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

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.

3 / 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

4 / 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

5 / 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

6 / 50

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

1. Disc Brakes

2. Wedge drum

3. S-cam brake

7 / 50

Empty trucks have the best braking

1. True

2. False

8 / 50

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

1. True

2. False

9 / 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.

10 / 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

11 / 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

12 / 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

13 / 50

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

1. 4

2. 3

3. 2

4. 1

14 / 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

15 / 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

16 / 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

17 / 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

18 / 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

19 / 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

20 / 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

21 / 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

22 / 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

23 / 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

24 / 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

25 / 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

26 / 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

27 / 50

In your mirror, you see a car approaching from the rear. The next time you should check your mirror, you don’t see the car. To change lanes, you should

1. Assume the car left the roadway and change lanes as usual.

2. Ease into the other lane slowly so the other car can get out of the way.

3. Wait until you are sure the car is not in your blind spot.

28 / 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

29 / 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

30 / 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

31 / 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

32 / 50

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

1. True

2. False

33 / 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

34 / 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

35 / 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

36 / 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

37 / 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

38 / 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

39 / 50

Which of the following is a key steering component?

1. Gear box

2. Bearing plate

3. Torque rod

4. Leaf spring

40 / 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.

41 / 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

42 / 50

What is the average reaction distance?

1. 32 feet

2. 61 feet

3. 93 feet

43 / 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

44 / 50

Name a suspension system defect

1. Leaking shock absorbers

2. Under-inflated tires

3. Loose lug nuts

4. Cracked brake cylinder

45 / 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

46 / 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

47 / 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

48 / 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

49 / 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

50 / 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

The average score is 67%

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