CDL general knowledge practice test 3

1. Why should a driver ensure they are halfway through an intersection before starting a left turn?

1. To allow pedestrians more time to cross.
2. To prevent the left side of the vehicle from hitting another vehicle due to off tracking.
3. To ensure the engine has enough power to complete the turn.
4. To avoid blocking the right-turn lane for other vehicles.

2. Which surface condition requires the driver to reduce speed by half or more?

1. Dry pavement
2. Packed snow
3. Freshly laid asphalt
4. Gravel shoulder

3. According to the handbook, how should a driver adjust their speed when driving on a wet road?

1. Maintain the same speed as on a dry road but increase following distance.
2. Reduce speed by about one-third.
3. Reduce speed by half.
4. Reduce speed to a crawl.

4. When stopping on a two-lane road carrying traffic in both directions, where should warning devices be placed?

1. Only 10 feet behind the vehicle.
2. Within 10 feet of the front or rear corners and 100 feet behind and ahead of the vehicle.
3. Exactly 200 feet behind the vehicle only.
4. In the center of the lane directly behind the vehicle.

5. When making a right turn in a large vehicle that requires swinging into another lane, how should the driver position the vehicle?

1. Turn wide to the left as you start the turn.
2. Keep the rear of your vehicle close to the curb.
3. Stop completely before beginning the turn.
4. Cross entirely into the oncoming lane before turning.

6. According to the handbook, what is the approximate total stopping distance for a heavy vehicle traveling at 55 mph on dry pavement with good brakes?

1. 310 feet
2. 390 feet
3. 450 feet
4. 500 feet

7. How should a driver handle a front-wheel skid on a very slippery surface?

1. Let the vehicle slow down and stop turning or braking hard.
2. Accelerate quickly to regain traction in the front wheels.
3. Steer sharply into the curve to force the wheels to grip.
4. Maintain constant braking pressure to stabilize the vehicle.

8. What does it indicate if the brake pedal moves while holding firm pressure during a hydraulic brake test?

1. There may be a leak or other problem that needs fixing before driving
2. The brakes are properly adjusted and ready for use
3. The air pressure needs to be increased in the system
4. The parking brake needs to be released

9. Under what specific condition should you move a severely injured person at an accident scene?

1. Always move them to the nearest sidewalk for safety.
2. Only if the danger of fire or passing traffic makes it necessary.
3. Immediately to check for responsiveness and breathing.
4. Only if they are conscious and able to walk themselves.

10. Why should a driver speed up smoothly and gradually rather than using rough acceleration?

1. To ensure the engine reaches idle speed quickly.
2. To prevent mechanical damage and damage to the trailer coupling.
3. To allow the drive wheels to spin for better traction.
4. To ensure the parking brake releases automatically.

11. What is the primary reason brakes may fade or fail according to the section on brake fading?

1. Excessive heat caused by using them too much and not relying on the engine braking effect.
2. Using the brakes too gently on flat terrain.
3. Failing to check the tire pressure before starting a descent.
4. Driving at speeds higher than the posted limit.

12. When braking a vehicle equipped with ABS, how should the driver apply the brakes under normal conditions?

1. Use only the braking force necessary to stop safely and stay in control.
2. Pump the brakes rapidly to prevent wheel lock-up.
3. Apply maximum force immediately to shorten stopping distance.
4. Ignore the ABS system and brake exactly as if the vehicle had no ABS.

13. According to the handbook, how should cargo weight be distributed vertically to ensure safe handling?

1. Place the heaviest parts of the cargo under the lightest parts.
2. Place the heaviest parts of the cargo on top of the lightest parts.
3. Distribute the weight evenly across the entire height of the cargo area.
4. Place all weight directly over the steering axle for better control.

14. According to the handbook, how does the weight of a cargo van affect its height when determining overhead clearance?

1. An empty van is higher than a loaded one.
2. A loaded van is higher than an empty one.
3. The height remains constant regardless of load.
4. The height decreases only when the van is completely empty.

