Massachusetts CDL Practice Test

Not quite. The answer is shift into a lower gear.

Trucks with heavy loads are often slower when going uphill. In this situation, keep right and shift into a lower gear for more torque if possible.

Not quite. The answer is Within 500 feet behind the vehicle

If you park on the side of the road and the view of your vehicle is obscured by a hill or curve, place a reflective triangle far enough (up to 500 feet) behind your vehicle so it can be seen by other drivers.

Not quite. The answer is signs on the outside of the vehicle that identify the hazard class of the cargo.

Hazardous materials placards are four regulated signs on the outside of the vehicle that identify the hazard class of the cargo for those who need to know, such as emergency service personnel or those who load and unload cargo.

Not quite. The answer is Tire fires

Water can extinguish wood fires, paper fires, and tire fires. A burning tire must be cooled with lots of water. However, water on an oil or gasoline fire can spread the flames even farther. And because water can conduct electricity, never use water on an electrical fire because that can result in an electric shock.

Not quite. The answer is Do both of the above.

Three good rules for the use of turn signals are as follows: (1) Signal early to discourage other drivers from trying to pass you. (2) Signal continuously. Keep your hands on the steering wheel and keep the turn signal on as you start the turn. (3) Cancel the turn signal after you've turned (if it hasn't turned off by itself already).

Not quite. The answer is Yes, and they might place it out-of-service.

Federal or state inspectors may inspect your vehicle. If they find a problem that makes the vehicle potentially unsafe, they will put the vehicle out-of-service until the problem is fixed.

Not quite. The answer is Pull off the road into a rest area or truck stop

You should watch for foggy conditions and be ready to reduce your speed. Do not assume that the fog will thin out after you enter it. The best advice for driving in fog is: don’t. It is preferable that you pull off the road into a rest area or truck stop until visibility is better. Watch for vehicles on the side of the roadway. Seeing taillights or headlights in front of you may not be a true indication of where the road is ahead of you. The vehicle may not be on the road at all.

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 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 It makes the road slippery.

On hot days, tar in the pavement can rise to the surface and create a slippery film on the road surface.

Not quite. The answer is One block

While driving, you should scan the road 12–15 seconds ahead. At typical speeds in urban areas, your vehicle will travel about one block in 12–15 seconds. At 60 mph, your vehicle will travel a quarter of a mile in 15 seconds.

Not quite. The answer is Broken shock absorber

According to federal regulations and the North American Out-of-Service Criteria, among the many violations that can place your vehicle out of service are a broken axle (49 CFR 393.207(a)), a broken leaf spring (49 CFR 393.207(b)), and a broken U-bolt (49 CFR 393.207(a)). However, a broken shock absorber is not considered an out-of-service condition.

Not quite. The answer is Do all of the above.

If you have a manual transmission vehicle, partly engage the clutch before you take your right foot off the brake. Put on the parking brake whenever necessary to keep from rolling back. Release the parking brake only when you have applied enough engine power to keep from rolling back. On a tractor-trailer equipped with a trailer brake hand valve, the hand valve can be applied to keep from rolling back. Some modern automated manual transmissions (AMT) have a Hill Start or Hill Assist feature. When the vehicle is in gear on an incline and the driver releases the service brakes, the AMT will prevent the vehicle from rolling back for about three seconds, giving you time to apply the accelerator.

Not quite. The answer is Watch gauges and mirrors and use your senses to check for problems.

During your trip, you should be watching a number of things, such as your mirrors, gauges, instruments, lights, tires, and cargo. Use several of your senses – sight, hearing, smell, and feel – to detect possible trouble.

Not quite. The answer is at least 20%

The North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria employs the "20 percent rule" for brakes: the vehicle must be put out-of-service if at least 20 percent of its brakes are defective. However, the vehicle must also be put out-of-service if any of its front (steering) axle brakes are defective.

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

When testing the service brakes, check the following: (1) whether the brake pedal holds up or sinks to the floor; (2) whether the vehicle seems to pull to one side; (3) whether it takes longer than it should to stop your vehicle; and (4) whether the brakes just "feel strange," based on your experience driving comparable CMVs. Any of these signs could indicate a problem with the brake system that should be corrected before you drive the vehicle.

Not quite. The answer is 70

Under the Hours of Service 70-Hour Rule, you must not be on duty longer than 70 hours in an 8-day period. That's an average of about 8.75 on-duty hours per day. Learn how to budget your time so you can work a reasonable number of hours each day. Note that "on duty" includes all work time, both driving and not driving (such as when conducting pre-trip inspections).

Not quite. The answer is Gravity

The force of gravity slows your vehicle down on an upgrade and speeds it up on a downgrade. When driving down a long, steep downgrade, you must select an appropriate safe speed, then use a low gear and proper braking techniques.

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 A road user or road condition that presents a possible danger

A hazard is a road user or road condition that presents a possible danger. A hazard is something that can go wrong but shouldn't if you've been vigilant.