General Knowledge

This test covers road signs, traffic laws, and safe driving rules. Every CDL driver needs to pass this test. Practice with real questions and get instant feedback. Take it as many times as you need to feel ready.

General Knowledge Quiz

Which of these statements about cold weather driving is true?(Required)

An engine cannot overhear when the weather is very cold.

Windshield washer antifreeze should be used.

Exhaust system leaks are less dangerous in cold weather.

Brake fade:(Required)

Can be corrected by letting up on the brakes for 1-2 seconds and then reapplying them.

Can be used by the brakes getting very hot.

Is a problem that only occurs with drum brakes.

You are driving a heavy vehicle. You must exit a highway using an off-ramp that curves downhill. You should:(Required)

Wait until you are in the curve before downshifting.

Slow down to a safe speed before the curve.

Slow to the posted speed limit for the off-ramp.

If you need to leave the road in the traffic emergency, you should:(Required)

Avoid a shoulder because most shoulders will not support a large vehicle.

Avoid braking until your speed has dropped to about 20 mph.

Try to get all wheels off the pavement.

How far should a driver look ahead of the vehicle while driving?(Required)

18-21 seconds.

5-8 seconds.

12-15 seconds.

You are driving on a straight, level highway at 50 mph. There are no vehicles in front of you. Suddenly a tire blew out on your vehicle. What should you do first?(Required)

Begin emergency braking.

Begin light braking.

Stay off the brake until the vehicle has slowed down.

Which of these statements about certain types of cargo is true?(Required)

Oversize load can be hauled without special permit during times when the roads are not busy.

When liquids are hauled, the tank should always be loaded totally full.

Unstable load such as hanging meat or livestock can require extra caution on curves.

You are driving on a two-lane road. An oncoming driver drifts into your lane and is headed straight for you. Which of these is most often the best action to take?(Required)

Steer to the right.

Steer onto the left shoulder.

Hard braking.

Which of these is a good thing to do when steering to avoid a crash?(Required)

Steer with one hand so that you can turn the wheel more quickly.

Don’t turn any more than needed to clear what is in your way.

Apply the brakes while turning.

If a straight vehicle (not trailer or articulation) goes into a front-wheel skid, it will:(Required)

Go straight ahead but will turn if you turn the steering wheel.

Go straight ahead even if the steering wheel is turned.

Slide sideways and spin out.

You are driving a vehicle at 55 mph on dry pavement. About how much total stopping distance will you need to bring it to a stop?(Required)

Half the length of the football field.

Twice the length of the vehicle.

The length of a football field.

As the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) goes up, what happens?(Required)

Judgment and self-control are affected.

The drinker more clearly sees how alcohol is affecting him/her.

The effects of alcohol decrease.

You are driving a heavy vehicle with a manual transmission. You have to stop the vehicle on the shoulder while driving on an uphill grade. Which of these is a good rule to follow when putting it back in motion up the grade?(Required)

Use the parking brake to hold the vehicle until the clutch engages.

Keep the clutch slipping while slowly accelerating.

Let the vehicle roll backwards a few feet before you engage the clutch, but turn the wheel so that the back moves away from the roadway.

When driving at night, you should:(Required)

Look to the left side of the road when a vehicle is coming towards you.

Adjust your speed to keep your stopping distance within your sight distance.

Dim your lights within 300 feet of an oncoming vehicle.

Controlled braking:(Required)

Can be used when you are turning sharply.

Involved locking the wheels for short period of time.

Is used to keep a vehicle in a straight line when braking.

You must park on a side of a level, straight, four-lane divided highway. Where should you place the reflective triangles?(Required)

One within 10 feet of the rear of the vehicle, one about 100 feet to the rear, and one about 100 feet to the front of the vehicle.

One within 10 feet of the rear of the vehicle, one about 100 feet to the rear, and one about 200 feet to the rear.

One within 10 feet of the front of the vehicle, one about 100 feet to the rear, and one about 200 feet to the rear.

Which of these is a good thing to remember when crossing or entering traffic with a heavy vehicle?(Required)

The best way to cross the traffic is to pull the vehicle partway across the road and block one lane while waiting for the other to clear.

Because heavy vehicles are easy to see, you can count on other drivers to move out of your way or slow down for you.

