Louisiana CDL Practice Test

Not quite. The answer is All of the above

If a package that you're supposed to transport is unlabeled, or if it has a strange smell, oily stains on the wrapper, or wires protruding from the package, don't touch or handle the package. Leave it where it is and notify your employer immediately. If you did touch the package, wash your hands thoroughly as a precaution.

Source: "Suspicious Mail or Packages," United States Postal Service, September 2006

Not quite. The answer is False

If your vehicle catches fire, pull off the road and park in an open area away from anything that might catch fire, such as buildings or trees. Especially avoid parking your burning vehicle near a gas station!

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

If you keep using your brakes to control your speed on a long, steep downgrade, the brakes may overheat and fade (become less effective). Instead, use engine braking, and use your brakes only as a supplement to the braking effect of the engine.

Not quite. The answer is Pumping the brake may generate enough pressure to stop the vehicle.

If you lose hydraulic pressure while 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. 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 Based on your vehicle and its cargo, select a speed that is safe within the posted limit.

When driving on a downgrade, select a speed that is appropriate for the total weight of your vehicle and its cargo, the length and steepness of the grade, the road conditions, and the weather. Never exceed the posted speed limit or the speed indicated on any posted advisory speed sign.

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 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 All hazardous materials present a health and safety threat.

Hazardous materials (HazMat) are products that pose a risk to health, safety, or property during transportation. However, not all amounts of all hazardous materials require you to placard your vehicle. Some classes of hazardous materials (such as Division 2.2: Non-Flammable Gases) require placards only if you are transporting at least 1,001 pounds including the package. Some jurisdictions may restrict the routes you may take to transport hazardous materials.

Not quite. The answer is air lines and electrical cables

During your pre-trip inspection, check the air lines and electrical cables for any signs of wear, snagging, or rubbing.

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 Check all of the above.

The drive shaft transmits torque from the transmission to a drive axle. During your pre-trip inspection, check that the drive shaft is not bent or cracked, and the U-joints aren't loose or worn. These U-joints are safety-critical components. If the drive shaft comes loose at one end, it may dig into the pavement, causing loss of vehicle control, or whip up into the passenger compartment, possibly causing injury. As an additional safety feature on buses (but not trucks), federal regulations require the use of one or more guards to prevent the end of the drive shaft from dropping down into the pavement or whipping up into the passenger compartment. If your vehicle is so equipped, check that the guards are securely mounted and in good condition.

Source: 49 CFR 393.89

Not quite. The answer is Neither of the above

Components N and O are bearing plates.

Not quite. The answer is Brake shoes should not have oil, grease, or brake fluid on them.

The suspension system holds up the vehicle and its load, and keeps the axles in place. Therefore, broken or missing suspension parts can be extremely dangerous. Examples of such dangerous defects are a cracked spring hanger, a missing leaf spring, and a damaged frame member. Brake linings must not be loose or soaked with oil or grease. A brake lining that is soaked with oil or grease may indicate a leaking wheel seal. Replace the lining and check the wheel seal for leaks.

Not quite. The answer is slow down to a safe speed before taking the curve.

On curves, the posted speed may be safe for cars but not for CMVs, especially CMVs that are more prone to rollovers. Slow down to a safe speed before you enter the curve. Taking a curve too fast can cause a rollover. Braking in a curve can cause a skid (or even a jackknife if you're pulling a trailer).

Not quite. The answer is Wait for a large enough gap in traffic in the nearest lane before you merge.

To enter a freeway or expressway, (1) check traffic, (2) use proper signals, (3) yield the right-of-way to highway traffic, and then (4) merge smoothly into the proper lane. Driving on the shoulder is dangerous and (in most states) illegal except in an emergency.

Not quite. The answer is You should never remove the radiator cap on a pressurized system until the system has cooled.

Never remove the radiator cap if the engine is overheated. Steam and boiling water could shoot out under high pressure and injure you. Wait until you can touch the radiator cap with your bare hand without it feeling excessively hot. Some vehicles have coolant overflow tanks or sight glasses that let you check the coolant level without removing the radiator cap.

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 go straight ahead even if the steering wheel is turned.

In a front-wheel skid, the front end tends to go in a straight line regardless of how much you turn the steering wheel.

Not quite. The answer is back and forth, near and far.

When driving your vehicle, look ahead a full 12–15 seconds. Be aware of what is happening all around your vehicle, both farther from it and closer to it. Keep shifting your attention back and forth, near and far, left and right, so that you can constantly scan all these areas.

Not quite. The answer is More than 15 seconds

You can expect it to take more than 15 seconds for a typical tractor-trailer to clear a double track and at least 14 seconds to clear a single track.