New Jersey CDL Practice Test

Not quite. The answer is not turn any more than necessary to clear what is in your way.

To avoid a crash or other hazard, keep both hands on the steering wheel so you can turn as quickly as possible. However, turn just enough to avoid the hazard. A too-sharp turn risks a skid or rollover. While turning quickly, avoid braking; this too could cause a skid.

Not quite. The answer is Aim at the base of the fire.

In a fire, your first priority is your safety and that of others. To use a fire extinguisher to put out a fire, stand upwind from the fire at a safe distance. Let the wind carry the extinguisher from you to the fire. Aim the extinguisher at the source or base of the fire, not up in the flames. Persist until the burning material has cooled to the point that the fire cannot restart.

Not quite. The answer is Both of the above

To drive safely on snowy surfaces, your tires should be in the best possible shape. Consider exceeding the federal minimum requirements on tire tread depth (4/32 inch for front tires and 2/32 inch for the other tires). Make sure that your exhaust system has no leaks. An exhaust leak can allow dangerous fumes to enter your cab or sleeper berth. This can be especially dangerous in cold temperatures in which you will be more likely to keep the windows tightly shut.

Source: 49 CFR 570.62

Not quite. The answer is Whenever you're driving a CMV

Federal regulations require the driver and all passengers in a moving CMV to wear seat belts (unless, of course, the vehicle isn't equipped with them).

Source: 49 CFR 392.16

Not quite. The answer is Warning devices

Federal regulations require every CMV to carry one of the following warning devices in case the driver must stop the CMV on the road: three reflective triangles, three liquid-burning flares, or six fusees. Federal regulations also require every CMV to carry a fire extinguisher. Your state may also require a first-aid kit or seat belt cutter be carried on certain types of CMVs such as school buses.

Source: 49 CFR 393.95

Not quite. The answer is Both of the above

Multi-speed rear axles (which tend to be less common in today's CMVs) and auxiliary transmissions provide additional gears that you can select while you drive. You select the additional gears with a control switch on the gearshift lever.

Not quite. The answer is Downshift before you enter a curve.

Before entering a curve, slow down to a safe speed and downshift to the right gear. This lets you use some power through the curve to help the vehicle be more stable while turning. It also allows you to speed up as soon as you are out of the curve. Taking a curve too fast or braking while in the curve risks a skid. When downshifting by double clutching, remember that engine speed should be higher in the lower gear that you're trying to shift into.

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 10 feet, 100 feet, and 200 feet toward approaching traffic

This is required by Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulation 49 CFR 392.22. This regulation also specifies where to place warning devices on other types of roadways such as undivided two-way roads and curves. (These situations are also covered in section 2.5.2 of the New Jersey Commercial Driver License Manual.)

Not quite. The answer is restore traction to the tires.

If braking or steering force exceeds the tires' traction with the road surface, a skid may result. You can recover from the skid by restoring sufficient traction.

Not quite. The answer is Choose a speed that lets you stop within the distance you can see ahead.

Always drive at a speed that lets you stop within the distance that you can see ahead. Otherwise, by the time you notice a hazard, you won't have enough time to stop to avoid it. When you increase your speed, your braking distance increases as the square of the speed increase. For example, if you double your speed, your braking distance will be four times as great. Empty trucks require greater stopping distances than loaded trucks because an empty vehicle has less traction.

Not quite. The answer is When you upshift, the engine speed should decrease to the rpm required for the next gear.

In double clutching, you apply the clutch twice: once to shift out of the current gear into neutral and again to shift out of neutral into the next gear. After you shift out of the current gear into neutral, adjust your engine speed to match the rpm required for the next gear. For a higher gear, allow your engine to slow down; for a lower gear, use the gas pedal to speed up the engine. Then shift out of neutral into the next gear.

Not quite. The answer is All of the above

Once the temperature drops to freezing, some sections of road will start to freeze before others. The first to freeze will be shaded areas and bridges. If the road appears wet, it may be covered in black ice, a thin layer of slippery ice through which you can see the road.

Not quite. The answer is urea.

Today's large CMVs typically use a Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system to reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx). Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) is a 32.5% solution of urea in water. Yes, urea is also found in the urine of mammals, but there are other chemicals in urine as well. DEF is sprayed onto a special catalyst (a material that facilitates chemical reactions), and reacts with the NOx to form harmless nitrogen gas and water vapor, with a tiny amount of carbon dioxide as well. This system can reduce NOx emissions by up to 90%.

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 tire changing equipment.

Your vehicle must be equipped with a properly charged fire extinguisher and warning devices (flares, fusees, or reflective triangles). Optional emergency equipment can include tire chains in certain climates, tire changing equipment, emergency phone numbers, and an accident reporting packet.

Not quite. The answer is All of the above can work.

Today, most vehicles with ABS have a light on the instrument panel that will light up briefly when the vehicle is started to alert you about the ABS. Or you can check for wires from your brakes.

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.

Not quite. The answer is You will have time to plan your escape if the hazard becomes an emergency.

The National Safety Council defines defensive driving as "driving to save lives, time, and money, in spite of the conditions around you and the actions of others." Defensive driving is about anticipating potentially dangerous situations in advance, including driving conditions and mistakes made by others, and planning how to deal with those situations. To be a defensive driver, you must constantly scan for hazards all around your vehicle. When you spot a hazard, think about the emergencies that might develop from it and formulate plans to deal with them.

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.