Make objects appear closer than they actually are

Make objects appear larger than they actually are

None of the answers are correct

Pulling onto the shoulder of the road

Alabama CDL General Knowledge Practice Test # 2 — Questions and Answers

Question 1: YOU ARE CHECKING YOUR STEERING AND EXHAUST SYSTEMS DURING A PRE-TRIP INSPECTION. WHICH OF THESE STATEMENTS IS TRUE?

Steering wheel play of more than 10 degrees (2 inches on a 20-inch steering wheel) can make it hard to steer (Correct answer)
Leaks in the exhaust system are not a problem if they are outside of the cab
Some leakage of power steering fluid is normal
If you find a leak in the exhaust system, drive with the window open

Correct answer: Steering wheel play of more than 10 degrees (2 inches on a 20-inch steering wheel) can make it hard to steer

Excessive steering wheel play is a serious safety defect. Steering wheel play of more than 10 degrees, which translates to about 2 inches of movement on a 20-inch steering wheel, indicates loose or worn steering components. This excessive play makes it difficult to maintain precise control of the vehicle, especially at highway speeds, increasing the risk of an accident.

Question 2: THE KEY POINT IN BALANCING CARGO WEIGHT IS TO KEEP THE LOAD:

To the front
To the rear
Centered (Correct answer)
Low to the floor

Correct answer: Centered

The key point in balancing cargo weight is to keep the load centered over the axles. Distributing the weight evenly from side to side and front to back helps maintain the vehicle's stability and handling characteristics. An unbalanced load can cause the vehicle to lean, sway, or become difficult to steer, increasing the risk of rollover or loss of control.

Question 3: CONVEX MIRRORS WILL:

Show a wider view than flat mirrors (Correct answer)
Make objects appear closer than they actually are
Make objects appear larger than they actually are
None of the answers are correct

Correct answer: Show a wider view than flat mirrors

Convex mirrors are designed with a curved surface that allows them to show a wider field of view compared to flat mirrors. This wider view is beneficial for commercial drivers to see blind spots and more of the surrounding traffic. However, a drawback is that objects viewed in convex mirrors appear smaller and farther away than they actually are, requiring drivers to adjust their perception.

Question 4: WHAT SHOULD YOU DO WHEN TRAVELING THROUGH A CONSTRUCTION ZONE?

Only reduce speed if you see a worker near the road
Watch for holes in the road and drop offs (Correct answer)
Stop before entering, then proceed in low gear
Go as quickly as possible to avoid congestion

Correct answer: Watch for holes in the road and drop offs

When traveling through a construction zone, it is crucial to exercise extreme caution and be vigilant for various hazards. These zones often have uneven surfaces, temporary lane shifts, loose debris, and significant changes in elevation, such as holes in the road or sudden drop-offs. Drivers must reduce speed, increase following distance, and constantly watch for these dangers to ensure safety for themselves and construction workers.

Question 5: CAN YOUR TRUCK OR BUS BE INSPECTED BY FEDERAL INSPECTORS?

Yes
Only to the point of entry
Yes, but they cannot place you out of service
Yes, and they can also place you out of service (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Yes, and they can also place you out of service

Yes, commercial trucks and buses are subject to inspection by federal inspectors, such as those from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). These inspectors have the authority to conduct roadside inspections to ensure compliance with federal safety regulations. If a vehicle or driver is found to be in violation of critical safety standards, federal inspectors have the power to place the vehicle or driver out of service until the issues are corrected.

Question 6: WHEN SHOULD YOU USE CONTROLLED BRAKING?

If the vehicle is equipped with anti-lock braking
Only use with hydraulic brakes
You need to stop quickly
To keep the vehicle in a straight line when braking (Correct answer)

Correct answer: To keep the vehicle in a straight line when braking

Controlled braking is a technique used to stop a vehicle quickly while maintaining steering control and keeping it in a straight line. It involves applying the brakes as hard as possible without locking the wheels, and if the wheels begin to lock, easing off slightly until they roll again, then reapplying. This method maximizes braking force while preventing skidding, which is essential for emergency stops without ABS.

Question 7: CAN YOU USE OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICATION WHEN OPERATING A CMV?

