CDL Practice Test: Video 6 Answers (25 Questions) — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Overloading your vehicle can have bad effects on your ________.
- Steering.
- Speed control.
- Braking.
- All of the listed answers. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: All of the listed answers.
Overloading a commercial vehicle significantly impairs its performance and safety. It reduces braking effectiveness, making it harder to stop, negatively impacts speed control, especially on grades, and compromises steering ability, making the vehicle less stable and harder to maneuver. All these factors increase the risk of an accident, making 'All of the listed answers' correct.
Question 2: You must have a CDL to operate ________.
- 30
- 180 (Correct answer)
- 60
- 90
Correct answer: 180
The correct answer '180' days refers to the suspension period for certain serious CDL violations, such as a second violation of an out-of-service order within a 10-year period. It can also apply to a first out-of-service violation if transporting hazardous materials or operating a vehicle designed for 16 or more passengers. This penalty enforces strict adherence to safety regulations and ensures drivers comply with mandatory rest periods or vehicle repair requirements.
Question 3: While driving, the driver of hazardous materials should wear a seat belt and the shipping papers should be ________.
- On the driver seat all times.
- Safely hidden.
- Within reach at all times. (Correct answer)
- In back of the car.
Correct answer: Within reach at all times.
For safety and regulatory compliance, a driver transporting hazardous materials must always wear a seat belt. Additionally, the shipping papers containing vital information about the hazardous cargo must be kept within immediate reach at all times while driving. This ensures that in an emergency, the driver or first responders can quickly access critical details about the materials being transported.
Question 4: If your transit bus is equipped with a handicap lift, it is important that you check for ______.
- Damaged parts.
- Missing parts.
- Leaking parts.
- All of the listed answers. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: All of the listed answers.
For transit buses equipped with handicap lifts, a comprehensive inspection is vital for passenger safety and proper operation. Drivers must check for leaking parts (e.g., hydraulic fluid), missing components, and any damaged parts that could compromise the lift's integrity or function. Ensuring the lift is in perfect working order prevents breakdowns and ensures accessibility for passengers with disabilities.
Question 5: The minimum tread depth for steering axle tires should be _____.
- 8/32.
- 4/32. (Correct answer)
- 1/32.
- 2/32.
Correct answer: 4/32.
The minimum tread depth for steering axle tires is 4/32 of an inch. This specific depth is mandated by federal regulations to ensure adequate traction and control, especially in wet conditions. Tires with less tread depth on the steering axle significantly compromise steering ability and increase the risk of hydroplaning, making this a critical safety requirement.
Question 6: Which of the following is emergency equipment you should carry with you at all times?
- All of the listed answers. (Correct answer)
- Warning devices for parked vehicles.
- Spare electrical fuses.
- Fire extinguisher.
Correct answer: All of the listed answers.
Commercial drivers are legally required to carry specific emergency equipment to handle unforeseen situations safely. This includes a properly charged fire extinguisher for potential fires, spare electrical fuses for essential systems, and warning devices (such as reflective triangles or flares) to alert other drivers if the vehicle is stopped on the roadside. Having these items is crucial for safety and compliance.
Question 7: You should use your parking brakes whenever you park except at what time?
- The brakes are wet in freezing temperatures.
- All of the listed answers. (Correct answer)
- The brakes are very hot.
- You have just come down a steep grade.
Correct answer: All of the listed answers.
While parking brakes are essential for securing a parked vehicle, there are specific situations where their use should be avoided to prevent damage or safety issues. This includes when brakes are very hot, immediately after descending a steep grade (as brakes would be hot), or when brakes are wet in freezing temperatures, which could cause them to freeze solid. In these cases, using wheel chocks is a safer alternative to prevent the vehicle from moving.
Question 8: You must notify your motor vehicle licensing agency within _____ if you are convicted in any other jurisdiction of any traffic violation.
- 30 days. (Correct answer)
- 90 days.
- 120 days.
- 60 days.
Correct answer: 30 days.
