Alabama CDL General Knowledge Practice Test # 2
YOU ARE CHECKING YOUR STEERING AND EXHAUST SYSTEMS DURING A PRE-TRIP INSPECTION. WHICH OF THESE STATEMENTS IS TRUE?
Steering wheel play of more than 10 degrees (approximately 2 inches movement at the rim of a 20-inch steering wheel) can make it hard to steer. It is considered to be a steering system defect and needs to be fixed.
THE KEY POINT IN BALANCING CARGO WEIGHT IS TO KEEP THE LOAD:
Keep the load centered. Too much weight on the steering axle can cause hard steering. It can damage the steering axle and tires. Under-loaded front axles (caused by shifting weight too far to the rear) can make the steering axle weight too light to steer safely.
CONVEX MIRRORS WILL:
Many large vehicles have curved (convex, "fish-eye," "spot," "bug-eye") mirrors that show a wider area than flat mirrors. This helps to reduce the size of blind spots.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO WHEN TRAVELING THROUGH A CONSTRUCTION ZONE?
When people are working on the road, it is a hazard. There may be narrower lanes, sharp turns, or uneven surfaces. Other drivers are often distracted and drive unsafely. Workers and construction vehicles may get in the way. Drive slowly and carefully near work zones. Use your four-way flashers or brake lights to warn drivers behind you.
CAN YOUR TRUCK OR BUS BE INSPECTED BY FEDERAL INSPECTORS?
Federal and state inspectors may inspect your vehicles. If they judge the vehicle to be unsafe, they will put it "out of service" until it is fixed.
WHEN SHOULD YOU USE CONTROLLED BRAKING?
You should brake in a way that will keep your vehicle in a straight line and allow you to turn if it becomes necessary. Unless you have ABS on your vehicle, you can use the “controlled braking” method or the “stab braking” method.
CAN YOU USE OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICATION WHEN OPERATING A CMV?
Cold medicines and other over-the-counter medication may make the driver drowsy or otherwise affect safe driving ability. However, possession and use of a drug given to a driver by a doctor is permitted if the doctor informs the driver that it will not affect safe driving ability.
WHEN YOUR BRAKES ARE WET, IT IS VERY EASY TO:
When driving in heavy rain or deep standing water, your brakes will get wet. Water in the brakes can cause the brakes to be weak, to apply unevenly, or to grab. This can cause lack of braking power, wheel lockups, pulling to one side or the other, and jackknife if you pull a trailer.
WHEN CONDUCTING A PRE-TRIP INSPECTION OF THE STEERING SYSTEM, YOU WOULD NOT INSPECT:
Shock absorbers are part of the suspension system and they should be inspected when you are working on suspension system defects.
"OFFTRACKING" IS:
Off-tracking causes the path followed by a tractor to be wider than the rig itself. Longer vehicles will off-track more. The rear wheels of the powered unit (truck or tractor) will off-track some, and the rear wheels of the trailer will off-track even more.
YOUR VEHICLE IS IN A TRAFFIC EMERGENCY AND MAY COLLIDE WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE IF YOU DO NOT TAKE ACTION.
When you don't have enough room to stop, you may have to steer away from what's ahead. Remember, you can almost always turn to miss an obstacle more quickly than you can stop. (However, top-heavy vehicles and tractors with multiple trailers may flip over.)
WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING IS TRUE WHEN DRIVING IN COLD WEATHER?
Use windshield washer antifreeze to prevent freezing of the washer liquid. If you can't see well enough while driving (for example, if your wipers fail), stop safely and fix the problem.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO SHIFT GEARS PROPERLY?
Correct shifting of gears is important. If you can't get your vehicle into the right gear while driving, you will have less control.
WHAT TYPE OF FIRE WILL WATER EXTINGUISH?
A burning tire must be cooled. You can achieve this by pouring large quantities of water over the tire.
YOU SHOULD USE YOUR HORN:
Your horn can let others know you're there. It can help to avoid a crash. Use your horn when needed. However, it can startle others and could be dangerous when used unnecessarily.
IN NORMAL DRIVING SOME DRIVERS USE THE HAND VALVE BEFORE THE BRAKE PEDAL TO PREVENT A JACKKNIFE. WHICH OF THESE STATEMENTS ARE TRUE?
Do not use the trailer hand valve in driving because of the danger of making the trailer skid. The foot brake sends air to all of the brakes on the vehicle (including the trailer(s). There is much less danger of causing a skid or jackknife when using just the foot brake.
WITH LOW-BEAM HEADLIGHTS ON, YOU CAN SEE
With low beams you can see ahead about 250 feet.
YOU CAN BE PLACED OUT OF SERVICE IF YOUR BLOOD ALCOHOL CONCENTRATION IS:
You will be put out-of-service for 24 hours if you have any detectable amount of alcohol under .04%.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A TIRE BLOWS OUT AT HIGHWAY SPEED?
In most cases, a tire blowout causes the vehicle to thump or vibrates heavily, this is a sign that one of the tires has gone flat. With a rear tire, that may be the only sign you get.
WHEN BACKING TO A DOCK, WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING IS NOT TRUE?
When backing to a dock, you must stop just before you reach it. Back towards the driver's side whenever possible, as this will help you see better. Use a helper and hand signals.