Yes, but only take half a dose
It should not be used because it can make you sleepy (Correct answer)
Yes, but only during daylight hours
As long as the dispatcher says it is ok

Correct answer: It should not be used because it can make you sleepy

Many over-the-counter medications, especially cold and allergy remedies, contain ingredients that can cause drowsiness or impair judgment. Operating a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) requires full alertness and unimpaired faculties to ensure safety. Therefore, using such medications while driving a CMV is dangerous and should be avoided, as it can significantly increase the risk of an accident.

Question 8: WHEN YOUR BRAKES ARE WET, IT IS VERY EASY TO:

Hydroplane if traveling faster than 30 mph
Hydroplane
Overheat your brakes
Jackknife the trailer (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Jackknife the trailer

When brakes are wet, they can lose effectiveness unevenly, especially on a tractor-trailer. If the tractor's brakes grab while the trailer's brakes are still wet and less effective, or vice-versa, it can cause the trailer to push the tractor sideways. This loss of control is known as a jackknife, a highly dangerous situation where the trailer swings around to form an acute angle with the tractor.

Question 9: WHEN CONDUCTING A PRE-TRIP INSPECTION OF THE STEERING SYSTEM, YOU WOULD NOT INSPECT:

Missing nuts, bolts or other parts on the steering box
Leaking shock absorbers (Correct answer)
Power steering hoses, pumps and fluid level
Power steering fluid leaks

Correct answer: Leaking shock absorbers

During a pre-trip inspection of the steering system, you focus on components directly related to steering control, such as the steering box, power steering fluid, hoses, and linkages. Shock absorbers are part of the suspension system, not the steering system. While important for vehicle control and ride comfort, their inspection falls under the suspension check, not specifically the steering system.

Question 10: "OFFTRACKING" IS:

Driving on a dirt road
Passing on the right
Pulling onto the shoulder of the road
Trailer wheels following a different path than the tractor wheels (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Trailer wheels following a different path than the tractor wheels

Offtracking, also known as "cut-in," is a phenomenon where the rear wheels of a long vehicle, particularly a tractor-trailer, follow a shorter path than the front wheels when making a turn. This means the trailer wheels will track closer to the inside of the turn than the tractor wheels. Drivers must account for off-tracking to avoid hitting curbs, signs, or other vehicles, especially in tight turns or intersections.

Question 11: YOUR VEHICLE IS IN A TRAFFIC EMERGENCY AND MAY COLLIDE WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE IF YOU DO NOT TAKE ACTION.

You can almost always tum to miss an obstacle more quickly than you can stop (Correct answer)
Stopping is always the safest action in a traffic emergency
Leaving the road is always more risky than hitting another vehicle
Unbuckle your seat belt before impact so you will not be trapped inside your vehicle

Correct answer: You can almost always tum to miss an obstacle more quickly than you can stop

In an emergency, turning to avoid an obstacle is often a more effective evasive maneuver than attempting to stop. Large vehicles, like CMVs, require significant distance to stop, especially at higher speeds. A quick turn can change the vehicle's path more rapidly than braking can reduce its speed enough to prevent a collision, assuming there is an open escape path.

Question 12: WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING IS TRUE WHEN DRIVING IN COLD WEATHER?

Use windshield washer anti-freeze (Correct answer)
Use bleach on your tires to increase traction
If the temperature is below freezing, the engine will not freeze
Exhaust leaks are not a concern

Correct answer: Use windshield washer anti-freeze

In cold weather, water in the windshield washer reservoir can freeze, rendering the system useless and potentially damaging the pump or lines. Using windshield washer anti-freeze ensures that the fluid remains liquid and can effectively clear the windshield of snow, ice, and road grime. This maintains clear visibility, which is crucial for safe driving in winter conditions.

Question 13: WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO SHIFT GEARS PROPERLY?

To keep the engine at the proper temperature
To keep the radiator cool
To keep the oil flowing through the crankcase
To help maintain control of the vehicle (Correct answer)

Correct answer: To help maintain control of the vehicle

Proper gear shifting is essential for maintaining control of a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV). Shifting correctly allows the driver to keep the engine within its optimal RPM range, providing adequate power for acceleration and maintaining appropriate engine braking for deceleration. This ensures the vehicle responds predictably to driver inputs, especially on grades or in varying traffic conditions, preventing loss of power or excessive speed.

