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CDL Practice Test

One of your first steps in becoming a professional truck driver is to get a commercial learner’s permit (CLP). To start, study the CDL manual for your state of residence – then test your knowledge with the CLP practice test below. This test includes the types of questions likely to appear on your state’s permit test.

You can take this CDL practice test as often as you like. You’ll see your score and answers to all the questions when you are done with the test. Click the “Start” to begin.

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Created on April 11, 2022

Practice CDL test

1 / 47

Which of these help you choose the safest speed when descending a long, steep downgrade?

A. Road conditions

B. Weather

C. Length and angle of grade

D. All of the above

2 / 47

When using a fire extinguisher on a fire, you should:

A. Get as close as possible to the fire

B. Aim at the source of the fire, not the flames

C. Call 911 before taking other action

D. Stay as far as possible from the fire

E. -- A and C

F. -- B and D

3 / 47

What is the best way to see the sides and rear of your vehicle?

A. Rear view cameras

B. Your mirrors

C. Rolling down your window

D. None of the above

4 / 47

Which of these should you always check when doing a walk-around inspection?

A. Low beams, high beams, turn signals and tires

B. Suspension, system parts and brakes

C. Oil, air compressor, radiator and hood latch

D. All of the above

5 / 47

When the amount of alcohol in a person's blood stream increases, it impacts:

A. The person's judgment and self-control

B. Bladder control

C. Muscle control and coordination

D. -- A and C

E. All of the above

6 / 47

How should you respond to an aggressive driver?

A. Remain calm and try to move away from them

B. Report them to the police if it is safe to do so

C. Don't react with anger or negativity

D. All of the above

7 / 47

Compared to a fully loaded truck, an empty truck requires this much stopping distance:

A. The same distance

B. Less distance

C. More distance

8 / 47

Why is it important to be in the correct gear before heading down a long hill?

A. It's the law in most states

B. You may not be able to shift into a lower gear while descending

C. Clutches are made to be used only on level surfaces

D. You will want to be in this gear when you reach the bottom of the hill

9 / 47

When driving, you must always be scanning ahead for:

A. Distracted drivers on their cell phones

B. Police vehicles and detours

C. Tunnels and overpasses

D. Vehicles and traffic signs

10 / 47

Which of these are considered road hazards?

A Vehicles carrying hazardous materials that aren't properly marked

B. Passenger vehicles carrying the maximum number of passengers

C. Poor road conditions; impaired or distracted drivers

D. All of the above

11 / 47

Where should you place warning devices when stopped on a divided highway?

A. 10 feet, 100 feet and 200 feet toward approaching traffic

B. 15 feet, 75 feet and 150 feet toward approaching traffic

C. 20 feet, 150 feet and 300 feet toward approaching traffic

D. 30 feet, 100 feet and 1500 feet toward approaching traffic

12 / 47

Which of these can help you avoid distracted driving?

A. Plan your route before you begin to drive

B. Pre-program radio stations and pre-load music before heading out

C. Vary your driving speed from time to time

D. -- A and B

E. None of the above

13 / 47

Which two of these alerts you to when it's time to shift up?

A. Engine speed and road speed

B. Engine speed and shift indicator light

C. Road speed and wind speed

D. None of the above

14 / 47

Seeing hazards is an important part of professional truck driving. Which of these are considered hazards?

A. Stopped transit buses

B. Pedestrians and bicyclists

C. Road construction zones

D. All of the above

15 / 47

You brake until you feel your vehicle slow down. When your speed is 5 mph below your safe speed limit, you release the brakes. When your speed has increased to your safe speed, you repeat these steps.

Why are you doing this?

A. Because the roads are slippery

B. Because you are on a long, steep down grade

C. Your tires have suddenly blown out

D. None of the above

16 / 47

If your vehicle cannot make a right turn into another lane because of its size, you need to do this to prevent vehicles from passing you on the right:

A. Turn right and drive over the curb

B. Turn wide as you complete the turn

C. Turn wide before you start the turn

D. Start the turn and then back up as needed to reposition yourself

17 / 47

At night, when should you use high beam headlights?

A. All the time

B. Never if you can help it

C. Only on the interstate

D. Whenever it is safe and legal

18 / 47

How and/or where should you use cargo blocking?

A. From the upper part of the cargo to the floor

B. Loosely around the cargo

C. In the front, back and/or sides of cargo

D. All of the above

19 / 47

When you are transporting a load, you must inspect your load securement in the first:

A. 25 miles

B. 50 miles

C. 75 miles

D. 100 miles

20 / 47

Which of these is true about alcohol?

A. Drinking lots of caffeine will counteract the effects of alcohol

B. Small amounts of alcohol improve your reaction times

C. Alcohol quickly affects your judgement and self-control

D. Alcohol can slow your reflexes and reaction times

E. -- C and D

21 / 47

If you become sleepy while driving, you should:

A. Roll down the windows

B. Stop to sleep

C. Turn up the radio

D. All of the above

22 / 47

Name one reason dry bulk tanks need special care.

A. They should not get wet

B. They should only be filled half way

C. The load can shift

D. The load can easily catch fire

23 / 47

What does "communicating" mean when we talk about safe driving?

A. Using hand signals

B. Using turn signals, four-way flashers, headlights and horn

C. Using your CB radio or cell phone

D. All of the above

24 / 47

How many emergency red reflective triangles should you carry in your truck?

