Alabama CDL: General Knowledge Practice Test

Not quite. The answer is True

Tires that overheat can catch fire. Underinflation causes increased flexing of the tire, which increases tire temperature.

Not quite. The answer is 12 to 15 seconds

According to the Alabama Commercial Driver License Manual, you should look ahead the distance that your CMV will travel in 12 to 15 seconds. At the slower speeds of city driving, your CMV will travel about one block in 15 seconds. At 60 mph, your CMV will travel a quarter mile (1,320 feet) in 15 seconds.

Not quite. The answer is Wait for a large enough gap in traffic in the nearest lane before you merge.

To enter a freeway or expressway, (1) check traffic, (2) use proper signals, (3) yield the right-of-way to highway traffic, and then (4) merge smoothly into the proper lane. Driving on the shoulder is dangerous and (in most states) illegal except in an emergency.

Not quite. The answer is 34,000 pounds.

Under federal regulations, the maximum gross vehicle weight (GVW) of a truck on the interstate system of highways is 80,000 pounds. The maximum gross weight upon any one axle is 20,000 pounds. The maximum gross weight on tandem axles is 34,000 pounds. This figure applies to both the tandem axles (drive axles) of the tractor and the tandem axles of the trailer.

Source: 23 CFR 658.17

Not quite. The answer is Type of tire tread

To determine which low gear to use to begin a descent, consider the weather, the length and steepness of the downgrade, the weight of your cargo, and the road conditions.

Not quite. The answer is Both of the above are true.

Alcohol first affects a driver's judgment and self-control, and then it affects coordination, vision, and muscle control. These are all essential driving skills. Impairment of these skills significantly increases the chance of an accident.

Not quite. The answer is 2 years.

An FMCSA-approved medical examiner's physical examination is valid for up to 24 months. However, you may have to undergo a medical examination more frequently if you have a medical condition that should be monitored more often, such as high blood pressure or diabetes mellitus.

Not quite. The answer is $2,750

The current penalties for violating federal regulations on driving a CMV at railroad crossings, are up to $2,750 for drivers and up to $11,000 for employers who allow or require their drivers to commit such violations. Furthermore, you will be disqualified from driving for at least 60 days for a first offense, at least 120 days for a second offense within three years, and at least one year for a third offense within three years.

Not quite. The answer is watch for oncoming traffic.

To make a right turn, turn slowly to give yourself and others more time to avoid problems. If you must cross into the oncoming lane to make a turn, watch out for vehicles coming toward you. Give them room to go by or to stop. Don't back up for them, however, because you might hit someone behind you.

Not quite. The answer is Accelerating while pressing the clutch and turning toward the driver side.

This is the basic method: 1) release the accelerator, push in the clutch and shift to neutral at the same time; 2) release the clutch; 3) let the engine and gears slow down to rpm required for the next gear; 4) push in the clutch and shift to the higher gear at the same time; 5) release the clutch and press the accelerator at the same time.

Not quite. The answer is The driver's chances of an accident increase.

As a driver's blood alcohol concentration (BAC) increases, the driver is less and less capable of driving safely. At a BAC of 0.05%, the driver's coordination starts to become impaired. At 0.08%, there is definite impairment of judgment and coordination. At 0.10%, the driver's reaction time increases. At 0.30%, there is a good chance that the driver will pass out.

Not quite. The answer is All of the above

In your logbook, you must record each change of duty status, accurate to the nearest quarter hour (15 minutes). For each change, enter the location of the change and the reason for it in the Remarks section. Federal regulations refer to this information as an annotation, and electronic logging devices (ELDs) should have a way to enter such annotations electronically. Another use for the Remarks section is to record and annotate short-duration changes of duty status (those lasting less than 15 minutes), such as stopping for a few minutes to check the cargo securement. If you're temporarily exempt from some hours of service regulations because of an emergency or adverse condition, you should note that in the Remarks section, too. Finally, in the Remarks section, you should also identify the loads you picked up. One way (but not the only way) to identify a load is to enter the bill of lading number in the Remarks section.

Not quite. The answer is Seconds

Once you've started the engine, you should see the oil pressure gauge immediately begin a gradual rise to the normal operating range.

Not quite. The answer is Wind is a big problem when your truck comes out of a tunnel.

Inside a tunnel, you don't feel the effect of crosswinds pushing you sideways. But once you emerge from the tunnel into an open space, the crosswinds will hit you. If your vehicle is traveling alongside another vehicle, there is some chance that the crosswinds will push one of the vehicles against the other.

Not quite. The answer is Take your foot off the accelerator.

If the force applied to the drive wheels exceeds the available traction of your tires on the road surface, the wheels may spin. This is more likely on snowy or icy surfaces, for which you have less traction. When traction is poor, accelerate very gradually. If the drive wheels start to spin, take your foot off the accelerator.

Not quite. The answer is both of the above.

Before driving your vehicle, adjust your mirrors to show parts of your vehicle as well as what's around your vehicle. During your trip, you can use your mirrors to keep an eye on your tires and open cargo if any. When merging, use your mirrors to make sure the gap in traffic is large enough for you to enter safely.

Not quite. The answer is use your high beams when legal and keep your interior lights off.

If the lights from your instrument panel or other interior lights are too bright, it will take time for your eyes to adjust to the darkness outside. Help your eyes adjust to the outside darkness by dimming your instrument panel lights as much as possible and turning off all other interior lights. Use your high-beam headlights whenever possible. However, dim your headlights whenever you're within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle or within 500 feet of a vehicle you are following.

Not quite. The answer is October 20, 1994

Under federal regulations, every CMV with air brakes that was manufactured since October 20, 1994, must have automatic slack adjusters. Antilock brakes (ABS) have been required on all buses with air brakes that were built since March 1, 1998. ABS has also been required on all tractors with air brakes that were built after March 1, 1997, and all trailers with air brakes that were built after March 1, 1998.

Source: 49 CFR § 393.53

Not quite. The answer is should be designed for truck navigation.

You should always use a GPS device or GPS app that is designed for truck navigation. A good truck-enabled GPS device takes into account the dimensions and weight of your CMV and the nature of its load. The device can warn you about or even avoid roadways with height restrictions, weight restrictions, or restrictions on the transport of hazardous materials. Such a GPS device can also inform you of points of interest to CMV operators, such as truck stops, weigh stations, and repair services for CMVs.

Not quite. The answer is All of the above

A skid occurs when the tires lose their grip of the road. This can happen in any of four ways: (1) Over-braking: Braking too hard and locking the wheels. Skids can also occur if you use the speed retarder on a slippery road. (2) Over-steering: Turning the wheels more sharply than the vehicle can turn. (3) Over-acceleration: Supplying too much power to the drive wheels, causing them to spin. (4) Driving too fast: Most serious skids result from driving too fast for road conditions.