Deck 8: Standard Driving

Question 1

When backing a trailer that is having problems with drift or other issues, drivers should:

A)Just keep trying.
B)Pull forward to re-position the vehicle.
C)Get someone else to back the vehicle.
D)None of the above

Answer 1

Pull forward to re-position the vehicle.

Question 2

One of the most important tasks a commercial driver must do properly is shift gears. Properly shifting gears is important because:

A)It helps protect the transmission.
B)It helps the driver to maintain control of the vehicle.
C)It helps drivers control their speed.
D)All of the above

Answer 2

All of the above

Question 3

When driving a commercial vehicle with a manual transmission, drivers should do what when they need to upshift?

A)Float the clutch
B)Double clutch
C)Single pump clutch
D)None of the above

Answer 3

Double clutch

Question 4

The first step in double clutching a manual transmission is to:

A)Release the accelerator, depress the clutch, and shift into neutral.
B)Stay on the accelerator, depress the clutch, and shift into neutral.
C)Stay on the accelerator, depress the clutch, and shift into the next higher gear.
D)Release the accelerator, depress the clutch, and shift into the next higher gear.

Question 5

If a commercial driver finds that they cannot get into gear with a manual transmission, they should do which of the following?

A)Depress the clutch and try to force it into gear.
B)Release the clutch, increase rpms and try again.
C)Depress the clutch and go back into lower gear.
D)Release the clutch and keep trying; it will go into gear sooner or later.

Question 6

Knowing how to shift a manual transmission is important. Knowing when to shift is equally important. Drivers have two common ways of knowing when to shift. They are:

A)Engine rpm speed
B)Road speed
C)Ammeter reading
D)A and B
E)B and C

Question 7

There are certain conditions when commercial drivers should downshift, including which of the following?

A)Before entering a curve
B)Before starting down a hill
C)When traffic ahead is slowing down
D)All of the above

Question 8

When driving a commercial vehicle with multi-speed rear axles and auxiliary transmissions, drivers can access the extra gears by using the selector switch that is located:

A)On the steering column
B)On the dash board
C)On the gearshift lever
D)On the floorboard, next to the clutch

Question 9

When driving a commercial vehicle with an automatic transmission, drivers should use which of the following gear ranges for downhill travel?

A)Higher range
B)Low range
C)No need to adjust range on automatic transmissions
D)Mid range

Question 10

Some commercial vehicles have retarders installed on them. These are used for what purpose?

A)To help the vehicle pick up speed.
B)To help the vehicle maintain a constant speed.
C)To help the vehicle slow down.
D)To help blow dirty air out of the exhaust system.

Question 11

Which of the following are basic types of retarders?

A)Exhaust driven
B)Engine driven
C)Hydraulic driven
D)Electric driven
E)All of the above

Question 12

The braking power of retarders works on which of the following wheels?

A)The front wheels
B)The drive wheels
C)The trailer or rear wheels
D)All wheels

Question 13

It is important to always turn retarders off when driving on:

A)Snow covered roads
B)Icy roads
C)Wet roads
D)Wet, sandy roads
E)All of the above

Question 14

Combination truck drivers must always keep their mirrors adjusted. Correct mirror adjustment can only be made:

A)When the trailer is not attached to the tractor
B)When the vehicle is on the road
C)When the trailer is attached at any angle
D)When the trailer is attached and straight

Question 15

While on the road, commercial drivers need to check their mirrors often for which of the following conditions?

A)Vehicles that may be on the sides of your vehicle
B)Vehicles that may be in back of your vehicle
C)Vehicles that may be passing you
D)To ensure it is safe to make a lane change
E)All of the above

Question 16

When hauling cargo on a flatbed, a quick, efficient way to check the status of the cargo is to:

A)Pull over every 15-20 miles and check it.
B)Use your mirrors.
C)Listen for strange sounds.
D)All of the above

Question 17

There are certain times when commercial drivers need to pay more attention to what is happening in their mirrors than they normally would. These include which of the following?

