West Virginia CDL: General Knowledge Practice Test

Not quite. The answer is 3 years.

When you apply for a CMV driver's job with a prospective DOT-regulated employer, that employer is required to query the FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse to find out whether you failed any DOT-regulated employer's test for drugs or alcohol within the past three years. ("DOT-regulated" employers include all employers that are subject to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.) You must give the prospective employer written authorization to perform this background check on you. If the employer finds that you were guilty of a drug or alcohol violation within the past three years for which you have not successfully completed a return-to-duty (RTD) process, they are prohibited from employing you to drive CMVs or perform any other safety-sensitive functions. [49 CFR §382.501],

Source: 49 CFR § 382.701

Not quite. The answer is 6 months.

Under federal regulation 49 CFR 395.8, your carrier is responsible for keeping a copy of your duty logs and supporting documentation for six months. An example of supporting documentation is your fuel bills, with time stamps. As the driver, you must keep your copy of the log for today and the last 7 days.

Not quite. The answer is Both of the above

You will be disqualified from operating a CMV for at least 60 days if you are convicted of any of the following offenses at railroad crossings: (1) failing to slow down and check that the tracks are clear; (2) failing to stop if a train is approaching; (3) failing to stop before driving onto the crossing; (4) failing to ensure that there is sufficient space for you to drive completely through the crossing without stopping; (5) failing to obey a traffic control device or the directions of an enforcement official; (6) failing to negotiate the crossing because of insufficient undercarriage clearance.

Source: 49 CFR 383.51

Not quite. The answer is Tire fires

Water can extinguish wood fires, paper fires, and tire fires. A burning tire must be cooled with lots of water. However, water on an oil or gasoline fire can spread the flames even farther. And because water can conduct electricity, never use water on an electrical fire because that can result in an electric shock.

Not quite. The answer is No.

It is not enough for the engine not to be overheated. The cooling system must cool completely before you attempt to remove the radiator cap. Even then, you should be very careful because there may still be tremendous pressure and damaging steam and fluids.

Not quite. The answer is Reduced braking power

Brakes use friction to convert the kinetic energy of your moving vehicle into heat. If the brakes get wet, the brake shoes or brake pads may produce less friction. The brakes will grab, apply unevenly, or become weak. When you try to brake, your braking distance may increase, your vehicle may pull to one side, or the wheels may lock. On a wet road, locked wheels can cause a skid (or even a jackknife if you're pulling a trailer).

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 perception distance + reaction distance + braking distance.

Total stopping distance is the sum of your perception distance (how far the vehicle goes from when you see the hazard until your brain processes it), reaction distance (how far the vehicle goes from when your brain orders your foot to take action until your foot actually starts to brake), and braking distance (how far the vehicle continues to travel once you apply the brake).

Not quite. The answer is Windshield washer antifreeze should be used.

Prevent your windshield from freezing in cold weather. Fill your windshield washer reservoir with a windshield washer antifreeze that is rated for the cold temperatures in which you expect to be driving.

Not quite. The answer is With a tractor-trailer, the trailer can push the tractor sideways.

Rear wheel braking skids occur when the rear drive wheels lock. Because locked wheels have less traction than rolling wheels, the rear wheels usually slide sideways in an attempt to "catch up" with the front wheels. With a bus or straight truck, the vehicle will slide sideways in a "spin out." With vehicles towing trailers, a drive-wheel skid can let the trailer push the towing vehicle sideways, causing a sudden jackknife.

Not quite. The answer is how much the person weighs.

Your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is affected by how much alcohol you drink, how quickly you drink it, and how much you weigh. The larger your body, the larger the volume through which the alcohol has to spread.

Not quite. The answer is Steering knuckle

If the front wheels were mounted directly on the front axle, they couldn't turn left or right. Instead, each wheel pivots left or right on a steering knuckle, which is mounted to the axle. Component C is the left steering knuckle.

Not quite. The answer is On a curve, it lets the outside wheels turn slower.

A differential uses a series of gears to accomplish several functions. First, it transfers torque from the drive shaft to the axle. Because the axle is at 90 degrees from the drive shaft, the differential also turns the torque by 90 degrees accordingly. The outside of a curved road is longer than the inside. On such a curve, the differential lets the outside half of the axle turn faster than the inside half of the axle, so that the outside wheels can cover a greater distance than the inside wheels. If there were no differential, the outside wheels would turn at the same rate as the inside wheels, causing at least some of the wheels to drag on the pavement.

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 Downshifting allows engine compression and friction to help the brakes slow the vehicle.

When you're about to start down a long downgrade, release the gas pedal, shift into a low gear, and use engine braking to slow your vehicle. Don't try to downshift after your speed has already built up. You will not be able to shift into a lower gear then. You may not even be able to get back into any gear, and all engine braking effect will be lost. If you try to downshift an automatic transmission after your speed has already built up, you may damage the transmission.

Not quite. The answer is not turn any more than necessary to clear what is in your way.

To avoid a crash or other hazard, keep both hands on the steering wheel so you can turn as quickly as possible. However, turn just enough to avoid the hazard. A too-sharp turn risks a skid or rollover. While turning quickly, avoid braking; this too could cause a skid.

Not quite. The answer is You

As the CMV driver, you were given responsibility for the CMV and its cargo if any. That doesn't change even if the vehicle is being towed away. You must oversee the towing operation. Before towing begins, you and the tow truck driver should agree on what steps to follow.

Not quite. The answer is tire changing equipment.

Your vehicle must be equipped with a properly charged fire extinguisher and warning devices (flares, fusees, or reflective triangles). Optional emergency equipment can include tire chains in certain climates, tire changing equipment, emergency phone numbers, and an accident reporting packet.

Not quite. The answer is Slight melting will make icy surfaces more slippery.

When the temperature drops, bridges will freeze before the road freezes, because road surfaces retain some heat from the ground underneath. Shady parts of the road will remain icy and slippery long after open areas have melted. However, slight melting will make ice wet. Wet ice is even more slippery than ice that is not wet.

Not quite. The answer is perception

The distance that your vehicle travels from when your eyes see a hazard to when your brain finally recognizes it as a hazard is called the perception distance.