CDL School

ATI's Commercial Driving programs are designed to get you ready for a new career in just 6 weeks.

Commercial Driver’s License are:

Single vehicles with a gross vehicle weight (GVWR) of 26,001 lbs. or more
A combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 lbs. or more if the vehicle(s) being towed has a GVWR of more than 10,000 lbs.
A vehicle that carries 16 or more passengers, including the driver
Any size vehicle that transports hazardous materials and that requires federal placarding

Commercial Driver’s License requirements do not apply to:

operators of emergency vehicles, such as firefighters
Active-duty military personnel operating military vehicles
Operators of vehicles, such as recreational vehicles and rental moving vans, used only for personal use
Operators of Covered Farm Vehicles as defined in § 46.2-649.3
Operators of farm vehicles if:

The vehicle is used by farmers to move farm goods, supplies or machinery to or from their farm
The vehicle is used within 150 miles of the farm, and
The vehicle is not used as a common or contract motor carrier.

CDL (Commercial Driver's License) Practice Test

Getting your Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) is an essential step for a career in commercial driving. Whether you're aiming to drive a tractor-trailer, a bus, or a delivery truck, passing the CDL exam is crucial. This practice test is designed to help you prepare for the actual exam by covering key topics, including general knowledge, air brakes, and combination vehicles. By taking this practice test, you can assess your current knowledge, identify areas for improvement, and gain the confidence needed to succeed. Good luck with your preparation and on your journey to becoming a professional commercial driver!

To begin please provide First and Last name and email!

Results and answers will be email after completion.

1 / 50

Which of these is a proper use of vehicle lights and flashers?

1. Turning on your headlights during the day when visibility is reduced due to rain or snow

2. Flashing your brake lights to warn someone behind you of a hazard that will require slowing down

3. Flashing your brake lights to warn someone behind you that you're going to stop on the road

4. All answers are correct

2 / 50

What is the minimum number of tie downs for a 20-foot load?

1. At least one tie down for every 20 feet

2. At least two tie downs for every 10 feet

3. At least one tie down for every 5 feet

4. At least one tie down for every 10 feet

3 / 50

Which of these is a sign of tire failure?

1. Steering that feels heavy

2. A loud bang

3. Vibration

4. All answers are correct

4 / 50

If you need to leave the road in a traffic emergency, you should

1. Avoid braking until your speed has decreased to about 20 mph

2. Tap repeatedly on the brakes

3. Try to get all the wheels off the pavement

5 / 50

You should put the starter switch key into your pocket while you perform the pre-trip inspection because?

1. Someone could start and move the truck

2. Someone could steal the truck

3. It could damage the starting mechanism

4. Any of the above could occur

6 / 50

The distance that you should look ahead of your vehicle while driving amounts to about ____ at highway speeds

1. One block

2. 500 feet

3. ¼ mile

7 / 50

If you're driving a long distance, you should

1. Stop often and take short breaks before you feel drowsy or tired

2. Take a short break once or twice during the trip when you are feeling tired or drowsy

3. Avoid short breaks but keep the window open

8 / 50

Which of these statements about double clutching and shifting is true?

1. Double clutching should not be used when the road is slippery

2. Double clutching should only be used with a heavy load

3. You can use the tachometer to tell you when to shift

9 / 50

Of the choices below, the first thing to do when a low air pressure warning comes on is:

1. Stop and safely park as soon as possible

2. Up shift

3. Adjust the brake pedal for more travel

10 / 50

Signs of distracted drivers include?

1. Vehicles constantly traveling above the speed limit.

2. Drivers having conversations with passengers

3. Vehicles exciting the roadway

4. Drivers listening to overly loud music

11 / 50

The safety release valve is located on the air tanks and is used by?

1. Pulling a hand valve

2. Self-operated when the air pressure is above 150 psi

3. Must be pulled after every working day

12 / 50

The most common cause of serious vehicle skids is?

1. Driving too fast for road conditions

2. Poorly adjusted brakes

3. Bad tires

4. Poorly designed roads

13 / 50

How long does it take a typical tractor-trailer to clear a single railroad track? A double railroad track?

