Kansas CDL Practice Test

Not quite. The answer is Many CMV accidents occur between midnight and 6:00 a.m.

Driving through the night when you would normally be asleep increases your risk of an accident. Many CMV accidents occur between midnight and 6:00 a.m. If you've had less than 6 hours of sleep before you drive, your risk of an accident is tripled. And one study has found that going without sleep for more than 24 hours can impair your coordination and reaction time as much as being legally intoxicated.

Not quite. The answer is Pump the brake pedal.

If your hydraulic brakes fail while you're driving, try pumping the brake pedal to build up enough hydraulic pressure to stop your vehicle. If this fails, downshift to use engine braking and apply the parking brake, but release the parking brake before you lock the wheels. If all else fails, look for an escape route. Head for an escape ramp or an open field and let your vehicle slow to a stop.

Not quite. The answer is avoid medications that can cause drowsiness.

Unfortunately, some prescription and over-the-counter medications can cause drowsiness, sedation, or disturbed coordination, which make 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. Never try to fight drowsiness with coffee, fresh air, or especially alcohol. The only "cure" for being tired is sleeping until you are rested.

Not quite. The answer is 2

According to CVSA's North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria, the vehicle will be placed out of service if 20% (rounded up to the next whole number) or more of its brakes are found to be defective. For a 5-axle tractor-trailer, which has 10 brakes, if 20% × 10 = 2 or more brakes are defective, the vehicle will be placed out of service. In this context, defects include a brake shoe or brake pad that fails to contact the brake drum or rotor when the service brakes are applied, or an audible air leak at a brake chamber.

Not quite. The answer is If you do not hold the steering wheel with both hands, it could pull out of your grasp.

Hold the steering wheel firmly with both hands. Your hands should be on opposite sides of the steering wheel. If you hold the steering wheel with just one hand, it could pull out of your grasp if a front tire fails or you hit a pothole or the curb.

Not quite. The answer is The trailer can push the tractor sideways.

The most common type of skid by far is the drive-wheel skid. Drive-wheel acceleration skids can occur on slippery roads. Drive-wheel braking skids occur when braking causes the drive wheels to lock. Because locked wheels have less traction than rolling wheels, the rear wheels usually slide sideways in an attempt to "catch up" with the front wheels. With combination vehicles, a drive-wheel skid can let the trailer push the tractor sideways, causing a sudden jackknife.

Not quite. The answer is 8

Under the Hours of Service regulations, after you've driven for 8 cumulative hours without a break, you must take a 30-minute break. Note that time that you spend on duty but not driving can be counted as part of the break.

Source: "Summary of Hours of Service Regulations," FMCSA, https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/hours-service/summary-hours-service-regulations

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

Steering to the left of a hazard can cause you to move into the path of an oncoming vehicle or a vehicle that is trying to pass you on the left.

Not quite. The answer is Neither of the above

The drag link and Pitman arm are two components of the steering system.

Not quite. The answer is is a bad idea because when the tires cool off, the pressure will be too low.

When tires get hot, the air pressure increases. However, relieving that extra pressure will leave the air pressure too low when the tires cool again, and then the tires may catch fire or blow out. If your tires are too hot to touch, stop until they have cooled down.

Not quite. The answer is Use your four-way flashers or brake lights to warn others.

When approaching a hazard in a work zone, warn the drivers behind you by flashing your brake lights or (if state law allows it) turning on your four-way flashers.

Not quite. The answer is Four times as much

When you double your speed, your stopping distance increases to almost four times as much as before. For example, increasing your speed from 15 to 30 mph will increase your stopping distance from 46 to 148 feet.

Not quite. The answer is Inspecting the cargo, recognizing overloads, and properly securing the cargo

As a commercial truck driver, you are responsible for the cargo you carry. This includes making sure it is balanced, secured, and not overloaded. If the cargo contains hazardous materials, you must also inspect it for proper labels, shipping papers, and placards.

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 10 hours

According to the Hours of Service (HOS) regulations, the driver of a passenger-carrying vehicle must not drive for more than 10 hours following 8 consecutive hours off duty. The driver may not drive at all after having been on duty for 15 hours.

Source: "Summary of Hours of Service Regulations," FMCSA, https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/hours-service/summary-hours-service-regulations

Not quite. The answer is Brush

In the wintertime, remove snow and ice from your windshield, windows, and mirrors before you drive. Your vehicle's defroster will help melt some ice and snow to the point that you can clear them more easily. Clear the ice with an ice scraper. A snow brush can clear snow but isn't designed to clear ice. However, some snow brushes come with an ice-scraper attachment at the other end.

Not quite. The answer is starting the engine, then putting the gearshift in neutral.

Please note that the question says "EXCEPT!" When performing this part of the inspection, start the engine after you have put the gearshift in neutral. Then listen for any unusual noises. Once you perform the engine check, you will check all your gauges and controls, such as the air pressure gauge and transmission controls.

Not quite. The answer is off-tracking.

When any vehicle turns, its rear wheels will follow a shorter path than its front wheels. This is called off-tracking or "cheating." The longer the vehicle, the greater the difference. In a combination vehicle, the trailer's wheels will off-track more than the tractor's rear wheels. In a double or triple combination vehicle, the wheels of the last trailer will off-track the most.

Not quite. The answer is 2

The rule is that you should have one tiedown per 10 feet of cargo, and you must have at least two per load, regardless of the length. So for 20 feet, you would have two tiedowns.

Not quite. The answer is PHMSA

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) isn't just about pipeline transport. PHMSA develops and enforces regulations for the safe, reliable, and environmentally sound transportation of energy products by pipeline and of hazardous materials by land, sea, and air. PHMSA establishes national policies, sets and enforces standards, educates, and conducts research to prevent hazmat incidents. PHMSA is also the agency that publishes the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG). (Note: This topic is not usually found in the official state CDL handbook.)