Oregon Trucking Associations: General Knowledge CDL Practice Test

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1. Pertaining to the vehicle inspection, which is correct?
a. Air pressure in the front tires should be 10% lower than all others.
b. More than 10 degrees of play in the steering wheel can make it difficult to steer.
c. The vehicle should be washed immediately prior to the inspection.
d. Mismatched tires on duals are allowed, if the tread design is the same.

2. Commercial vehicles should be equipped with the following emergency equipment:
a. Properly charged and rated fire extinguisher.
b. Three red reflective triangles.
c. Spare electrical fuses.
d. All the above.

3. If your commercial vehicle is equipped with an engine retarder, you should:
a. Turn it off whenever the road is wet, icy or snow covered.
b. Only use it when traveling on hilly roads.
c. Test it when traveling over 40 mph.
d. Not travel through residential areas.

4. What helps to keep an engine cool in hot weather?
a. Leave the transmission in neutral on downgrades.
b. Don't fill the radiator completely full.
c. Keep the engine oil at the full mark all the time.
d. Don't use antifreeze in the cooling system.

5. If an oncoming car starts to drift into your lane on a two-lane road, you should:
a. Stab the brakes and attempt to stop before hitting the car.
b. Steer left.
c. Steer right.
d. Slow down and continue straight.

6. What is the minimum tire tread depth for front tires?
a. 4/32 inch in every major groove.
b. 8/32 inch in every major groove.
c. 2/32 inch in every major groove.
d. 6/32 inch in every major groove.

7. What is the minimum tire tread depth for all tires except the front tires?
a. 4/32 inch in every major groove.
b. 8/32 inch in every major groove.
c. 2/32 inch in every major groove.
d. 6/32 inch in every major groove.

8. During the trip, you should inspect:
a. Within the first 25 miles and every 150 miles or three hours thereafter.
b. Within the first 100 miles and every 100 miles thereafter.
c. After the first 2 hours and every 2 hours thereafter.
d. Within the first 50 miles and every 100 miles thereafter.

9. When placing reflective triangles on the road, you should:
a. Make sure they are off the pavement.
b. Open them carefully to avoid getting your fingers pinches.
c. Anchor them with heavy rocks so the wind won't blow them down.
d. Hold them between yourself and the oncoming traffic.

10. Why should you be more careful when hauling livestock?
a. The Humane Society could cite you for cruelty to animals.
b. The load can shift very easily.
c. They could damage the trailer floor.
d. They are more valuable than regular freight.

11. If you double your vehicle speed, it will take ______ times as much distance to stop.
a. 4
b. 2
c. 6
d. 8

12. If you must drive off the road in an emergency, you should:
a. Avoid braking until your speed has dropped to 20 mph
b. Keep one set of wheels on the pavement
c. Stay on the shoulder
d. All of the above

13. The driver is responsible for:
a. Inspecting the cargo.
b. Recognizing overloads.
c. Recognizing poorly balanced weight.
d. All the above.

14. What is blocking?
a. Not allowing another vehicle to access to an entrance or exit.
b. A special term applied to military cargo
c. A cargo loading technique or process that keeps cargo from sliding.
d. All the above.

15. If you cannot inspect a load because it is sealed, you should:
a. Check to insure that the weight limits aren't exceeded.
b. Check to see that the load is secure by stopping quickly.
c. Break the seal and inspect the cargo.
d. Refuse to accept the load.

16. Safety belts are required to be used:
a. Only by drivers younger than 16 years of age.
b. By all commercial vehicle drivers, and by all drivers in Oregon.
c. Only when operating on freeways.
d. It is not a federal or state law, but is recommended.

17. When you back a vehicle, you should:
a. Go as fast as possible to avoid congesting traffic.
b. Never use a helper.
c. Back toward the driver side whenever possible.
d. All the above.

18. When shifting up, you should:
a. Use the speed of the vehicle to determine when to shift up.
b. Only use the clutch when starting or idling.
c. Skip the lower gears when you are not heavily loaded.
d. Shift up every two minutes.

19. Before entering a curve, you should:
a. Check for debris on the road.
b. Allow 4 seconds following distance.
c. Adjust the multi-speed rear axle.
d. Slow to a safe speed and downshift to the right gear.

20. How many seconds ahead should you look when driving?
a. 5-10 seconds.
b. 10-15 seconds.
c. 12-15 seconds.
d. 15-20 seconds.

21. How many seconds of following distance do you need when driving at 30 miles per hour and operating a vehicle 40 feet in length?
a. 2 seconds.
b. 3 seconds.
c. 4 seconds.
d. 5 seconds.

22. How many seconds of following distance do you need when driving at 50 miles per hour and operating a vehicle 40 feet in length?
a. 2 seconds.
b. 3 seconds.
c. 4 seconds.
d. 5 seconds.

23. If you are being tailgated by another motorist, you should:
a. Apply your brakes quickly.
b. Speed up.
c. Increase your following distance.
d. Turn on your flashers.

24. As a commercial driver, you are considered legally under the influence of alcohol when:
a. You have a blood alcohol concentration of .04% or more.
b. You have a blood alcohol concentration of .08% or more.
c. You have had alcohol within the last four hours.
d. None of the above.

25. At 55 mph, it will take your vehicle about six seconds to stop and your vehicle will travel:
a. About the distance of a football field.
b. About the distance of a basketball court.
c. About one quarter mile.
d. 88 feet.

