Vermont CDL Practice Test

Not quite. The answer is use a lower gear than you would use to climb the hill.

With older trucks, you typically use the same gear for driving uphill and driving downhill. Today's trucks tend to have more powerful engines and be more efficient than older trucks. Hence, you can drive such a truck uphill in higher gears than you would use to drive downhill with engine braking.

Not quite. The answer is The aspect ratio

Tire size designations evolved over time and ended up with a mix of inches, millimeters, and percentages. The first number, 295 in this case, is the width of the tire in millimeters, measured from sidewall to sidewall. 1 inch = 25.4 millimeters, so the width of this tire in inches is 295 / 25.4 = 11.6 inches. The next number, 75, is the aspect ratio: the ratio of the sidewall's height to the aforementioned width, expressed as a percentage. In this case, the aspect ratio is 75%, so the sidewall's height is 75% × 11.6 inches = 8.7 inches. After the aspect ratio, the capital letter indicates whether the tire is radial ('R') or bias-ply ('D'). In this case, the letter 'R' indicates that this tire is radial. The final number, 22.5 in this case, gives the diameter of the rim in inches.

Not quite. The answer is All of the above statements are correct.

While retarders can help reduce the need for braking, they can make a skid more likely in inclement weather or whenever your wheels have poor traction. Therefore, you should always turn off your retarders in poor weather.

Not quite. The answer is The driver's chances of an accident increase.

As a driver's blood alcohol concentration (BAC) increases, the driver is less and less capable of driving safely. At a BAC of 0.05%, the driver's coordination starts to become impaired. At 0.08%, there is definite impairment of judgment and coordination. At 0.10%, the driver's reaction time increases. At 0.30%, there is a good chance that the driver will pass out.

Not quite. The answer is Provide for adequate air circulation in the cargo area.

Different foodstuffs need to be kept at different temperatures. Find out what the proper temperature should be for the load you'll be carrying. Make sure that the load is already at the proper temperature before you load it into the truck. Your refrigeration unit can maintain a load at the proper temperature, but it should not be expected to cool down a warm load. For the same reason, make sure that the cargo area is pre-cooled before you load it. Adequate air circulation is vital to ensure that all parts of the load are kept at the proper temperature. Space between parts of the load, a chute (air duct) at the ceiling to conduct air from the refrigeration unit, and pallets that allow for air to circulate can help maintain adequate airflow.

Not quite. The answer is 5/8 - G43

The Working Load Limit (WLL) of a component of a cargo securement system is assigned by the component manufacturer or the default rating in the Working Load Limit table. (See federal regulation 49 CFR 393.108 for the table.) According to the WLL table, the only size 5/8" chain with a WLL of 13,000 pounds has a grade of 43. Therefore its links should be marked with the strength rating "5/8 - G43."

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 Passenger side

Large CMVs have large blind spots, called "No-Zones," on all four sides. For a tractor-trailer or semi-truck, the front No-Zone extends up to 20 feet in front of the truck, and the rear No-Zone extends up to 200 feet behind the trailer. The driver's-side No-Zone extends from the driver's door, back to just past the front of the trailer. The passenger-side No-Zone is the largest No-Zone, and also the most dangerous. It can extend up to three lanes wide.

Not quite. The answer is all of the above.

You will lose your CDL for at least 60 days if you commit two serious traffic violations in a CMV within a three-year period. Some examples of serious traffic violations are excessive speeding (15 mph or more above the posted speed limit), reckless driving, erratic lane changes, and following too closely (tailgating).

Not quite. The answer is Stop driving as soon as you can safely do so.

When traveling on ice, your vehicle's braking distance can increase tremendously. On ice, slow down to a crawl and stop driving as soon as you can do so safely.

Not quite. The answer is Rental truck drivers are often not used to the limited vision and pose a hazard.

A car driver who has never driven a truck before will be unused to a rental truck's size and limited view toward its sides and rear. This lack of truck driving experience makes a rental truck a hazard on the road.

Not quite. The answer is do both (a) and (c).

If you start to move your vehicle when facing uphill, you need to take steps to keep from rolling back. If your vehicle has a manual transmission, partly engage the clutch before you take your right foot off the brake. Put on the parking brake whenever necessary to keep from rolling back. Release the parking brake only when you have applied enough engine power to keep from rolling back. But if you start your vehicle on level, dry pavement, you're unlikely to roll backward, so these steps are not necessary.

Not quite. The answer is Tire damage

The sudden jerk from rough acceleration can cause mechanical damage. For example, it can damage the coupling if you're pulling a trailer.

Not quite. The answer is Brake shoes should not have oil, grease, or brake fluid on them.

The suspension system holds up the vehicle and its load, and keeps the axles in place. Therefore, broken or missing suspension parts can be extremely dangerous. Examples of such dangerous defects are a cracked spring hanger, a missing leaf spring, and a damaged frame member. Brake linings must not be loose or soaked with oil or grease. A brake lining that is soaked with oil or grease may indicate a leaking wheel seal. Replace the lining and check the wheel seal for leaks.

Not quite. The answer is used when it is safe and legal to do so.

High beams will help you see farther ahead at night, making you a safer driver. However, to prevent blinding other drivers, dim your headlights 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 When driving in very hot weather, you should inspect your tires every two hours or every 100 miles.

Air pressure increases with temperature. In very hot temperatures, a tire may blow out or even catch fire. Check your tires every two hours or 100 miles. If any tires are too hot to touch, remain stopped until they cool off.

Not quite. The answer is All of the above are downsides.

Some emissions-control devices on diesel-powered trucks can adversely affect fuel economy and add to maintenance costs. For these reasons, some drivers have opted to "delete" (defeat or remove) the emissions-control devices and retune the engine to run well without the devices. However, doing so can cause you major problems. First, deleting an emissions-control device violates the federal Clean Air Act and federal regulations. The penalties include stiff fines. Second, a number of states, such as California, New York, and Minnesota, now require emissions testing of trucks. You will not be able to drive your truck there if it fails emissions testing there. Third, dealers and large reputable repair shops may refuse to service your vehicle after it's illegally modified. Fourth, if you ever wish to sell your vehicle, you must disclose its illegal modifications to potential buyers. If you sell the vehicle without disclosing this information, you risk legal action from the buyer after the buyer discovers the modifications. [40 CFR 1068.101],

Source: 42 U.S. Code 7522

Not quite. The answer is park in an open area.

If your vehicle catches fire, pull off the road and park in an open area away from anything that might catch fire, such as buildings or trees. Especially avoid parking your burning vehicle near a gas station!

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 go straight ahead even if the steering wheel is turned.

In a front-wheel skid, the front end tends to go in a straight line regardless of how much you turn the steering wheel.