CDL General Knowledge Questions
with Correct Answers
Containerized loads: - ANSWERSAre generally used when freight is carried part way by
rail or ship
In your mirror, you see a car approaching from the rear. The next time you check your
mirror, you do not see the car. You wish to change lanes. You should: - ANSWERSWait
to change lanes until you are sure the other car isn't in your blind spot
The Driver's Manual suggest several things to do when you pass a vehicle. Which of
these is NOT one of them?
A: At night, turn on your high beams before you start to pass and leave them on until
you have completely passed the vehicle
B: Assume the other driver does not see you
C: lightly tap your horn - ANSWERSA: At night, turn on your high beams before you
start to pass and leave them on until you have completely passed the vehicle
Which of the following can keep you from being distracted while you drive? -
ANSWERSPre-load your favorite CDs or cassette tapes
What should you do if a car coming toward you at night keeps its high beams on? -
ANSWERSLook to the right lane or edge markings of the road
You are driving on a two-lane road. An oncoming driver drifts into your lane and is
headed straight for you. Which of these is most often the best action to take?
A: Hard braking
B: Steer to the right
C: Steer onto the left shoulder - ANSWERSB: Steer to the right
A primary cause of fatal crashes is: - ANSWERSDriving too fast
Which of these is a good thing to remember about drinking alcohol?
A: the driver can control how fast the body gets rid of alcohol
B: Alcohol first affects judgment and self-control, which are necessary for safe driving
C: small quantities of alcohol improve reaction time - ANSWERSB: Alcohol first affects
judgment and self-control, which are necessary for safe driving
Which of these is NOT a type of retarder?
A: Electric
B: Hydraulic
C: Robotic - ANSWERSC: Robotic
,The amount of brake pressure you need to stop your vehicle depends on: -
ANSWERSthe vehicle's speed and how quickly you want to stop
When is the engine braking effect greatest? - ANSWERSWhen the engine speed is
near the governed RPMs and the transmission is in a lower gear
Why is it important to shift gears correctly? - ANSWERSKeep control of the vehicle
When hydraulic brakes fail while driving, the system won't build up pressure and the
brake pedal will feel spongy or go down to the floor. What action should you take? -
ANSWERSpump the brake pedal to generate pressure
If you're not sure what to use to put out a hazardous materials fire, you should: -
ANSWERSwait for qualified firefighters
Which of these statements about staying alert to drive is true?
A: some drugs can make you more alert
B: a half-hour break for coffee will do more to keep you alert than a half hour nap
C: sleep,....?? - ANSWERSC... ???
Which of these is true about the radiator shutters and the winterfront during winter
driving? - ANSWERSice should be removed from radiator shutters
You are checking your wheels and rims for a pre trip inspection. Which of these
statements is true?
A: rust around wheel nuts may mean that they are loose
B: Mismatched lock rings can be used on the same vehicle
C: A vehicle can be safely driven with welding repairs to a wheel - ANSWERSA: rust
around wheel nuts may mean that they are loose
You will know if the vehicle you are driving has antilock brakes by: - ANSWERSwhen
you turn on the ignition, yellow ABS malfunction lamps light up on the instrument panel
Which of these statements about accelerating is true?
A: You should feel a "jerking" motion if you are accelerating your vehicle properly
B: Using the trailer brake when starting is dangerous
C: Rough acceleration can cause mechanical damage - ANSWERSC: Rough
acceleration can cause mechanical damage
For a first offense of driving a commercial vehicle under the influence of alcohol or
drugs, you will lose your CDL for at least: - ANSWERS1 year
What should you do before driving in mountains? - ANSWERSKnow the escape ramp
locations on your route
, Can state inspectors inspect your truck or bus? - ANSWERSYes, and they can out it out
of service if it is unsafe
What will help keep an engine cool in hot weather? - ANSWERSmaking sure the engine
has the right amount of oil
When driving at night, you should use your low beams when an oncoming vehicle is
within: - ANSWERS500 feet
Which of these statements about marking a stopped vehicle is true?
A: The vehicle's taillights should be kept on to warn other drivers
B: You must put out your emergency warning devices within 5 minutes
C: If a hill or curve keeps drivers behind you from seeing the vehicle within 500 feet, the
rear reflective triangle should be moved back down the road to give adequate warning -
ANSWERSC: If a hill or curve keeps drivers behind you from seeing the vehicle within
500 feet, the rear reflective triangle should be moved back down the road to give
adequate warning
There are several things to do when driving through a highway work zone. In addition to
obeying the speed limit, which of these should you also do? - ANSWERSDecrease your
speed even further for adverse weather
When looking ahead of your vehicle while driving, you should look: - ANSWERSback
and forth, near and far
Which of these is NOT a good rule to follow when caring for injured at an accident
scene?
A: Move severely injured persons if there is a danger due to fire or passing traffic
B: Keep injured persons cool
C: If a qualified person is helping them, stay out of the way unless asked to assist -
ANSWERSB:keep injured persons cool
Which of these statements about double-clutching and shifting is true?
A: you can use the tachometer to tell you when to shift
B: double-clutching should not be used when the road is slippery
C: double-clutching should only be used with a heavy load - ANSWERSA: you can use
the tachometer to tell you when to shift
Which of these statements about overhead clearance is true?