Heavy vehicles need larger gaps in traffic than cars.

The purpose of the retarders is to:(Required)

Help slow the vehicle while driving and reduce brake wear.

Help prevent skids.

Apply extra braking power the non-drive axles.

A key principle to remember about loading cargo is to keep the load:(Required)

To the rear.

To the front.

Balanced in the cargo area.

Which of these is a good thing to remember about using mirrors?(Required)

You should look at a mirror for several seconds at a time.

Convex mirrors make things look larger and closer than they really are.

There are blind spots that your mirror cannot show.

Which of these statements about downshifting is true?(Required)

When you downshift for a hill, you should do so after you start down the hill.

When you downshift for a curve, you should do so before you enter the curve.

When double-clutching, you should let the rpms decrease while the clutch is released and the shift lever is in neutral.

You are checking your wheels and rims for a pre-trip inspection. Which of these statements is true?(Required)

Rust around wheel nuts may mean they are loose.

Mismatched lock rings can be used on the same vehicle.

A vehicle can be safely driven with one missing lug nut on a wheel.

You are checking your tires for a pre-trip inspection. Which of these statements is true?(Required)

Tires of mismatched sizes should not be used together in the same vehicle.

2/32 inch tread depth is safe for front tires.

Radial and bias-ply tires can be used together on the same vehicle.

How do you correct a rear-wheel acceleration skid?(Required)

Apply more power to the wheels.

Stop accelerating.

Downshift.

For your safety, when setting out reflective triangles, you should:(Required)

Keep them out of sight while you walk to the spots where you set them out.

Turn on your flashers.

Hold the triangles between yourself and oncoming traffic.

If you are being tailgated, you should:(Required)

Flash your brake lights.

Signal the tailgater when it is safe to pass you.

Increase your following distance.

Which of these statements about staying alert to drive is true?(Required)

If you must stop to take a nap, it should be at a truck stop or other rest area and never on the side of the road.

A half-hour break for coffee will do more to keep you alert than a half-hour nap.

Sleep is the only thing that can overcome fatigue.

You are driving a new truck with a manual transmission. What gear will you probably have to use to take a long, steep downhill grade?(Required)

A lower gear than you would use to climb the hill.

The same gear you would use to climb the hill.

A higher gear than you would use to climb the hill.

Untitled Quiz Field(Required)

Refuse to haul the load.

Haul the load but only to the nearest place where a driver with a Hazardous Materials Endorsement can take over.

Haul the load but file a report with the Depatment of Transportation after the trip.

Your vehicle has hydraulic brakes. While traveling on a level road, you press the brake pedal and find that it goes to the floor. Which of these statements is true?(Required)

Shifting into neutral will help slow the vehicle.

The parking brake will not work either because it is a part of the same hydraulic system.

Pumping the brake pedal may bring the pressure up so you can stop the vehicle.

According to the driver’s manual, why should you limit the use of your horn?(Required)

It can startle other drivers.

The horn is not a good way to let others know you are there.

You should keep firm grip on the steering wheel with both hands at all times.

You should avoid driving through deep puddles or flowing water. But if you must, which of these steps can help to keep your brakes working?(Required)

Gently putting on the brakes while driving through the water.

Turning on your brake heater.

Applying hard pressure on both the brake pedal and accelerator after coming out of the water.

Which of these is NOT a good rule to follow when caring for injured person at an accident scene?(Required)

If a qualified person is helping them, stay out of the way unless asked to assist.

Move severely injured person if there is a danger due to fire or passing traffic.

Keep an injured person cool.

Which of these statements about drugs is true?(Required)

A driver can use any prescription drug while driving.

Use of drugs can lead to an accident and/or arrest.

Amphetamine (“pep pills” or “bennies”) can be used to help the driver stay alert.

You should stop driving:(Required)

Whenever you become sleepy.

After 9 hours.

After 5 hours.

Hydroplaning:(Required)

Is more likely if tire pressure is low.

Only occurs when there is a lot of water.

Cannot occur when driving through a puddle.

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General Knowledge

General Knowledge Quiz

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Chicago Service Area

Chicagoland Suburbs

Cook County

Cook County (Northwest)

DuPage County

Kane County

DeKalb County

McHenry County

Lake County