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

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

2 / 50

How can you test the parking brake?

1. Set the parking brake and pull forward gently

2. Move back slowly and set the parking brake

3. Set the parking brake at highway speeds

3 / 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

4 / 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

5 / 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

6 / 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

7 / 50

The most common type of foundation brakes found on heavy vehicles is the:

1. Disc Brakes

2. Wedge drum

3. S-cam brake

8 / 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

9 / 50

How often should you check your mirrors?

1. Every ¼ mile

2. Every 8 to 10 seconds

3. When turning or changing lanes

10 / 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

11 / 50

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

1. Yes

2. No

12 / 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

13 / 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

14 / 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

15 / 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

16 / 50

Air Brake equipped vehicles must have:

1. An air use gauge

2. A supply pressure gauge

3. At least two brake heaters

17 / 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

18 / 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

19 / 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

20 / 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

21 / 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

22 / 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

23 / 50

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

1. 4

2. 3

3. 2

4. 1

24 / 50

You must park on the side of a level, straight, two lane road. Where should you place the three reflective triangles?

1. One within 10 feet of the rear of the vehicle, one about 100 feet to the rear, and one about 200 feet to the rear.

2. One within 10 feet of the rear of the vehicle, one about 100 feet to the rear, and one about 100 feet from the front of the vehicle.

3. One about 50 feet from the rear of the vehicle, one about 100 feet to the rear, and one about 100 feet from the front of the vehicle.

4. One within 10 feet of the front of the vehicle, one about 200 feet from the front, and one about 100 feet to the rear

25 / 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

26 / 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

27 / 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

28 / 50

Name a suspension system defect

1. Leaking shock absorbers

2. Under-inflated tires

3. Loose lug nuts

4. Cracked brake cylinder

29 / 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

30 / 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

31 / 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

32 / 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

33 / 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

34 / 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

35 / 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

36 / 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

37 / 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

38 / 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

39 / 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

40 / 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

41 / 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.

42 / 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

43 / 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

44 / 50

When driving down a long steep hill you should:

1. Release the brake when you are 5 mph below your “safe” speed

2. Use stab braking

3. Begin braking when you are 10 mph above your safe speed

45 / 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

46 / 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

47 / 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

48 / 50

Stab braking should not be used on vehicles

1. Hauling hazardous materials

2. Equipped with air brakes

3. Towing trailers

4. Equipped with anti-lock brakes

49 / 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

50 / 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

The average score is 67%

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