GENERAL KNOWLEDGE PRACTICE TEST – 04

This general knowledge practice test will examine your knowledge of general trucking, safe transportation of cargo, safe driving, and the correct way to perform a pre-trip vehicle inspection. In order to receive your CDL, it is required that you pass the state’s official CDL General Knowledge exam.

General Knowledges Test 04

1 / 30

When going downhill, brakes will start to fade if...?

You don't keep them permanently semi-applied

They become too hot

You stay in low gear

You don't use them enough

2 / 30

Which of these is a sign that you have lost hydraulic brake pressure?

The pedal goes to the floor

The pedal sticks half way

The brakes apply without you touching them

The pedal won't move at all

3 / 30

When traveling at your 'safe' speed, you should be able to reduce your speed by 5 mph by applying the brakes for...?

Two seconds

Four seconds

Three seconds

One second

4 / 30

If your ABS system fails, you should...?

Get it serviced soon

Stop immediately

Get it fixed at the next garage

Ignore it

5 / 30

On older brake systems, the ABS lamp may stay on until you reach a speed in excess of...?

5 mph

15 mph

10 mph

20 mph

6 / 30

Your 'safe' speed on a downgrade is...?

The speed limit for that particular road

The average speed you are attempting to achieve

The maximum speed you can confidently use

The minimum speed you wish to use

7 / 30

Brakes are more likely to experience fade if...?

They have gotten wet recently

They are out of adjustment

They are new

They are operating in thin air conditions

8 / 30

If you suspect a front tire failure, you should...?

Hold the steering wheel firmly

Stay off the brakes

Do all these things

Get out and check all the tires

9 / 30

If you have no alternative but to drive through standing water, you should do so...?

Using heavy brake pressure

Using no brakes

Using light brake pressure

Using medium brake pressure

10 / 30

When crossing a railroad track, you should never...?

Do any of these things

Slow down

Accelerate

Change gear

11 / 30

The vast majority of truck skids are caused by...?

Spilled oil

Snow and ice

Driver error

Standing water

12 / 30

Which of these is not an essential at the scene of a crash?

Photographing the damage

Protecting the area

Caring for the injured

Notifying the authorities

13 / 30

ABS systems only operate when...?

You press the brake pedal

The wheels have already locked up

The wheels are about to lock up

You flick a special switch

14 / 30

A typical tractor-trailer unit takes at least how long to clear a double track railroad crossing?

10 seconds

15 seconds

20 seconds

5 seconds

15 / 30

It is safe to remove the radiator cap for checks in hot conditions...?

If you can touch it with your bare hand

Half an hour after stopping

As soon as you have stopped

If there is no visible steam coming from it

16 / 30

If you have ABS brakes, your braking should be...?

Any of these depending on conditions

Heavier than normal

The same as normal

Lighter than normal

17 / 30

If you are returning to the road after being forced off, as soon as the front tires are on the pavement, you should...?

Brake

Do none of these things

Accelerate

Counter steer

18 / 30

The best lights to use in foggy conditions are...?

No lights at all

Parking lights

Low beam headlights

Full beam headlights

19 / 30

The best thing to do if you lose your brake power on a downhill is to...?

Find an escape ramp or route

Try to perform a controlled crash

Try to coast to the bottom of the hill

Deliberately skid your vehicle sideways

20 / 30

ABS systems will be present on all commercial vehicles built after March 1...?

2001

1997

2003

1999

21 / 30

In very hot weather, you should inspect your tire pressures every...?

Four hours or 200 miles

Three hours or 150 miles

One hour or 50 miles

Two hours or 100 miles

22 / 30

If you are forced to leave the pavement completely, you should avoid using your brakes until your speed has dropped to around...?

10 mph

20 mph

30 mph

15 mph

23 / 30

You're driving a rig on which only the trailer, not the tractor, has ABS. What should you do?

Avoid heavy braking

Turn off ABS

Brake harder than usual

Brake normally

24 / 30

If you stop to help others at a crash in which you were not involved, you should park...?

Alongside the crash

Well away from the crash

As close behind the crash as possible

As close in front of the crash as possible

25 / 30

A yellow cross on the pavement marked with the letters RR means...?

No reversing

Reversing recommended

Railroad crossing

Road rules apply

26 / 30

Which of these has priority at a railroad crossing which has neither gates nor lights?

Commercial vehicles

School buses

Private automobiles

Trains

27 / 30

If an oncoming driver has drifted to your lane, the best thing to do is...?

Stay in the center of the lane

Move to the left

Move to the right

Hold whatever position you are in

28 / 30

You should not move a severely injured person at a crash scene unless...?

They request you to

They are holding up traffic

Any of these apply

They are in immediate danger

29 / 30

In slippery conditions, you should aim to be...?

Any of these depending on your skill levels

Smooth and slow

Fast and smooth

Fast and aggressive

30 / 30

If you have been forced to leave the road and have to return to it before you can stop, you should...?

Turn sharply back onto it

Any of these depending on circumstances

Turn back onto it at a shallow angle

Edge back onto it

Your score is

Steps to Get A CDL

Now that you know that you are eligible to receive a CDL and you know the requirements, let’s learn more about the steps on how to get it. These steps will help guide you in the right direction. Below are five steps to get your CDL.

Obtain a study guide: Once you have decided that you want to obtain a CDL and you feel that you meet all the requirements above, you will need to do your homework. Obtain a free CDL study guide from your local DMV and familiarize yourself with its contents, also, take our general knowledge practice test here.

There are three types of CDL classes that determine the type of vehicle you may drive and how much you may tow. A Class A CDL class allows you to operate a vehicle with a GCWR of 26,001 if the vehicle you tow weighs more than 10,000 and a Class B CDL allows you to operate a vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds or operate any vehicle towing another vehicle that weighs less than 10,000 GVWR. With a Class C CDL, you can operate a Class C vehicle that transports hazardous materials.