Maine CDL: General Knowledge Practice Test

Not quite. The answer is 1

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) developed the National Roadside Inspection Program, which defines eight different levels of inspections, each with its own list of items to be inspected. Level 1 is the most comprehensive. Both the driver and the vehicle are checked. The inspector checks the vehicle by a walkaround inspection and by getting physically underneath the vehicle to check for defects there. Level 2 is similar to Level 1, except the inspector doesn't get underneath the vehicle. Only a walkaround inspection is performed on the vehicle.

Not quite. The answer is Vehicle fishtailing

If a front tire fails, it can affect the steering. The steering will feel heavy, or the steering wheel may twist out of your hands. Failure of a rear tire can cause the rear of your vehicle to slide back and forth ("fishtail").

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 Yes.

Because of the limited visibility, avoid backing up whenever possible. If you must back your vehicle, 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 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 There are “blind spots” that your mirrors cannot show.

"Blind spots" are areas around your vehicle that your mirrors cannot show you. Large CMVs have large blind spots to the front, the rear, and both sides of the vehicle. Convex mirrors can show a wider area than flat mirrors, but at the expense of making objects appear smaller and farther away than they would in a flat mirror.

Not quite. The answer is ½ second

If drivers react a half-second slower because of distractions, crashes double. This is why it is so important to avoid distractions while you're driving.

Not quite. The answer is Chronic marijuana use

Many chronic health conditions are not necessarily disqualifications for driving CMVs. Your medical examiner will make a determination as to whether your condition is adequately controlled by treatment so you can still operate a CMV safely. However, regular use of a Schedule I controlled substance is an automatic disqualification from driving CMVs. Federal law prohibits Schedule I drugs from being legitimately prescribed for any purpose. Schedule I drugs include heroin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), marijuana, and methylenedioxymethamphetamine (ecstasy). Marijuana is still a federal Schedule I drug and hence still illegal at the federal level, so if you smoke marijuana regularly, you will not be qualified to drive CMVs even if marijuana is legal in your state. Federal regulation 21 CFR 1308.11 contains the full list of Schedule I controlled substances.

Not quite. The answer is you can pull forward when you leave.

Avoid backing your vehicle whenever possible. For example, when you park, do so in a way that will let you drive forward, not backward, to exit the parking space.

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 life.

The "No Human Trafficking on Our Roads" Act became law on January 8, 2018. On July 29, 2019, based on this law, FMCSA announced a new rule: Any driver who is convicted of human trafficking will be permanently banned from operating a CMV for which a CDL or a commercial learner’s permit (CLP) is required.

Not quite. The answer is jackknifing.

Wet brakes can cause the brakes to become weak, apply unevenly, or grab. This can cause lack of braking power, wheel lockups, pulling to one side or the other, and jackknifing if you're pulling a trailer.

Not quite. The answer is Steer to the right.

Hard braking can cause a skid. Instead, if an oncoming vehicle drifts into your lane, steer right toward the shoulder or curb. Do not steer left; the other driver may try to steer back into the proper lane. Prepare to drive entirely off the roadway to the right if necessary to avoid a head-on collision.

Not quite. The answer is use your high beams when legal and keep your interior lights off.

If the lights from your instrument panel or other interior lights are too bright, it will take time for your eyes to adjust to the darkness outside. Help your eyes adjust to the outside darkness by dimming your instrument panel lights as much as possible and turning off all other interior lights. Use your high-beam headlights whenever possible. However, dim your headlights whenever you're within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle or within 500 feet of a vehicle you are following.

Not quite. The answer is Increase your following distance.

Tailgating is a major cause of rear-end collisions. If you're being tailgated, increase your following distance behind the vehicle ahead of you. That way, if you have to stop or slow down, you can do so gradually, reducing the risk of being rear-ended by the tailgater. It will also make it easier for the tailgater to pass you. Never increase your speed to appease or outdistance a tailgater. No speed is too fast for some tailgaters.

Not quite. The answer is Both of the above

Underinflated tires, dual tires that touch, and loose fuel connections are just some of the things that can start a fire.

Not quite. The answer is at all

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 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 Fainting spells

In obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the person stops breathing during sleep. These episodes can occur repeatedly. While you're asleep, OSA can cause loud snoring. While you're awake, OSA can impair your short-term memory and cause excessive sleepiness and difficulty concentrating, which can impair your ability to drive a CMV safely. A study sponsored by FMCSA found that 28% of commercial truck drivers have mild to severe sleep apnea. Fortunately, OSA is treatable.

Not quite. The answer is all of the above.

You will lose your CDL for at least 60 days if you commit two serious traffic violations in a CMV within a three-year period. Some examples of serious traffic violations are excessive speeding (15 mph or more above the posted speed limit), reckless driving, erratic lane changes, and following too closely (tailgating).