15. Why is it important to check cargo covers periodically while driving?

1. To ensure the cover does not tear loose and block the driver's view.
2. To verify that the cargo has not shifted to the rear axle.
3. To confirm that the tie-down straps are still tight.
4. To check if the cargo needs to be re-braced against the walls.

16. What is the primary reason a driver should avoid pushing down on the brake pedal as hard as possible during emergency braking?

1. It causes excessive wear on the brake pads.
2. It keeps the wheels locked up and causes a skid.
3. It drains the air brake reservoir too quickly.
4. It prevents the anti-lock brake system from engaging.

17. How does an overloaded truck typically behave when driving on downgrades?

1. It may gain too much speed
2. It requires less braking distance
3. It maintains a constant speed automatically
4. It improves steering responsiveness

18. What causes most front-wheel skids according to the handbook?

1. Driving too fast for road conditions.
2. Using the speed retarder on dry pavement.
3. Over-steering the front wheels excessively.
4. Applying the brakes too gently.

19. Why is it recommended to back toward the driver's side rather than the right side?

1. Backing toward the right side is faster and requires fewer corrections.
2. Backing toward the driver's side allows the driver to see better by looking out the side window.
3. The driver's side has fewer blind spots than the passenger side.
4. Backing toward the right side causes the trailer to drift more frequently.

20. Which of the following is a required date for the installation of ABS on truck tractors with air brakes?

1. Built on or after March 1, 1997
2. Built on or after March 1, 1998
3. Built on or after March 1, 1999
4. Built on or after January 1, 2000

21. According to the handbook, what is the correct procedure for stopping your vehicle when you are involved in an accident?

1. Stop immediately in the center of the lane to block traffic from passing.
2. Try to get the vehicle to the side of the road to help prevent another accident.
3. Leave the vehicle in its current position to preserve the scene for police.
4. Park directly behind the accident site to protect the injured parties.

22. What is the primary reason for selecting an appropriate safe speed before starting down a long, steep downgrade?

1. To ensure the brakes can hold the vehicle back without getting too hot and fading.
2. To allow enough time to shift gears while the vehicle is still moving.
3. To prevent the cargo from shifting forward during the descent.
4. To match the speed of other commercial vehicles on the highway.

23. What is the recommended method for signaling a lane change?

1. Turn on the signal after beginning the lane change to minimize distraction.
2. Put your turn signal on before changing lanes and change lanes slowly and smoothly.
3. Cancel the signal immediately after turning it on to avoid confusing other drivers.
4. Use the horn instead of the turn signal to alert drivers behind you.

24. According to the handbook, what is the minimum time required for a typical tractor-trailer unit to clear a single railroad track?

1. At least 14 seconds
2. Exactly 10 seconds
3. Approximately 5 seconds
4. Less than 12 seconds

25. How should a driver test hydraulic brakes for leaks?

1. Pump the brake pedal three times, apply firm pressure, and hold for five seconds to ensure the pedal does not move
2. Pump the brake pedal twice and listen for hissing sounds
3. Apply the parking brake and check if the vehicle rolls forward
4. Check the fluid level in the reservoir before starting the engine

26. What is the primary function of a front-end header board (headache rack) on a commercial vehicle?

1. To protect the driver from cargo during a crash or emergency stop.
2. To increase the aerodynamic efficiency of the truck.
3. To provide additional storage space for small tools.
4. To help distribute weight evenly across the driving axles.

27. Which type of tire is prohibited on the front wheels of a bus?

1. Radial tires
2. Bias-ply tires
3. Regrooved, recapped, or retreaded tires
4. New tires with full tread depth

28. Why should a driver use headlights rather than just identification or clearance lights when visibility is poor?

1. Headlights are required by law in all states regardless of visibility conditions.
2. Identification lights are too dim to be effective during the day.
3. If you are having trouble seeing other vehicles, other drivers will have trouble seeing you.
4. High beams are more effective than low beams for daytime visibility.

29. During a trip, how often must a driver inspect the securement of cargo?

1. Within the first 50 miles, then every 150 miles or every three hours, whichever comes first
2. Every 100 miles regardless of time elapsed
3. Only at the beginning and end of the trip
4. Every four hours regardless of distance