Arizona CDL Practice Test

Not quite. The answer is Valve clearance

In Step 2 (Check Engine Compartment) of the Seven-Step Inspection Method, you'll check a number of things, such as the condition of the hoses and electrical wiring insulation. However, you won't remove the valve cover to check the valve clearance.

Not quite. The answer is To help you avoid a collision

Your horn warns others of your presence. Sounding a sharp warning blast on your horn can help you avoid a collision. However, your horn is loud enough to startle others. It can be dangerous when used unnecessarily.

Not quite. The answer is Both of the above

To drive safely on snowy surfaces, your tires should be in the best possible shape. Consider exceeding the federal minimum requirements on tire tread depth (4/32 inch for front tires and 2/32 inch for the other tires). Make sure that your exhaust system has no leaks. An exhaust leak can allow dangerous fumes to enter your cab or sleeper berth. This can be especially dangerous in cold temperatures in which you will be more likely to keep the windows tightly shut.

Source: 49 CFR 570.62

Not quite. The answer is False

If your vehicle catches fire, pull off the road and park in an open area away from anything that might catch fire, such as buildings or trees. Especially avoid parking your burning vehicle near a gas station!

Not quite. The answer is They can make navigation errors.

Federal, state, and local regulations can restrict the routes that CMVs can legally and safely take. A GPS navigation device or smartphone app that is designed for CMV operators can choose an allowable route, even avoiding grades and sharp curves that might be difficult for your vehicle. But for these features to work properly, you must input the weight and dimensions of your vehicle as well as whether it is carrying hazardous materials (which is why you shouldn't use Google Maps or a car navigation device or app). If you don't do this properly, the device or app may choose an inappropriate route. Plus, it's always possible for your device to mislead you anyway because of erroneous or out-of-date software. Don't depend entirely on your GPS navigator while you're driving. Double-check the route before you attempt to drive it.

Not quite. The answer is Check the electrical connections.

If your trailer lights aren't working properly, the cause may be as simple as a loose electrical cable connection to the trailer, or perhaps to the tractor. Electrical connections can loosen over time from constant use. Wiggle each connector back and forth to see if it's loose. If it is, tie something around it to keep it from moving. If the connector isn't loose, check if the pins in the receptacle are clean and make good contact. Lastly, check if the cable itself is bad. If none of these are the cause of the problem, the next thing to check is the fuses or circuit breakers, and finally, the trailer light bulbs. Note: Don't ignore the problem. If any required trailer lights aren't working properly, your vehicle is in violation of federal regulation 49 CFR 393.23 and can be placed out of service at a roadside inspection.

Not quite. The answer is Both of the above

There are many things you must check during your pre-trip inspection. During Step 1 (Vehicle Overview) of the Seven-Step Inspection Method, check the condition of the windshield wipers. During Step 4 (Turn Off Engine and Check Lights) and Step 5 (Walk-Around Inspection), you'll check that the lights are working.

Not quite. The answer is do all of the above.

Idling can burn as much as one gallon of fuel per hour. Idling for longer than five minutes wastes fuel, increases emissions, and can clog fuel injectors.

Not quite. The answer is 4

As stated in your official CDL manual, the basic rule for tiedowns is one tiedown for every 10 feet of cargo length rounded up to the nearest 10 feet. Thus under this rule, you need at least 3 tiedowns for a 22-foot-long piece of cargo. However, federal regulation 49 CFR 393.110 imposes an additional rule not stated in the manual: if the cargo is not blocked from moving forward by bulkheads, other devices, or other cargo, you must use one additional tiedown (which used to be called a "penalty strap") for the first 10 feet of cargo length. Hence, for a 22-foot-long piece of cargo that's not blocked from moving forward, you must use at least 4 tiedowns.

Not quite. The answer is The aspect ratio

Tire size designations evolved over time and ended up with a mix of inches, millimeters, and percentages. The first number, 295 in this case, is the width of the tire in millimeters, measured from sidewall to sidewall. 1 inch = 25.4 millimeters, so the width of this tire in inches is 295 / 25.4 = 11.6 inches. The next number, 75, is the aspect ratio: the ratio of the sidewall's height to the aforementioned width, expressed as a percentage. In this case, the aspect ratio is 75%, so the sidewall's height is 75% × 11.6 inches = 8.7 inches. After the aspect ratio, the capital letter indicates whether the tire is radial ('R') or bias-ply ('D'). In this case, the letter 'R' indicates that this tire is radial. The final number, 22.5 in this case, gives the diameter of the rim in inches.