Commercial Driver's License holders are legally obligated to notify their motor vehicle licensing agency within 30 days if they are convicted of any traffic violation. This applies even if the violation occurred in a different jurisdiction. This requirement ensures that the driver's record is kept up-to-date and helps maintain accountability for safe driving practices across state lines.
Question 9: What vehicles must be equipped with emergency brakes and parking brakes?
- Truck tractors.
- Buses
- Trucks.
- All of the listed answers. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: All of the listed answers.
Federal regulations mandate that all commercial motor vehicles, including trucks, buses, and truck tractors, must be equipped with both emergency brakes and parking brakes. These systems are critical safety features. The emergency brake provides a backup in case of service brake failure, while the parking brake is essential for securing the vehicle when it is stopped or parked.
Question 10: Controlled braking is only possible _________.
- During the warm weather.
- While enough air remains in the air tanks. (Correct answer)
- If performed by a bad driver.
- If the air storage tank has oil in it.
Correct answer: While enough air remains in the air tanks.
Controlled braking in an air brake system is only possible as long as there is enough air remaining in the air tanks. The air pressure is what actuates the brakes, and if it drops too low, the brakes will not respond effectively or consistently. Maintaining adequate air pressure is crucial for safe and predictable stopping.
Question 11: Students should board the bus only __________.
- Whenever they feel like it.
- Before school is out.
- As the bus is slowing down.
- When the bus driver signals they should. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: When the bus driver signals they should.
Students should only board the bus when the bus driver signals they should. This procedure ensures the driver has full control over the boarding process, can monitor students, and confirm it is safe to approach the bus. It prevents students from rushing or attempting to board before the bus is fully stopped and secured, minimizing the risk of accidents and maintaining order.
Question 12: You should never back a school bus when _________.
- You have been driving school buses for less than a year.
- When it's sunny outside.
- Students are outside of the bus. (Correct answer)
- Students are inside the bus.
Correct answer: Students are outside of the bus.
Backing a school bus is inherently dangerous due to large blind spots, and the risk is significantly amplified when students are outside the bus. There is an extreme danger of not seeing a child, leading to severe injury or fatality. Therefore, school bus drivers must never back the bus when students are outside, prioritizing their safety above all else.
Question 13: ________ is the first and most important thing you should do during an emergency.
- Evacuating the bus.
- Recognizing the type of hazard. (Correct answer)
- Leading students to a safe area.
- Calling the parents of the children.
Correct answer: Recognizing the type of hazard.
In any emergency situation, the first and most crucial step is to quickly and accurately recognize the type of hazard present. This initial assessment dictates all subsequent actions, such as whether to evacuate the bus, how to protect students, or what emergency services to contact. A correct hazard assessment ensures the most appropriate and effective response to mitigate danger.
Question 14: If you must evacuate a school bus after a crash, where should students be taken?
- Across the road to the nearest building
- At least 100 feet away, in a safe direction (Correct answer)
- Back inside once traffic clears
- Next to the bus, away from traffic
Correct answer: At least 100 feet away, in a safe direction
Students should be led to a safe place at least 100 feet from the bus, away from traffic and hazards.
Question 15: What is the minimum tread depth of steering axle tires?
- 8/32.
- 2/32.
- 1/32.
- 4/32. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 4/32.
The minimum tread depth for tires is 4/32 steering axle tires.
Question 16: Where must standing passengers on a bus stay while the bus is moving?
- Behind the standee line (Correct answer)
- In the front stairwell
- Next to the driver's seat
- Anywhere in the aisle
Correct answer: Behind the standee line
Standees must remain behind the standee line or when no line exists, not in front of the rear of the driver's seat, so the driver's view and exit stay clear.
Question 17: What should you do after loading students at a school bus stop before moving off?
- Check mirrors and make sure no child is in the danger zone (Correct answer)
- Pull away immediately
- Turn off the lights and go
- Close the door only
Correct answer: Check mirrors and make sure no child is in the danger zone
Verify clearance all around the bus before moving to avoid striking a child.
Question 18: When should you inspect your vehicle?