1. It takes 14 seconds to clear a single track and more than 15 seconds to clear a double track

2. It takes 10 seconds to clear a single track and more than 12 seconds to clear a double track

3. It takes 7 seconds to clear a single track and more than 10 seconds to clear a double track

14 / 50

What is a pull-up?

1. Re-posting of your vehicle when backing

2. A replacement for backing

3. Short forward movement to save brake wear

4. A diaper

15 / 50

If you are checking your tires for a pre-trip inspection. Which of these statements is true?

1. Dual tires should be touching each other

2. Tires of mismatched sizes should not be used on the same vehicle

3. Radial and bias-ply tires can be used together on the same vehicle

16 / 50

Name some things you should check on the front of your vehicle during the walk around inspection?

1. Fuel tank, engine, tires

2. Brakes, air lines, suspension

3. Signal and clearance lights, headlights

4. Cab area, coupling system, rims

17 / 50

If you have a heavy load that is slowing you down on an upgrade, you should

1. Shift into a lower gear

2. Drive on the shoulder so that others can pass you easily

3. Exit the roadway until traffic is lighter

18 / 50

How many reflective triangles should you carry?

1. 1

2. 2

3. 3

4. 4

19 / 50

Letting hot air out of tires:

1. Is a good idea because the extra pressure will be relieved

2. Will have no effect at all

3. Will cool them down. You will be able to continue your trip sooner

4. Is a bad idea because when the tires cool off, the pressure will be too low

20 / 50

Tank vehicles are used to carry any liquid are dangerous to drive because?

1. High center of gravity

2. Danger of load surge

3. High center of gravity and danger of load surge

4. No answers are correct

21 / 50

Whenever you stop for a break during your trip, you should

1. Call in and check with dispatch

2. Check critical items such as the tires, brakes, and cargo tie downs

3. Chech critical items such as the windshield wipers, heater, and defroster

22 / 50

The Driver must be able to see a warning that is given before air pressure in the service air tanks falls below:

1. 20 psi

2. 40 psi

3. 60 psi

23 / 50

What kind of fire is a B:C extinguisher good for?

1. Electrical, fuel

2. Meat, cheese

3. Wood, paper, cloth

4. Metal, rubber

24 / 50

Which is not one of the four basic skills that operating a commercial motor vehicle requires?

1. Accelerating

2. Steering

3. First-aid certification

4. Backing safely

25 / 50

Under federal regulations, if a vehicle is carrying a load that is more than two feet wide and extends more than four feet beyond the rear of the vehicle, _____ must be placed at the extreme end of the load.

1. Two red flags

2. Two red lights

3. One red flag

26 / 50

What are some things to do at an accident scene to prevent another accident?

1. Try to get your vehicle to the side of the road

2. If you're stopping to help, park away from the accident

3. Both above are correct

27 / 50

If your vehicle is 40 feet long and you are traveling at 50 MPH, what is the safe following distance?

1. 3 seconds

2. 4 seconds

3. 7 seconds

4. 5 seconds

28 / 50

What is the minimum tread depth for tires not installed in the front?

1. 4/32

2. 2/32

3. 7/16

4. 3/8

29 / 50

Which of the following will be true about brake function if your antilock braking system (ABS) fails?

1. You will still have normal brake function and will just need to get the ABS repaired soon

2. It may cause problems with other mechanical systems and possibly pose a huge fire risk

3. It will slow your truck to a halt and force you to pull over

4. You will have no brake function and your truck will be out of control

30 / 50

To correct a rear wheel or drive wheel braking skid, you should:

1. Apply more braking pressure to the brake pedal

2. Apply more pressure to the brake pedal and steer, counter steer

3. Release brakes and counter steer

31 / 50

A key principle to remember about loading cargo is to keep the load

1. To the front

2. To the rear

3. Balanced in the cargo area

32 / 50

What is Hydroplaning?