26. When signaling a turn or a lane change, you should:
a. Signal early.
b. Signal continuously.
c. Cancel the signal when the maneuver is completed.
d. All of the above.

27. If you must stop on the road, or on the shoulder, you should put out your reflective triangles:
a. Only at night.
b. Within 10 minutes of stopping.
c. Only on two lane roads.
d. If you have curves within 500 feet of your vehicle, either front or rear.

28. If you stop on or by a one-way or divided highway, place warning devices:
a. 25 feet, 50 feet, and 100 feet toward the approaching traffic.
b. 10 feet, 100 feet, and 200 feet toward the approaching traffic.
c. 50 feet, 150 feet, and 300 feet toward the approaching traffic.
d. Any of the above.

29. Escape ramps save:
a. Lives
b. Cargo
c. Equipment
d. All of the above

30. Why is driving more dangerous at night than during the day?
a. Vision is reduced
b. Glare can temporarily blind a driver.
c. Fatigue is usually greater at night.
d. All of the above.

31. When should you use "high beams"?
a. All the time when driving at night.
b. Never use high beams.
c. Whenever possible and safe.
d. Only in fog.

32. When can you expect to have slippery road conditions?
a. Just after the rain begins.
b. On concrete roadways.
c. On asphalt roadways.
d. During months that end in an "R".

33. If you are hydroplaning, you should:
a. Apply the brakes hard to quickly regain traction.
b. Turn into another lane.
c. Release the accelerator and push in the clutch.
d. Downshift to a lower gear.

34. When brakes get hot, they may start to fade. When that happens, you:
a. May have to apply them harder to get the same stopping power.
b. Must stop using them until they cool.
c. Should pour water on them to cool them.
d. Try stab braking.

35. If you have to drive through a deep puddle of water, you should:
a. Drive quickly through the puddle to avoid getting "bogged down".
b. Stop and adjust the brakes.
c. Gently put on the brakes and proceed through the puddle.
d. Push the clutch in and coast through the puddle.

36. You should use a lower gear going down a hill than the gear you used going up, if you are:
a. Pulling a tank trailer.
b. Driving a foreign-made truck.
c. Driving a truck with a 3-axle tractor.
d. Driving a newer modern truck with low friction parts and streamline design.

37. Why should you downshift prior to starting down a hill?
a. You might get hung up in neutral and lose the benefit of engine braking.
b. There is no need to down shift.
c. To keep the transmission shafts in correct alignment.
d. To get the most efficient fuel economy.

38. Which is the proper use of brakes when going down a hill?
a. Use slow, steady pressure.
b. Don't use them on curves.
c. Apply the brakes to reduce speed, then release. Repeat the process.
d. Let up on the brakes from time to time to let them cool off.

39. The following statements about hydroplaning are true:
a. Hydroplaning can occur at speeds as low as 30 mph.
b. Hydroplaning is more likely if tire pressure is low or tread is worn.
c. It does not take a lot of water to cause hydroplaning.
d. All of the above.

40. If you have a suspected tire failure, you should:
a. Hold the steering wheel firmly.
b. Apply the brakes firmly.
c. Stay off the brakes.
d. "a" and "c" are correct.

41. During an acceleration skid, you should:
a. Apply more pressure to the accelerator.
b. Release the accelerator.
c. Quickly apply the brakes.
d. Shift up.

42. Which of the following is a reason for a skid to happen?
a. Oversteering.
b. Overbraking.
c. Overacceleration.
d. All of the above.

43. After you have an accident, the first thing you should do is:
a. Protect the area to prevent another accident.
b. Notify authorities.
c. Identify witnesses to the accident.
d. Notify your employer.

44. Which of the following are clues for spotting impaired drivers?
a. Stopping at the wrong time
b. An open window during cold weather
c. Weaving or drifting from one side of the road to the other
d. All the above

45. Regarding accidents, the Oregon DOT requires that they be notified if:
a. There is a fatality
b. There is an injury
c. There is a vehicle towed.
d. All of the above

46. What are the correct steps to take when you discover a fire?
a. Pull off the road, keep the fire from spreading, use the correct extinguisher to put out the fire.
b. Keep driving to let the wind blow out the fire.
c. Pull in to the next rest area or exit and follow the steps in "a".
d. Pull off the road and notify emergency authorities.

47. The B:C: type fire extinguisher is designed to work on:
a. Burning wood, paper and cloth.
b. Electrical fires.
c. Burning liquids.
d. b and c are correct.

48. What statement is correct?
a. When your body needs sleep, sleep is the only thing that will work.
b. Continuing to drive when sleepy is the major cause of fatal accidents.
c. A hot, poorly ventilated cab can make you sleepy.
d. All of the above.

49. The intent of the hazardous materials rules is to contain the product, communicate the risk, and:
a. Provide emergency actions.
b. Increase awareness in communities.
c. Assure safe drivers and equipment.
d. Help to clean up spills.

50. When transporting hazardous materials and the driver is in the cab, the shipping papers must be kept:
a. In clear view within the driver's reach.
b. In the glove compartment.
c. On the driver's seat.
d. With the truck license/permit folder.

Oregon Trucking Associations, Inc.
4005 SE Naef Rd. | Portland, OR 97267
503.513.0005 | 503.513.0008 (fax) | 888-293-0005 | ortruck@ortrucking.org

© 2004 Oregon Trucking Associations Inc.