A. At least 1

B. At least 2

C. At least 3

D. At least 4

25 / 47

What is the single most important reason you should ALWAYS conduct a pre-trip inspection?

A. Because you may be inspected by law enforcement down the road

B. To ensure your safety and that of others

C. It is a requirement for all drivers

D. To make sure your load reaches its destination on time

26 / 47

If you do NOT have a Hazardous Materials ("H") endorsement, when are you allowed to haul hazardous materials?

A. Never

B. When someone with an "H" endorsement rides with you

C. When your vehicle's GVWR is 26,001 lbs or less

D. When the vehicle does not require placards

27 / 47

When you are stopped on top of a hill, what procedure do you follow to move forward without rolling back?

A. Place blocks behind the tires

B. Increase your RPMs and quickly release the clutch

C. Partly engage the clutch before taking your right foot off the brake

D. Apply the trailer head brake and release it after you start moving forward

28 / 47

When brakes are wet, they can result in:

A. Wheel lockups

B. Loss of braking power

C. Pulling to one side

D. All of the above

29 / 47

What is the minimum depth for all tires EXCEPT the front tires?

A. 2/32-inch in every major groove

B. 3/32-inch in every major groove

C. 4/32-inch in every major groove

D. 5/32 inch in every major groove

30 / 47

If you are driving a vehicle with a retarder, when should you switch it off?

A. When driving on hilly, rural roads

B. When road conditions are outstanding

C. When roads are wet, icy or covered with snow

D. When driving on freeways

31 / 47

Name the two main causes of tire fires.

A. Over-heated brakes and under-inflated tires

B. Poor quality retreads and under-inflated tires

C. Dual tires that touch and hot, bumpy roads

D. Under-inflated tires and debris between the tires

32 / 47

In which of these situations should you downshift your vehicle?

A. Before heading down a hill and before going up one

B. Before starting down a hill and before entering a tunnel

C. Before starting down a hill and before entering a curve

D. Before going up a hill and before entering a curve

33 / 47

What helps someone who has been drinking sober up?

A. Fresh air

B. Coffee

C. Time

D. All of the above

34 / 47

Doubling your speed increases your stopping distance by:

A. 2 times

B. 3 times

C. 4 times

D. 5 times

35 / 47

What is the minimum number of tie downs for a flatbed load?

A. One

B. Two

C. Three

D. Four

E. Five

36 / 47

Name three key parts of a steering system.

A. Tie rod, spindle, pitman arm

B. Rim, lug nuts, tire

C. Main spring, spring shackle, axle

D. Leaf spring, vehicle frame, torque rod

37 / 47

Which of these is considered a driving hazard that you should be aware of?

A. Workers along roads and highways

B. Crash scenes

D. Groups of bicycle riders on the shoulder of the road

E. Children gathered at an ice cream truck

F. All of the above

38 / 47

Always check your wheel hub seals for:

A. Rubbing and burning

B. Leaks

C. Discoloration

D. All of the above

39 / 47

Which three cargo-related issues are you responsible for as a driver?

A. Inspecting the cargo, recognizing overloads, and proper load securement

B. Recognizing shortages/overages, on-time delivery, unloading cargo

C. Weighing, securing, and unloading the cargo

D. Loading the cargo, recognizing poorly balanced weight, and hauling the cargo

40 / 47

What is the safe minimum groove depth for your front tire treads?

A. 2/32-inch in every major groove

B. 3/32-inch in every major groove

C. 4/32-inch in every major groove

D. 5/32-inch in every major groove

41 / 47

Which of these is an important rule for loading cargo?

A. Load cargo toward the rear of the truck for easier unloading

B. Load more cargo toward the front of the truck

C. Load more weight over the drive axel for better traction

D. Load cargo weight evenly over all the axles

42 / 47

What is the most important reason to have an additional person helping you when backing your vehicle?

A. To see blind spots you can't

B. To minimize distractions

C. To direct traffic around you

D. To catch any steering errors

43 / 47

During your pre-trip inspection, which of the following is NOT a defect in the suspension system?

A. A missing U-bolt

B. A damaged tie rod

C. A broken leave in a leaf spring

D. A leaking shock absorber

44 / 47

What kind of emergency equipment must you carry with you?

A. First aid kit, fire extinguisher, flares

B. First aid kit, crash reporting tools, tire changing kit

C. Fire extinguisher, warning devices for parked vehicles, spare electrical fuses

D. Emergency phone numbers, first aid kit, fire blanket

45 / 47

What should you do if someone is following too close behind you?

A. Increase distance between the vehicles

B. Flash your brake lights

C. Speed up a little

D. None of the above

46 / 47

When do you need to downshift if you are driving an automatic transmission?

A. Before entering a curve

B. Going up a steep hill

C. Going down a long grade

D. Never downshift an automatic transmission vehicle

47 / 47

When do you use placards?

A. To prevent mixing hazardous materials with food freight

B. As a warning you are carrying hazardous materials

C. For easy identification during roadside inspections

D. All of the above

Your score is

The average score is 65%

If you’ve got questions about applying for a learner’s permit or about Halvor’s paid CDL training, reach out to our recruiters for help. If you’re not sure what to ask them, this list of questions to ask a trucking recruiter will help. Or, if you’re ready to get started at a good-paying truck driving job, apply now to drive with a Best Fleet to Drive For winner ten years in a row.

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