Iowa CDL: General Knowledge Practice Test

Not quite. The answer is a third party

Lumpers (freight handlers) are persons usually employed by a third party to unload cargo from the truck at the receiver. Lumpers are tasked with operating the unloading equipment, such as fork lifts and pallet jacks, so you won't have to do this. The fee for using lumpers should be charged to the carrier; it is illegal under US law for you to be forced to eat the cost yourself.

Source: 49 US Code § 14103

Not quite. The answer is A tractor pulling empty doubles

Strong winds make it difficult to stay in your lane. The problem is usually worse for lighter vehicles. And a double trailer presents a lot of surface area on which strong winds can act.

Not quite. The answer is File a complaint with OSHA.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Whistleblower Protection Program enforces the whistleblower provisions of more than 20 whistleblower statutes protecting employees from retaliation for reporting violations of various federal workplace laws. If your employer retaliated against you for expressing a job-related safety concern, you may file a complaint with OSHA within 30 days.

Source: "The Whistleblower Protection Program," Occupational Safety and Health Administration, https://www.whistleblowers.gov/

Not quite. The answer is Pump the brake pedal three times; then apply firm pressure to the pedal and hold it for five seconds. The pedal should not move.

To test a vehicle equipped with hydraulic brakes for leaks in the brakes, first pump the brake pedal three times. Next, apply firm pressure to the brake pedal for five seconds. If it moves, the brakes may have a leak or some other problem.

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 66,000 pounds

To avoid overloading bridges, a bridge formula is used to specify a lower maximum axle weight for axles that are closer together. The Federal Gross Bridge Weight formula is W = 500 ( L N / (N - 1) + 12 N + 36 ) where W is the maximum allowed weight of a group of axles (rounded off to the nearest 500 pounds), L is the distance between the outer axles of the group, and N is the number of axles in the group. "L N" means L multiplied by N, and "12 N" means 12 multiplied by N. In this case, we consider the drive axles and trailer axles as one group of 4 axles. Therefore, N equals 4. The distance between the outer axles of this group is 36 feet. Therefore, L = 36. L × N = 144. N - 1 = 3. 144 divided by 3 = 48. 12 × N = 48 also. 48 + 48 + 36 = 132. Multiply this figure by 500 to get 66,000 pounds. Finally, round off the result to the nearest 500 pounds, which in this case is still 66,000 pounds.

Source: 23 CFR 658.17

Not quite. The answer is To turn quickly, keep a firm grip on the steering wheel.

In an emergency, stopping may not be the safest thing to do. The stopping distance of your vehicle at high speed can be longer than a football field. If you don't have enough room to stop, you may have to steer away from the hazard. Remember, you can almost always turn to miss an obstacle more quickly than you can stop. To turn quickly, you must have a firm grip on the steering wheel with both hands.

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 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 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 All of the above

If you must drive through a tunnel, there are several issues you must deal with. First, make sure that the tunnel is tall enough for your vehicle to get through it safely. Plan in advance. Know the height of your CMV and the height of the tunnel ceiling. Second, tunnels often have reduced lane widths. Your CMV may be 8½ feet wide. Drive with caution and watch the sides of your vehicle. Finally, there can be strong winds inside the tunnel, and strong crosswinds as you exit the tunnel.

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. So for a 30-foot vehicle going 55 mph, you should leave a following distance of 4 seconds.

Not quite. The answer is use a lower gear than you would use to climb the hill.

With older trucks, you typically use the same gear for driving uphill and driving downhill. Today's trucks tend to have more powerful engines and be more efficient than older trucks. Hence, you can drive such a truck uphill in higher gears than you would use to drive downhill with engine braking.

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 Tire damage

The sudden jerk from rough acceleration can cause mechanical damage. For example, it can damage the coupling if you're pulling a trailer.

Not quite. The answer is 40%.

Rapid acceleration and changes in speed can increase fuel consumption by as much as 40 percent. Cruise control can help maintain a fuel-efficient steady speed on the highway.

Not quite. The answer is They can be used by any vehicle whose brakes have failed.

Escape ramps are located on many steep mountain grades. Escape ramps are built to stop runaway vehicles safely without injuring drivers or passengers. Escape ramps use a long bed of loose, soft material such as gravel to slow a runaway vehicle, sometimes in combination with an upgrade. Regardless of the type of vehicle you're driving, always look for one of these escape ramps. They can save lives, equipment, and cargo.

Not quite. The answer is It is a slow-moving vehicle.

This emblem on the rear of a vehicle identifies it as a slow-moving vehicle. The legal definition of "slow-moving vehicle" can vary somewhat from one state to another. The Iowa Code defines a "slow-moving vehicle" as a vehicle whose top speed is no greater than 35 mph and that is designed primarily for off-roadway use. (Note: In most other states, the top speed of a slow-moving vehicle is defined to be 25 mph.) Slow-moving vehicles include farm equipment, animal-drawn carts, and roadway maintenance vehicles. Vehicles that travel this slowly represent hazards. Spotting one early can help prevent a crash.

Source: IA Code § 321.383

Not quite. The answer is It is less dangerous to drive onto the shoulder than to risk a collision.

If an oncoming driver has drifted into your lane, try to escape to the right, even if it means leaving the pavement and driving onto the shoulder. Most shoulders are strong enough to support the weight of a large vehicle. Never allow a head-on collision. Head-on collisions are often fatal.

Not quite. The answer is Give the driver the benefit of the doubt.

To help reduce stress caused by the actions of other drivers, always give the other driver the benefit of the doubt. Try to imagine why he or she is driving that way. Whatever the reason, it has nothing to do with you. However, if you are confronted by an aggressive driver, get out of the driver's way and let the driver go by.