Not quite. The answer is Constantly blow your horn while passing the vehicle.

Allow for the possibility that the driver of the vehicle that you wish to pass doesn't know you're there. Make your presence known to the driver. In daytime, tap your horn very lightly; at night, briefly flash your headlights. However, sound a sharp blast on your horn only as a warning to others of danger.

Not quite. The answer is take short breaks before you get drowsy.

The monotony and boredom of a long drive can lead to highway hypnosis and drowsiness. To prevent this, stop for a break about once every two hours or 100 miles. Some cold and allergy medications can cause drowsiness, sedation, or disturbed coordination, which makes them dangerous for CMV operators. If you are unsure about the effects of a particular medication, check the warning label or ask your pharmacist or doctor.

Not quite. The answer is against the law.

While you're on duty, you are prohibited from using any drug that could make your driving unsafe. This includes even prescription and over-the-counter drugs (such as cold medicines) that might make you drowsy or otherwise affect your ability to drive safely. However, you may use a drug that your doctor tells you will not affect your safe driving abilities.

Not quite. The answer is If you need to tilt the cab, secure loose items first.

Before you start to inspect your vehicle, take the ignition key with you to prevent anyone else from moving the vehicle while you're inspecting it. To inspect a cab forward (cab-over) vehicle, it may be necessary to tilt the cab to gain access to the engine compartment. Before doing this, secure any loose items inside the cab so they won't fall when you tilt the cab.

Not quite. The answer is use low-beam headlights and fog lights.

If you must drive in fog, use low-beam headlights and fog lights for best visibility even in daytime, and be alert for other drivers who may have forgotten to turn on their lights.

Not quite. The answer is the length of a football field.

For a tractor-trailer traveling at 45 mph on dry pavement, the typical perception distance is about 117 feet, the typical reaction distance is about 50 feet, the typical air brake lag distance is about 27 feet, and the typical braking distance is about 152 feet, for a total stopping distance of 346 feet. In comparison, the length of a football field (including the two end zones) is 360 feet.

Not quite. The answer is on-time performance.

FMCSA's Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) program includes the following seven Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories (BASICs): Unsafe driving, crash indicator, Hours of Service compliance, vehicle maintenance, controlled substances/alcohol, hazardous materials compliance, and driver fitness. Carriers who fail to correct unsafe behaviors can be taken off the road. Your performance as a truck driver is an important part of your company's record.

Source: "CSA: Compliance, Safety, Accountability," FMCSA, https://csa.fmcsa.dot.gov/

Not quite. The answer is 2/32 inch

Steering axle tires must have a tread depth of at least 4/32 inch. All other tires must have a tread depth of at least 2/32 inch.

Not quite. The answer is signs on the outside of the vehicle that identify the hazard class of the cargo.

Hazardous materials placards are four regulated signs on the outside of the vehicle that identify the hazard class of the cargo for those who need to know, such as emergency service personnel or those who load and unload cargo.

Not quite. The answer is 6 holes backward

Under federal regulations, the maximum gross weight on the drive axles is 34,000 pounds, and the maximum gross weight on the tandem axles is also 34,000 pounds. (Note: States may impose their own axle weight limits on their roads. Be aware of the limits in the states you'll be traveling through.) In this case, the tandem axles are 1,000 pounds overweight. To calculate how far to slide the tandems to correct this problem, a formula favored by many truckers is to calculate half the difference of the drive axle weight and the tandem axle weight, and then divide that by 250 pounds per hole. (Some trailers can support more weight per hole. Check the specifications for your trailer.) In this case, 35,000 - 32,000 = 3,000 pounds. Now divide this figure by 2, which equals 1,500 pounds. Finally, divide 1,500 pounds by 250 pounds per hole, which equals 6 holes. In general, you should slide the tandems in the direction of the overweight condition. In this case, the tandem axles are overweight, so we slide the tandems backward. (If the drive axles were overweight, we would slide the tandems forward.) Therefore, the correct answer is 6 holes backward. In practice, however, we would also need to check whether the vehicle's weights are compliant with weight limits imposed by the federal bridge gross weight formula. (Note: Nowadays, there are smartphone apps available that can run the calculations for you.)

Source: 23 CFR 658.17