1. A pre-trip inspection of your commercial vehicle should be performed:

• At least once a week.
• Only if any problems occurred the last time the vehicle was operated.
• ✓ Before operating the vehicle.

Federal and state regulations require commercial drivers to inspect their vehicle before every trip to identify any safety defects before driving.

2. To stay safe while driving at night, you should:

• ✓ Drive slowly enough to stop within the range of your headlights in emergencies.
• Roll down the window for fresh air to stay awake.
• Drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages if you become sleepy.

Your headlights only illuminate so far ahead. Driving at a speed that lets you stop within that distance is essential to avoid hitting unseen obstacles at night.

3. The term used to describe the rear wheels of a commercial vehicle following a different path than the front wheels while turning is:

• Sidetracking.
• ✓ Offtracking.
• Fishtailing.

Offtracking occurs when the rear wheels of a long vehicle take a shorter path than the front wheels through a turn, which is why CDL drivers must swing wide.

4. When dealing with a pressurized cooling system, you should:

• ✓ Check the coolant level only when the engine has cooled.
• Safely remove the radiator cap and add coolant while the engine is hot.
• Use water only in the cooling system.

Hot pressurized coolant can spray out violently and cause serious burns. Always let the engine cool before opening the cap or checking the level.

5. If you must park on the side of a road at night, you should:

• ✓ Turn on your 4-way emergency flashers.
• Place warning devices within 15 minutes.
• Use your left turn signal lights.

Activating the 4-way emergency flashers warns approaching traffic of your stopped vehicle. Reflective triangles must also be placed within 10 minutes.

6. During a pre-trip inspection of the steering system, which of the following would require immediate repair?

• Too many vertical stacks.
• Oil on the tie rod.
• ✓ Steering wheel play exceeding 10 degrees.

More than 10 degrees (about 2 inches on a 20-inch wheel) of steering wheel play makes it difficult to steer accurately and is unsafe.

7. Containerized loads:

• Are exempt from hazardous materials restrictions.
• Are exempt from weight limits.
• ✓ Are generally used for transporting freight by rail or ship.

Containerized loads are sealed cargo containers designed for intermodal transport (truck, rail, and ship). They must still comply with hazmat and weight regulations.

8. Approaching a downhill curved offramp, you should:

• Do nothing because the posted limits account for safety.
• ✓ Slow to a safe speed before entering the curve.
• Downshift after entering the curve.

Brake to a safe speed before entering the curve. Posted speeds on offramps are designed for cars; trucks must drive slower because of their higher center of gravity.

9. Which method of fire suppression is safe?

• Water on electrical fires.
• Water on gasoline fires.
• ✓ Neither of the above.

Water conducts electricity (worsening electrical fires) and spreads gasoline fires. Use a B:C or A:B:C rated fire extinguisher instead.

10. Total stopping distance is the sum of:

• ✓ Perception distance, reaction distance, and braking distance.
• Observation distance, reaction distance, and slowing distance.
• Perception distance, response distance, and reaction distance.

Total stopping distance is perception distance (seeing the hazard) + reaction distance (moving foot to brake) + braking distance (vehicle slowing to a stop).

11. When checking your trailer connection, you should make sure that:

• The fifth wheel is tilted upward.
• ✓ There is no space between the upper and lower fifth wheel.
• The kingpin is bent.

Any gap between the upper and lower fifth wheel means the connection isn't secure and the trailer could come loose.

12. When driving with air brakes, what is brake lag?

• The time it takes for brakes to wear out.
• ✓ The time it takes for air to flow through the lines when the brake pedal is pressed.
• The time it takes to move your foot from the accelerator to the brake.

Air brakes have a built-in lag (about a half second) because compressed air must travel through the brake lines before brakes engage. This adds to total stopping distance.

13. What should you do if you experience brake failure while going down a grade?

• Pull onto the shoulder and wait for help.
• ✓ Use an escape ramp if one is available.
• Shift to neutral to reduce wear on the brakes.

Escape ramps are designed to stop runaway vehicles safely. Always use one if available rather than continuing down the grade.

14. What documents must you have in your possession while operating with a Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP)?

• Just your CLP.
• Your CLP and a valid driver's license.
• ✓ Your CLP, a valid driver's license, and a medical examiner's certificate.

CLP holders must carry the CLP, their underlying valid driver's license, and a current medical examiner's certificate while operating a commercial motor vehicle.

15. What is counter steering?

• Turning the steering wheel counter clockwise.
• Steering in the opposite direction from what other drivers expect.
• ✓ Turning the wheel in the opposite direction after steering to avoid a traffic emergency.

Counter steering is the corrective step taken after an emergency swerve, when you bring the wheel back to straighten the vehicle after avoiding a hazard.

16. When approaching a railroad crossing, you must stop within how many feet of the nearest rail if you transport passengers or hazardous materials?