A)When making a lane change
B)When merging into traffic
C)When making a turn
D)After completing any type of lane change
E)All of the above

Question 18

The two most important reasons for checking mirrors when making a turn are?

A)To make sure you are not going to hit anything or anyone
B)To make sure that no one is trying to pass on your turning side
C)To make sure that the vehicle behind you is not tailgating
D)A and B
E)B and C

Question 19

The two most important reasons for using mirrors when merging into traffic are?

A)To ensure that you are not being tailgated
B)To make sure a gap in traffic is large enough for your vehicle
C)To get a sense of the speed needed to merge into the traffic
D)A and B
E)B and C

Question 20

When using mirrors on the road, which of the following is NOT a good practice?

A)Check mirror quickly.
B)Check mirrors back and forth and then check the road.
C)Focus on mirror for as long as it takes to see what is happening.
D)Check mirrors when making a lane change.

Question 21

When using curved mirrors (fisheye or convex), drivers should be aware of which of the following conditions?

A)These mirrors make objects look bigger than they are.
B)These mirrors make objects look smaller than they are.
C)These mirror make objects seem farther away than they are.
D)A and C
E)B and C

Question 22

The only way other drivers will know if you plan to turn is to use your turn signals. Which of the following is TRUE?

A)You should signal as early as possible.
B)You should signal when you get to within 25 feet of the turn.
C)You should signal at least 100 yards before the turn.
D)None of the above

Question 23

When signaling to make a turn, drivers should cancel their signal:

A)As soon as they begin the turn
B)In the middle of the turn
C)After the turn is completed
D)Soon after the turn is completed, but not immediately

Question 24

When changing lanes, drivers should do so slowly and smoothly because:

A)It is the law.
B)It gives any driver in the blind spot time to honk their horn.
C)It gives drivers more time to stay within the lane lines.
D)All of the above

Question 25

In order to warn drivers behind you that you will be slowing down, you should:

A)Tap the brakes a few times.
B)Hit the brakes hard for a second or two.
C)Turn on emergency flashers.
D)Wave your arm out the window.

Question 26

Tapping the brakes can be useful in other circumstances as well. Which of the following would apply?

A)If a commercial drivers sees trouble up ahead
B)If another vehicle ahead has stopped on the road
C)When approaching railroad crossings
D)All of the above

Question 27

When driving in bad weather during daylight hours, which of the following is FALSE?

A)You must make it easier for other drivers to see your vehicle.
B)You should use not only clearance lights, but headlights as well.
C)You should keep your headlights on high beam.
D)You should keep your headlights on low beam.

Question 28

At night, when passing pedestrians or bicyclists who may not be able to see you, you should do which of the following?

A)Flash your headlights from low to high and back to low.
B)Put your headlights on high beams and keep them there till you pass.
C)Flash your headlights continually until you pass.
D)Do nothing.

Question 29

If the weather requires you to use your windshield wipers, your headlights:

A)Can be on or off
B)Must be on
C)Must be on only in certain states
D)None of the above

Question 30

If you need to park or pull over on the side of a road, you should use:

A)Headlights and clearance lights only
B)Headlights and brake lights
C)Headlights, clearance lights and four-way emergency flashers
D)No headlights, but use clearance lights

Question 31

In terms of stopping distance, the average driver has a reaction time of:

A)½ second
B)¾ second
C)1 second
D)2 seconds

Question 32

At 55 mph on dry pavement with good brakes, it can take a large, commercial vehicle about ____ feet to stop?

A)200 feet
B)300 feet
C)400 feet
D)500 feet

Question 33

When a commercial driver doubles their speed, it will take about _____ times as much distance to stop.

A)2
B)3
C)4
D)5

Question 34

In terms of stopping distance, a fully loaded truck will stop:

A)In less distance than an empty truck
B)In more distance than an empty truck
C)There is no difference, both will stop in the same distance.
D)None of the above

Question 35

If a driver finds that they are being tailgated, the driver should NOT do which of the following?

A)Pull off the road.
B)Speed up.
C)Keep the same speed.
D)Signal early if a turn is coming up.

