CDL General Knowledge Test practice questions
237 free questions with answers and explanations.
- 101.What is the primary reason for distributing cargo weight evenly across all axles?Transporting Cargo Safely
- 102.A driver is transporting a single, large concrete pipe on a flatbed trailer. The pipe is 10 feet long and weighs 12,000 pounds. It is placed horizontally across the trailer. What is the minimum number of tiedowns required if no chocks or cradles are used?Transporting Cargo Safely
- 103.A driver is transporting a load of 40-foot steel beams on a flatbed trailer. The beams extend 5 feet beyond the rear of the trailer. When is it mandatory to attach a red flag to the end of the projecting load?Transporting Cargo Safely
- 104.A driver is transporting a load of logs that are contained within a bunk or cradle. What is the primary role of the bunks or cradles in this securement system?Transporting Cargo Safely
- 105.A driver is preparing to transport a load of large, heavy pipes on a flatbed trailer. The pipes are stacked pyramid style. Which of the following securement methods is most appropriate to prevent forward and backward movement?Transporting Cargo Safely
- 106.Which of the following describes the purpose of using side-to-side blocking for cargo securement?Transporting Cargo Safely
- 107.A driver is transporting a partial load of sand in a dump truck. What is the primary concern regarding this type of cargo?Transporting Cargo Safely
- 108.When transporting hazardous materials, what document must be readily accessible to the driver and emergency responders?Transporting Cargo Safely
- 109.A driver is transporting a load of heavy metal coils on a flatbed trailer. The coils are placed on their sides (eyes to the side). What is the primary method of securement required for these coils?Transporting Cargo Safely
- 110.A driver is transporting a load of empty barrels that are stacked two high on a flatbed trailer. The barrels are not interlocked or contained by sideboards. What is the primary method of securement for the upper tier of barrels?Transporting Cargo Safely
- 111.A commercial driver is transporting a load of large, heavy boulders that are not uniform in shape. Which of the following is the most critical securement consideration for this type of cargo?Transporting Cargo Safely
- 112.A driver is transporting a load of metal products that have a high potential for rolling, such as pipes or coils, but are individually secured. Which type of tiedown is generally most effective for preventing rolling movement?Transporting Cargo Safely
- 113.You are driving a commercial vehicle and must cross a set of railroad tracks that appear to be abandoned, with weeds growing over them and no warning lights or gates. What is the correct procedure for crossing these tracks?Driving Safely
- 114.When driving a commercial vehicle, how should you adjust your following distance when visibility is reduced due to rain?Driving Safely
- 115.To prevent a runaway vehicle when parked on a grade, in addition to setting the parking brake, what crucial step should a commercial driver take?Driving Safely
- 116.A commercial driver is conducting a pre-trip inspection of the vehicle's hydraulic brake system. They notice that the brake pedal feels 'spongy' or 'mushy' when pressed. What is the most likely cause of this condition?Driving Safely
- 117.You are driving a commercial vehicle on a multi-lane highway and need to change lanes to the right. After checking your mirrors and signaling, what is the next crucial step before initiating the lane change?Driving Safely
- 118.A commercial driver is preparing to drive through a mountainous region known for long, steep downgrades. What is the most critical preparation for preventing brake failure on these descents?Driving Safely
- 119.A commercial driver is involved in an accident where their vehicle overturns, but there are no fire or immediate life-threatening injuries. After ensuring personal safety, what is the next critical action the driver should take, according to accident procedures?Driving Safely
- 120.A commercial driver is performing a pre-trip inspection. They notice a significant amount of oil leaking from the wheel hub of a tandem axle. What does this condition most likely indicate?Driving Safely
- 121.What is the primary reason for a commercial driver to perform a 'controlled braking' maneuver (also known as stab braking) in an emergency stop with a non-ABS equipped vehicle?Driving Safely
- 122.When driving a commercial vehicle in mountainous terrain, you encounter a long, steep downgrade. What is the primary reason for selecting a lower gear BEFORE starting down the grade?Driving Safely
- 123.A commercial driver is preparing for a long trip and notices that the vehicle's alternator warning light illuminates intermittently. What does this indicate and what action should the driver take?Driving Safely
- 124.A commercial driver is conducting a pre-trip inspection of their vehicle's air brake system. They notice that the air pressure gauge rises from 85 psi to 100 psi in 35 seconds. What does this indicate?Driving Safely
- 125.A commercial driver is involved in a minor accident where their vehicle is still drivable, and there are no serious injuries. After ensuring safety and checking for injuries, what is the immediate next step a driver should take according to accident procedures?Driving Safely
