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

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

2 / 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

3 / 50

What should you do if you get stuck on the railroad tracks?

1. Stay in your vehicles

2. Call for help

3. Get out of your vehicle and away from the tracks

4 / 50

If a straight vehicle goes into a front wheel skid it will:

1. Slide sideways and spin out

2. Go straight ahead but will turn if you turn the steering wheel

3. Go straight ahead even if the steering wheel is turned

5 / 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

6 / 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

7 / 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

8 / 50

IF a straight vehicle (no trailer or articulation) goes into a front-wheel skid, it will:

1. Slide sideways and spin out

2. Go straight ahead even if the steering wheel is turned

3. Go to the right

9 / 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

10 / 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

11 / 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”

12 / 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

13 / 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

14 / 50

How many reflective triangles should you carry?

1. 1

2. 2

3. 3

4. 4

15 / 50

Which of these statements about managing space is true?

1. Many accidents are caused by drivers keeping too much space in front of their vehicles

2. Smaller vehicles require more space to stop than larger ones

3. When the road is slippery you should keep more space in front of your vehicle

16 / 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

17 / 50

Cargo that can shift should have at least __ tie-down(s)

1. 4

2. 3

3. 2

4. 1

18 / 50

Blocking the cargo to keep it from shifting must be done

1. At the front, back, and/or sides of a piece of cargo

2. Only at the front of a piece of cargo

3. At the cargo deck

19 / 50

As the blood alcohol concentration or BAC goes up, what will happen?

1. The drinker clearly sees how alcohol is affecting them

2. The effect of alcohol decreases

3. The person becomes more dangerous if allowed to drive

4. The drinker can sober up in less time

20 / 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

21 / 50

The modulating control valve is?

1. A spring-loaded valve that will let you put on the brakes on slowly if the service brakes fail.

2. There is no such thing

3. Should not be used because it is very unsafe

22 / 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

23 / 50

If you must make an emergency stop, you should brake so that you:

1. Can steer hard while braking hard

2. Use the full power of the brakes and lock them

3. Stay in a straight line and can steer

24 / 50

Why should you be in proper gear before starting down a hill?

1. You need to be in the same gear at the bottom of the hill

2. You will not be able to shift into a lower gear once you are going down a hill

3. The clutch is made to be used on even surfaces

25 / 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

26 / 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

27 / 50

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

1. True

2. False

28 / 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

29 / 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

30 / 50

Is it safe to add coolant to a coolant recovery tank or coolant overflow tank while the engine is at operating temperature?

1. Yes, but only if the coolant recovery container is part of the pressurized system

2. No, never

3. Yes, as long as the engine isn’t overheated

31 / 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

32 / 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

33 / 50

What is the formula for stopping distance with air brakes?

1. Reaction distance and effective braking distance

2. Perception distance and effective braking distance

3. Perception distance, reaction distance, brake lag distance, and effective braking distance

34 / 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

35 / 50

The reaction distance is the best distance traveled from the time

1. The eyes see a hazard to the time the brain knows that it is a hazard.

2. The eyes see a hazard to the time the foot pushes the brake pedal.

3. The brain tells the foot to push the brake pedal to the time the foot pushes the pedal.

36 / 50

What can you do at an accident scene to help avoid another accident

1. Have a drink to calm your nerves

2. Set out warning devices to keep other vehicles from running into the accident scene

3. Leave your vehicle, do nothing, and get to higher ground

4. Stay in your vehicle and do nothing until help arrives

37 / 50

Which of these statements about backing a heavy vehicle is true?

1. You should avoid backing whenever you can.

2. When you use a helper, they should use a clear spoken signal.

3. It is safer to back toward the right side of the vehicle than towards the driver's side.

38 / 50

A stale green light means?

1. The light ahead just turned green

2. The light ahead has been green for quite a while

3. The light ahead has just turned red

39 / 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

40 / 50

Modern air brake systems combine three different systems. They are the service brakes, the parking brakes and the:

1. Emergency brakes

2. Foot brakes

3. S-cam brakes

41 / 50

How often while on the road must you stop to inspect your cargo?

1. Every 1 hour of 50 miles

2. Every 3 hours or 150 miles

3. Every 6 hours or 300 miles

4. Before and after your trip

42 / 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

43 / 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

44 / 50

Front end header boards:

1. Protect you from cargo in case of collision

2. Block the forward movement

3. Protect you from your cargo in case of collision and block the forward movement of your cargo

4. No answers are correct

45 / 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

46 / 50

How can you determine if your vehicle is equipped with an antilock braking system (ABS)?

1. Check if your vehicle was manufactured after March 1, 1998 (such as vehicles are required to have the panel light).

2. Check for a yellow ABS malfunction lamp on the instrument panel.

3. Look for wheel speed sensor wires that are coming from the rear of your brakes.

4. All the above can work

47 / 50

A car suddenly cuts in front of you, creating a hazard. What should you not do?

1. Slow down to prevent a crash

2. Signal and change lanes to avoid the car if possible

3. Honk and stay close behind the car

4. Both A and B

48 / 50

Which of the following is NOT something you should check during a trip?

1. Mirrors

2. Cargo and cargo covers

3. Tires

4. Text messages

49 / 50

Converter dollies built on or after March 1, 1998, are required to have anti-lock brakes. These dollies will have

1. A yellow malfunction lamp in the center of the dolly

2. A yellow malfunction lamp on the right side of the dolly

3. A yellow malfunction lamp on the left side of the dolly

50 / 50

On average, is the total stopping distance with air brakes?

1. Approximately 400 feet

2. Approximately 420 feet

3. Approximately 450 feet

4. Approximately 370 feet

The average score is 67%

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