Question 36

Generally speaking, the most serious skids occur when drivers:

A)Over steer their vehicles.
B)Over brake their vehicles.
C)Drive too fast.
D)Shift incorrectly.

Question 37

Which of the following is TRUE concerning commercial vehicles with automatic transmissions?

A)It is okay to force the transmission into a lower gear at high speeds.
B)Automatic transmissions do not need to be shifted.
C)It is not okay to force the transmission into a lower gear at high speeds.
D)None of the above applies to automatic transmissions.

Question 38

If a commercial driver is involved in an accident on the road, the first thing to do is:

A)Call the police or state troopers.
B)Help the injured.
C)Protect the scene to prevent another accident from happening.
D)Collect contact information from other drivers.

Question 39

If a driver comes upon an accident they are not involved in it, and intends to stop to help, they should:

A)Park away from the collision on the road.
B)Park close to the collision to get to the injured faster.
C)Park away from the collision and take a first aid kit and fire extinguisher to collision site.
D)Park close to the collision and take a first aid kit and fire extinguisher to collision site.

Question 40

A major cause of commercial vehicle accidents is driver distraction. Which of the following would be considered distractions while driving?

A)Talking to passengers
B)Reading maps or directions
C)Adjusting controls on the dash
D)Talking on cell phone
E)All of the above

Question 41

If a commercial driver is on the road and needs to make or take a cell phone call, they should:

A)Take or make the call as quickly as possible.
B)Pull off the road in a safe manner and make or take the call.
C)Take or make the call as they normally would.
D)None of the above

Question 42

Due to the nature of their work, commercial drivers will face oncoming drivers much more often than non-commercial drivers. Which of the following might suggest an oncoming driver is distracted?

A)Vehicles that are drifting out of their lane
B)Drivers who appear to be on a cell phone
C)Drivers who appear to be texting
D)Vehicles that are exhibiting inconsistent speeds
E)All of the above

Question 43

If a commercial driver comes upon a distracted driver, either oncoming or ahead of the driver, they should:

A)Keep a close eye on that driver and give them plenty of room.
B)Do nothing, as distractions only last a few seconds.
C)Flash their headlights at the other driver.
D)Honk at the distracted driver.

Question 44

When driving at night, commercial vehicle drivers should dim their high beams when they are within _______ feet of oncoming traffic and ______ feet when following another driver?

A)200 feet and 200 feet
B)500 feet and 500 feet
C)200 feet and 500 feet
D)500 feet and 200 feet

Question 45

When a commercial driver, driving at night, comes upon an oncoming vehicle with its bright lights on, the commercial driver should:

A)Turn on their own bright lights.
B)Honk their horn to alert the other driver.
C)Look slightly toward the right lane markings and use them as a guide.
D)Flash their headlights repeatedly.

Question 46

If a commercial driver gets stuck on railroad tracks and cannot move forward or backward, they should:

A)Get out and away from the vehicle.
B)Check the crossing signal housing for emergency contact information.
C)Call 911.
D)Relay the location of the crossing and its DOT number to authorities.
E)All of the above

Question 47

When confronted by an aggressive driver on the road, commercial drivers should:

A)Honk their horn to get the other driver's attention.
B)Avoid eye contact and keep driving.
C)Speed up to get away from the other driver.
D)None of the above

Question 48

In terms of over-wide, over-long, or over-weight loads, which of the following statements is TRUE?

A)These types of loads rarely require special permits.
B)These types of loads often require special permits.
C)Drivers are not required to carry permits with them on the road.
D)Special equipment for these loads is rarely needed.

