GENERAL KNOWLEDGE CDL TEST – 05

This general knowledge CDL 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 05

1 / 30

A fire extinguisher jet should be aimed...?

Any of these depending on the type of fire

At the top of the fire

At the base of the fire

Half way up the fire

2 / 30

Why is it vital to have all hazardous materials properly labeled?

So that other drivers can avoid you

To remind you what you're carrying

So emergency services know what they're dealing with

To allow you priority at tollbooths

3 / 30

Which of these is most dangerous in terms of driving impairment?

Illegal 'street' narcotics

Remedies prescribed by a medical doctor

They can all be equally dangerous

Over-the-counter remedies from a pharmacist

4 / 30

As soon as you start to feel sleepy, you should...?

D. Open all your windows

Pull over and sleep

Turn up your radio or CD player

Drink a caffeinated beverage

5 / 30

How many deaths in the USA per year are caused by traffic accidents involving persons who have been drinking alcohol?

15,000+

10,000+

20,000+

25,000+

6 / 30

You can increase your energy levels for driving by...?

Eating large meals

Taking “energy boosting” pills

Using caffeine

Exercising

7 / 30

To avoid fires, you should check all components of your truck for excessive heat...?

Every 24 hours

Before you set off

Every time you stop

At the end of every trip

8 / 30

You see in your mirrors that part of your trailer is on fire. The best place to stop and fight it is...?

An open space

The nearest township

The middle of the road

The nearest service station

9 / 30

Which of these driving errors is likely from a driver who has been drinking?

Driving over the curb

Weaving

All of them

Driving too fast

10 / 30

Who is responsible for making sure that your cargo is well-balanced and safe on the road?

The owner of the vehicle

The loaders of the vehicle

You

The company which owns the cargo

11 / 30

Which of these will lessen the effect of alcohol on your driving?

Eating a large meal with your alcohol

Getting plenty of fresh air after drinking alcohol

None of them

Drinking lots of water while drinking alcohol

12 / 30

You can often drop asleep if you are tired for four seconds without realising. At 55 miles an hour, what distance will you cover whilst asleep?

80 yards

60 yards

100 yards

120 yards

13 / 30

If somebody is bleeding heavily, you should try to staunch it using...?

Tourniquets

Direct pressure

Bandages

Indirect pressure

14 / 30

Which of these drinks contains the most alcohol?

They are all the same

A 12 ounce glass of 5% beer

A 5 ounce glass of 12% wine

A 1 1/2 ounce shot of 80 proof liquor

15 / 30

You are hauling a hazardous material cargo and you stop to eat. What should you do with the shipping papers relating to your cargo?

Hide them carefully in the vehicle

Leave them on your driver's seat

Take them with you

Tape them to the rear door of your vehicle

16 / 30

The heaviest elements of your cargo should go...?

At the top of your load

In the middle of your load

At the bottom of your load

It makes no difference

17 / 30

When you are carrying hazardous materials, a placard warning of this must be placed on...?

The front and rear of your vehicle

All four sides of your vehicle

The rear and sides of your vehicle

The front and sides of your vehicle

18 / 30

Cargo loaded on a flatbed must have at least one tiedown for every...?

10 feet of cargo

15 feet of cargo

5 feet of cargo

20 feet of cargo

19 / 30

Placards warning of hazardous materials must be diamond shaped and at least what size on each edge?

Seven and three-quarter inches

Five and three-quarter inches

Ten and three-quarter inches

Eight and three-quarter inches

20 / 30

Which of these is the only thing which can sober a person who has been drinking up?

A large meal

Black coffee

Time

A cold shower

21 / 30

Many heavy vehicle crashes occur between what hours?

6 AM - 12 PM

12 PM - 6 PM

Midnight - 6 AM

6 PM - midnight

22 / 30

Overloading a truck will have negative effects on...?

Steering

Braking

All of these things

Speed control

23 / 30

Which of these types of fire should not be tackled with just water?

Paper

Wood

Cloth

Gasoline

24 / 30

No matter how small a cargo load, it must have at least how many tiedowns securing it?

Two

One

Four

Three

25 / 30

When using a fire extinguisher, you should attempt to be...?

Downwind of the fire, as far away as possible

Upwind of the fire, as far away as possible

Upwind of the fire, as close as possible

Downwind of the fire, as close as possible

26 / 30

The Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) is...?

The total weight of the single vehicle empty

The total weight of a single vehicle plus load

The total weight of a single vehicle fully fueled

The total weight of a single vehicle plus trailer

27 / 30

Your liver processes alcohol at a rate of how many standard drinks per hour?

28 / 30

In which of these circumstances may the legal weight of cargo for your vehicle be unsafe to carry?

On cross continental trips

In bad weather conditions

On high-speed highways

If you are planning a lot of urban driving

29 / 30

The aggregate working load limit of any securement system used on cargo must exceed the weight of the article or articles it is securing by...?

40%

30%

50%

20%

30 / 30

Which of these people will not have their driving affected by three drinks of alcohol?

A regular drinker

A heavy person

They would all be affected

Someone who urinates regularly while drinking

Your score is

Steps to Get A CDL

Fill out an application: You can obtain a CDL application at any local DMV location. Fill out the application and bring it back to the DMV. When you turn in your application, be prepared to pay any fees. These fees will vary depending on the state in which you live.
Obtain your commercial learner’s permit. Try our general knowledge CDL test here.
Take the final exam: After 14 days behind the wheel, you will be then required to take the road test. When you arrive at your local DMV, you will be given this test, and if you pass, then you will be issued your CDL license.

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.