SD CDL - South Dakota Commercial Drivers License Basic Vehicle Control Questions and Answers

Question 1

When backing a large commercial vehicle, what is the most important safety practice to follow?

Accepted Answer

Getting out of the vehicle to look at your path of travel before backing.

Answer

Relying solely on your mirrors to see what is behind you.

Answer

Backing up as quickly as possible to minimize traffic disruption.

Answer

Assuming your path is clear if you just checked it a few minutes ago.

Question 2

You are driving a truck with a manual transmission. To accelerate smoothly from a stop, you should:

Accepted Answer

Slowly release the clutch while gently pressing the accelerator.

Answer

Release the clutch quickly while pressing hard on the accelerator.

Answer

Press the accelerator to the floor before releasing the clutch.

Answer

Keep the clutch pressed halfway down while accelerating.

Question 3

Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of a vehicle's retarder?

Accepted Answer

To help slow the vehicle and reduce wear on the service brakes.

Answer

To bring the vehicle to a rapid stop in an emergency.

Answer

To engage the parking brake automatically on steep grades.

Answer

To improve traction on slippery road surfaces.

Question 4

A driver is preparing to make a right turn in a large truck. To execute the turn properly without hitting the curb, the driver must:

Accepted Answer

Swing wide to the left before starting the turn to allow the rear wheels to clear the corner.

Answer

Keep the rear of the trailer as close to the curb as possible throughout the turn.

Answer

Turn the steering wheel sharply as soon as the front of the truck reaches the corner.

Answer

Accelerate quickly through the turn to reduce the turning radius.

Question 5

Under which condition should a driver AVOID using an engine retarder or "jake brake"?

Accepted Answer

When the roadway is wet, icy, or covered in snow.

Answer

When driving on a long, steep downgrade.

Answer

When driving on dry pavement in clear weather.

Answer

When approaching a stop sign on a level road.

Question 6

When shifting up in a heavy vehicle with a non-synchronized manual transmission, the proper technique is to:

Accepted Answer

Release the accelerator, push the clutch in, shift to neutral, release the clutch, then push the clutch in again to shift to the next gear.

Answer

Push the clutch in once and quickly shift to the next higher gear.

Answer

Keep the accelerator pressed down while quickly shifting gears.

Answer

Shift directly from a low gear to a high gear, skipping the gears in between.