• 5 to 25 feet.
• ✓ 15 to 50 feet.
• 100 feet or more.

Passenger buses, school buses, and hazmat vehicles must stop between 15 and 50 feet of the nearest rail at all railroad crossings.

17. When backing a commercial vehicle, you should:

• ✓ Back toward the driver's side whenever possible.
• Back toward the passenger's side whenever possible.
• Rely on your mirrors only and never get out of the cab.

Backing toward the driver's side gives you a much better view of where you're going. Avoid blind-side (passenger-side) backing whenever possible.

18. How can you tell if your vehicle is hydroplaning?

• The steering will feel heavy and stiff.
• ✓ The steering will feel light, and the rear of the vehicle may slide.
• The brake pedal will pulse rapidly.

When tires lose contact with the road surface and ride on a film of water, steering becomes very light and the rear may begin to slide. Ease off the accelerator until traction returns.

19. Which of the following items is NOT considered part of the pre-trip inspection?

• Checking tire pressure.
• Checking that all required emergency equipment is on board.
• ✓ Tuning the radio.

Pre-trip inspections focus on safety items: tires, brakes, lights, cargo, fluids, and emergency equipment. Adjusting the radio is not safety-related.

20. If you are convicted of driving a commercial vehicle while under the influence of alcohol (BAC 0.04% or higher), you will lose your CDL for at least:

• 30 days.
• 6 months.
• ✓ 1 year.

A first DUI offense while operating a CMV results in a minimum one-year CDL disqualification. A second offense results in a lifetime disqualification.

21. What is the minimum tread depth required on the front (steering) tires of a commercial vehicle?

• 2/32 inch.
• ✓ 4/32 inch.
• 6/32 inch.

Steer-axle tires must have at least 4/32 inch tread depth in every major groove. Other tires require at least 2/32 inch.

22. What is the proper way to test hydraulic brakes for leaks?

• ✓ Pump the pedal three times, apply firm pressure, hold for five seconds, and see if the pedal moves.
• Push down on the pedal once and listen for hissing.
• Drive slowly and brake hard.

If the pedal moves under steady pressure, you may have a leak in the hydraulic brake system. Do not drive the vehicle until it is repaired.

23. When loading cargo, the weight should be:

• Concentrated as high as possible.
• ✓ Distributed as low as possible and balanced.
• Placed entirely toward the rear.

A low, balanced load lowers the center of gravity and reduces the risk of rollover. Improperly loaded high cargo increases tip-over risk during turns.

24. Which of the following is true about communicating with other drivers?

• ✓ You should signal your intentions and tap the brake lightly to flash brake lights when slowing.
• Only use the horn in heavy traffic.
• Flash your high beams continuously to warn drivers behind.

Signaling, tapping the brakes to flash the lights, and using the horn appropriately are all part of communicating with other drivers safely.

25. If your truck has dual tires, you should check that:

• The tires are touching each other.
• ✓ There is space between the tires and they are not touching.
• Both tires have different tread patterns.

Dual tires must not touch each other or rub on other parts of the vehicle. Touching tires generate heat and can cause blowouts.

26. What is the safest way to handle a tire blowout on a front tire?

• Brake hard and steer toward the shoulder.
• ✓ Stay off the brake, hold the steering wheel firmly, and let the vehicle slow before pulling off the road.
• Accelerate to maintain control.

Heavy braking after a blowout can cause loss of control. Grip the wheel firmly, let the vehicle slow naturally, then gently steer off the road.

27. The proper way to test the parking brake is to:

• Drive at high speed and pull it on.
• ✓ Stop the vehicle, put it in low gear, release the service brake, set the parking brake, and gently apply power.
• Push down the brake pedal and hold it for 1 minute.

With the parking brake set, gently apply power in low gear. The vehicle should remain still. This confirms the parking brake will hold the vehicle.

28. What does ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) do for a commercial vehicle?

• It shortens your stopping distance significantly.
• ✓ It helps you maintain steering control during hard braking by preventing wheel lockup.
• It eliminates the need for normal braking technique.

ABS prevents wheels from locking up under hard braking so you can steer to avoid hazards. It does not necessarily shorten stopping distance.

29. When inspecting your vehicle, you find that the air leakage rate is higher than the maximum allowed. You should:

• Continue your trip and have it checked at the destination.
• ✓ Have the system repaired before driving.
• Drive only at low speeds.

Excessive air leakage means the brakes cannot be relied on. The system must be repaired before driving the vehicle.

30. At what point should you use the trailer hand valve in normal driving?

• To park the vehicle.
• ✓ To test the trailer brakes only; never as a regular service brake.
• Every time you slow down.

The trailer hand valve should only be used to test the trailer brakes. Using it for normal braking can cause the trailer to skid or jackknife.