1. Tires lose contact with the road and have no traction

2. Turning steering wheel but vehicle does not turn

3. Braking but vehicle does not stop

4. Form of surfing

33 / 50

For what three things related to cargo are drivers responsible?

1. Size of cargo, where cargo is placed, and unbalanced cargo

2. Inspection of cargo, balanced weight of cargo, secured cargo

3. Secured cargo inspection of sealed cargo, balanced weight of cargo

4. Inspection of a sealed container, balanced weight of cargo, where cargo is placed

34 / 50

The road you are driving on becomes very slippery due to glare ice, which of these is a good thing to do in such a situation?

1. Stop driving and park where it is safe to do so

2. Downshift to stop

3. Apply the brakes often to keep the linings dry

35 / 50

When driving through roadway work zones, you should

1. Turn on your parking lights

2. Watch for sharp pavement drop-offs

3. Reduce speed only if workers are close to the roadway

36 / 50

To maintain alertness on your trips, you should

1. Avoid medications that cause drowsiness

2. Schedule your trips for the daytime hours

3. Get 8-9 hours of sleep beforehand

4. Do all of the above

37 / 50

Which of these statements about driving in areas with strong winds is true?

1. You should drive alongside other vehicles to help break up the wind

2. The lighter your vehicle, the less trouble you will have the wind

3. Winds are especially a problem when coming out of tunnels

38 / 50

How can you start moving without rolling backwards?

1. Engage the clutch before moving your foot off the brake

2. Apply the trailer brake hand valve

3. Set the parking brake whenever necessary

4. Do all the above

39 / 50

The load means the following?

1. The maximum safe weight a tire can carry at a specified pressure

2. Specified pressure an air tire can carry

3. Both above

4. No answers are correct

40 / 50

What is the “gross combination weight” (GCW)?

1. Weight of cargo, plus weight of drivers and passengers

2. The maximum weight specified by the manufacturer that a vehicle can hold

3. Weight of trailer plus weight of cargo

4. Weight of power unit, plus trailer, plus cargo

41 / 50

The most important hand signal that you and a helper should agree on is?

1. “Go”

2. “Stop”

3. “Faster”

4. “Turn up the music”

42 / 50

Gross vehicle weight rating or GVWR means the following:

1. Total weight of a single vehicle

2. Total weight of a single plus its load

3. Both above

4. No answers are correct

43 / 50

Stopping is not always the safest thing to do in an emergency

1. True

2. False

44 / 50

You do not have a hazardous materials endorsement on your commercial driver’s license. You are asked to haul hazardous materials in a placarded vehicle you should:

1. Refuse to haul the load

2. Haul the load without the endorsement

3. Take the load out the vehicle and haul the load without hazardous materials

4. Ask someone else to haul the load

45 / 50

Which of these statements about cold weather driving is true?

1. There is no need to worry about engine overheating when the weather is very cold

2. Windshield washer antifreeze should be added to the washer reservoir

3. Exhaust system leaks are less dangerous in cold weather

4. In snowstorms, wiper blades should be adjusted so that they do not make direct contact with the windshield

46 / 50

If a tire blows out, you should put the brakes on hard to stop quickly

1. True

2. False

47 / 50

Which of these is NOT part of the basic method for shifting up?

1. Releasing the clutch and pressing the accelerator at the same time

2. Releasing the clutch

3. Pushing in the clutch and shifting into a higher gear at the same time

4. Accelerating while pressing the clutch and turning toward the driver's side

48 / 50

Which statement is true about rear drive-wheel braking skids?

1. When pulling a trailer, the trailer can push the towing vehicle sideways

2. The locked wheels have more traction than the ones that are rolling

3. It is not a cause of jackknifing

4. The vehicles front wheels will slide sideways

49 / 50

A vehicle is loaded with most of the weight on the steering axle. What may result?

1. Hard steering and possible breakdown

2. Better handling

3. A need to disconnect the steering axle brakes

50 / 50

What is the definition of a Hazard?

1. A road user or road condition that presents a possible danger

2. Something you can safely ignore

3. Something you can easily avoid

4. Something you must stop for

The average score is 67%

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