Pennsylvania CDL Practice Test

Not quite. The answer is must be shown immediately if an officer requests it.

If you're transporting hazardous materials, a law enforcement officer may stop you to inspect your vehicle. The officer may check your logbook (or electronic logging device), shipping papers, vehicle placards, and the HazMat endorsement on your CDL. If your logbook is not up to date, you may be cited and placed out-of-service for some specified amount of time.

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 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 Brake lights, turn signals, and four-way flasher functions

In Step 5 (Walk-Around Inspection) of the Seven-Step Inspection Method, you walk to the front of your vehicle to check that the turn signals and four-way flashers are working. Obviously you can't check all your brake lights from that vantage point.

Not quite. The answer is off-tracking.

When any vehicle turns, its rear wheels will follow a shorter path than its front wheels. This is called off-tracking or "cheating." The longer the vehicle, the greater the difference. In a combination vehicle, the trailer's wheels will off-track more than the tractor's rear wheels. In a double or triple combination vehicle, the wheels of the last trailer will off-track the most.

Not quite. The answer is any of the above.

Under federal regulations, if you're involved in a crash, you must contact the police if (a) there was a fatality, (b) an injured person was transported from the scene to be medically treated, or (c) a disabled vehicle was towed from the scene. All such crashes are considered reportable crashes.

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 Yes, but only a hands-free phone.

Under FMCSA regulations, a CMV driver is not allowed to hold a mobile device to make a call, or dial by pressing more than a single button. While driving, a CMV driver can only use a hands-free device in close proximity. Using a hand-held mobile phone while driving a CMV can result in driver disqualification, as well as stiff fines levied against both the driver and the driver's employer.

Source: "Mobile Phone Restrictions Fact Sheet," Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, May 2012

Not quite. The answer is Do both (a) and (b).

Progressive shifting is a technique for shifting gears that improves fuel economy. Instead of upshifting when your tachometer approaches the top of its normal operating rpm range, upshift into the next higher gear as soon as possible. The rpm at which you need to upshift will get higher as you select higher gears.

Not quite. The answer is Poor trailer ventilation can cause flammable cargo to catch fire.

Many things can cause fires, including underinflated tires, dual tires that touch, cargo that is improperly sealed or loaded, and cargo that is poorly ventilated.

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 U-joint

A universal joint (U-joint) connects two shafts to enable them to rotate together, even if they are at an angle to each other. As part of the drivetrain, one U-joint connects the transmission shaft to the drive shaft, and another U-joint connects the drive shaft to the input shaft of the differential. These U-joints are critical. If the drive shaft comes loose at one end, it may dig into the pavement, causing loss of vehicle control.

Not quite. The answer is 13 feet 6 inches.

There is no Federal vehicle height requirement for CMVs. Each state may set its own height restrictions. In Pennsylvania, the maximum height of a CMV is 13 feet 6 inches, whether or not the CMV is loaded.

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 The weight of a vehicle changes its height.

Your truck's height will vary depending on how much weight you're hauling. An empty or lightly loaded vehicle will ride higher than one that is weighed down with heavy cargo. Don't put all your trust in posted road clearance signs. The height of the roadway may have changed since the sign was posted.

Not quite. The answer is Drive slowly enough to stop within the range of your headlights.

In the dark, you have no way of knowing what lies beyond the reach of your headlights. At night, you should slow to a speed that allows you to stop safely within the range of your headlights. Otherwise, if there is a hazard just beyond the range of your headlights, you may not be able to take action in time to avoid it.

Not quite. The answer is body weight.

Your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is affected by how much alcohol you drink, how quickly you drink it, and how much you weigh. The larger your body, the larger the volume through which the alcohol has to spread.

Not quite. The answer is 2; 2

Under federal regulations, a "large boulder" has a volume of more than 2 cubic meters or weighs more than 11,000 pounds. Each large boulder must be supported on at least two pieces of hardwood blocking that extend the full width of the boulder. Each cubic-shaped boulder must be secured with two or more chains placed transversely across the vehicle and as close as possible to the hardwood blocking. Each non-cubic-shaped boulder must be secured with two or more chains forming an "X" pattern over the boulder and passing over the center of the boulder. These two chains must be attached to each other at their intersection. If the boulder is non-cubic shaped and has an unstable base, it must be secured with one chain over the top of the boulder and four chains attached to that chain to block the boulder from moving.

Source: 49 CFR 393.136

Not quite. The answer is involves releasing the brakes only after the wheels lock up.

In the stab braking method, you fully apply the brakes until the wheels lock. Then you release the brakes. Reapply them as soon as the wheels start to roll again. Repeat. (Note: Since this method involves deliberately locking the wheels, don't use it on a vehicle with antilock brakes. Use controlled braking instead.)

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