Question 14: WHAT TYPE OF FIRE WILL WATER EXTINGUISH?

Tire (Correct answer)
Gasoline
Diesel
Electrical

Correct answer: Tire

Water is effective in extinguishing Class A fires, which involve ordinary combustible materials like wood, paper, and rubber. A tire fire, being composed of rubber, falls into this category. However, water should never be used on Class B (flammable liquids like gasoline or diesel) or Class C (electrical) fires, as it can spread the fire or create an electrocution hazard.

Question 15: YOU SHOULD USE YOUR HORN:

When changing lanes
To help you avoid a collision (Correct answer)
When a car gets in your way
To make a deer move away from the roadside

Correct answer: To help you avoid a collision

The primary purpose of a vehicle's horn is to alert other drivers or pedestrians to your presence or to warn them of a potential hazard. Using the horn can draw attention and give others time to react, thereby helping to prevent a collision. It should be used as a warning signal, not as a means of expressing frustration or impatience.

Question 16: IN NORMAL DRIVING SOME DRIVERS USE THE HAND VALVE BEFORE THE BRAKE PEDAL TO PREVENT A JACKKNIFE. WHICH OF THESE STATEMENTS ARE TRUE?

This should not be done (Correct answer)
This results in less skidding
Lets driver steer with both hands
Best way to brake in a straight line

Correct answer: This should not be done

Using the hand valve (trailer brake control) by itself to slow down a combination vehicle is dangerous and can easily lead to a jackknife. The hand valve only applies the trailer brakes, which can cause the trailer wheels to lock up and swing out, especially on slippery surfaces. For normal braking, the foot pedal should be used, which applies brakes to both the tractor and trailer simultaneously and proportionally.

Question 17: WITH LOW-BEAM HEADLIGHTS ON, YOU CAN SEE

250 feet ahead (Correct answer)
200 feet ahead
150 feet ahead
350 feet ahead

Correct answer: 250 feet ahead

Low-beam headlights are designed to illuminate the road directly in front of the vehicle without blinding oncoming drivers. For most Commercial Motor Vehicles (CMVs), low beams typically provide adequate visibility for approximately 250 feet. Drivers should adjust their speed to be able to stop within the distance they can see ahead, especially at night.

Question 18: YOU CAN BE PLACED OUT OF SERVICE IF YOUR BLOOD ALCOHOL CONCENTRATION IS:

1.0% or higher
Any amount detectable (Correct answer)
0.05% or higher
0.04% or higher

Correct answer: Any amount detectable

For Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) drivers, federal regulations prohibit operating a CMV with any detectable amount of alcohol in their system. While a BAC of 0.04% or higher will result in being placed out of service, even a BAC below 0.04% but still detectable can lead to a 24-hour out-of-service order. This emphasizes a zero-tolerance approach to alcohol for CMV operators.

Question 19: WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A TIRE BLOWS OUT AT HIGHWAY SPEED?

The low air pressure alarm will come on
You will hear a loud hissing sound coming from your tire
You will feel a vibration (Correct answer)
There will be an immediate drop in speed

Correct answer: You will feel a vibration

When a tire blows out at highway speed, the sudden loss of air pressure and the violent tearing of the tire casing will cause a noticeable vibration in the steering wheel and/or the vehicle itself. This vibration is often accompanied by a loud bang. The driver must maintain a firm grip on the steering wheel and gradually slow down to regain control.

Question 20: WHEN BACKING TO A DOCK, WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING IS NOT TRUE?

Always back toward the driver's side if possible
Use a helper and hand signals
Back slowly until you bump the dock (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Back slowly until you bump the dock

It is incorrect and unsafe to back a CMV until it bumps the dock. Bumping the dock can cause damage to the vehicle, the dock, or the cargo. Instead, drivers should back slowly and carefully, using mirrors and a helper if available, to position the trailer precisely without making contact until the final, gentle approach. The goal is to stop just short of the dock or make a very light, controlled contact.

Alabama CDL General Knowledge Practice Test # 2

YOU ARE CHECKING YOUR STEERING AND EXHAUST SYSTEMS DURING A PRE-TRIP INSPECTION.
WHICH OF THESE STATEMENTS IS TRUE?