- 126.A commercial driver is driving on a long, straight highway and starts to feel drowsy. What is the most effective immediate action to take to combat fatigue and ensure safety?Driving Safely
- 127.A commercial driver is involved in a minor accident where their vehicle is still operational, but there is a small fluid leak under the engine. There are no injuries. What is the driver's FIRST priority after ensuring personal safety?Driving Safely
- 128.You are driving a commercial vehicle and must make a lane change to the right. After checking your mirrors, you see a car in the right lane slightly behind your rear tandem axles. What should you do?Driving Safely
- 129.You are driving a commercial vehicle equipped with hydraulic brakes and notice the brake pedal feels 'spongy' or goes to the floor. What is the most likely cause of this issue?Driving Safely
- 130.A commercial driver is driving at night on an unlit rural road. They notice an oncoming vehicle's headlights. At what distance should the driver dim their high beams?Driving Safely
- 131.During a pre-trip inspection, a commercial driver notices that the brake adjustment rods (pushrods) on several air brake chambers extend out too far when the brakes are applied. What does this indicate?Driving Safely
- 132.A commercial driver is conducting a pre-trip inspection of their vehicle. They notice that the air pressure in the primary air tank is building up much slower than usual, taking several minutes to reach the cut-out pressure. What could this indicate?Driving Safely
- 133.During a pre-trip inspection, a commercial driver notices that the brake adjustment rods (pushrods) on several air brake chambers extend more than 2 inches when the brakes are fully applied. What does this indicate?Driving Safely
- 134.You are driving a commercial vehicle and must make a left turn at an intersection. To ensure you do not cut the corner and strike a curb or other object, what is the safest approach?Driving Safely
- 135.You are driving a commercial vehicle at night and another vehicle is approaching from the opposite direction. When should you dim your headlights from high beams to low beams?Driving Safely
- 136.You are driving a commercial vehicle and must cross a set of railroad tracks. The tracks are marked with a 'Do Not Stop On Tracks' sign. Your vehicle is 50 feet long. The distance from the stop line to the far side of the tracks is 60 feet. There is a traffic light immediately after the tracks. What is the safest action to take?Driving Safely
- 137.You are driving a commercial vehicle and your dual tires become hot during operation. What is the most likely cause of this overheating?Driving Safely
- 138.A commercial driver is preparing to drive through a mountainous region known for long, steep downgrades. To prevent brake overheating and maintain control, what is the best strategy for using engine braking?Driving Safely
- 139.A commercial driver is involved in an accident where there are no serious injuries, but the vehicle is blocking a lane of traffic. After ensuring the safety of all involved, what is the next immediate priority for the driver?Driving Safely
- 140.You are driving a commercial vehicle equipped with air brakes. You notice that the air pressure gauge drops from 125 psi to 100 psi after holding the foot brake for one minute. This occurs after the initial air loss when the brakes are first applied. What does this indicate?Driving Safely
- 141.You are driving a commercial vehicle and must cross a set of railroad tracks that appear to be abandoned. What is the safest course of action?Driving Safely
- 142.When driving a commercial vehicle in very hot weather, which of the following is the most critical component to regularly monitor for potential issues?Driving Safely
- 143.A commercial driver is performing a post-trip inspection. They notice that the vehicle's brake drums appear discolored, possibly blue or glazed, and there's a strong burnt smell. What does this condition most likely indicate?Driving Safely
- 144.You are driving a commercial vehicle at night on an unlit road. When should you dim your headlights from high beam to low beam?Driving Safely
- 145.A commercial driver is preparing to descend a long, steep grade. To prevent brake fade and maintain control, what is the most appropriate action before starting the descent?Driving Safely
- 146.A commercial driver is operating a vehicle equipped with air brakes. The driver notices that the air pressure warning light comes on and the buzzer sounds. What is the minimum air pressure at which this warning system must activate?Driving Safely
- 147.During a pre-trip inspection, you notice that your vehicle's tires are worn to the point where the tread depth is less than 4/32 inch on a steer axle tire. What is the correct action to take?Driving Safely
- 148.You are driving a commercial vehicle at night and another vehicle is approaching from the opposite direction. What is the recommended distance at which you should dim your headlights?Driving Safely
- 149.A commercial driver is experiencing a tire blowout on a front steer axle. What is the most appropriate immediate action to take?Driving Safely
- 150.A commercial driver is involved in a minor accident where there are no injuries and the vehicles are still operable. What is the driver's immediate priority after ensuring personal safety?Driving Safely