Buses must stop at all railroad crossings
69. Between which distances should a bus stop from a crossing?Stop 15 to 50 feet from the nearest rail
70. What procedures should all bus drivers following in crossing railroad tracks?Quiet passengers, turn off noisy fans, radios, etc.;Activate the four-way hazard lights; Stop 15 to 50 feet from the nearest rail and look both ways and listen for approaching trains. School bus drivers will open the service door, look both ways, and listen for approaching trains. Then, close the service door and look both directions;If no trains are approaching, move across the tracks (do not change gears while crossing the tracks); After crossing, cancel the four-way hazard lights.
71. What special rules for railroad crossings apply to school bus drivers?

    Buses must stop at all railroad crossings

    EXCEPT:

    • Where traffic is controlled by a police officer or authorized flagman.
    • Where traffic is regulated by a traffic control signal.
    • Where traffic is protected by crossing gates or flashing lights signal which give warning of an approaching train.
    • Where an official traffic control device indicates stopping requirements do not apply.
72. When must buses stop at drawbridges?

    stop at all draw bridges except:

    • When a traffic “stop and go” signal protects the drawbridge; or
    • Where an attendant or traffic officer controls the drawbridge traffi
73. What procedures should a bus driver follow when approaching a draw bridge?

    as you approach a drawbridge.

    • Slow down and look to see if a signal, attendant, or officer controls the drawbridge traffic.
    • If not, stop not less than 50 feet from the lip of the draw.
    • Proceed only when you are certain the drawbridge is completely closed.
74. What precautions should you take regarding backing?

    take extra precautions.

    • First check backing area.
    • Turn on four-way flashers.
    • Use another person to help you back safely when possible.
    • Check mirrors.
    • Use your horn and warning devices to warn others you are backing.
    • Back very slowly and no further than absolutely necessary.
75. What is reference point driving?a proven method for bus drivers to safely make turns
76. How shouldyou turn the steering wheel in reference point driving? 100%
77. What makes right turns so dangerous? vehicles may try to squeeze past on the right
78. Where should you discharge a disruptive passenger?at the next scheduled stop, or a well lighted area where there are other people.
79. What should you remember when refueling your bus?

    refuel your bus when passengers are not present.

    If you have passengers aboard, never fuel your bus in a closed building.

    Refueling school buses with passengers aboard is prohibited.

80. What is your most important responsibility during emergencies? protect your passengers and yourself.
81. If you must evacuate the bus, where should you send you passengers?in a group and as far away from the bus and traffic as possible
82. How often must school bus drivers practice evacuation drills?twice each school year
83. When should passengers remain on a bus being pushed or towed?getting off the bus would be more risky for the passengers
84. What action should you take if your bus stalls on a railroad tracks?

    evacuate all passengers immediately. Direct the passengers to move in the direction of the approaching train and away from the tracks.

85. tt

Warning: Do not attempt to pass the test using these questions alone. This is meant as a study tool only and if you think you can pass the test by memorizing these questions, you are wasting your time.

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