Texas CDL Practice Test

Not quite. The answer is the maximum safe weight a tire can carry at a specified pressure.

The tire load rating is the maximum weight that a tire can safely carry at a specified tire pressure. This figure is stated on the side of the tire.

Not quite. The answer is In bias-ply tires, the plies criss-cross each other diagonally.

In a bias-ply tire, the plies are at an angle of 30–45 degrees to the centerline of the tread, so the plies crisscross each other diagonally. A radial tire has plies that are at an angle of 90 degrees to the centerline of the tread.

Not quite. The answer is The steering box should not be missing any nuts, bolts, or cotter keys.

When you turn the steering wheel, the steering gear box translates the rotation of the steering column into the turning of the wheels on the steering axle. When you inspect the steering, check that the steering box is securely mounted; neither it nor the hoses connected to it are leaking; and no nuts, bolts, or cotter keys are missing.

Not quite. The answer is It bleeds.

In hot weather, asphalt (tar) can rise to the pavement surface ("bleed") to form a shiny, black surface film. Watch for such spots, because this film can be quite slippery.

Not quite. The answer is Mirrors

In the North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria, by CVSA, the critical vehicle inspection items are the most critical systems in the vehicle. These are the brakes, the cargo securement, the driveline, the suspension, the steering, and others. Mirrors are not considered a critical vehicle inspection item. To pass inspection, the vehicle must not have any defects in any of these critical vehicle inspection items. Furthermore, if inspectors discover a defect in one of these items that is likely to cause a crash or breakdown, they will place the vehicle out of service.

Not quite. The answer is 2

According to CVSA's North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria, the vehicle will be placed out of service if 20% (rounded up to the next whole number) or more of its brakes are found to be defective. For a 5-axle tractor-trailer, which has 10 brakes, if 20% × 10 = 2 or more brakes are defective, the vehicle will be placed out of service. In this context, defects include a brake shoe or brake pad that fails to contact the brake drum or rotor when the service brakes are applied, or an audible air leak at a brake chamber.

Not quite. The answer is You can use the sound of the engine to tell you when to shift.

Learn the operating rpm range for your vehicle's engine. Watch your tachometer, and shift up when your engine reaches the top of the range. With practice, you can learn how your engine sounds when it reaches the top of the range. Then you can use the onset of that sound instead of the tachometer to tell you when to shift up. This way, you won't have to take your eyes off the road to check your tachometer every time you shift up. Double clutching is necessary only for unsynchronized manual transmissions.

Not quite. The answer is You could get hung up halfway across.

Many drivers forget about the space under their vehicles. That space can be very small when a vehicle is heavily loaded. This is often a problem on dirt roads and in unpaved yards. Don't take a chance on getting hung up. Drainage channels across roads can cause the ends of some vehicles to drag. Cross such depressions carefully. Railroad tracks can also cause problems, particularly when pulling trailers with a low underneath clearance. Don’t take a chance on getting hung up halfway across.

Not quite. The answer is Use your four-way flashers or brake lights to warn others.

If you must slow down for a hazard ahead of you, warn the drivers behind you by tapping your brakes to flash your brake lights. If you must drive very slowly or stop, warn other drivers by activating your four-way emergency flashers.

Not quite. The answer is Take your foot off the accelerator.

If the force applied to the drive wheels exceeds the available traction of your tires on the road surface, the wheels may spin. This is more likely on snowy or icy surfaces, for which you have less traction. When traction is poor, accelerate very gradually. If the drive wheels start to spin, take your foot off the accelerator.

Not quite. The answer is a third party

Lumpers (freight handlers) are persons usually employed by a third party to unload cargo from the truck at the receiver. Lumpers are tasked with operating the unloading equipment, such as fork lifts and pallet jacks, so you won't have to do this. The fee for using lumpers should be charged to the carrier; it is illegal under US law for you to be forced to eat the cost yourself.

Source: 49 US Code § 14103

Not quite. The answer is Unloading your vehicle

The weight of cargo can change your vehicle's height. An empty vehicle is taller than a loaded one. That you got through an underpass when your vehicle was fully loaded does not mean that you can get through it when your vehicle is empty.

Not quite. The answer is 13 days.

Whether you use an ELD or a paper log, you must submit your day's record of duty status to your carrier within 13 days of that day. If your ELD malfunctions, you must use a paper log to record your duty status. Keep a paper logbook in your vehicle in case your ELD fails.

Source: 49 CFR 395.8

Not quite. The answer is All of the above conditions must be managed or absent.

Certain medical conditions can affect your ability to drive commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) safely. Under federal regulation 49 CFR 391.41, you may be considered medically unqualified to operate CMVs if your health suffers from certain medical conditions such as addiction to drugs or alcohol, cardiovascular disease, epilepsy, psychiatric illness, and so on. However, an exception (medical variance) may be granted if you can show that your medical condition won't significantly affect your ability to operate CMVs. Contact the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration for details.

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 antilock brakes.

In stab braking, you deliberately keep locking and unlocking the wheels. Hence, stab braking should not be used in a vehicle with antilock brakes. Use controlled braking instead.

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 All of the above

The amount of off-tracking depends on three factors: the length of the vehicle, the sharpness of the curve or turn, and the amount of sideways drag on the rear tires. In general, the longer the vehicle, the greater the off-tracking. In a tractor-trailer, the amount of off-tracking depends on both the distance from the steering axle to the trailer kingpin, and the distance from the trailer kingpin to the trailer rear wheels. If your trailer is equipped with sliding tandems, then sliding the tandems backward will increase off-tracking. Also, the sharper the curve or turn, the greater the off-tracking. And the stronger the sideways drag on the rear tires, the greater the off-tracking.

Not quite. The answer is Pumping the brake may generate enough pressure to stop the vehicle.

If you lose hydraulic pressure while driving, try pumping the brake pedal to build up enough hydraulic pressure to stop your vehicle. If this fails, downshift to use engine braking and apply the parking brake. Release the parking brake before you lock the wheels. If all else fails, look for an escape route. Head for an escape ramp or an open field and let your vehicle slow to a stop.

Not quite. The answer is Red on the rear, amber elsewhere

Your clearance lights and reflectors should be red on the rear and amber elsewhere.