Virginia CDL Practice Test

Not quite. The answer is up to 500 feet behind the vehicle.

According to federal regulation 49 CFR 392.22, if you must stop beyond a curve or the crest of a hill that obstructs the view of your vehicle, you must set out one warning device (such as a reflective triangle) 10 feet behind your vehicle, and another warning device 100–500 feet behind your vehicle. This regulation also specifies where to place warning devices on other types of roadways such as divided highways and undivided two-way roads. These situations are also covered in the section on "Communicating Your Presence" in your state CDL manual.

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 Both of the above

To ensure that your vehicle's engine won't overheat, make sure that there is adequate coolant and engine oil, and check that the coolant hoses are in good condition and not leaking. (Both coolant and oil help an engine stay cool.) Also check that the V-belt is tight enough. (A loose belt may not turn the fan or water pump adequately, which can cause the engine to overheat.)

Not quite. The answer is Ensuring the freshness of sealed cargo

You are not responsible for the state of sealed cargo, nor can you inspect it. You are only responsible for the safety of the cargo, ensuring that it is balanced, secured, and not overloaded, and does not get in the way of emergency equipment.

Not quite. The answer is 10 feet, 100 feet, and 200 feet toward approaching traffic

This is required by Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulation 49 CFR 392.22. This regulation also specifies where to place warning devices on other types of roadways such as undivided two-way roads and curves. (These situations are also covered in section 2.5.2 of the Virginia Commercial Driver License Manual.)

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 Front axle hanger

A front (steering axle) suspension, like the one shown here, may also employ shock absorbers to further reduce up-and-down movements, producing a smoother ride. The axle is fastened to the suspension with a U-bolt.

Not quite. The answer is One block

While driving, you should scan the road 12–15 seconds ahead. At typical speeds in urban areas, your vehicle will travel about one block in 12–15 seconds. At 60 mph, your vehicle will travel a quarter of a mile in 15 seconds.

Not quite. The answer is Ending a backing exercise while over a boundary line

Any of a variety of certain actions or inactions on your part can cause you to fail the entire CDL skills test. Of the four choices here, you must demonstrate to your test examiner that you can exit your vehicle safely whenever you have to. This includes properly securing the vehicle by setting the parking brakes and taking the ignition key with you. If you don't, you will automatically fail the entire CDL skills test. Also, failure to perform every one of the braking tests required for your vehicle, whether it's equipped with air brakes or hydraulic brakes, will constitute an automatic failure. Finally, overrunning a curb or sidewalk even slightly during the road test will also constitute an automatic failure. On the other hand, attempting to end a backing exercise while you're over a boundary line will lose you points, but it's not necessarily an automatic failure. Your examiner will tell you to move your vehicle inside the boundary lines, and your skills test will continue.

Not quite. The answer is Clear

Fresh Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) looks like clear water. If the DEF fluid in a vehicle's DEF tank looks cloudy, is any other color but clear, or has contaminants floating in it, the fluid has gone bad and must be replaced.

Not quite. The answer is Do all of the above.

Sadly, the valuable cargo that you're carrying makes you a target for criminals. Take a variety of steps to ensure your safety at truck stops. First, study reviews of truck stops written by other drivers, and try to avoid truck stops that have been reported as dangerous. At a truck stop, park in a well-lit area, and lock the cab doors and cargo doors on your vehicle. Hide valuables in the cab from view. Let your carrier know where you'll be staying. Don't talk about the cargo that you're carrying; some criminal might overhear you.

Source: "Truck Stop Guide: Safety Tips and Tricks for Truckers," LubeZone, August 4, 2021

Not quite. The answer is countersteer.

To correct a drive-wheel braking skid, stop braking so the drive wheels will unlock. However, as your vehicle turns back on course, it may overshoot and start to skid in the opposite direction. Quickly countersteer to counteract this tendency.

Not quite. The answer is Check the electrical connections.

If your trailer lights aren't working properly, the cause may be as simple as a loose electrical cable connection to the trailer, or perhaps to the tractor. Electrical connections can loosen over time from constant use. Wiggle each connector back and forth to see if it's loose. If it is, tie something around it to keep it from moving. If the connector isn't loose, check if the pins in the receptacle are clean and make good contact. Lastly, check if the cable itself is bad. If none of these are the cause of the problem, the next thing to check is the fuses or circuit breakers, and finally, the trailer light bulbs. Note: Don't ignore the problem. If any required trailer lights aren't working properly, your vehicle is in violation of federal regulation 49 CFR 393.23 and can be placed out of service at a roadside inspection.

Not quite. The answer is Neither of the above

You must pass the knowledge test before you'll be allowed to take the skills test. The skills test consists of three parts: vehicle inspection, basic vehicle control, and on-road driving. You must pass each part before you'll be allowed to take the next part. You must pass all three parts before you can be issued a CDL.

Not quite. The answer is at all

According to the Hours of Service (HOS) regulations, the driver of a passenger-carrying vehicle must not drive for more than 10 hours following 8 consecutive hours off duty. The driver may not drive at all after having been on duty for 15 hours.

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 You

After motioning you over, the first thing the DOT inspector will do is walk up to your cab and look at you and the cab interior. The inspector will note whether you're wearing your seatbelt. He or she will check if you look like you've been dozing off. He or she will see or smell whether you've been smoking marijuana or drinking alcohol. Before starting the inspection of your truck, the inspector will ask to see your logbook.

Not quite. The answer is Chains

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 across the full width and 3/4 of the length of the boulder. Only chains can be used as tie-downs. The chains should be placed in valleys or notches on the top of the boulder, and arranged to prevent the chains from sliding across the rock surface.

Source: 49 CFR 393.136

Not quite. The answer is If a hill or a curve keeps drivers behind you from seeing your vehicle within 500 feet, move the rear reflective triangle back down the road to give adequate warning.

If you must stop on a road or the shoulder of any road, turn on your four-way emergency flashers (not your taillights) and set out your emergency warning devices within ten minutes. If you stop beyond any hill, curve, or other obstruction that prevents other drivers from seeing your vehicle within 500 feet, place a reflective triangle up to 500 feet behind your vehicle to warn approaching drivers.

Not quite. The answer is You should never remove the radiator cap on a pressurized system until the unit has cooled.

Never remove the radiator cap or any part of the pressurized system until the system has cooled. Steam and boiling water can spray under pressure and cause severe burns. Antifreeze has both a relatively low freezing point and a relatively high boiling point, so it can keep your engine from overheating in warm weather.

Not quite. The answer is If possible, come to a complete stop before steering back onto the pavement.

If you're forced to steer onto the shoulder to avoid a collision, try to come to a complete stop before you move back onto the road. Moving back onto the road at high speed could cause you to lose control.