Commercial Driver's License Flashcards

You are driving a truck with a manual transmission and need to cross railroad tracks. What should you avoid doing?

Answer: Shifting gears while crossing the tracks

Never shift gears while crossing railroad tracks because a stall or hesitation could leave you stranded on the rails.

What is the minimum amount of time a driver must wait before driving after their off-duty period begins under the 10-hour rule for property carriers?

Answer: 10 consecutive hours off duty

Property-carrying drivers must take 10 consecutive hours off duty before driving again under federal hours-of-service rules.

When parked on the shoulder of a highway, within what time must you place your warning devices?

Answer: Within 10 minutes

Warning devices such as reflective triangles must be placed within 10 minutes of stopping on the roadway or shoulder.

Hydroplaning is most likely to occur under which condition?

Answer: Heavy rain with worn tires and higher speeds

Hydroplaning happens when water builds between the tires and road, worsened by speed, low tread, and standing water.

You must stop 15 to 50 feet before railroad tracks if your vehicle is carrying which of the following?

Answer: Placarded hazardous materials

Vehicles carrying placarded hazardous materials, and buses, must stop 15 to 50 feet before railroad crossings.

What happens to your stopping distance when you double your speed from 20 mph to 40 mph?

Answer: It increases about four times

Braking distance increases roughly with the square of speed, so doubling speed about quadruples the distance needed to stop.

During the Alabama CDL skills test, what happens if you fail the vehicle inspection portion?

Answer: The remaining test segments are not administered that day

The skills test segments must be passed in order, so failing the vehicle inspection ends the test for that appointment.