Arkansas CDL: General Knowledge Practice Test

Not quite. The answer is When turning, you should signal early.

Three good rules for the use of turn signals when turning are as follows: (1) Signal early. State laws typically require you to signal a certain minimum distance in advance of the turn, but you may want to signal even earlier to keep other drivers from trying to pass you. (2) Signal continuously. Keep your hands on the steering wheel and keep the turn signal on as you start the turn. (3) Cancel the turn signal after you've turned (if it hasn't turned off by itself already). You should also use your turn signal before you change lanes.

Not quite. The answer is near; lower

The engine braking effect is strongest when the transmission is in a low gear and the engine is operating near the governed rpm's. Note: Engine braking is NOT the same thing as using a retarder or Jake Brake. Engine braking simply relies on low gears and the partial vacuum in the engine at idle to prevent your vehicle from going too fast.

Not quite. The answer is You

After motioning you over, the first thing the DOT inspector will do is walk up to your cab and look at you and the cab interior. The inspector will note whether you're wearing your seatbelt. He or she will check if you look like you've been dozing off. He or she will see or smell whether you've been smoking marijuana or drinking alcohol. Before starting the inspection of your truck, the inspector will ask to see your logbook.

Not quite. The answer is 80%

About 80% of new trucks sold in the United States are equipped with automated manual transmissions (popularly though inaccurately called "automatic transmissions"). There is no clutch pedal. A computer handles the shifting for the driver automatically. A small percentage of trucks are equipped with fully automatic transmissions, which employ a torque converter for shifting. The rest are still sold with traditional unsynchronized manual (stick-shift) transmissions.

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 A road user or road condition that presents a possible danger

A hazard is a road user or road condition that presents a possible danger. A hazard is something that can go wrong but shouldn't if you've been vigilant.

Not quite. The answer is control of the vehicle.

For full control of your vehicle, you need to know when and how to upshift or downshift. Learn under what special conditions you should downshift. For example, learn how to use engine braking to slow your vehicle on a steep descent.

Not quite. The answer is True

Cargo that is piled up high raises a vehicle's center of gravity, making the vehicle top-heavy and therefore more prone to rollovers. This is especially true if the heaviest parts of the cargo are near the top. You can lower the center of gravity by placing the heaviest parts of the cargo underneath the lightest parts.

Not quite. The answer is Empty trucks can take longer to stop than loaded trucks, but this is not normally the case for buses.

The brakes and suspension of a truck are designed to handle heavy cargo. Trucks that are empty or only lightly loaded take longer to stop because the stiff suspension springs and strong brakes give poor traction and make it easier to lock the wheels. This is not usually the case for buses, however.

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

If so much power is applied to the drive wheels that it overcomes the tires' grip of the road, the wheels will spin. This is more likely to occur if the road surface is slippery. To stop the drive wheels from spinning, take your foot off the accelerator. Accelerate slowly and gently from now on.

Not quite. The answer is Mirrors

In the North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria, by CVSA, the critical vehicle inspection items are the most critical systems in the vehicle. These are the brakes, the cargo securement, the driveline, the suspension, the steering, and others. Mirrors are not considered a critical vehicle inspection item. To pass inspection, the vehicle must not have any defects in any of these critical vehicle inspection items. Furthermore, if inspectors discover a defect in one of these items that is likely to cause a crash or breakdown, they will place the vehicle out of service.

Not quite. The answer is requires a special transit permit.

Over-length, over-width, or overweight loads require special transit permits. Such loads may also require pilot vehicles, a police escort, or special equipment such as flags, flashing lights, or "Wide Load" signs. Driving is usually limited to certain times. Each state may specify its own requirements and procedures to follow. [49 CFR 393.11],

Source: 49 CFR 393.87

Not quite. The answer is Gear box

The gear box is an integral part of the steering system. The other three choices are parts of the suspension system.

Not quite. The answer is For both of the above reasons

State laws usually require you to signal continuously before starting a turn. (Arkansas law requires you to signal continuously for at least the last 100 feet before the turn.) As you approach the turn and perform the turn, keep both hands on the wheel for safety.

Source: AR Code § 27-51-403

Not quite. The answer is A spare jacket

Federal regulations require CMVs to carry emergency warning devices, such as reflective triangles, and a properly rated fire extinguisher. A spare jacket may be useful in cold weather, but it is not federally required emergency equipment. Spare electrical fuses are also no longer federally required under current FMCSA regulations.

Not quite. The answer is when a wheel may lock up.

Hard braking risks locking the wheels, resulting in a skid. An antilock braking system (ABS) is a computerized system that keeps your wheels from locking up during hard braking. A sensor at each wheel monitors how fast the wheel is turning and sends that information to a central electronic control unit (ECU), which acts like a little computer. As you're applying the brakes, if the ECU determines that one wheel is rotating much slower than the other wheels (indicating it may be about to lock up), it releases the brake on that wheel to let it turn freely. Then it reapplies the brake.

Not quite. The answer is Friday evening and Monday morning.

One study found that from 2006 to 2010, about 68% of cargo theft incidents occurred on weekends (from Friday evening to Monday morning). During these times, warehouses and distribution centers are often closed, and drivers are more likely to leave their loads parked in unsecured locations.

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 6.

According to the Federal Highway Administration's truck classifications, there are three classes of medium-duty trucks: 4, 5, and 6. Class 6 trucks are the heaviest of these, each with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 19,501–26,000 pounds. Classes 7 and 8 are heavy-duty trucks. Class 7 trucks have a GVWR of 26,001–33,000 pounds. They include heavy-duty single-unit trucks. Class 8 trucks, which include the big combination tractor-trailers, have a GVWR of over 33,000 pounds.

Not quite. The answer is Both of the above

When changing lanes, check your mirrors at each of the following times: (1) before you change lanes, to make sure there is enough room; (2) after you have signaled, to check that no one has moved into your blind spot; (3) right after you start the lane change, to double-check that your path is clear; and (4) after you complete the lane change.