General Knowledge (Questions
with answers 1–25)
1. What is the primary reason for performing a pre-trip inspection on a commercial
vehicle?
A. To check the fuel level
B. To avoid DOT fines
C. To ensure the vehicle is safe to operate
D. To satisfy company policy
Answer: C
Rationale: Pre-trip inspections are required to identify safety issues before operating a
commercial vehicle, reducing the risk of accidents.
2. When backing a commercial vehicle, the safest method is to:
A. Use only mirrors
B. Use a helper outside the vehicle if possible
C. Back quickly to save time
D. Rely on the camera only
Answer: B
Rationale: A helper can guide you and reduce blind spot risks, which is safer than relying
solely on mirrors.
3. What is the maximum legal weight allowed on a single axle in Georgia?
A. 18,000 lbs
B. 20,000 lbs
C. 22,000 lbs
D. 24,000 lbs
Answer: B
Rationale: Georgia and federal regulations limit single axle weight to 20,000 lbs to prevent
road damage.
4. How often must you inspect tires during a long trip?
A. Every 50 miles
B. Every 100 miles
C. At regular intervals and whenever there is a concern
D. Only at stops for fuel
Answer: C
Rationale: Regular inspections prevent blowouts and accidents, especially on long trips.
,5. Which statement about speed management on downhill grades is correct?
A. Braking continuously is safest
B. Use a lower gear and avoid riding the brakes
C. Maintain the same gear as on level road
D. Accelerate slightly to keep momentum
Answer: B
Rationale: Using engine braking reduces the risk of brake overheating and failure on long
descents.
6. What should you do if your brakes fail on a steep downgrade?
A. Pump the brake pedal continuously
B. Use a lower gear and emergency brakes carefully
C. Shift to neutral
D. Turn off the engine
Answer: B
Rationale: Shifting to a lower gear and carefully using the emergency brake helps control
speed when service brakes fail.
7. When is it legal to cross a double yellow line to pass another vehicle in Georgia?
A. When the line next to your lane is broken
B. When traffic is light
C. During daylight only
D. When approaching a curve
Answer: A
Rationale: Passing is allowed only if the line on your side is broken, indicating it is safe and
legal.
8. How far ahead should a driver signal before turning in a city?
A. 25 feet
B. 50 feet
C. 75 feet
D. 100 feet
Answer: D
Rationale: Georgia law requires signaling at least 100 feet before a turn to alert other
drivers.
9. When a school bus is stopped with flashing red lights on a two-lane road, a CDL driver
must:
A. Slow down
B. Stop until the lights stop flashing
, C. Pass cautiously on the left
D. Pass cautiously on the right
Answer: B
Rationale: School bus laws in Georgia require all drivers to stop for flashing red lights on
two-lane roads.
10. What is the minimum tread depth required on a CMV tire that is not mounted on a
front wheel?
A. 1/32 inch
B. 2/32 inch
C. 3/32 inch
D. 4/32 inch
Answer: B
Rationale: Federal equipment rules require at least 2/32-inch tread depth in the major
grooves of tires other than front wheels. Front-wheel tires require at least 4/32 inch.
11. How far ahead should a commercial driver normally scan while moving?
A. 5 to 8 seconds
B. 8 to 10 seconds
C. 12 to 15 seconds
D. 20 to 25 seconds
Answer: C
Rationale: A commercial driver should normally look at least 12 to 15 seconds ahead,
roughly one block at lower speeds and about one-quarter mile at highway speeds.
12. When bright oncoming headlights create glare at night, where should you look?
A. Toward the right side of the road
B. Directly at the lights
C. Toward the center line
D. At your dashboard
Answer: A
Rationale: Direct your vision toward the right side of the road, watching the sideline for
guidance, because recovery from glare can take several seconds.
13. Before beginning a steep downgrade, how should you select your transmission gear?
A. Select a higher gear than used to climb
B. Select a low gear before the descent, usually lower than the gear used to climb
C. Shift to neutral
D. Use the same gear as on level road
with answers 1–25)
1. What is the primary reason for performing a pre-trip inspection on a commercial
vehicle?