- After your shift
- Before your shift
- Before and after your shift (Correct answer)
- Every 500 miles
Correct answer: Before and after your shift
Commercial drivers, especially bus drivers, are required to perform thorough vehicle inspections both before and after their shift. The pre-trip inspection ensures the vehicle is safe to operate before starting a route, while the post-trip inspection identifies any issues that may have developed during the shift. This dual inspection ensures timely repairs and that the vehicle is ready for the next operation.
Question 19: When you arrive at an area where a policeman or flagman is directing traffic, you should
- Maintain your normal speed but be prepared to stop
- Slow down and carefully check for other vehicles (Correct answer)
- Maintain your normal speed
- Come to a complete stop and check for other vehicles
Correct answer: Slow down and carefully check for other vehicles
When a policeman or flagman is directing traffic, their signals supersede traffic lights and signs. However, it's crucial to still exercise caution. Drivers should slow down significantly and carefully observe the flagman's directions, as well as checking for other vehicles or pedestrians, to ensure a safe passage through the controlled area.
Question 20: What is the best way to deal with driver fatigue on a long passenger trip?
- Open the window and keep driving
- Turn up the radio
- Drink more coffee
- Stop and rest; sleep is the only real cure (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Stop and rest; sleep is the only real cure
Caffeine and fresh air provide only brief relief, and only rest restores alertness.
Question 21: The shut-off valves at the rear of the front trailer must be which position when it is pulling a second trailer?
- Closed
- Half open
- Removed
- Open (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Open
Air must pass through to supply and control the rear trailer's brakes.
Question 22: Before uncoupling a rear trailer from a converter dolly, you should first:
- Raise the landing gear fully
- Release all spring brakes
- Chock the wheels or apply the rear trailer's parking brakes (Correct answer)
- Disconnect the pintle hook
Correct answer: Chock the wheels or apply the rear trailer's parking brakes
Securing the rear trailer keeps it from rolling when uncoupled.
Question 23: How is a converter dolly usually attached to the rear of the first trailer?
- By a ball hitch
- By a kingpin and fifth wheel
- By a pintle hook (Correct answer)
- By welded chains only
Correct answer: By a pintle hook
The dolly's tow bar couples to a pintle hook at the rear of the lead trailer.
Question 24: Which of the following driving practice is recommended for doubles/triples?
- No special driving practices are recommended
- Load heaviest semi-trailer in the rear position
- Allow more following distance (Correct answer)
- 1st and 3rd options
Correct answer: Allow more following distance
Doubles and triples are significantly longer and heavier than single trailers, requiring much greater stopping distances. Allowing more following distance provides the driver with additional time and space to react to hazards and brake safely. This practice helps compensate for the increased momentum and potential for jackknifing or rollovers associated with multi-trailer combinations.
Question 25: In a set of triples, where should the heaviest trailer be?
- Either second or third trailer position
- Third trailer position
- First trailer position (behind the tractor) (Correct answer)
- Second trailer position
Correct answer: First trailer position (behind the tractor)
In a set of triples, the heaviest trailer should always be placed in the first position, directly behind the tractor. This configuration provides the most stability and reduces the effects of rearward amplification. Placing lighter trailers further back helps maintain control and minimizes the 'crack-the-whip' effect.
Overloading your vehicle can have bad effects on your ________.
What Practice Test Geeks adds beyond an AI chat for CDL
An AI chatbot can quiz you, but it can't reproduce the exam conditions or keep your record. Here you get:
- A timed, full-length CDL mock exam — 50 questions in 60 minutes with a 80% pass mark, modeled on the official exam's question count and time limit, followed by a score report broken down by exam domain.
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- Progress saved on your device: completed tests, scores and missed questions stay in My Progress, so you can retake only what you got wrong.
- A printable CDL cheat sheet you can print or save as a PDF.
- CDL flashcards built from the same question bank.
These practice questions were written with AI tools. They are not real exam questions. Exam facts are checked against the official sources listed below. Not reviewed by a subject-matter expert. Editorial policy
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Exam facts on this page (fees, format, dates, passing scores) are checked against these official sources; the date is our last check. Editorial policy