CDL General Knowledge (Secs. 1, 2, 3,
12, 13) All Rated A+
Who must have a CDL? Correct Answer-1. Operate a vehicle with a GVWR more than 26,000lbs
2. Trailers with a GVWR more than 10,000lbs if the gross comb weight
...
CDL General Knowledge (Secs. 1, 2, 3,
12, 13) All Rated A+
Who must have a CDL? Correct Answer-1. Operate a vehicle with a GVWR more than 26,000lbs
2. Trailers with a GVWR more than 10,000lbs if the gross comb weight rating is more than 26,000lbs
3. More than 15 persons including driver
4. Vehicles with hazardous materials placards
Can you have more than one license? Correct Answer-No. You can be fined up to $5,000 or put in jail.
How long do you have to notify employer of conviction of a traffic violation? Correct Answer-30 days
(except parking).
How long do you have to notify your vehicle licensing agency of convictions in another jurisdiction?
Correct Answer-30 days (except parking)
How much driving history must you give your employer? Correct Answer-All driving jobs held for the
past 10 years. Do this when you apply.
What is the fine for driving without a CDL? Correct Answer-Up to $5,000 or jail
How first-time offenses will cause the loss of CDL? Correct Answer-All one year
- Driving a CMV under the influence
- Leaving the scene of an accident of your CMV
- Using your CMV to commit a felony
- Refusing sobriety test while driving CMV
- Causing death of other negligent or criminal operation of CMV
- Driving a CMV while CDL is revoked, suspended, canceled or disqualified- If offense occurs while driving placarded for hazard material it is 3 years
When will you lose CDL for life? Correct Answer-Second offense
Using CMV to commit a felony involving controlled substances
What offenses result in 60-day loss of CDL? Correct Answer-- 2 serious traffic violations or 1 violation of
a law regulating rr crossing within a 3-year period involving a CMV
What offenses result in a 120-day loss of CDL? Correct Answer-3 serious traffic violations or 2 violations
at rr crossing within a 3-year period
What results in 1-year loss of CDL? Correct Answer-3 violations of a law at rr crossing within a 3-year
period
What are considered serious traffic violations? Correct Answer-excessive speeding (+15mph), reckless
driving, improper or erratic lane changes, following too closely, fatal traffic accidents, driving CMV
without a CDL, driving CMV without CDL in possession.
When is it illegal to drive a CMV? Correct Answer-When BAC is .04% or more. You lose CDL for one year
on first offense, life on second. If less than .04% and detectable then out of service for 24 hours.
How much tread depth is needed? Correct Answer-4/32" on front tires, 2/32" on other tires.
Can radial and bias-ply tires be used together? Correct Answer-No.
Can regrooved, recapped, or retreaded tires be used on the front wheels of a bus? Correct Answer-No.
What are the signs of a damaged rim? Correct Answer-Rust around wheel nuts may mean looseness.
Missing clamps, spacers, studs, or lugs
Mismatched, bent, or cracked lock rings
Wheels or rims with welding reparis.What are the signs of bad brake drums or shoes? Correct Answer-Cracked drums
Shoes with grease or oil
Shoes worn thin, broken, missing
What are the signs of a steering system defect? Correct Answer-Steering wheel play of more than 10
degrees.
What are signs of suspension system defects? Correct Answer-Spring hangers, leaves, shock absorbers,
torque rod or arm, u-bolts
What are signs of exhaust system defects? Correct Answer-exhaust pipes, mufflers, tailpipes, vertical
stacks,
What is your responsibility if cargo contains hazardous materials? Correct Answer-Inspect for proper
papers and placarding. Make sure cargo is balanced and secure.
What are the seven steps in a pre-trip inspection? Correct Answer-1. Vehicle overview
2. Check engine compartment (parking brake on and wheels chocked)
3. Start engine and inspect inside cab
4. Turn off engine and check lights (parking brake on, turn off engine, take key)
5. Do walk-around inspection
6. Check signal lights
7. Start engine and check brake system
How do you check hydraulic brakes? Correct Answer-Pump brake pedal 3x, then apply firm pressure to
the pedal and hold for 5 secs. The pedal should not move. If it does there is a leak or problem that needs
to be fixed.
How often does an in trip check need to occur? Correct Answer-Within the first 25-miles of the trip and
every 150 miles or every three hours (whichever comes first)How do I turn when backing with a trailer? Correct Answer-With a bus, car, or straight truck you turn the
top of the wheel toward the direction you want to go.
With a trailer, you turn the steering wheel in the opposite direction.
How do you correct drift when backing? Correct Answer-When the trailer drifts, correct it by turning the
top of the steering wheel in the direction of the drift.
How do you shift up in a manual transmission? Correct Answer-Requires double clutching to change
gears:
1. Release accelerator, push in clutch and shift to neutral
2. Release clutch
3. Let engine and gears slow down to rpm required for next gear
4. Push in clutch and shift to higher gear
5. Release clutch and push accelerator at same time
When do you shift up? Correct Answer-1. Use engine speed (rpm)
2. Use road speed (mph)
How do you shift down in a manual transmission? Correct Answer-1. Release accelerator, push in clutch
and shift to neutral
2. Release clutch
3. Press accelerator, increase engine and gear speed to rpm required in lower gear
4. Push in clutch and shift to lower gear
5. Release clutch and press accelerator
When should you downshift? Correct Answer-1. Before starting down a hill. Usually in a lower gear then
needed to climb the hill.
2. Before entering a curve.What is a multi-speed rear axle and auxilliary transmission? Correct Answer-Used to provide extra gears.
Usually controlled by a selector knob.
What is a retarder? Correct Answer-It helps slow a vehicle reducing the need for using brakes. Many
types (exhaust, engine, hydraulic, electric). When turned on they apply their braking power (to the drive
wheels only) whenever you let up on the accelerator pedal all the way.
When should you turn the retarder off? Correct Answer-When it is wet, icy, or snow because the drive
wheels can have poor traction and the retarder may cause them to skid.
How far ahead should you look down the road? Correct Answer-12-15 seconds. At low speeds that is a
block, a 1/4 mile at highway.
What should you do if driving slowly? Correct Answer-Turn on emergency flashers if its legal.
How long do you have to put out emergency warning devices if stopped on the road? Correct Answer-10
minutes.
Where do you place warnings if stopped on a two-lane road carrying traffic in both directions or on an
undivided highway? Correct Answer-Within 10' of the front or rear corners to mark location, and 100'
behind and ahead.
Where do you place warnings if stopped beyond any hill, curve, or other obstruction that prevents
seeing within 500'? Correct Answer-10' of the rear corner, 100' ahead, 100'-500' behind
Where do you place warning if you stop on a one-way or divided highway? Correct Answer-Within 10',
100' and 200' toward the approaching traffic.
What three things add up to total stopping distance? Correct Answer-Perception distance + Reaction
distance + braking distance. At 55mph it takes 290 feet or 6 seconds.
What is the effect of speed on stopping distance? Correct Answer-When you double your speed, it takes
about 4x as much distance to stop and vehicle will have 4x the destructive power.What is the effect of weight on stopping distance? Correct Answer-The heavier the more work the
brakes do, but heavy vehicles are designed to work best when fully loaded. Empty trucks require greater
stopping distance b/c there is less traction. (not usually the case with buses though)
What is traction? Correct Answer-Friction between the tires and the road.
How much space should you keep in front of you? Correct Answer-One second for each 10' of vehicle
length at speeds below 40mph. At greater speeds, add one second. (e.g. 40-ft vehicles needs 4 seconds
under 40mph, and 5 seconds over 40mph)
[Show More]