A: the weight of a vehicle changes its height
B: if the road surface causes your vehicle to tilt toward objects at the edge of the road,
you should drive close to the shoulder
C: you should assume posted clearance signs are correct - ANSWERSA: the weight of
a vehicle changes its height
In the event of a rear tire failure, dual rear tires: - ANSWERSwill usually prevent fishtail
with Correct Answers
Containerized loads: - ANSWERSAre generally used when freight is carried part way by
rail or ship
In your mirror, you see a car approaching from the rear. The next time you check your
mirror, you do not see the car. You wish to change lanes. You should: - ANSWERSWait
to change lanes until you are sure the other car isn't in your blind spot
The Driver's Manual suggest several things to do when you pass a vehicle. Which of
these is NOT one of them?
A: At night, turn on your high beams before you start to pass and leave them on until
you have completely passed the vehicle
B: Assume the other driver does not see you
C: lightly tap your horn - ANSWERSA: At night, turn on your high beams before you
start to pass and leave them on until you have completely passed the vehicle
Which of the following can keep you from being distracted while you drive? -
ANSWERSPre-load your favorite CDs or cassette tapes
What should you do if a car coming toward you at night keeps its high beams on? -
ANSWERSLook to the right lane or edge markings of the road
You are driving on a two-lane road. An oncoming driver drifts into your lane and is
headed straight for you. Which of these is most often the best action to take?
A: Hard braking
B: Steer to the right
C: Steer onto the left shoulder - ANSWERSB: Steer to the right
A primary cause of fatal crashes is: - ANSWERSDriving too fast
Which of these is a good thing to remember about drinking alcohol?
A: the driver can control how fast the body gets rid of alcohol
B: Alcohol first affects judgment and self-control, which are necessary for safe driving
C: small quantities of alcohol improve reaction time - ANSWERSB: Alcohol first affects
judgment and self-control, which are necessary for safe driving
Which of these is NOT a type of retarder?
A: Electric
B: Hydraulic
C: Robotic - ANSWERSC: Robotic
,The amount of brake pressure you need to stop your vehicle depends on: -
ANSWERSthe vehicle's speed and how quickly you want to stop
When is the engine braking effect greatest? - ANSWERSWhen the engine speed is
near the governed RPMs and the transmission is in a lower gear
Why is it important to shift gears correctly? - ANSWERSKeep control of the vehicle
When hydraulic brakes fail while driving, the system won't build up pressure and the
brake pedal will feel spongy or go down to the floor. What action should you take? -
ANSWERSpump the brake pedal to generate pressure
If you're not sure what to use to put out a hazardous materials fire, you should: -
ANSWERSwait for qualified firefighters
Which of these statements about staying alert to drive is true?
A: some drugs can make you more alert
B: a half-hour break for coffee will do more to keep you alert than a half hour nap
C: sleep,....?? - ANSWERSC... ???
Which of these is true about the radiator shutters and the winterfront during winter
driving? - ANSWERSice should be removed from radiator shutters
You are checking your wheels and rims for a pre trip inspection. Which of these
statements is true?
A: rust around wheel nuts may mean that they are loose
B: Mismatched lock rings can be used on the same vehicle
C: A vehicle can be safely driven with welding repairs to a wheel - ANSWERSA: rust
around wheel nuts may mean that they are loose
You will know if the vehicle you are driving has antilock brakes by: - ANSWERSwhen
you turn on the ignition, yellow ABS malfunction lamps light up on the instrument panel
Which of these statements about accelerating is true?
A: You should feel a "jerking" motion if you are accelerating your vehicle properly
B: Using the trailer brake when starting is dangerous
C: Rough acceleration can cause mechanical damage - ANSWERSC: Rough
acceleration can cause mechanical damage
For a first offense of driving a commercial vehicle under the influence of alcohol or
drugs, you will lose your CDL for at least: - ANSWERS1 year
What should you do before driving in mountains? - ANSWERSKnow the escape ramp
locations on your route
, Can state inspectors inspect your truck or bus? - ANSWERSYes, and they can out it out
of service if it is unsafe
What will help keep an engine cool in hot weather? - ANSWERSmaking sure the engine
has the right amount of oil
When driving at night, you should use your low beams when an oncoming vehicle is
within: - ANSWERS500 feet
Which of these statements about marking a stopped vehicle is true?
A: The vehicle's taillights should be kept on to warn other drivers
B: You must put out your emergency warning devices within 5 minutes
C: If a hill or curve keeps drivers behind you from seeing the vehicle within 500 feet, the
rear reflective triangle should be moved back down the road to give adequate warning -
ANSWERSC: If a hill or curve keeps drivers behind you from seeing the vehicle within
500 feet, the rear reflective triangle should be moved back down the road to give
adequate warning
There are several things to do when driving through a highway work zone. In addition to
obeying the speed limit, which of these should you also do? - ANSWERSDecrease your
speed even further for adverse weather
When looking ahead of your vehicle while driving, you should look: - ANSWERSback
and forth, near and far
Which of these is NOT a good rule to follow when caring for injured at an accident
scene?
A: Move severely injured persons if there is a danger due to fire or passing traffic
B: Keep injured persons cool
C: If a qualified person is helping them, stay out of the way unless asked to assist -
ANSWERSB:keep injured persons cool
Which of these statements about double-clutching and shifting is true?
A: you can use the tachometer to tell you when to shift
B: double-clutching should not be used when the road is slippery
C: double-clutching should only be used with a heavy load - ANSWERSA: you can use
the tachometer to tell you when to shift
Which of these statements about overhead clearance is true?
A: the weight of a vehicle changes its height
B: if the road surface causes your vehicle to tilt toward objects at the edge of the road,
you should drive close to the shoulder
C: you should assume posted clearance signs are correct - ANSWERSA: the weight of
a vehicle changes its height
In the event of a rear tire failure, dual rear tires: - ANSWERSwill usually prevent fishtail
