CDL PERMIT COMPREHENSIVE EXAM
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS STUDY GUIDE
●● What things should you check during a trip
Answer: Tires, brakes, lights, connections to trailer, trailer coupling
devices, cargo securement devices(tarps, canvass, or straps)
●● Name some key steering system parts
Answer: Steering wheel, steering shaft, gear box, hydraulic fluid
reservoir, pitman arm, drag link, steering knuckle, spindle, power
steering cylinder, steering arm, tie rod
●● Name some suspension system defects
Answer: Missing or broken leaf springs, leaking shock absorbers, broken
spring hangers, torque rod (arm, ubolts, spring hangers, or other axle
positioning parts) cracked or damaged
●● Name three kinds of emergency equipment you must have
Answer: Fire extinguisher, 3 red triangles, spare fuses, flare
●● What is the minimum tread depth for front tires? For other tires?
Answer: 4/32" for front tires, 2/32" for all others
, ●● Name some things you should check on the front of your vehicle
during the walk around inspection
Answer: Condition of axle and steering system (grab for looseness),
condition of the windshield (clean/dirty, damaged, wiper arms, wiper
blades, and lights & reflectors (amber at front for clearance and
reflectors, white or amber for turn signal)
●● What should wheel bearing seals be checked for?
Answer: Leaks
●● How many red reflective triangles should you carry?
Answer: Three
●● How do you test hydraulic brakes for leaks?
Answer: Pump three times, hold brake down for 5 seconds. Brakes
should hold, if not there is a problem.
●● Why put the starter switch key in your
pocket during the pre-trip inspection?
Answer: So no one moves the truck while you are inspecting it.
●● Why should you back toward the driver's
side?
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS STUDY GUIDE
●● What things should you check during a trip
Answer: Tires, brakes, lights, connections to trailer, trailer coupling
devices, cargo securement devices(tarps, canvass, or straps)
●● Name some key steering system parts
Answer: Steering wheel, steering shaft, gear box, hydraulic fluid
reservoir, pitman arm, drag link, steering knuckle, spindle, power
steering cylinder, steering arm, tie rod
●● Name some suspension system defects
Answer: Missing or broken leaf springs, leaking shock absorbers, broken
spring hangers, torque rod (arm, ubolts, spring hangers, or other axle
positioning parts) cracked or damaged
●● Name three kinds of emergency equipment you must have
Answer: Fire extinguisher, 3 red triangles, spare fuses, flare
●● What is the minimum tread depth for front tires? For other tires?
Answer: 4/32" for front tires, 2/32" for all others
, ●● Name some things you should check on the front of your vehicle
during the walk around inspection
Answer: Condition of axle and steering system (grab for looseness),
condition of the windshield (clean/dirty, damaged, wiper arms, wiper
blades, and lights & reflectors (amber at front for clearance and
reflectors, white or amber for turn signal)
●● What should wheel bearing seals be checked for?
Answer: Leaks
●● How many red reflective triangles should you carry?
Answer: Three
●● How do you test hydraulic brakes for leaks?
Answer: Pump three times, hold brake down for 5 seconds. Brakes
should hold, if not there is a problem.
●● Why put the starter switch key in your
pocket during the pre-trip inspection?
Answer: So no one moves the truck while you are inspecting it.
●● Why should you back toward the driver's
side?