Question 49

Generally speaking, if a load projects beyond the rear of the trailer by 48 inches or more, that load must have:

A)A solid red or fluorescent orange flag at least 12 inches square attached to it
B)A solid red or fluorescent orange flag at least 6 inches square attached to it
C)Any type, color, or size of flag attached to it
D)None of the above

Question 50

Any load that extends 48 inches or more from the back of the commercial vehicle that is being transported at night must have:

A)Two red lights that can be seen at a distance of 500 feet
B)One red light that can be seen at a distance of 300 feet
C)Two red lights that can be seen at a distance of 300 feet
D)No lights are required for this type of load

Question 51

When starting the engine of a commercial vehicle with a manual transmission, drivers should:

A)Depress the clutch, put the vehicle in first gear, and start the engine.
B)Depress the clutch, put the vehicle in reverse, and start the engine.
C)Depress the clutch, put the vehicle in neutral, and start the engine.
D)Depress the clutch, put the vehicle in second gear, and start the engine.

Question 52

When drivers need to remove water and oil from the air brake system, they should use the:

A)Safety valve
B)Air tank drain
C)Treadle valve
D)Alcohol evaporator

Question 53

If drivers notice that the air safety valve opens and is releasing air, it usually means?

A)The pressure has exceeded 150 psi.
B)The system is fully charged.
C)It means nothing, as this normal.
D)None of the above

Question 54

What should the air pressure loss be in a single vehicle with a fully charged air brake system?

A)Less than 2 psi per minute
B)Less than 3 psi per minute
C)Less than 4 psi per minute
D)Less than 5 psi per minute

Question 55

What should the air pressure loss be in a combination vehicle with a fully charged air brake system?

A)Less than 2 psi per minute
B)Less than 3 psi per minute
C)Less than 4 psi per minute
D)Less than 5 psi per minute

Question 56

In both single commercial vehicles and combination commercial vehicles, compressed air is stored where?

A)In the service and emergency lines
B)In the air compressor
C)Behind the pressure gauges
D)In the main reservoirs

Question 57

Which of the following statements is FALSE when backing up a commercial vehicle?

A)Drivers should back as slowly as possible.
B)Drivers should signal (via horn or other device) that they are backing up.
C)Drivers should back toward the passenger side of the vehicle.
D)Drivers should back toward the driver side of the vehicle.

Question 58

Which of the following is NOT true when looking ahead during highway driving?

A)Drivers should look ahead 4-5 car lengths.
B)Drivers should look ahead about 12-15 seconds.
C)Drivers should look ahead about one city block.
D)Drivers should look ahead about one-quarter of a mile.
E)None of the above

Question 59

In certain commercial vehicles that have air brakes, which device tells the driver how much air pressure is being applied to the brakes?

A)Air flow governor
B)Supply pressure gauge
C)Low air pressure warning signal light
D)Application pressure gauge

Question 60

Having too much weight on the steering axles can cause which of the following problems?

A)Make the vehicle unsafe to drive
B)Cause the steering to be difficult
C)Cause damage to the tires
D)Cause damage to the steering axle
E)All of the above

Question 61

If stopped on an incline, which of the following is the best way to prevent the vehicle from rolling backwards?

A)Keep the vehicle in gear and "ride" the clutch.
B)Shift into neutral.
C)Apply the parking brake.
D)Keep the vehicle in gear, and depress the clutch and brake at the same time.

Question 62

Some commercial vehicles have a device known as a wig-wag. What is a wig-wag?

A)The brake pedal
B)A device used to set the spring brakes by hand
C)A mechanical arm that appears when air pressure drops below 60 psi
D)None of the above

Question 63

Tire blowouts can happen on any type of commercial vehicle. If a tire blows out, drivers should:

A)Apply immediate, hard pressure to the brakes.
B)Set the emergency brake and pull over to the side of the road.
C)Firmly grasp the steering wheel, hit the brakes only when the vehicle slows, and pull over when able.
D)Do nothing as the ABS will slow the vehicle down safely.

Question 64

Which of the following issues could lead to a tire fire?

A)Under inflated tires
B)Dual tires that are touching one another
C)Excessive driving on very hot pavement
D)All of the above

Question 65

Commercial drivers often work random hours. How many hours of sleep does the average driver need in a 24 hour period?

