CDL CLASS B GENERAL KNOWLEDGE
### Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance
- Importance of Vehicle Inspection:
✔️To ensure safety for yourself and other road users.
- Checks During a Trip:
✔️Monitor gauges, tires, wheels, rims, brakes, lights, reflectors, electrical connections, trailer coupling
devices, cargo securement devices.
### Vehicle Parts and Systems
- Key Steering System Parts:
✔️Steering wheel, shaft, gear box, pitman arm, drag link, spindle, steering arms.
- Suspension System Defects:
✔️Cracked or broken leaf spring hangers, leaking shock absorbers, damaged air suspension systems,
loose or broken frame members.
### Emergency Equipment
- Required Emergency Equipment:
✔️Safety equipment, emergency phone numbers, accident reporting kit.
### Tire Specifications
- Minimum Tread Depth:
✔️4/32 inch for front tires; 2/32 inch for other tires.
### Pre-Trip and Walk-Around Inspection
- Front Vehicle Checks:
, ✔️Inspect front axle, steering system, windshield, lights, and reflectors.
- Wheel Bearing Seal Inspection:
✔️Check for leaks.
- Red Reflective Triangles:
✔️Carry three.
### Brake and Safety Protocols
- Testing Hydraulic Brakes for Leaks:
✔️Pump brakes three times, then apply firm pressure for five seconds; pedal movement indicates a
leak.
- Starter Switch Key Location:
✔️Keep the key in your pocket during the pre-trip inspection to prevent unauthorized starting.
### Defensive Driving Techniques
- Looking Ahead:
✔️12-15 seconds, or 1 block/1 mile.
- Key Observations Ahead:
✔️Stopping and lane changes.
- Importance of Mirrors:
✔️Essential for seeing the sides and rear of the vehicle.
- Communication While Driving:
✔️Signaling intentions to others.
### Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance
- Importance of Vehicle Inspection:
✔️To ensure safety for yourself and other road users.
- Checks During a Trip:
✔️Monitor gauges, tires, wheels, rims, brakes, lights, reflectors, electrical connections, trailer coupling
devices, cargo securement devices.
### Vehicle Parts and Systems
- Key Steering System Parts:
✔️Steering wheel, shaft, gear box, pitman arm, drag link, spindle, steering arms.
- Suspension System Defects:
✔️Cracked or broken leaf spring hangers, leaking shock absorbers, damaged air suspension systems,
loose or broken frame members.
### Emergency Equipment
- Required Emergency Equipment:
✔️Safety equipment, emergency phone numbers, accident reporting kit.
### Tire Specifications
- Minimum Tread Depth:
✔️4/32 inch for front tires; 2/32 inch for other tires.
### Pre-Trip and Walk-Around Inspection
- Front Vehicle Checks:
, ✔️Inspect front axle, steering system, windshield, lights, and reflectors.
- Wheel Bearing Seal Inspection:
✔️Check for leaks.
- Red Reflective Triangles:
✔️Carry three.
### Brake and Safety Protocols
- Testing Hydraulic Brakes for Leaks:
✔️Pump brakes three times, then apply firm pressure for five seconds; pedal movement indicates a
leak.
- Starter Switch Key Location:
✔️Keep the key in your pocket during the pre-trip inspection to prevent unauthorized starting.
### Defensive Driving Techniques
- Looking Ahead:
✔️12-15 seconds, or 1 block/1 mile.
- Key Observations Ahead:
✔️Stopping and lane changes.
- Importance of Mirrors:
✔️Essential for seeing the sides and rear of the vehicle.
- Communication While Driving:
✔️Signaling intentions to others.
