Vermont CDL: General Knowledge Practice Test

Not quite. The answer is avoid medications that can cause drowsiness.

Unfortunately, some prescription and over-the-counter medications can cause drowsiness, sedation, or impaired coordination, which make them dangerous for CMV operators. If you are unsure about the effects of a particular medication, check the warning label or ask your pharmacist or doctor. Never try to fight drowsiness with coffee, fresh air, or especially alcohol. The only "cure" for being tired is sleeping until you are rested.

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 11 hours

According to the Hours of Service (HOS) regulations, the driver of a cargo-carrying vehicle must not drive after a period of 14 consecutive hours after coming on duty following 10 consecutive hours off duty. The driver may not drive for more than 11 hours during this on-duty period.

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 The cargo you're carrying makes stopping mandatory under federal or state regulations.

A full stop is required at railroad grade crossings whenever (a) the nature of the cargo makes a stop mandatory under state or federal regulations, or (b) such a stop is otherwise required by law. For example, federal regulations require any CMV that is placarded for carrying hazardous materials to stop at every railroad grade crossing.

Not quite. The answer is Axle mounts should be checked at each point where they are secured to the vehicle frame and axle.

Suspension components should be checked on every axle (power unit and trailers, if so equipped). Look for broken or distorted coil springs. Damaged coil springs can cause "bottoming out" or poor handling. Spring mounts should be checked at each point where they are secured to the vehicle frame and axle. Loose, worn, or broken spring mount components may lead to loss of vehicle control or even a rollover.

Not quite. The answer is The coolant temperature gauge will rise to normal operating temperature.

As part of your pre-trip inspection, start the engine and check the gauges. Oil pressure should rise to normal levels in seconds. Air pressure should build from 50 to 90 psi within 3 minutes. Coolant temperature should start rising gradually to the normal operating range. In diesel engines, manifold exhaust gas temperatures can easily reach hundreds of degrees Fahrenheit.

Not quite. The answer is To help maintain control of the vehicle

Correct shifting of gears is important. If you can't get your vehicle into the right gear while driving, you will have less control.

Not quite. The answer is Underinflated tires and dual tires that touch

Tires that overheat can catch fire. Underinflation causes increased flexing of the tire, which increases tire temperature. Dual tires that touch each other or other parts of the vehicle can overheat due to friction.

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 coercion.

Federal regulations define "coercion" as when a motor carrier, shipper, receiver, or transportation intermediary threatens to withhold work from, take employment action against, or punish a driver for refusing to operate in violation of federal regulations. The FMCSA's Coercion Rule explicitly prohibits motor carriers, shippers, receivers and transportation intermediaries from coercing drivers to operate in violation of certain FMCSA regulations. If you have been the victim of such coercion, you can file a coercion complaint with FMCSA, but you must do it within 90 days of when the coercion took place.

Not quite. The answer is Steering gear box

The steering gear box contains gears that translate the rotation of the steering column into rotation of the gear box's output shaft. This rotation drives the steering linkage to turn the wheels.

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 CVSA.

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) is a nonprofit organization comprised of local, state, provincial, territorial and federal commercial motor vehicle safety officials and industry representatives. CVSA was created to improve commercial motor vehicle safety and enforcement by providing guidance, education, and advocacy for enforcement and industry across North America. The CVSA National Roadside Inspection Program defines eight standard levels of roadside inspections, with a list of corresponding out-of-service criteria to be used by roadside inspectors when deciding whether a vehicle or driver should be put out of service.

Source: "North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria," Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, April 2022

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

When approaching a hazard in a work zone, warn the drivers behind you by flashing your brake lights or (if state law allows it) turning on your four-way flashers.

Not quite. The answer is The use of brakes adds to the braking effect of the engine.

If you keep using your brakes to control your speed on a long, steep downgrade, the brakes may overheat and fade (become less effective). Instead, use engine braking, and use your brakes only as a supplement to the braking effect of the engine.

Not quite. The answer is Four times as much

When you double your speed, your braking distance increases by roughly the square of the speed increase – to about four times as much as before. For example, increasing your speed from 15 to 30 mph will increase your stopping distance from 46 to 148 feet.

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 Brake shoes should not be worn dangerously thin.

When you check your brakes during your pre-trip inspection, check that the brake shoes are all present and none are broken or worn dangerously thin.

Not quite. The answer is Traffic and road conditions

Driving too fast is a major cause of fatal crashes. You must adjust your speed to current driving conditions such as visibility, traction, traffic, curves, upgrades, and downgrades.

Not quite. The answer is 2 holes forward

Under federal regulations, the maximum gross vehicle weight (GVW) is 80,000 pounds, the maximum gross weight on the drive axles is 34,000 pounds, and the maximum gross weight on the tandem axles is also 34,000 pounds. This leaves 12,000 pounds on the steering axle. In this case, the steering axle is quite underweight (by 1,100 pounds), and the drive axles are overweight by 600 pounds. The weight on the steering axle should be close to 12,000 pounds without exceeding it. To better balance the weight on the tractor, we need to move some weight off the drive axles and put it on the steering axle. To add weight to the steering axle and remove weight from the drive axles, move the fifth wheel forward (toward the steering axle). Assuming 500 pounds per hole, moving two holes will move 1,000 pounds from the drive axle to the steering axle. The resulting weights are 11,900 pounds on the steering axle and 33,600 pounds on the drive axles.

Source: 23 CFR 658.17