General Knowledge - CDL Practice Test

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CDL Permit Practice Exam Questions & Answers
General Knowledge

General Knowledge Practice Test

Get ready to hit the road to success with the CDL General Knowledge Practice Test for your Permit Exam! This interactive quiz is your ticket to mastering the must-know rules of the road, from safety smarts to trucking tips. Whether you’re dreaming of driving big rigs or just love a good challenge, this CDL permit practice test helps you gear up, shift into knowledge mode, and cruise confidently toward your CDL exam!LET’S BEGIN!!!

1. Which of these best describes how you should use the brake pedal on a steep downhill?

Light, pumping action

Light, steady pressure

Repeated strong pressure then release

With stronger pressure as the vehicle goes downhill

2. There are two types of jackknife, they are:

Trailer

Both Trailer and Tractor

Wet-road and Dry-road jackknife

Tractor

3. Backing of a commercial vehicle is

Always dangerous

It is not dangerous if you have a helper

It is not dangerous if you don’t have to turn

It is not dangerous if there is no traffic

4. Which of these statements about speed management is true?

Empty trucks always stop in a shorter distance than fully loaded

When you double your speed (go twice as fast), it will take twice the distance to stop

You should choose a speed that lets you stop within the distance that you can see ahead

Keep pace with traffic around you regardless of how fast they’re going

5. Which of these statements about cold weather driving is true?

An engine cannot overheat when the weather is very cold

Exhaust system leak is less dangerous in cold weather

Windshield washer antifreeze should be used

In snowstorms, wiper blades should be adjusted so that they do not make direct contact with the windshield

6. When driving through a mountainous area, it is necessary to use a lower gear in order to safely descend. Which of these factors does NOT affect your choice of gear?

A. The speed you’re traveling at

B. The length of the downhill

C. The weight of the load

D. The tread depth

7. You are required to inspect your truck within how many miles after beginning the trip?

A. 200

B. 100

C. 50

D. 150

8. What happens to tar on the road pavement during hot weather?

A. Nothing

B. It melts and creates potholes

C. It bleeds making the road surface slippery

D. It becomes sticky making tires stick to the road

9. If a coolant container is a part of the pressurized system, which of these is true:

A. Opening the coolant cap while the engine is hot is safe if done slowly.

B. You never need to check the level coolant of such a system.

C. You can check the coolant level when the engine is hot

D. You should check the coolant level only when the engine is cool.

10. Turn signals should be used:

A. At least 100 feet before turning or changing lane

B. At least 200 feet before turning or changing lane

C. At least 150 feet before turning or changing lane

D. At least 500 feet before turning or changing lane

11. Which of these is a good thing to do when steering to avoid a crash?

A. Apply the brakes while turning

B. Avoid counter-steering

C. Don’t turn any more than needed to clear what is in your way

D. Steer with one hand so that you can turn the wheel more quickly

12. The purpose of the retarders is to:

A. Provide emergency brakes

B. Apply extra braking power to the non-drive axles

C. Help prevent skids

D. Help slow down the vehicle and reduce brake wear

13. Which of these statements about certain types of cargo is true?

A. When liquids are hauled, the tank should always be loaded totally full

B. Oversize loads can be hauled without special permits during times when the roads are not busy

C. An unstable load such as hanging meat or livestock can require extra caution on curves

D. Loads that consist of liquids in bulk do not cause handling problems because they are usually very heavy

14. The road you are driving on becomes very slippery due to glare ice. Which of these is a good thing to do in such a situation?

A. Downshift to stop

B. Stop driving as soon as you can safely do so

C. Keep varying your speed by acceleration and braking

D. Apply the brakes often to keep the linings dry

15. When driving through a work zone, you should:

A. Turn on your parking lights

B. Watch for sharp drop off

C. Reduce your speed only if workers are close to the roadway

D. All the above

16. How far should a driver look ahead of the vehicle while driving?

A. 1-2 seconds

B. 5-8 seconds

C. 18-21 seconds

D. 12-15 seconds

17. Which of these is correct about notifying the authorities after an accident occurs?

A. You should notify authorities about an accident before doing anything else

B. If you have a cellular phone or CB radio, you should notify the authorities before exiting the vehicle

C. An exact location is not necessary, just identify the road and the vehicles involved

D. You should check if anyone is injured

17. Which of these is correct about notifying the authorities after an accident occurs?

A. You should notify authorities about an accident before doing anything else

B. If you have a cellular phone or CB radio, you should notify the authorities before exiting the vehicle

C. An exact location is not necessary, just identify the road and the vehicles involved

D. You should check if anyone is injured

18. How much space in front of you is needed while driving on a highway?

A. 1-second for every 10 feet of vehicle length

B. 1-second for every 20 feet of vehicle length

C. 1-second for every 30 feet of vehicle length

D. 2-seconds for every 10 feet of vehicle length

18. How much space in front of you is needed while driving on a highway?

A. 1-second for every 10 feet of vehicle length

B. 1-second for every 20 feet of vehicle length

C. 1-second for every 30 feet of vehicle length

D. 2-seconds for every 10 feet of vehicle length

19. You are checking your wheels and rims for the pre-trip inspection. Which of these statements is true?

A. A vehicle can be safely driven with one missing lug on a wheel

B. Rust around wheel nuts may mean that they are loose

C. Cracked wheels or rims can be used if they have been welded

D. Mismatched lock ring can be used on the same vehicle

20. Which of these statements about speed management is true?

A. When the road is slippery, it will take longer to stop, and it will be harder to turn without skidding

B. On packed snow, you should reduce speed by at least one-half

C. On a wet road, you should reduce your speed by about one-third

D. All of the above

21. What is the best advice for a driver when driving in foggy conditions on turns?

A. Switch on high beams to improve visibility

B. Do not drive too slowly, as other drivers may crash into you

C. Park the truck until the fog clears

D. Drive slowly so you have time to stop

22. When should you test your parking brake?

A. While traveling at least 10 mph

B. When backing

C. While moving at a very low-speed

D. While the vehicle is parked

23. If your vehicle has overheated and you need to remove the radiator cap, you can tell that it's cool enough to open if:

A. The vehicle has enough coolant in its system

B. The gauge shows a low temperature

C. You can touch the cap with your bare hand without injury

D. You can see the coolant in the overflow containers

24. Hard steering and damage to the tires is often a result of:

A. Not enough weight on the steering axle

B. Too much weight on the steering axle

C. Not enough weight on the driving axles

D. Too much weight on the driving axles

25. What is stab braking?

A. Braking hard to lock the wheels

B. Braking hard to unlock the wheels

C. Repetitively applying the brakes and releasing just before the wheels lock up

D. Repetitively applying brakes and releasing when the wheels lock up

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We have provided a Sample of question above that might come up for your written CDL Permit exam. These are not all the questions that will be on the test. For more sample questions or access to our online training course give us a call today.

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General Knowledge - CDL Practice Test

CDL Permit Practice Exam Questions & Answers
General Knowledge

General Knowledge Practice Test

Don't Waste Your Time Studying For The CDL Permit Exams

Driving Academy Can Help You Pass Easily!