GENERAL KNOWLEDGE

397

General Knowledge

1 / 149

How often should you check your cargo?

2 / 149

A commercial motor vehicle (CMV) is defined as...

3 / 149

Suspension systems...

4 / 149

At 55 miles-per-hour it takes about 6 seconds to stop a fully loaded truck and the braking distance is...

5 / 149

Which of the following statements about downshifting is NOT true?

6 / 149

Tires should should be replaced...

7 / 149

Which of the following statements about overhead space is true?

8 / 149

In the event of an accident you should remember to do the following EXCEPT...

9 / 149

When accelerating...

10 / 149

Your vehicle is going down a long hill and your brakes begin to fail. What should you do?

11 / 149

To correct a drive-wheel braking skid you should...

12 / 149

If you must stop on the shoulder of the road, you should place warning devices at all of the following places except...

13 / 149

Which of the following statements about stopping distances is NOT true?

14 / 149

What is the reason the exhaust system should be checked?

15 / 149

When is the road likely to be more slippery?

16 / 149

Which of the following is NOT true when driving through a curve?

17 / 149

When using turn signals, which of the following should be avoided?

18 / 149

Safe drivers maintain space around their vehicles for the following reasons except...

19 / 149

In the event of a tire failure you should...

20 / 149

The following statements about an engine overheating are TRUE EXCEPT...

21 / 149

When going down a hill you should always...

22 / 149

The best time to test your parking brake is...

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Which is NOT part of the pre-trip inspection...

24 / 149

How much space should you maintain in front of you at highway speeds?

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Which one of the following is true about shifting gears?

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When making a left hand turn you should always...

27 / 149

The best way to warn the drivers behind you that you are slowing down is to...

28 / 149

What is the best thing to do if you are tired?

29 / 149

When backing up the tractor trailer, try to AVOID...

30 / 149

Which of the following statements about alcohol is true...

31 / 149

If you do not have a HAZMAT endorsement on your CDL, under what conditions may you legally haul hazardous materials?

32 / 149

If you are asked to haul a placarded load and you do not have HAZMAT endorsements you should

33 / 149

Upon conviction of a traffic violation you should notify your employer within 30 days if...

34 / 149

Overloading your trailer can result in the following EXCEPT...

35 / 149

All drivers who need a CDL must take the ...

36 / 149

If you are convicted of a traffic violation in a state other than the one that issued your CDL...

37 / 149

You're pulled over for weaving all over the lanes. If you refuse to take an alcohol sobriety test, you may be disqualified just as if you WERE driving under the influence(DUI). This is because...

38 / 149

Concerning night driving, which statement is true?

39 / 149

When making an emergency stop on the highway...

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You should downshift...

41 / 149

Maintain good visual alertness by...

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Signaling other drivers when it's safe for them to pass is...

43 / 149

Normal engine temperature ranges from...

44 / 149

Your vehicles battery box must have...

45 / 149

Rust around wheel nuts often means that...

46 / 149

When the roads are wet, icy, or snow covered...

47 / 149

If you try to downshift while coming down a mountain, you might...

48 / 149

A vehicle marked at the rear with a red triangle having an orange center...

49 / 149

Bridge laws...

50 / 149

Truck escape ramps:

51 / 149

Which of these can cause the vehicle to skid?

52 / 149

You are driving a vehicle that could safely be driven at 55 MPH on an open road. But traffic is now heavy, moving at 35 MPH although the speed limit is 55. The safest speed for your vehicle in this situation is most likely:

53 / 149

Every time you park your vehicle and shut the engine off you should:

54 / 149

Which of these describes how you should use the brake pedal on a steep downhill grade?

55 / 149

For an average commercial vehicle, being driven at 55 MPH on dry pavement it will take about ____ to bring the vehicle to a stop.

56 / 149

Which of these statements about certain types of cargo is true?

57 / 149

Which of these statements about backing a heavy vehicle is true?

58 / 149

When should you wear seat belts?

59 / 149

The most common cause of serious vehicle skids is:

60 / 149

When roads are slippery, you should:

61 / 149

While driving, you see a small (1 foot square) cardboard box ahead in your lane. You should:

62 / 149

Which of these pieces of emergency equipment should be carried at all times in your vehicle?

63 / 149

What is counter steering?

64 / 149

You do not have a hazardous materials endorsement on your commercial drivers license. When can you drive a vehicle hauling hazardous materials?

65 / 149

You are driving a new truck with a manual transmission. What gear will you probably have to use to take a long downhill grade?

66 / 149

High beams should be:

67 / 149

An en-route inspection should include checking:

68 / 149

Where or when should you test the stopping action of your service brakes?

69 / 149

Stab braking:

70 / 149

Which of these statements about brakes is true?

71 / 149

What should you do when your vehicle hydroplanes?

72 / 149

Under-loaded front axles can cause the following:

73 / 149

Your vehicle is in a traffic emergency and may collide with another vehicle if you do not take action. Which of these is a good rule to remember at such a time?

74 / 149

Which of these is a sign of tire failure?

75 / 149

Which of these statements about drinking alcohol is true?

76 / 149

Which of these can help you stay alert while driving?

77 / 149

Which one of these is not part of the check of the engine compartment done for a pre trip inspection?

78 / 149

According to the driver's manual, why should you limit the use of your horn?

79 / 149

You are traveling down a long, steep hill. Your brakes get so hot that they fail. What should you do?

80 / 149

You are starting your vehicle in motion from a stop. As you apply power to the drive wheels, they start to spin. You should:

81 / 149

You should use your mirrors to check:

82 / 149

The proper way to hold a steering wheel is at clock positions ____ and ____.

