New Mexico CDL Practice Test

Not quite. The answer is 60 days

You will be disqualified from operating a CMV for at least 60 days if you are convicted of any of the following offenses at railroad crossings: (1) failing to slow down and check that the tracks are clear; (2) failing to stop if a train is approaching; (3) failing to stop before driving onto the crossing; (4) failing to ensure that there is sufficient space for you to drive completely through the crossing without stopping; (5) failing to obey a traffic control device or the directions of an enforcement official; (6) failing to negotiate the crossing because of insufficient undercarriage clearance.

Source: 49 CFR 383.51

Not quite. The answer is High beams

While driving at night, you should use your high beams to see farther as long as it is safe and legal and you will not blind any other drivers. Section 2.11.5 of the New Mexico Commercial Driver License Manual recommends that you dim your headlights whenever you are within 500 feet of another vehicle.

Not quite. The answer is plus or minus 5 mph.

According to federal regulation 49 CFR 393.82, the speedometer of a CMV traveling at 50 mph must be accurate to within plus or minus 5 mph, which would be a relative error of plus or minus 10%. This requirement applies to buses, trucks, and truck tractors.

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

In Step 4 (Turn Off Engine and Check Lights) of the Seven-Step Inspection Method, set the parking brake and turn off the engine. Turn on the low-beam headlights and four-way flashers. In Step 5 (Walk-Around Inspection), leave the cab, walk to the front of your vehicle, and make sure that these lights are working.

Not quite. The answer is Wind is a big problem when your truck comes out of a tunnel.

Inside a tunnel, you don't feel the effect of crosswinds pushing you sideways. But once you emerge from the tunnel into an open space, the crosswinds will hit you. If your vehicle is traveling alongside another vehicle, there is some chance that the crosswinds will push one of the vehicles against the other.

Not quite. The answer is Clear

Fresh Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) looks like clear water. If the DEF fluid in a vehicle's DEF tank looks cloudy, is any other color but clear, or has contaminants floating in it, the fluid has gone bad and must be replaced.

Not quite. The answer is You may never park on the ramps.

Freeway and turnpike exits can be particularly dangerous for commercial vehicles. Off ramps and on ramps often have speed limit signs posted - these speeds may be safe for cars, but not for larger vehicles or heavily loaded vehicles. Exits that go downhill and turn at the same time can be especially dangerous. The downgrade makes it difficult to reduce speed. Braking and turning at the same time can be a dangerous practice. Make sure you are going slowly enough before you get on the curved part of an off ramp or on ramp. Do not park on the ramps.

Not quite. The answer is Laws and restrictions can vary from place to place.

You must always follow federal, state, and local regulations for your location. These regulations cover such aspects of commercial driving as vehicle weight, cargo, and allowed routes. The regulations can vary from one jurisdiction to another, so know which jurisdictions you'll be driving through.

Not quite. The answer is When turning, you should signal early.

Three good rules for the use of turn signals when turning are as follows: (1) Signal early. State laws typically require you to signal a certain minimum distance in advance of the turn, but you may want to signal even earlier to keep 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). You should also use your turn signal before you change lanes.

Not quite. The answer is 500 feet.

To prevent blinding other drivers at night, dim your headlights to low beams whenever you are within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle or within 500 feet of a vehicle you are following.

Not quite. The answer is Either you or your co-driver

Under federal regulations, at the end of each day, you must prepare a Driver Vehicle Inspection Report (DVIR) to document any defects you found in your CMV. If you had a co-driver, only one of you needs to sign the DVIR, provided that both of you agree about the defects or deficiencies identified.

Not quite. The answer is You may be able to check the coolant level even while the engine is hot.

Many vehicles have sight glasses, see-through coolant overflow containers, or coolant recovery containers. These permit you to check the coolant level even while the engine is hot. However, if the container is part of the pressurized system, it's dangerous to open the cap to add coolant while the engine is hot. Wait until the engine has cooled first.

Not quite. The answer is 10 feet behind and up to 500 feet behind your vehicle.

This is required by federal 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 hills. These situations are also covered in the section on "Communicating Your Presence" in the New Mexico Commercial Driver License Manual.

Not quite. The answer is Keep your front wheels close to the right edge of your lane.

When you curve to the right, keep the front wheels close to the centre line of the roadway to keep your rear wheels from drifting onto the shoulder or off the pavement. When curving to the left, keep the front wheels close to the right edge of your lane to keep your driver’s-side rear wheels from drifting into the lane to your left.

Not quite. The answer is both of the above.

Whenever you stop during your trip, check whether the cargo has shifted. Also check whether the tires or brakes are overheating. Overheating could cause them to fail or even start a fire.

Not quite. The answer is Contain the fire

Before trying to put out the fire, make sure that it doesn’t spread any further.

Not quite. The answer is Tires of mismatched sizes should not be used on the same vehicle.

Tires should never be mismatched in size or type. Radial tires and bias-ply tires should not be used together on the same vehicle. Steering axle tires must have a tread depth of at least 4/32 inch. All other tires must have a tread depth of at least 2/32 inch.

Not quite. The answer is True

Blocking and bracing can prevent cargo from shifting. Use blocking and bracing to keep cargo from shifting in whichever directions it might move. Blocking fits snugly against cargo; bracing runs from the upper part of the cargo to the floor or walls of the cargo compartment.

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 Stop accelerating and push in the clutch.

To recover from a skid, first stop doing what caused it in the first place. To recover from a drive-wheel acceleration skid, first take your foot off the accelerator. If the road is slippery, push in the clutch; otherwise, the engine may keep the wheels from rolling freely and regaining traction.