CDL GENERAL KNOWLEDGE GUARANTEED PASS !!
If you have an air brake restriction... - (ANSWER)you may not operate a CMV
What is the most important reason for doing a vehicle inspection? - (ANSWER)Safety. Safety for yourself and
other road user.
What things should you check during a trip? - (ANSWER)Watch gauges for signs of trouble.
Use your senses to check for problems (look,listen,smell,and feel)
Check critical items when you stop : tires, wheels, rims, brakes, lights, reflectors, electrical connections to
trailers.
Name some key steering wheel parts - (ANSWER)Gear box
pitman arm
steering knuckle
steering arm
tie rod
Name some suspension system defects - (ANSWER)Broken leaf spring, spring hangers that allow movement of
axle.
U-bolts, or other axle poistioning parts that are cracked, or damaged.
What 3 kinds of emergency equiptment must you have? - (ANSWER)Spare electrical fuses
Three red reflective triangles
Page 1 of 17
,properly charged and rated fire extinguisher.
What is the minimum tread depth for front tires? For all other tires? - (ANSWER)4/32 on the front and 2/32
elsewhere
Name some things you should check on the front of your vehicle during the walk around inspection? -
(ANSWER)Headlights, low and high beam.
Windshield wiper arms for proper spring tension.
Wiper blades for damage.
Reflectors
Turn Signals both left and right.
What should wheel bearing seals be checked for? - (ANSWER)Leaks, Leaks, LEAKS!!
How many red reflective triangles should you carry? - (ANSWER)Three
How do you test hydraulic breaks for leaks? - (ANSWER)Pump brake pedal three times and apply firm pressure
to the pedal, hold for five seconds. The pedal should not move.
Why put the starter switch key in your pocket during the pre-trip inspection? - (ANSWER)To keep someone
from running over you.
Why should you back toward the driver's side? - (ANSWER)So you can see better
backing toward the right side is very dangerous because you cant see as well.
Page 2 of 17
, If stopped on a hill, how can you start moving without rolling back? - (ANSWER)For manual transmission,
partly engage the clutch before you take your right foot off the brake, or put the parking brake on whenever
necessary to keep you from rolling back.
On a tractor-trailer equipped with a trailer brake hand valve, the hand valve can be applied to keep from rolling
back.
When stopping a vehicle with a manual transmission, push the clutch in when the engine is close to -
(ANSWER)Idle
When backing, why is it important to use a helper? - (ANSWER)There are blind spots you cant see!
What is the most important single you and your helper should agree on? - (ANSWER)stop, stop, stop!!
What are the two special conditions where you should downshift? - (ANSWER)Before entering a curve
Before starting down a hill
When should you down shift automatic transmissions? - (ANSWER)You can select a low range to get greater
engine braking when going down grades
The lower ranges prevent the transmission from shifting up beyond the selected gears ( unless the governor rpm
is exceeded )
TRUE OR FALSE:
Engine retarders keep you from skidding when the road is slippery - (ANSWER)False
What are the two ways to know when to shift? - (ANSWER)Use engine speed (rpm) or road speed (mph)
TRUE OR FALSE:
Page 3 of 17
If you have an air brake restriction... - (ANSWER)you may not operate a CMV
What is the most important reason for doing a vehicle inspection? - (ANSWER)Safety. Safety for yourself and
other road user.
What things should you check during a trip? - (ANSWER)Watch gauges for signs of trouble.
Use your senses to check for problems (look,listen,smell,and feel)
Check critical items when you stop : tires, wheels, rims, brakes, lights, reflectors, electrical connections to
trailers.
Name some key steering wheel parts - (ANSWER)Gear box
pitman arm
steering knuckle
steering arm
tie rod
Name some suspension system defects - (ANSWER)Broken leaf spring, spring hangers that allow movement of
axle.
U-bolts, or other axle poistioning parts that are cracked, or damaged.
What 3 kinds of emergency equiptment must you have? - (ANSWER)Spare electrical fuses
Three red reflective triangles
Page 1 of 17
,properly charged and rated fire extinguisher.
What is the minimum tread depth for front tires? For all other tires? - (ANSWER)4/32 on the front and 2/32
elsewhere
Name some things you should check on the front of your vehicle during the walk around inspection? -
(ANSWER)Headlights, low and high beam.
Windshield wiper arms for proper spring tension.
Wiper blades for damage.
Reflectors
Turn Signals both left and right.
What should wheel bearing seals be checked for? - (ANSWER)Leaks, Leaks, LEAKS!!
How many red reflective triangles should you carry? - (ANSWER)Three
How do you test hydraulic breaks for leaks? - (ANSWER)Pump brake pedal three times and apply firm pressure
to the pedal, hold for five seconds. The pedal should not move.
Why put the starter switch key in your pocket during the pre-trip inspection? - (ANSWER)To keep someone
from running over you.
Why should you back toward the driver's side? - (ANSWER)So you can see better
backing toward the right side is very dangerous because you cant see as well.
Page 2 of 17
, If stopped on a hill, how can you start moving without rolling back? - (ANSWER)For manual transmission,
partly engage the clutch before you take your right foot off the brake, or put the parking brake on whenever
necessary to keep you from rolling back.
On a tractor-trailer equipped with a trailer brake hand valve, the hand valve can be applied to keep from rolling
back.
When stopping a vehicle with a manual transmission, push the clutch in when the engine is close to -
(ANSWER)Idle
When backing, why is it important to use a helper? - (ANSWER)There are blind spots you cant see!
What is the most important single you and your helper should agree on? - (ANSWER)stop, stop, stop!!
What are the two special conditions where you should downshift? - (ANSWER)Before entering a curve
Before starting down a hill
When should you down shift automatic transmissions? - (ANSWER)You can select a low range to get greater
engine braking when going down grades
The lower ranges prevent the transmission from shifting up beyond the selected gears ( unless the governor rpm
is exceeded )
TRUE OR FALSE:
Engine retarders keep you from skidding when the road is slippery - (ANSWER)False
What are the two ways to know when to shift? - (ANSWER)Use engine speed (rpm) or road speed (mph)
TRUE OR FALSE:
Page 3 of 17
