Ohio CDL Practice Test

Not quite. The answer is On-duty time must be balanced with time for rest.

“Hours of service” (HOS) refers to the maximum amount of time that drivers are permitted to be on duty (including driving time). HOS regulations also specify the number and length of rest periods to help ensure that drivers stay awake and alert. In general, all carriers and drivers operating CMVs must comply with the HOS regulations in 49 CFR 395. Note: Effective September 29, 2020, several aspects of HOS regulations were revised. Among these changes: (1) A driver is required to take a break of at least 30 consecutive minutes after 8 cumulative hours of driving time. (2) A driver can meet the 10-hour minimum off-duty requirement by spending at least 7 hours of that period in the sleeper berth, combined with a minimum off-duty period of at least 2 hours spent inside or outside the berth, provided the two periods total at least 10 hours.

Source: "Hours of Service (HOS)," FMCSA, https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/hours-of-service

Not quite. The answer is are designed to stop runaway vehicles safely without injuring drivers and passengers.

Escape ramps are located on many steep mountain grades. Escape ramps are built to stop runaway vehicles safely without injuring drivers or passengers. Escape ramps use a long bed of loose, soft material such as gravel to slow a runaway vehicle, sometimes in combination with an upgrade. Regardless of the type of vehicle you're driving or the other options open to you to stop your runaway vehicle, always look for one of these escape ramps. They can save lives, equipment, and cargo.

Not quite. The answer is at the front, back, or sides of a piece of cargo.

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 24 hours.

If your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is found to be 0.04% or more, you can be charged with driving under the influence (DUI). (An average 180-pound man may reach a BAC above 0.04% after drinking just two cans of beer.) Even if you are found to have any detectable amount of alcohol in your system under 0.04%, you will be placed out-of-service for 24 hours.

Not quite. The answer is You should adjust your mirrors before starting your trip.

Adjust your mirrors before you start your trip. If you're driving a tractor-trailer, you can check your mirrors accurately only when the trailer(s) are straight. You should check and adjust each mirror to show some part of the vehicle.

Not quite. The answer is All of the above

At a roadside inspection, inspectors will place a driver out of service for any of the following violations: (1) fatigue, serious illness, or under the influence of alcohol or drugs; (2) lack of proper CDL or proper endorsements; (3) inadequate documentation of the last 7 days of duty status on a logbook or electronic logging device (ELD). Effective June 2025, inspectors at most locations will also place a driver out of service for inability to adequately communicate with the inspectors in English. However, drivers operating commercial motor vehicles in the border commercial zones along the U.S.-Mexico border who fail to demonstrate English proficiency will be cited but not placed out of service.

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 30-foot vehicle traveling at 55 mph, you should leave a following distance of 4 seconds.

Not quite. The answer is Pump the brake pedal three times; then apply firm pressure to the pedal and hold it for five seconds. The pedal should not move.

To test a vehicle equipped with hydraulic brakes for leaks in the brakes, first pump the brake pedal three times. Next, apply firm pressure to the brake pedal for five seconds. If it moves, the brakes may have a leak or some other problem.

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 The cumulative effect of not getting enough sleep

Sleep debt is a dangerous condition in which missing sleep adds up until you risk falling asleep at the wheel unless you get some rest. People are often surprised that getting less than 6 hours of sleep per night triples the risk of an accident. At least 15% of heavy truck crashes are believed to involve driver fatigue. Before a trip, you should get adequate sleep (adults need 8 to 9 hours to maintain alertness).

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

If you must leave your tractor-trailer in an unsecured location so you can get a meal or shower, it's at risk of being stolen. There are several steps you can take to help prevent its theft. First, take the ignition key with you and lock the truck's doors. However, professional thieves know how to break into a truck and hot-wire it. Consider installing a vehicle alarm or an air cuff (air brake control) lock, which locks the parking brake and trailer air supply knobs. Finally, if you're traveling with a co-driver or family member, have him or her stay with the truck whenever you are away from it.

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.

Not quite. The answer is Accelerating while pressing the clutch and turning toward the driver's side

You must release the accelerator, press the clutch and shift into neutral at the same time, release the clutch, let the engine and gears slow to the required rpm for the next gear, press the clutch and shift into a higher gear at the same time, then release the clutch and press the accelerator at the same time. Acceleration is not involved until the very end, and definitely not while pressing the clutch.

Not quite. The answer is will usually prevent fishtailing.

Sometimes, failure of a rear tire will cause the vehicle to slide back and forth or "fishtail." However, dual rear tires usually prevent this. Hence, it may be harder for you to figure out which tire failed. To find out, stop your vehicle, exit the cab, and check each tire for a flat.

Not quite. The answer is defensive

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 2/32 inch

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 Both of the above statements are true.

On a slippery road surface, your vehicle's wheels will have less traction and the vehicle's braking distance will increase significantly. On wet roads, reduce your speed by about one-third. On snow, reduce your speed by about one-half. On ice, slow down to a crawl and stop driving altogether if possible. (On ice, your vehicle's braking distance may increase tremendously.)

Not quite. The answer is When the vehicle is moving at about 5 mph

To test the service brakes, do the following: Wait for normal air pressure, release the parking brake, move the vehicle forward at about 5 mph, and apply the brakes firmly. Check whether the brakes stop your vehicle promptly, and note any abnormal signs such as your vehicle pulling to one side.

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

You perform these actions during Step 3 (Get In and Start Engine) of the Seven-Step Inspection Method. To check the engine, first make sure the parking brake is on. Shift into Neutral (for a manual transmission) or Park (for an automatic transmission). Then start the engine and listen for any unusual noises. There are many other actions you must perform in this step as well.

Not quite. The answer is stop faster than you.

Large vehicles like CMVs tend to have longer braking distances than smaller vehicles. Always maintain an adequate following distance behind the vehicle in front of you. Otherwise, if it suddenly slows down, you may not have enough space to avoid rear-ending it.