West Virginia CDL Practice Test

Not quite. The answer is To miss an obstacle, you can almost always turn more quickly than you can stop.

CMVs can have long stopping distances. To avoid a collision or crash, it usually takes less time for you to steer around a hazard than to brake to a stop before reaching it.

Not quite. The answer is provide enough traction to steer and push the vehicle through snow.

Snow-covered road surfaces provide much less traction than dry surfaces. Your tires must provide enough traction to maneuver your vehicle on snow safely. Under federal regulations, your front tires must have a tread depth of at least 4/32 inch, and all other tires must have a tread depth of at least 2/32 inch. For best traction, however, make sure that the treads are even deeper before you try to drive on snow.

Source: 49 CFR 570.62

Not quite. The answer is near; lower

The engine braking effect is strongest when the transmission is in a low gear and the engine is operating near the governed rpm's. Note: Engine braking is NOT the same thing as using a retarder or Jake Brake. Engine braking simply relies on low gears and the partial vacuum in the engine at idle to prevent your vehicle from going too fast.

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 You may be able to check the coolant level even while the engine is hot.

Many vehicles have sight glasses, see-through coolant overflow containers, or coolant recovery containers. These permit you to check the coolant level even while the engine is hot. However, if the container is part of the pressurized system, it's dangerous to open the cap to add coolant while the engine is hot. Wait until the engine has cooled first.

Not quite. The answer is Yes, and they might place it out-of-service.

Federal or state inspectors may inspect your vehicle. If they find a problem that makes the vehicle potentially unsafe, they will put the vehicle out-of-service until the problem is fixed.

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 All of the above

In the event of an emergency, you may complete your run without violating any Hours of Service regulations, provided that you would have satisfied the regulations if the emergency hadn't occurred. Federal regulations list the specific conditions that are considered emergencies. These include various extreme weather events, earthquakes, tsunamis, and electrical power outages, among others. [49 CFR 390.5T],

Source: 49 CFR 395.1

Not quite. The answer is drive to the center of the intersection before you start turning.

On a left turn, make sure you have reached the center of the intersection before you start the left turn. If you turn too soon, the left side of your vehicle may hit another vehicle because of off-tracking. If there are two turning lanes, always take the right turn lane. Don't start in the inside lane because you may have to swing right to make the turn. Drivers on your left can be more readily seen.

Not quite. The answer is All of the above

To cover the load in some trucks, the driver cranks a handle. In other trucks, the driver just pulls the tarp manually. In a truck equipped with an automatic power tarping system, the driver moves a switch or lever, and the system tarps the load automatically. An automatic tarping system usually costs more up front, but it has several advantages, especially when compared with pulling the tarp over the load manually. First, it's usually faster. This gives the driver more time to do other things – like carrying more loads. More loads means the system will pay for itself in lower long-term costs. Finally, it's safer. With the system doing most of the work, there's less chance of driver injury.

Not quite. The answer is Yes, because brakes can get out of adjustment when they are used a lot.

Check brake adjustment often. Brakes can get out of adjustment quickly, especially when they are hot. Out-of-adjustment brakes are the most common problem found in roadside inspections.

Not quite. The answer is Inspecting the cargo, recognizing overloads, and properly securing the cargo

As a commercial truck driver, you are responsible for the cargo you carry. This includes making sure it is balanced, secured, and not overloaded. If the cargo contains hazardous materials, you must also inspect it for proper labels, shipping papers, and placards.

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

Sleep debt is a dangerous condition in which missing sleep adds up until you risk falling asleep at the wheel unless you get some rest. People are often surprised that getting less than 6 hours of sleep per night triples the risk of an accident. At least 15% of heavy truck crashes are believed to involve driver fatigue. Before a trip, you should get adequate sleep (adults need 8 to 9 hours to maintain alertness); prepare your route carefully to identify total distance, stopping points, and other logistical considerations; schedule trips for the hours during which you are normally awake, not the middle of the night; drive with a passenger; avoid medications that cause drowsiness; consult your physician if you suffer from daytime sleepiness, have difficulty sleeping at night, or take frequent naps; and incorporate exercise into your daily life to give yourself more energy.

Not quite. The answer is The length of a football field

For a tractor-trailer traveling at 55 mph on dry pavement, the typical perception distance is about 142 feet, the typical reaction distance is about 61 feet, and the typical braking distance is about 216 feet, for a total stopping distance of 419 feet. Air brake lag distance adds another 32 feet to this total. In comparison, the length of a football field (including the two end zones) is 360 feet.

Not quite. The answer is any detectable amount.

If your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is found to be 0.04% or more, you can be charged with driving under the influence (DUI). (An average 180-pound man may reach a BAC above 0.04% after drinking just two cans of beer.) If you are found to have any detectable amount of alcohol in your system under 0.04%, you will be placed out-of-service for 24 hours.

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 will usually prevent fishtailing.

Sometimes, failure of a rear tire will cause the vehicle to slide back and forth or "fishtail." However, dual rear tires usually prevent this. Hence, it may be harder for you to figure out which tire failed. To find out, stop your vehicle, exit the cab, and check each tire for a flat.

Not quite. The answer is changing speeds frequently.

Aggressive driving is driving in a selfish or pushy manner, which is dangerous enough. Road rage is even worse: intentionally driving to harm someone or physically assaulting someone in his or her vehicle. Examples of aggressive driving include tailgating, purposely straddling two lanes of traffic, purposely blocking another vehicle from changing lanes, and honking the horn to express annoyance, anger, or frustration. Examples of road rage include deliberately ramming another vehicle and exiting one's vehicle to directly confront another driver. However, there are legitimate situations in which a motorist may need to change speeds frequently, such as in heavy traffic or on winding roads.

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 Both of the above are true.

Alcohol first affects a driver's judgment and self-control, and then it affects coordination, vision, and muscle control. These are all essential driving skills. Impairment of these skills significantly increases the chance of an accident. For a first offense of driving a commercial vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, you will lose your CDL for at least one year. In fact, you will also lose your CDL for a first offense of driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.04% or higher, even though 0.04% is below the legal limit for licensed adult car drivers.