Hawaii CDL Practice Test

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.

Not quite. The answer is a TWIC card.

The Transportation Worker Identification Credential, also known as TWIC®, is required by the Maritime Transportation Security Act for workers who need access to secure areas of the nation’s maritime facilities and vessels. To obtain a TWIC card, you must apply to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), either at their website or in person at a TWIC application center. TSA will conduct a security threat assessment (background check) of you, and if all goes well, they will issue you a TWIC card. Note that if you have a valid TWIC card, you won't need to go through another security threat assessment to obtain a Hazardous Materials endorsement.

Not quite. The answer is use the braking effect of the engine.

When you drive down long, steep downgrades, the braking effect of your engine is what's most important, and your service brakes are only a supplement to being in the proper low gear. They cannot compensate for your vehicle being in an unsafe high gear without putting too much pressure on your brakes. Save your brakes so you will be able to slow or stop as required by road and traffic conditions.

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

An automated manual transmission (AMT) is designed rather like an ordinary manual transmission. That is, unlike an automatic transmission that usually employs a torque converter, an AMT employs gears mounted on shafts, and it shifts with the aid of a clutch. However, in an AMT, a computer controls various linkages to handle the clutching and gear shifting (there is no shifter stick), freeing the driver to focus more on the road. Some older AMTs used to come with a clutch pedal for manual shifting when starting or stopping. With today's AMTs sold in the United States, however, there is no clutch pedal, making the driving experience more like that of a fully automatic transmission.

Not quite. The answer is Pitman arm

Component E is the Pitman arm. The Pitman arm connects the drag link to the output shaft of the steering box. As the output shaft rotates, the other end of the Pitman arm moves forward or backward, causing the drag link to move left or right, which turns the front wheels in that direction.

Not quite. The answer is where the rear of your vehicle is while you make turns.

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 you turn, check your mirrors to make sure that the rear of your vehicle isn't hitting anything. If you're pulling a trailer, use your mirrors to keep an eye on it. If it starts to jackknife, you'll be able to spot it in your mirrors.

Not quite. The answer is Exhaust

If cab ventilation is poor, exhaust system leaks can allow poisonous carbon monoxide (CO) into the cab. A buildup of CO is more likely during the winter, when you may be keeping your vents and windows closed. Therefore, in the wintertime, check the exhaust system thoroughly for loose parts and for sounds and signs of leaks.

Not quite. The answer is You should avoid traveling alongside other vehicles whenever possible.

Whenever another vehicle is traveling alongside yours, there's always a chance that the vehicle might try to move into your lane and accidentally hit your vehicle. Also, the vehicle is blocking you from changing lanes. It's safer to find an open spot where there are no vehicles on either side of you. (Of course, that may not be possible in heavy, congested traffic.)

Not quite. The answer is Before you drive, make sure that the cab heater is working.

Make sure your vehicle is ready before you drive it in winter weather. Among other things, check that the cab heater is working, and make sure you know how to operate it. However, don't overuse the heater. An excessively warm cab can make you drowsy while you're behind the wheel, which is dangerous. Keep cool to stay alert. If you expect to use other heaters also (e.g., mirror heaters, battery box heaters, or fuel tank heaters), check their operation as well before you drive.

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 All of the above can help.

If you must leave your tractor-trailer in an unsecured location so you can get a meal or shower, it's at risk of being stolen. There are several steps you can take to help prevent its theft. First, take the ignition key with you and lock the truck's doors. However, professional thieves know how to break into a truck and hot-wire it. Consider installing a vehicle alarm or an air cuff (air brake control) lock, which locks the parking brake and trailer air supply knobs. Finally, if you're traveling with a co-driver or family member, have him or her stay with the truck whenever you are away from it.

Not quite. The answer is Axles

All of a vehicle's axles should be aligned perpendicular (a 90-degree angle) to the centerline of the vehicle. If the trailer axles are not properly aligned, the trailer may drift to one side, a condition commonly known as dog-legging or dog-tracking. At a roadside inspection, your trailer can be placed out of service for misaligned axles (49 CFR 393.207(a)). Another possible cause of dog-tracking is incorrectly adjusted tandems (if the trailer is so equipped).

Not quite. The answer is Allow injured persons to become chilled or overheated.

If qualified medical personnel are at the accident scene, stay out of their way unless they ask for help. If they haven't arrived yet, try to keep injured persons warm (but neither chilled nor overheated). Don't move them unless there is a danger of fire or another accident from passing traffic.

Not quite. The answer is Steering arm

Component G is the steering arm. It connects the drag link to the tie rod.

Not quite. The answer is not turn any more than necessary to clear what is in your way.

To avoid a crash or other hazard, keep both hands on the steering wheel so you can turn as quickly as possible. However, turn just enough to avoid the hazard. A too-sharp turn risks a skid or rollover. While turning quickly, avoid braking; this too could cause a skid.

Not quite. The answer is To prevent you from overrunning the central island

Because of the length of your vehicle, its rear wheels follow a significantly shorter path than its front wheels, a phenomenon known as off-tracking. While you are negotiating the curves of a roundabout, you might overrun the central island if it weren't for the central apron. The central apron (also called a truck apron) is a special area surrounding the central island, intended for use only by large vehicles. While driving through a roundabout, you can legally and safely drive over the apron if necessary without hitting the central island. The apron is usually slightly raised to discourage cars from driving on it while still making it possible for trucks to drive on it.

Not quite. The answer is Drive slowly enough to stop within the range of your headlights.

In the dark, you have no way of knowing what lies beyond the reach of your headlights. At night, you should slow to a speed that allows you to stop safely within the range of your headlights. Otherwise, if there is a hazard just beyond the range of your headlights, you may not be able to take action in time to avoid it.

Not quite. The answer is Turning the wheel back in the other direction after steering to avoid a hazard

In a quick turning maneuver such as recovering from a drive-wheel braking skid or moving from the shoulder onto the roadway at a higher speed, your vehicle will tend to overshoot and keep turning in the same direction more than you want it to. Be ready to counteract this by turning your steering wheel in the opposite direction. This is known as countersteering.

Not quite. The answer is 80,000 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.

Source: 23 CFR 658.17

Not quite. The answer is To miss an obstacle, you can almost always turn more quickly than you can stop.

CMVs can have long stopping distances. To avoid a collision or crash, it usually takes less time for you to steer around a hazard than to brake to a stop before reaching it.