TEXAS CDL GENERAL KNOWLEDGE EXAM –
PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2025/2026 Q&A | INSTANT
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1. What is the most important reason for doing a vehicle inspection?
• Safety
Inspections help prevent breakdowns and accidents, protecting the driver,
cargo, and others on the road.
2. When approaching a railroad crossing, what should you always do?
• Slow down and be prepared to stop
Large vehicles need more time to stop; slowing ensures safety at crossings.
3. What is the proper way to hold the steering wheel?
• With both hands firmly, at opposite sides
This ensures better control in emergencies.
4. If you double your speed, your stopping distance increases by:
• Four times
Stopping distance increases exponentially, not linearly.
5. What does “GVWR” stand for?
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
It is the maximum weight a vehicle is rated to safely carry.
6. What should you do before driving in mountains?
, • Check brakes thoroughly
Steep grades require fully functional brakes.
7. The most common cause of serious vehicle skids is:
• Driving too fast for conditions
Speeding on wet, icy, or curvy roads leads to skids.
8. When is it illegal to drive with a load not secured?
• Always illegal
Federal law requires all cargo to be secured to prevent accidents.
9. When should you use your mirrors?
• Regularly, every 5–8 seconds
Frequent mirror checks help monitor traffic and blind spots.
10. What is the safest way to back up a large vehicle?
• Use a spotter whenever possible
A spotter reduces blind-spot risks.
11. How far ahead should you look while driving?
• 12–15 seconds
This gives time to react to road hazards.
12. What is the purpose of a pre-trip inspection?
• To ensure the vehicle is safe to operate
Required by law and ensures safety.
13. Which braking method should you use in an emergency?
• Controlled or stab braking
This prevents wheel lock-up while maximizing stopping power.
14. What is the effect of wet brakes?
• Reduced braking power and possible pulling to one side
Moisture reduces friction and effectiveness.
, 15. If you must stop on a highway shoulder, you should:
• Put out reflective triangles within 10 minutes
Required by law to warn other drivers.
16. When driving at night, you should:
• Drive slowly enough to stop within the range of your headlights
Out-driving headlights reduces reaction time.
17. The best way to keep your brakes from overheating on long downgrades is:
• Use engine braking and downshift before the grade
This reduces reliance on service brakes.
18. What does “bridge law” refer to?
• Legal limits on axle weight spacing
Designed to protect bridges from damage.
19. What is a danger of tailgating a smaller vehicle?
• You may block their view of the road ahead
They cannot see around you, and you cannot stop as quickly.
20. What should you do if your vehicle begins to hydroplane?
• Release the accelerator and push in the clutch
This helps regain traction without skidding.
21. What does the “two-second rule” help determine?
• Safe following distance
It ensures you have time to react to traffic ahead.
22. The most important hand signal a spotter can use is:
• Stop
Stopping avoids accidents during backing.
23. What should you check when inspecting the suspension system?
PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2025/2026 Q&A | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
1. What is the most important reason for doing a vehicle inspection?
• Safety
Inspections help prevent breakdowns and accidents, protecting the driver,
cargo, and others on the road.
2. When approaching a railroad crossing, what should you always do?
• Slow down and be prepared to stop
Large vehicles need more time to stop; slowing ensures safety at crossings.
3. What is the proper way to hold the steering wheel?
• With both hands firmly, at opposite sides
This ensures better control in emergencies.
4. If you double your speed, your stopping distance increases by:
• Four times
Stopping distance increases exponentially, not linearly.
5. What does “GVWR” stand for?
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
It is the maximum weight a vehicle is rated to safely carry.
6. What should you do before driving in mountains?
, • Check brakes thoroughly
Steep grades require fully functional brakes.
7. The most common cause of serious vehicle skids is:
• Driving too fast for conditions
Speeding on wet, icy, or curvy roads leads to skids.
8. When is it illegal to drive with a load not secured?
• Always illegal
Federal law requires all cargo to be secured to prevent accidents.
9. When should you use your mirrors?
• Regularly, every 5–8 seconds
Frequent mirror checks help monitor traffic and blind spots.
10. What is the safest way to back up a large vehicle?
• Use a spotter whenever possible
A spotter reduces blind-spot risks.
11. How far ahead should you look while driving?
• 12–15 seconds
This gives time to react to road hazards.
12. What is the purpose of a pre-trip inspection?
• To ensure the vehicle is safe to operate
Required by law and ensures safety.
13. Which braking method should you use in an emergency?
• Controlled or stab braking
This prevents wheel lock-up while maximizing stopping power.
14. What is the effect of wet brakes?
• Reduced braking power and possible pulling to one side
Moisture reduces friction and effectiveness.
, 15. If you must stop on a highway shoulder, you should:
• Put out reflective triangles within 10 minutes
Required by law to warn other drivers.
16. When driving at night, you should:
• Drive slowly enough to stop within the range of your headlights
Out-driving headlights reduces reaction time.
17. The best way to keep your brakes from overheating on long downgrades is:
• Use engine braking and downshift before the grade
This reduces reliance on service brakes.
18. What does “bridge law” refer to?
• Legal limits on axle weight spacing
Designed to protect bridges from damage.
19. What is a danger of tailgating a smaller vehicle?
• You may block their view of the road ahead
They cannot see around you, and you cannot stop as quickly.
20. What should you do if your vehicle begins to hydroplane?
• Release the accelerator and push in the clutch
This helps regain traction without skidding.
21. What does the “two-second rule” help determine?
• Safe following distance
It ensures you have time to react to traffic ahead.
22. The most important hand signal a spotter can use is:
• Stop
Stopping avoids accidents during backing.
23. What should you check when inspecting the suspension system?