83 / 149

Cargo inspections:

84 / 149

Your brakes can get wet when you drive through a heavy rain. What can this cause when the brakes are applied?

85 / 149

How do you test hydraulic brakes for leaks?

86 / 149

Which of these is a good rule to follow when driving at night.

87 / 149

A vehicle is loaded with very little weight on the drive axle. What may result?

88 / 149

The key principle in balancing cargo weight is to keep the load:

89 / 149

Which of these statements about using mirrors is true?

90 / 149

Which of these statements about down shifting is true?

91 / 149

Which of these statements about drugs is true?

92 / 149

To avoid a crash, you had to drive onto the right shoulder. You are now driving at 40 MPH on the shoulder. How should you proceed?

93 / 149

Which of these statements about managing space is true?

94 / 149

Which of these is the most important things to remember about emergency braking?

95 / 149

To correct a rear wheel (drive wheel) braking skid, you should:

96 / 149

While driving, ice builds up on your wipers and they no longer clean the windshield. You should:

97 / 149

The road you are driving on becomes very slippery due to black ice. Which of these is a good thing to do in such a situation?

98 / 149

You must park on the side of a level, straight, two lane road. Where should you place the three reflective triangles?

99 / 149

You are driving in the right lane of a four lane, undivided road, you come over a hill and find a car stopped ahead in your lane. You do not have room to stop, and the hill blocks your view to the rear. Which of these is most likely the best action to take?

100 / 149

The following are all probable signs of a tire blowout EXCEPT...

101 / 149

Water can be used to extinguish which of the following fires?

102 / 149

Driving at night is more dangerous because of the following EXCEPT...

103 / 149

Which of the following statements about your mirrors is true?

104 / 149

When driving in heavy traffic you should travel...

105 / 149

If you find that you are being tailgated, you should...

106 / 149

How should you hold your hands on the steering wheel?

107 / 149

When making a right hand turn you should always...

108 / 149

To correct a drive wheel acceleration skid you should...

109 / 149

When driving at highway speeds, you should look 12-15 seconds ahead which is...

110 / 149

Which of the following are causes of vehicle fires...

111 / 149

Hydroplaning can occur when you drive through water or slush. If you experience hydroplaning you should...

112 / 149

An engine retarder (Jake Brake) is designed to...

113 / 149

The best way to put out a fire is to...

114 / 149

A front wheel skid is usually caused by...

115 / 149

If you're required to keep a log of your time...

116 / 149

If your vehicle doesn't pass a roadside inspection...

117 / 149

By law, you must have your vehicle's lights on...

118 / 149

Normal oil pressure while idling is...

119 / 149

Progressive shifting means...

120 / 149

The legal size and weight distribution limits...

121 / 149

Blocking used to prevent cargo movement...

122 / 149

Drive tire tread must be at least...

123 / 149

Normal clutch travel is...

124 / 149

State law can regulate...

125 / 149

If you are being tailgated, you should:

126 / 149

The parking brake should be tested while the vehicle is:

127 / 149

A drivers trip log, if required:

128 / 149

When should the pre-trip inspection report from the last driver be reviewed?

129 / 149

If you are stopped at a rest area and found to have a BAC (Blood Alcohol Concentration) of .02 you will:

130 / 149

Which of these statements about using turn signals is true?

131 / 149

Retarders:

132 / 149

Which of these statements about staying alert to drive is true?

133 / 149

You are driving on a two lane road. An oncoming driver drifts into your lane and is headed straight for you. Which of these is generally the best action?

134 / 149

You should avoid driving through deep puddles or flowing water. But if you must, which of these steps can help keep your brakes working?

135 / 149

How far should a driver look ahead of the vehicle while driving?

136 / 149

Which of these statements about cargo loading is true?

137 / 149

Which of these statements about marking a stopped vehicle is true?

138 / 149

You are driving a 40 foot vehicle at 45 MPH. Driving conditions are ideal (dry pavement, good visibility). What is the least amount of space that you should keep in front of your vehicle to be safe?

139 / 149

On wet roads, you should reduce your speed:

140 / 149

Which of these statements about cold weather driving is true?

141 / 149

The most important reason for being alert to hazards is so:

142 / 149

Which of these is a good rule to follow when using a fire extinguisher?

143 / 149

Is it legal to drive with one fourth of a vehicles leaf springs broken or missing?

144 / 149

Dry bulk tanks require special care because:

145 / 149

You are checking your tires for a pre trip inspection. Which of these statements is true?

146 / 149

The first step to take if your vehicle catches fire while driving is:

147 / 149

Which of these statements about double clutching and shifting is true?

148 / 149

The center of gravity of a load:

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You are testing the stopping action of service brakes on a hydraulic system. Which of these can mean there is a problem?

Each state requires that those seeking to obtain a CDL license must first pass a test of generalized trucking knowledge, it is required you ass the general knowledge test before proceeding to gain additional CDL endorsements. The CDL general knowledge test is a written test designed to assess your competence and level of trucking knowledge and covers the material presented any CDL handbook. The test covers all aspects of general trucking knowledge required to attain your CDL license including, driving safely, transporting cargo safely, and performing pre-trip vehicle inspections, air brakes, and passenger and combination vehicles.

The material covered on the CDL general knowledge test is practically the same in every state to ensure that each CDL licensed driver is completely aware of the laws and requirements regardless of the license issuing state. Each driver wishing to successfully earn their CDL license must achieve an 80% passing score on the general knowledge test.