Wyoming CDL Practice Test

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 7 pounds.

One gallon of diesel fuel weighs about 7 pounds, meaning that a full fuel tank in a tractor-trailer can weigh well over 1,000 pounds. Bear this in mind when calculating how your vehicle can remain within legal weight limits.

Not quite. The answer is Look toward the right edge of your lane or the right edge of the road.

If an oncoming vehicle has not dimmed its headlights, don't retaliate with your own high beams. Instead, slow down, keep right, look away from the vehicle, and steer by the right edge of the road until the vehicle has passed you.

Not quite. The answer is All of the above can help.

There are a variety of ways to help prevent cargo theft, and you should employ several of them. First, be aware of your surroundings. While driving, check frequently whether you're being followed. Park only in well-lit, relatively secure locations. Stay in communication with dispatch. Whenever you stop at a rest area or truck stop, let dispatch know about it. An uncoupled trailer should be locked so it can't be moved. Kingpin locks and landing gear locks are available for this purpose. Always lock your truck whenever you must leave it unattended.

Source: "How to stop cargo thieves dead in their tracks," American Trucker, August 31, 2019

Not quite. The answer is 12 feet

Each lane on an interstate highway is at least 12 feet (144 inches) wide. Note that under federal regulations, the maximum width of CMVs operated on interstate highways is 8½ feet or 102 inches (approximately 2.6 meters) except in Hawaii, where the maximum width is allowed to be 9 feet (108 inches).

Source: 23 CFR 658.15

Not quite. The answer is Fainting spells

In obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the person stops breathing during sleep. These episodes can occur repeatedly. While you're asleep, OSA can cause loud snoring. While you're awake, OSA can impair your short-term memory and cause excessive sleepiness and difficulty concentrating, which can impair your ability to drive a CMV safely. A study sponsored by FMCSA found that 28% of commercial truck drivers have mild to severe sleep apnea. Fortunately, OSA is treatable.

Not quite. The answer is For both of the above reasons

Wyoming and most other states require you to signal continuously before starting a turn. As you approach the turn and perform the turn, keep both hands on the wheel for safety.

Source: W.S. § 31-5-217

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 Steer to the right.

Hard braking can cause a skid. Instead, if an oncoming vehicle drifts into your lane, steer right toward the shoulder or curb. Do not steer left; the other driver may try to steer back into the proper lane. Prepare to drive entirely off the roadway to the right if necessary to avoid a head-on collision.

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 “Stop.”

Unfortunately, once an accident happens, you can't take it back. That's why it's absolutely essential for you and your helper to have a clear hand signal for "Stop." That way, you'll be able to quickly stop what you are doing before an accident can occur.

Not quite. The answer is Friday evening and Monday morning.

One study found that from 2006 to 2010, about 68% of cargo theft incidents occurred on weekends (from Friday evening to Monday morning). During these times, warehouses and distribution centers are often closed, and drivers are more likely to leave their loads parked in unsecured locations.

Not quite. The answer is The heaviest parts of the cargo should be underneath the lightest parts.

Cargo that is piled up high raises a vehicle's center of gravity, making the vehicle top-heavy and therefore more prone to rollovers. This is especially true if the heaviest parts of the cargo are near the top. You can lower the center of gravity by placing the heaviest parts of the cargo underneath the lightest parts.

Not quite. The answer is On-duty time must be balanced with time for rest.

“Hours of service” (HOS) refers to the maximum amount of time that drivers are permitted to be on duty (including driving time). HOS regulations also specify the number and length of rest periods to help ensure that drivers stay awake and alert. In general, all carriers and drivers operating CMVs must comply with the HOS regulations in 49 CFR 395. Note: Effective September 29, 2020, several aspects of HOS regulations were revised. Among these changes: (1) A driver is required to take a break of at least 30 consecutive minutes after 8 cumulative hours of driving time. (2) A driver can meet the 10-hour minimum off-duty requirement by spending at least 7 hours of that period in the sleeper berth, combined with a minimum off-duty period of at least 2 hours spent inside or outside the berth, provided the two periods total at least 10 hours.

Source: "Hours of Service (HOS)," FMCSA, https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/hours-of-service

Not quite. The answer is Both of the above

Be sure to use the right fire extinguisher to put out a fire. A Class A fire involves ordinary combustibles such as wood, paper, cloth, or rubber. A Class B fire involves flammable liquids such as gasoline, grease, or oil. A Class C fire involves electrical equipment. A Class D fire involves combustible metals such as magnesium or potassium. An A:B:C extinguisher can put out Class A, Class B, and Class C fires.

Not quite. The answer is Rough acceleration can cause mechanical damage.

From a stopped position, accelerate smoothly and gradually. Jerking forward or rough acceleration can cause mechanical damage (possibly including damage to the coupling if you're pulling a trailer).

Not quite. The answer is Upshift.

If your hydraulic brakes fail while you're driving, try pumping the brake pedal to build up enough hydraulic pressure to stop your vehicle. If this fails, downshift to use engine braking and apply the parking brake. Release the parking brake before you lock the wheels. If all else fails, look for an escape route. Head for an escape ramp or an open field and let your vehicle slow to a stop.

Not quite. The answer is Warning devices for stopped vehicles

Federal regulations require every commercial motor vehicle (CMV) to carry one of the following types of warning devices in case the vehicle must be stopped on the road: three reflective triangles and six fusees. Federal regulations also require every CMV to carry a fire extinguisher. Your state may also require extra emergency equipment (such as a first-aid kit) on certain vehicles.

Source: 49 CFR 393.95

Not quite. The answer is 4 seconds

The formula for following distance is one second per ten feet of vehicle, plus an extra second if you are traveling at or above 40 mph. So for a 30-foot vehicle traveling at 55 mph, you should leave a following distance of 4 seconds.

Not quite. The answer is Time

Your body breaks down alcohol at a predictable rate. Typically, this is one standard drink per hour, where one standard drink equals 1.5 ounces of hard liquor, 5 ounces of wine, or one 12-ounce can of beer. Neither coffee nor fresh air nor water can increase that rate. You need to wait until the alcohol has been broken down.