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

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

2 / 50

What is the best way to figure out how many sections of following distance you have?

1. Wait until the vehicle ahead of you passes a shadow or landmark. Then count the seconds until you reach it.

2. Send a text message to a friend to text you back in ten seconds. See how far you have traveled in that time.

3. Use the stopwatch on your cell phone to determine how long it takes you to reach a mile marker after the vehicle in front of you passed it.

4. Get ¼ closer to the vehicle in front of you, then back off again. Multiply how long this took you by four to give the following distance.

3 / 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

4 / 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

5 / 50

Every time you park your vehicle and shut the engine off, you should:

1. Turn the steering wheel as far to the left as you can

2. Leave it in gear (if it has a manual transmission)

3. Apply the parking brake

6 / 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

7 / 50

To prevent skidding, you should

1. Turn the wheel sharply for all turns

2. Adjust to conditions while driving

3. Brake hard at all stops

8 / 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

9 / 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

10 / 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

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

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

13 / 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

14 / 50

Stab braking

1. Involves steady pressure on the brake pedal without locking the wheels

2. Involves releasing the brakes only after the wheels lock up

3. Should never be used

15 / 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

16 / 50

Which of these statements about tires and hot weather driving is true?

1. You should inspect your tires more often because they are more likely to fail

2. If a tire it is too hot to touch you should drive on it to cool it off

3. Recapped tires are less likely to fail in hot weather than new tires

17 / 50

Air Brake equipped vehicles must have:

1. An air use gauge

2. A supply pressure gauge

3. At least two brake heaters

18 / 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

19 / 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

20 / 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

21 / 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

22 / 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

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

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

25 / 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

26 / 50

Which of the following is a key steering component?

1. Gear box

2. Bearing plate

3. Torque rod

4. Leaf spring

27 / 50

Should the pre-trip inspection report from the last driver be reviewed during your pre-trip inspection?

1. Yes

2. No

28 / 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

29 / 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

30 / 50

To safely adjust your speed to current driving conditions, what should you look for ahead?

1. Traffic and road conditions

2. Road signs and traffic

3. Police and weigh stations

31 / 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

32 / 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

33 / 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

34 / 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.

35 / 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

36 / 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

37 / 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

38 / 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

39 / 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

40 / 50

If you are convicted for driving under the influence while driving a commercial vehicle, and this is your first offense, you will most likely get:

1. A warning

2. At least one-year suspension of your CDL

3. A fine of $500

41 / 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

42 / 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

43 / 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

44 / 50

What are some advantages of going right instead of left around an obstacle?

1. You can avoid a head on collision

2. Someone may be passing to the left

3. Both answers are correct

45 / 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

46 / 50

Empty trucks have the best braking

1. True

2. False

47 / 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

48 / 50

If you are being tailgated, you should?

1. Flash your brake lights

2. Increase your following distance

3. Signal the tailgater when it is safe to pass you

49 / 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

50 / 50

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

1. 4

2. 3

3. 2

4. 1

The average score is 67%

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