CDL Permit Practice Test (50 Questions Answers)

CDL Permit Practice Test (50 Questions Answers): In order to get this special license, you must first take and pass the required CDL knowledge test and skills tests. Using this free sample test correctly will prepare you to take and pass these tests. This practice test is consist of 50 questions and is followed by an answer key.

Taking our free CDL Permit Practice Test and any other practice Endorsement Tests that apply to your vehicle type, and studying the explanations of the correct answers for the practice tests, you can find out how well you are prepared for the actual Commercial Driver’s License Exam and what material you need to review again.

CDL Permit Practice Test (50 Questions Answers)

Test Name	CDL Practice Test 2024
Language	English
License	CDL (Class A, B, or C),
Total Questions	50 Knowledge Practice Test
Test For	Commercial Driver License
Test Preparation	Driving Knowledge
Country	USA
Explanation	No

0 votes, 0 avg

CDL General Knowledge Test 6

1 / 50

Which of the following is a sign of a tire failure?

A) The steering wheel pulls to one side

B) A loud “bang”

C) Vibration

D) All of the above

2 / 50

Why don’t new trucks use the same gear for going down a hill as they would for going up a hill?

A) They have low friction parts.

B) They have weaker engines.

C) They have more air drag.

D) They take up more fuel.

3 / 50

the best kind of driver is a(n) __________ one.

A) safety first-minded and defensive

B) slow

C) sober

D) Offensive

4 / 50

What is a tractor jackknife?

A) Another name for hard steering

B) A device used in the hydraulic system

C) A drive-wheel skid

D) A type of trailer truck

5 / 50

You are driving on a rainy day and the drive wheels begin to spin. To keep control of the vehicle, which of the following is the best action to take?

A) Steer to the left or right

B) Brake hard

C) Accelerate slightly

D) Take your foot off the accelerator

6 / 50

Which of the following is true about empty trucks?

A) They have better traction.

B) They are easier to steer.

C) They require less braking power.

D) They require greater stopping distance.

7 / 50

Which of the following is true about overhead clearance?

A) A loaded truck is higher than an empty one.

B) Posted heights are always correct.

C) An empty van is higher than a loaded van.

D) Repaving or packed snow increases the clearance height.

8 / 50

Which of the following is the best way to slow the vehicle when driving down a hill?

A) Shift to a higher gear.

B) Downshift before the hill and keep light, continuous pressure on the brakes.

C) Shift gears to neutral.

D) Apply heavy pressure on the brakes from time to time.

9 / 50

If you have to steer away from what’s ahead in order to avoid a crash, which of the following is the best action to take?

A) Apply the brakes while turning.

B) Turn, then countersteer once you have cleared the obstacle

C) Hit the brakes.

D) Turn very sharply to clear whatever is in your way

10 / 50

What is the total stopping distance when driving a heavy vehicle on dry pavement at 55 mph?

A) 7 1/2seconds

B) 4 1/2 seconds

C) 6 seconds

D) 5 seconds

11 / 50

A tie rod is part of the ________ system.

A) exhaust

B) brake

C) steering

D) suspension

12 / 50

If the steering feels heavy or hard, it is probably a sign of

A) engine problems.

B) tire problems.

C) worn brakes.

D) battery failure.

13 / 50

What causes brakes to fade?

A) Using the brakes too lightly when going downhill

B) Coasting

C) Frozen brake pads

D) Slowing down from high speeds too quickly

14 / 50

Which of the following is one of the potential causes of fire in the electrical system?

A) Poor ventilation

B) Flammable cargo

C) Short circuits due to damaged insulation

D) Duals that touch

15 / 50

To extinguish an electrical fire,

A) pull into a service station and wait for qualified firefighters.

B) use a lot of water.

C) use the B:C extinguisher on the base of the fire.

D) use the A:B:C extinguisher on the flames of the fire.

16 / 50

What are the three types of safety equipment that you must have before driving?

A) Tire-changing equipment, spare fuses, and a fire extinguisher

B) Spare fuses, three red reflective triangles, and a fire extinguisher

C) An accident reporting kit, three red reflective triangles, and tire- changing equipment

D) Spare fuses, tire chains and a fire extinguisher

17 / 50

Controlled braking is

A) braking so that the wheels lock

B) releasing the brakes slowly.

C) jamming on the brakes.

D) stab braking lock.

18 / 50

The controlled braking method is used

A) when making large steering wheel movements

B) by applying the brakes slowly.

C) to make the wheels lock.

D) by applying the brakes as hard as you can without locking the wheels.

19 / 50

You are stopped on an incline. How do you keep from rolling back?

A) Engage the clutch

B) Put on the parking brake

C) Shift to neutral

D) Pump the accelerator hard

20 / 50

You are driving a 60-foot rig at 55 mph. How many seconds of space should you have between you and the vehicle ahead?

A) 6 seconds

B) 7 seconds

C) 5 seconds

D) 8 seconds

21 / 50

If the radiator shutters freeze shut when driving in the winter, which of the following will occur?

A) The engine may overheat and stop.

B) The brakes will freeze.

C) Carbon monoxide will leak into your vehicle.

D) It will be harder to steer.

22 / 50

Where and when is it best to downshift?

A) Before entering a curve

B) After starting down a hill

C) After starting up a hill

D) Before speeding up

23 / 50

You should inspect the tires every _________ when driving in very hot weather.

A) three hours or every 150 miles

B) four hours or every 400 miles

C) one hour or every 50 miles

D) two hours or every 100 miles

24 / 50

When driving down a steep curve in the snow, you should

A) turn as gently as possible.

B) use the engine brake.

C) use the speed retarder.

D) brake hard.

25 / 50

Which of the following should you examine when inspecting the front of your vehicle?

