Rhode Island CDL Practice Test

Not quite. The answer is Type of tire tread

To determine which low gear to use to begin a descent, consider the weather, the length and steepness of the downgrade, the weight of your cargo, and the road conditions.

Not quite. The answer is Cab air conditioning

During Step 4 (Turn Off Engine and Check Lights) of the Seven-Step Inspection Method, check your headlights and four-way flashers. During Step 5 (Walk-Around Inspection), check that your cargo is secure and its weight is evenly distributed. While it's nice to be comfortable during your trip, checking the performance of the cab air conditioner isn't part of the Seven-Step Inspection Method.

Not quite. The answer is Robotic

There are four basic types of retarders: electric, engine, exhaust, and hydraulic.

Not quite. The answer is False

If there's a fire under the hood, opening the hood will allow more oxygen to reach the fire, which can make the fire worse. Instead, try to shoot extinguishing foam through louvers or the radiator, or from the vehicle’s underside.

Not quite. The answer is The vehicle must be equipped with a means of cradling the logs.

Under federal regulations, logs must be transported on a vehicle designed or adapted for the transportation of logs. Any such vehicle must be fitted with some means of cradling the logs (such as bunks, bolsters, stakes, or standards) to prevent the logs from rolling. Tiedowns must be used as well, unless (a) the logs are transported in a crib-type log trailer, and (b) the outer logs are resting against the bunks, bolsters, stakes, or standards.

Source: 49 CFR 393.116

Not quite. The answer is Stay off the brake until your vehicle has slowed down.

In the event of a blowout at high speed, DON'T BRAKE unless you must do so to prevent a collision. Braking can lock the wheels and cause loss of control. Instead, hold the steering wheel firmly and keep your vehicle on course until it slows down. Then brake very gently, pull off the road, and stop.

Not quite. The answer is On a curve, it lets the outside wheels turn slower.

A differential uses a series of gears to accomplish several functions. First, it transfers torque from the drive shaft to the axle. Because the axle is at 90 degrees from the drive shaft, the differential also turns the torque by 90 degrees accordingly. The outside of a curved road is longer than the inside. On such a curve, the differential lets the outside half of the axle turn faster than the inside half of the axle, so that the outside wheels can cover a greater distance than the inside wheels. If there were no differential, the outside wheels would turn at the same rate as the inside wheels, causing at least some of the wheels to drag on the pavement.

Not quite. The answer is make turns as carefully as possible.

On slippery roads, avoid sudden moves that could lead to a skid. Drive slowly and smoothly. Accelerate, brake, and turn gradually and gently.

Not quite. The answer is All of the above

While the rules vary by jurisdiction, the Rhode Island Commercial Driver License Manual states that you should check your cargo within the first 50 miles of your trip and then every 3 hours or 150 miles, as well as after each break you take.

Not quite. The answer is 2 hours.

According to the Hours of Service (HOS) regulations, if you encounter adverse driving conditions during your trip that prevent you from completing your trip within the allowed driving time, you may extend your allowed driving time by an additional two hours. "Adverse driving conditions" include bad weather and unusual road or traffic conditions that were not known about in advance.

Source: "Summary of Hours of Service Regulations," FMCSA, https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/hours-service/summary-hours-service-regulations

Not quite. The answer is less maximum axle weight for axles that are close together.

The axle weight is the maximum weight that an individual axle or set of axles can support. When a vehicle's axles are relatively close together, a high axle weight risks overloading bridges and roadways. To avoid overloading bridges, a bridge formula is often used to specify a lower maximum axle weight for axles that are closer together. The US Department of Transportation uses such a bridge formula to establish the maximum axle weights on interstate highways.

Not quite. The answer is between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Human beings have a natural circadian rhythm or "biological clock" that controls a variety of body functions, including when alertness and drowsiness occur. A person who usually awakens around 6 a.m. has two separate dips in alertness during a 24-hour day: one between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. (when the person is normally asleep), and one between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. (when the person is awake but may feel drowsy). This afternoon dip in alertness can be hazardous for a commercial driver who's on the road during those times.

Not quite. The answer is 4/32 inch

Front steering tires require 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 when any defects are noted.

You may have to complete a vehicle inspection report in writing each day. The motor carrier must repair any items in the report that affect safety, and certify on the report that repairs were made or were unnecessary. You must sign the report only if defects were noted and certified to be repaired or not needed to be repaired.

Not quite. The answer is Wait for a large enough gap in traffic in the nearest lane before you merge.

To enter a freeway or expressway, (1) check traffic, (2) use proper signals, (3) yield the right-of-way to highway traffic, and then (4) merge smoothly into the proper lane. Driving on the shoulder is dangerous and (in most states) illegal except in an emergency.

Not quite. The answer is Check your mirrors regularly.

To find out what's happening behind and to the sides of your vehicle, check your mirrors frequently. Before driving your vehicle, adjust your mirrors to show parts of your vehicle as well as what's around your vehicle.

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 To drive to a facility to get your CMV repaired

Under federal regulations, "personal conveyance" is the movement of a CMV for personal use while off duty. A driver may record time operating a CMV for personal conveyance as off duty only when the driver is relieved from work and all responsibility for performing work by the motor carrier. Electronic logging devices (ELDs) are required to have some means for recording time spent driving the CMV as a personal conveyance. Acceptable uses of the CMV as a personal conveyance include (1) traveling to a nearby, reasonably safe location to obtain required rest after loading or unloading; (2) traveling from a driver’s en route lodging (such as a motel or truck stop) to restaurants and entertainment facilities; and (3) commuting between the driver's residence and his or her terminal or a work site. Unacceptable uses include (1) traveling to a facility for CMV maintenance; and (2) traveling closer to the driver's next loading or unloading point while bypassing available resting locations along the way.

Source: "Personal Conveyance," FMCSA, https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/hours-service/personal-conveyance

Not quite. The answer is The Working Load Limit is the maximum load that may be applied to a component of a cargo securement system during normal service. It is usually assigned by the manufacturer of the component.

The Working Load Limit (WLL) is the maximum load that may be applied to a component of a cargo securement system during normal service. It is usually assigned by the manufacturer of the component. No component of the cargo securement system should exceed its WLL during normal service.

Not quite. The answer is control of the vehicle.

For full control of your vehicle, you need to know when and how to upshift or downshift. Learn under what special conditions you should downshift. For example, learn how to use engine braking to slow your vehicle on a steep descent.