A)4 or 5
B)5 or 6
C)6 or 7
D)7 or 8
E)8 or 9

Question 66

As of January 30, 2012, CDL drivers with a current medical certificate on file are:

A)Required to have a copy on their person while driving.
B)Not required to have a copy on their person while driving.
C)Subject to only state laws concerning the medical certificate.
D)None of the above

Question 67

A major hazard for all commercial drivers is railroad crossings. Which of the following statements is TRUE concerning railroad crossings?

A)Railroad crossing are not as dangerous today as many drivers believe.
B)Railroad crossings in urban areas are much safer than rural ones.
C)Railroad crossings should be approached as if expecting to see a train.
D)None of the above

Question 68

If approaching a railroad crossing and the driver sees a train in the distance, it is advisable to:

A)Speed up to beat the train.
B)Quickly calculate the train's speed and race it if it seems safe to do so.
C)Never try to race a train to the crossing as it is hard to judge train speed.
D)None of the above

Question 69

When approaching a railroad crossing, drivers should set their speed:

A)Based on how well they can see if a train is coming from any direction
B)According to the posted speed limit
C)According to the speed other drivers are traveling
D)To get over the tracks as quickly as possible

Question 70

Concerning a train's warning horn, commercial drivers should:

A)Assume they will hear it as it is very loud.
B)Never assume they will hear it because cab noise may hide it.
C)Rely on the horn more so than their own visual inspection of the track.
D)None of the above

Question 71

Concerning railroad crossing gates, warning lights, and signals, commercial drivers should:

A)Always trust these devices, as they are foolproof.
B)Never rely completely on these devices.
C)Do what other drivers are doing, including going around closed gates if it looks safe to do so.
D)Speed up regardless of signals if the driver can beat the train.

Question 72

Commercial drivers may find that they are faced with crossing multiple tracks. When crossing two or more tracks, drivers should:

A)Double check to ensure that all tracks are clear as one train may be hiding another.
B)Proceed the same way as other drivers are doing.
C)Rely solely on the safety devices installed at the tracks.
D)None of the above

Question 73

When approaching a railroad crossing, a full stop is required when:

A)The stop is mandated by law.
B)State or federal regulations mandate that a full stop be made because of the type of cargo being hauled.
C)The driver is operating a bus.
D)All of the above

Question 74

When driving across railroad tracks, commercial drivers should:

A)Avoid shifting gears while on the tracks.
B)Ensure that forward traffic has cleared the tracks before crossing.
C)Watch for steep inclines that may hang up the vehicle or trailer.
D)All of the above

Question 75

When driving a commercial vehicle that is top heavy and has a high center of gravity, drivers must be especially aware of:

A)Rolling over during turns, curves or sudden swerves
B)Loss of control during stops
C)Loss of control during acceleration
D)Loss of control while backing up

Question 76

Which of the following statements is TRUE when driving a commercial vehicle that is top heavy?

A)Posted speed limits on curves and off-ramps are always safe for top heavy loads.
B)Posted speed limits on curves and off-ramps may be too fast for a top heavy load.
C)Top heavy loads do not react to turns, curves, or swerves.
D)None of the above

Question 77

Underloaded front axles are most often caused by which of the following?

A)Too much weight placed toward the front
B)Too much weight placed on the center
C)Not enough weight placed on the center
D)Too much weight placed at the rear

Question 78

Before leaving on any trip, commercial drivers should inspect their load for the proper tie down requirements. Which of the following is correct?

A)Cargo less than ten feet long requires one tie down.
B)Cargo should have two tie downs on the first 10 feet, and one tie down for every 10 feet thereafter.
C)Cargo should have one tie down for every 15 feet.
D)Cargo does not have to be secured unless there is a risk that it can move.

Question 79

When making turns, commercial vehicles, including buses, are often at risk of hitting other vehicles or objects. This is due to which of the following factors?

A)Off tracking
B)Wide turning radius
C)Others getting too close to the commercial vehicle
D)All of the above

Question 80

When making a right hand turn, commercial drivers should:

A)Swing away from the curb on the right side.
B)Stay close to the curb on the right side.
C)Turn wide to the left as they begin the right turn.
D)Turn quickly to free up any congested traffic behind them.