A) All of the above

B) Condition of steering system

C) Condition of brakes

D) Condition of shock absorbers

26 / 50

Which of the following statements is true about alcohol?

A) A few beers are the same as a few shots of whiskey.

B) Alcohol increases your ability to drive.

C) Some people are not affected by alcohol

D) If you eat a lot first, you will not get drunk

27 / 50

What is the proper way to make a right turn when you are driving a long vehicle?

A) Turn quickly to stop other drivers from hitting you.

B) Keep the rear of the vehicle far away from the curb

C) Turn wide to the left as you start the turn.

D) Turn wide as you complete the turn.

28 / 50

At speeds below 40 mph, you need at—————for each————of vehicle length.

A) two seconds; 30 feet

B) one second; 20 feet

C) one second; 10 feet

D) two seconds; 10 feet

29 / 50

Your brakes have failed on a downgrade. Using an escape ramp, downshifting and ____________________ are helpful in slowing the vehicle.

A) using the braking effect of the engine

B) countersteering

C) using your horn

D) shifting to a higher gear

30 / 50

How much tread depth should you have on your front tires when driving in the winter?

A) Minimum of 4/32 inch

B) Minimum of 2/32 inch

C) Under 4/32 inch

D) Maximum of 2/32 inch

31 / 50

Some vehicles have automatic transmissions. Why is it important to select a low range when going down grades?

A) To prevent a hydraulic brake failure

B) To allow the transmission to shift up

C) To prevent hydroplaning

D) To get greater engine braking

32 / 50

You are driving a large vehicle that cannot make a right turn without swinging into another lane. Which of the following figures shows the correct way to make the turn?

A) Figure A

B) Figure C

C) Figure B

D) Figure D

33 / 50

To go down a long, steep hill you should

A) shift to a low gear before starting down the grade.

B) shift to a high gear before starting down the grade.

C) shift to a low gear after starting down the grade.

D) apply your brakes hard.

34 / 50

What is black ice?

A) Fog or mist

B) Oil

C) Clear ice

D) Freshly paved tar

35 / 50

Which of the following is one of the best ways to deal with tailgaters in heavy traffic?

A) Turn on your tail lights.

B) Speed up to increase the distance between you and the tailgater.

C) Increase your following distance.

D) Brake quickly several times to flash your brake lights.

36 / 50

A broken coolant hose while driving

A) causes the air-conditioner to fail.

B) increases the chances of tire failure.

C) can cause a fire

D) causes the heater to fail.

37 / 50

he proper distance to use high beams is at least _______________ away from an approaching vehicle.

A) 500 feet

B) 1,000 feet

C) 50 feet

D) 25 feet

38 / 50

What is the correct placement of warning devices when parked on the shoulder of a one-way or divided highway?

A) At 100 feet and 500 feet from the rear of the vehicle

B) At 10 feet, 100 feet, and 200 feet from the rear of the vehicle

C) At 10 feet, 100 feet, and 200 feet from the front of the vehicle

D) At 100 feet and 500 feet from the front of the vehicle

39 / 50

If you must pull over to the shoulder on a major highway, you should

A) use the controlled braking method.

B) turn onto the shoulder without braking.

C) keep one set of wheels on pavement, if possible.

D) brake quickly several times to flash your brake lights.

40 / 50

You are driving on slippery ice. Your rear-drive wheels lock and you begin to skid. Which of the following is the best action to take?

A) Brake hard and pull off the road.

B) Take your foot off the accelerator and push the brake.

C) Take your foot off the accelerator and push in the clutch.

D) Shift to neutral.

41 / 50

How often must drivers of trucks and truck tractors conduct a safety inspection?

A) Every 5 hours and after driving

B) Before driving

C) After driving

D) Before driving, every 3 hours during driving, and after driving

42 / 50

You are driving on a highway and your front tire has just blown out. You should

A) stay off the brake until you have slowed down.

B) keep driving until you find a service station.

C) brake hard.

D) pump the brakes.

43 / 50

Which of the following emergency equipment should be carried in the truck at all times?

A) spare electrical fuses (if the truck has fuses)

B) a fully charged 5 B:C fire extinguisher

C) reflective warning triangles or flares

D) All of the above

44 / 50

f one-fourth of a multileaf spring is missing, which of the following is most likely to happen?

A) It will have no effect.

B) It will cause a pop-pop-pop sound.

C) It will make it hard to steer.

D) It will put the vehicle out of service.

45 / 50

You are stopped on the shoulder of a curve that prevents approaching traffic from seeing your vehicle. How far back should you place your last warning device?

A) 10 feet

B) 200 feet

C) 500 feet

D) 100 feet

46 / 50

You are approaching a vehicle for a pre-trip inspection. What should be the first step?

A) Fastening your seatbelt

B) Starting the engine

C) Putting the vehicle key in your pocket

D) Writing a written report on the condition of the vehicle

47 / 50

One of the steps in shifting up is to

A) release the clutch and shift to neutral.

B) push in the clutch and shift to the higher gear at the same time

C) increase engine and gear speed to the RPM required.

D) press the accelerator and shift to neutral.

48 / 50

When backing a trailer,

A) turn the steering wheel toward the direction you want to go.

B) urn the steering wheel in the opposite direction you want to go.

C) turn and back toward the right side.

D) use the highest reverse gear.

49 / 50

Why must you tab or keep shipping papers related to hazardous materials in special places?

A) f the driver is in an accident and cannot speak, people must know the hazards involved.

B) Because they must be delivered first

C) Because you must know what products you can load together, and which you cannot

D) In case there are no placards

50 / 50

You wish to turn left from one multilane two-way street into another multilane two-way street. Which of the figures below shows how the turn should be made?