CDL GENERAL KNOWLEDGE PRACTICE TEST – 01

This CDL general knowledge practice test will examine your knowledge of general trucking, safe transportation of cargo, safe driving, and the correct way to perform a pre-trip vehicle inspection. In order to receive your CDL, it is required that you pass the state’s official CDL General Knowledge exam.

General Knowledges Test 01

1 / 30

What is the proper color at the front of a vehicle for parking, clearance and identification lights?

Blue

White

Red

Amber

2 / 30

If your vehicle has hydraulic brakes, you should pump the brake pedal three times and then apply firm pressure for five seconds. The pedal should...?

Push back slightly

Drop to the floor

Stay in place

Drop slightly

3 / 30

When checking the steering system, it must be tested...?

By looking at it

By listening to it

By smelling it

By grabbing it

4 / 30

On a 20 inch steering wheel, there should not be more than how much play?

1 inch

3 inches

2 inches

4 inches

5 / 30

Air pressure for your brakes should build from 50 to 90 psi within what time?

Three minutes

Four minutes

One minute

Two minutes

6 / 30

Side marker lights must be what color at the rear of the vehicle?

Blue

Red

Amber

White

7 / 30

If your oil pressure is below the indicated limit, you should...?

Top it up at your next stop

Stop immediately

Note it on your report

Top it up at the end of the day

8 / 30

Which of these is permitted for use on the front wheels of the bus?

Recapped tires

Retreaded tires

Regrooved tires

None of them

9 / 30

Wheels or rims are unsafe if they have been welded...?

On the spokes

In any area

Near the hub

On the edge of the rim

10 / 30

Front facing turn signals must be what color?

White or blue

Amber or white

Red or amber

Red or white

11 / 30

When you are on the road, you must fasten your seatbelt...?

At all times

Before you reach a freeway

In urban areas

During the hours of darkness

12 / 30

Every major groove on the front tires of a commercial vehicle must have a tread depth of at least?

5/32 of an inch

4/32 of an inch

2/32 of an inch

3/32 of an inch

13 / 30

Why should you look under your vehicle at the beginning of your pretrip inspection?

For leaks

For loose gravel

To see if it's been raining

To check parts numbers

14 / 30

The second step of a pretrip inspection should be to check...?

The engine compartment

The driver's cab

The air brakes

The cargo

15 / 30

To check the stopping action of your service brakes, you should test them at about...?

2 mph

10 mph

5 mph

15 mph

16 / 30

As part of your safety equipment, your vehicle should have how many red reflective triangles?

Four

Two

One

Three

17 / 30

Rear turn signals should be which of these colors?

Amber

Any of them

Red

Yellow

18 / 30

All tires other than the front tires of a commercial vehicle must have a minimum tread depth of...?

1/32 of an inch

4/32 of an inch

2/32 of an inch

3/32 of an inch

19 / 30

What paperwork should you check before beginning your pretrip inspection?

Your own license documents

The vehicle registration

The last vehicle inspection report

The vehicle insurance documents

20 / 30

If you are transporting a cargo you must inspect its securement within what distance of starting a trip?

100 miles

50 miles

75 miles

25 miles

21 / 30

A vehicle must be placed out of service if what fraction of the leaves in any spring assembly on the suspension are broken?

1/4

1/3

1/5

1/2

22 / 30

If a yellow light on the left rear of the trailer stays on when you switch the engine on, this means...?

The ABS is not working properly

The ABS is working properly

The spring brakes are working properly

The spring brakes are not working properly

23 / 30

The most important reason for inspecting your vehicle before traveling is...?

To ensure you can make your journey as quickly as possible

Safety

None of these

To avoid fines

24 / 30

As you check your signal lights, you should...?

Do all of these things

Tick each one off on a list

Wipe each one clean

Tap the bulb of each one

25 / 30

Side marker reflectors which are not at the rear of the vehicle must be what color?

Red

Amber

White

Blue

26 / 30

Which of these senses should be used during a trip to check for problems?

Smell

Hearing

All of them

Vision

27 / 30

Before starting the engine on a manual vehicle you should make sure your gearshift is in...?

Reverse

Fifth

First

Neutral

28 / 30

After your first in trip inspection of the securement of your cargo, you must make regular additional inspections...?

Every 150 miles or three hours, whichever comes first

Every 250 miles

Every three hours

Every 150 miles

29 / 30

If lock nuts on your wheels have streaks of rust, this may indicate...?

They are about to break

Over tightness

Looseness

They are at the right tension

30 / 30

What is the main problem which a broken exhaust system can cause?

It can reduce fuel efficiency

It can poison the driver

It can lead to fines

It can reduce acceleration

Your score is

Why Take This CDL General Knowledge Practice Test?

You will be required to take a written knowledge test (try our CDL general knowledge practice test). Once you pass this test, you will be required to drive with another CDL licensed driver and practice driving on the road for at least 14 days.

The cost of getting your CDL will vary depending on the state you live in. On average, obtaining a learner’s permit will cost around $25. To get your full CDL license, fees will range from $50 to $200. While this might seem like a lot of money, the income you will receive in the future will make it worth the money.

There are three types of CDL classes that determine the type of vehicle you may drive and how much you may tow. A Class A CDL class allows you to operate a vehicle with a GCWR of 26,001 if the vehicle you tow weighs more than 10,000 and a Class B CDL allows you to operate a vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds or operate any vehicle towing another vehicle that weighs less than 10,000 GVWR. With a Class C CDL, you can operate a Class C vehicle that transports hazardous materials.