Florida CDL Practice Test

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 Brake hard and immediately.

Hard braking could cause your vehicle to go out of control, so brake gently only after the vehicle has slowed down and you have regained control.

Not quite. The answer is It makes the road slippery.

On hot days, tar in the pavement can rise to the surface and create a slippery film on the road surface.

Not quite. The answer is 4/32 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 Under wet or icy road conditions

Retarders can slow your vehicle on a downgrade so you can avoid straining the service brakes. Many retarders can absorb as much or more horsepower as the engine can develop. But when the drive wheels have poor traction (such as on a slippery surface), some retarders can cause the drive wheels to lock, which can result in a skid. Therefore, you should turn the retarder off whenever the road is wet, icy, or snow covered.

Not quite. The answer is When you upshift, the engine speed should decrease to the rpm required for the next gear.

In double clutching, you apply the clutch twice: once to shift out of the current gear into neutral and again to shift out of neutral into the next gear. After you shift out of the current gear into neutral, adjust your engine speed to match the rpm required for the next gear. For a higher gear, allow your engine to slow down; for a lower gear, use the gas pedal to speed up the engine. Then shift out of neutral into the next gear.

Not quite. The answer is 4 seconds

The formula for following distance is one second per ten feet of vehicle, plus an extra second if you are traveling over 40 mph. Therefore, for a 40-foot vehicle traveling at 35 mph, you should leave a following distance of four seconds.

Not quite. The answer is Steering play in excess of 10 degrees

If there is more than 10 degrees of play in your steering wheel, your vehicle will be harder to steer. Have the problem corrected before you drive the vehicle. In cold weather, white exhaust "smoke" that soon disappears may just be water vapor from condensation. However, if white smoke persists long after the vehicle has warmed up, have the condition checked.

Not quite. The answer is You

As the CMV driver, you were given responsibility for the CMV and its cargo if any. That doesn't change even if the vehicle is being towed away. You must oversee the towing operation. Before towing begins, you and the tow truck driver should agree on what steps to follow.

Not quite. The answer is 2; 2

Under federal regulations, a "large boulder" has a volume of more than 2 cubic meters or weighs more than 11,000 pounds. Each large boulder must be supported on at least two pieces of hardwood blocking that extend the full width of the boulder. Each cubic-shaped boulder must be secured with two or more chains placed transversely across the vehicle and as close as possible to the hardwood blocking. Each non-cubic-shaped boulder must be secured with two or more chains forming an "X" pattern over the boulder and passing over the center of the boulder. These two chains must be attached to each other at their intersection. If the boulder is non-cubic shaped and has an unstable base, it must be secured with one chain over the top of the boulder and four chains attached to that chain to block the boulder from moving.

Source: 49 CFR 393.136

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 (b) and (c)

A CMV's diesel particulate filter traps particulate emissions from the engine. Eventually, enough particulates build up in the filter that they must be removed by burning them off at a relatively high temperature. This process is called regeneration. Passive regeneration and active regeneration both take place while the vehicle is moving. In passive regeneration, just the normally high temperature of the exhaust is used for regeneration. If this is not sufficient to burn off all the particulates, active regeneration takes place. The CMV's engine control unit (ECU) will inject fuel into the exhaust to raise its temperature. If even this is not sufficient, you'll have to park your vehicle and perform a regeneration manuallly, again by injecting fuel into the exhaust. Parked regeneration can take from 30 minutes to one hour. (Note: This topic is not usually found in the official state CDL handbook.)

Not quite. The answer is Hard steering and possible damage to the tires

Keep your load of cargo balanced. You need enough weight on both the steering and drive axles for adequate traction. However, too much weight on the steering axle can result in hard steering and even damage the steering axle and tires. Too much weight on one side can increase the risk that the cargo will shift.

Not quite. The answer is Robotic

There are four basic types of retarders: electric, engine, exhaust, and hydraulic.

Not quite. The answer is Depress the clutch pedal all the way to the floor.

In large CMVs, manual transmissions are usually unsynchronized. You can shift gears by double clutching or floating the gears. To shift into low gear when your vehicle is stopped and the engine is idling, you can engage the clutch brake. This stops the transmission's input shaft (connected to the engine) from rotating so you can smoothly shift into low gear. To engage the clutch brake, depress the clutch pedal all the way to the floor. Never engage the clutch brake while your vehicle is moving; doing so can damage the clutch brake.

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

Because of the limited visibility, avoid backing up whenever possible. If you must back your vehicle, back toward the driver's side. You'll be able to watch the rear of your vehicle from your driver's side window. Also use a helper if possible. The helper can stand near the rear of your vehicle and keep an eye on your blind spots. He or she can signal you to stop before an accident can occur.

Not quite. The answer is empty.

Trucks brake best when they are used as they were designed: to carry a properly balanced load. When a combination vehicle is empty or lightly loaded, its braking distance increases. The very stiff suspension springs and strong brakes give poor traction and make it very easy to lock the wheels.

Not quite. The answer is If the wheels are skidding, you cannot control the vehicle.

In an emergency, avoid hard braking. Hard braking can lock the wheels, which may cause a skid and loss of control. Instead, use stab braking (unless your vehicle has antilock brakes) or controlled braking.

Not quite. The answer is can be caused by the brakes becoming too hot.

Brakes use friction to convert the kinetic energy of your moving vehicle into heat. However, overuse of the brakes (which can happen if you don't use engine braking enough) can generate so much heat that brakes can fade (lose their effectiveness) or fail.

Not quite. The answer is The Working Load Limit is the maximum load that may be applied to a component of a cargo securement system during normal service. It is usually assigned by the manufacturer of the component.

The Working Load Limit (WLL) is the maximum load that may be applied to a component of a cargo securement system during normal service. It is usually assigned by the manufacturer of the component. No component of the cargo securement system should exceed its WLL during normal service.