A. To check the fuel level
B. To avoid DOT fines
C. To ensure the vehicle is safe to operate
D. To satisfy company policy
Answer: C
Rationale: Pre-trip inspections are required to identify safety issues before operating a
commercial vehicle, reducing the risk of accidents.
2. When backing a commercial vehicle, the safest method is to:
A. Use only mirrors
B. Use a helper outside the vehicle if possible
C. Back quickly to save time
D. Rely on the camera only
Answer: B
Rationale: A helper can guide you and reduce blind spot risks, which is safer than relying
solely on mirrors.
3. What is the maximum legal weight allowed on a single axle in Georgia?
A. 18,000 lbs
B. 20,000 lbs
C. 22,000 lbs
D. 24,000 lbs
Answer: B
Rationale: Georgia and federal regulations limit single axle weight to 20,000 lbs to prevent
road damage.
4. How often must you inspect tires during a long trip?
A. Every 50 miles
B. Every 100 miles
C. At regular intervals and whenever there is a concern
D. Only at stops for fuel
Answer: C
Rationale: Regular inspections prevent blowouts and accidents, especially on long trips.
,5. Which statement about speed management on downhill grades is correct?
A. Braking continuously is safest
B. Use a lower gear and avoid riding the brakes
C. Maintain the same gear as on level road
D. Accelerate slightly to keep momentum
Answer: B
Rationale: Using engine braking reduces the risk of brake overheating and failure on long
descents.
6. What should you do if your brakes fail on a steep downgrade?
A. Pump the brake pedal continuously
B. Use a lower gear and emergency brakes carefully
C. Shift to neutral
D. Turn off the engine
Answer: B
Rationale: Shifting to a lower gear and carefully using the emergency brake helps control
speed when service brakes fail.
7. When is it legal to cross a double yellow line to pass another vehicle in Georgia?
A. When the line next to your lane is broken
B. When traffic is light
C. During daylight only
D. When approaching a curve
Answer: A
Rationale: Passing is allowed only if the line on your side is broken, indicating it is safe and
legal.
8. How far ahead should a driver signal before turning in a city?
A. 25 feet
B. 50 feet
C. 75 feet
D. 100 feet
Answer: D
Rationale: Georgia law requires signaling at least 100 feet before a turn to alert other
drivers.
9. When a school bus is stopped with flashing red lights on a two-lane road, a CDL driver
must:
A. Slow down
B. Stop until the lights stop flashing
, C. Pass cautiously on the left
D. Pass cautiously on the right
Answer: B
Rationale: School bus laws in Georgia require all drivers to stop for flashing red lights on
two-lane roads.
10. What is the minimum tread depth required on a CMV tire that is not mounted on a
front wheel?
A. 1/32 inch
B. 2/32 inch
C. 3/32 inch
D. 4/32 inch
Answer: B
Rationale: Federal equipment rules require at least 2/32-inch tread depth in the major
grooves of tires other than front wheels. Front-wheel tires require at least 4/32 inch.
11. How far ahead should a commercial driver normally scan while moving?
A. 5 to 8 seconds
B. 8 to 10 seconds
C. 12 to 15 seconds
D. 20 to 25 seconds
Answer: C
Rationale: A commercial driver should normally look at least 12 to 15 seconds ahead,
roughly one block at lower speeds and about one-quarter mile at highway speeds.
12. When bright oncoming headlights create glare at night, where should you look?
A. Toward the right side of the road
B. Directly at the lights
C. Toward the center line
D. At your dashboard
Answer: A
Rationale: Direct your vision toward the right side of the road, watching the sideline for
guidance, because recovery from glare can take several seconds.
13. Before beginning a steep downgrade, how should you select your transmission gear?
A. Select a higher gear than used to climb
B. Select a low gear before the descent, usually lower than the gear used to climb
C. Shift to neutral
D. Use the same gear as on level road
