Utah DLD CDL General Knowledge Practice Test 6
- Questions50
- Correct to pass40
- Passing score80%
- Minimum age18 years
-
1. When a helper guides you while backing, what should be agreed on before you start?
Show answer
Answer D: A set of hand signals, especially the signal that means stop
The driver and helper must agree on signals in advance, above all the stop signal, because they usually cannot hear each other.
-
2. While checking the in-cab gauges after start-up, what should the coolant temperature gauge do?
Show answer
Answer C: Rise gradually to the normal operating range
A healthy cooling system warms the engine slowly; a gauge that shoots up or stays cold points to a problem with the thermostat, coolant or sensor.
-
3. What is the purpose of an escape ramp on a mountain grade?
Show answer
Answer C: To stop a runaway vehicle without injuring the driver
Escape ramps use soft material or a steep upgrade to bring a vehicle with failed brakes to a controlled stop.
-
4. You have stopped and a pedestrian is waiting to cross in front of your truck. Why should you not wave the person across?
Show answer
Answer C: Another driver may not stop, and your wave sends the person into danger
You cannot control what drivers in the other lanes will do, so you should not invite a pedestrian into a lane you do not command.
-
5. The brake pedal goes to the floor in a vehicle with hydraulic brakes. What can you do to build some braking pressure?
Show answer
Answer B: Pump the brake pedal rapidly, which may bring back enough pressure to slow the vehicle
Pumping can restore some hydraulic pressure; along with downshifting and the parking brake it is one of the ways to stop when the pedal fails.
-
6. The paperwork shows a weight, but the load looks heavier than you expected. What should you do?
Show answer
Answer C: Weigh the vehicle, since you are the one answerable for driving it overweight
The driver is the one who can be cited for an overweight vehicle, so a doubtful weight is settled on a scale before the trip continues.
-
7. What driving experience does Utah require from a commercial driver license applicant?
Show answer
Answer D: At least one year as a licensed driver, together with a current medical examiner certificate
Utah law requires the applicant to present a driver license showing a minimum of one year of experience as a licensed driver, plus a current medical examiner certificate.
-
8. Under federal rules, which commercial vehicles must stop at every railroad crossing before proceeding?
Show answer
Answer D: Passenger buses and placarded hazardous materials vehicles
Buses carrying passengers and vehicles required to display hazardous materials placards must stop at crossings, while other commercial vehicles slow and check.
-
9. What happens when too much of the load sits over the steering axle?
Show answer
Answer D: The vehicle becomes hard to steer and the axle and its tires can be damaged
Weight beyond the front axle rating makes the steering heavy and can overload the axle and the tires carrying it.
-
10. You are on a freeway and see brake lights come on in several vehicles far ahead of you. What should you do?
Show answer
Answer A: Ease off the accelerator and get ready to slow down
Brake lights well ahead are an early warning that traffic is slowing, and acting on them gives a heavy vehicle the room it needs.
-
11. What is the risk when too little weight rests on the drive axles?
Show answer
Answer A: Poor traction, so the drive wheels spin easily on wet or slippery surfaces
Traction depends on weight pressing the driving tires onto the road, so a light drive axle spins on wet, snowy or loose surfaces.
-
12. Which factors determine a safe speed for a long, steep downgrade?
Show answer
Answer C: The steepness and length of the grade, the weight of the vehicle and cargo, and the road and weather conditions
Gravity, weight and traction all decide how fast a heavy vehicle can safely descend, which is why signs often post lower speeds for trucks on grades.
-
13. Which endorsements are closed to a Utah commercial driver license applicant under the age of 21?
Show answer
Answer C: Passenger, school bus and hazardous materials
Utah bars applicants under 21 from the passenger, school bus and hazardous materials endorsements.
-
14. At a rest area you find that the load has shifted although the straps still feel tight. What should you do?
Show answer
Answer C: Correct the load before driving on, since a shifted load is no longer secure
Movement means the securement has already failed once, and a load that has shifted can shift again, so it is put right before the vehicle moves.
-
15. Where on a tire is tread depth measured?
Show answer
Answer C: In a major tread groove, away from any tie bar or wear indicator
Depth is taken in a major groove and away from the raised tie bars and wear indicators, which would give a shallower and misleading reading.
-
16. You hear air escaping from a trailer tire during the pre-trip. What should you do?
Show answer
Answer C: Have it repaired or replaced before the vehicle is driven
An audible leak means the tire is failing now, and federal rules do not allow a vehicle to be operated on a flat or leaking tire.
-
17. You are asked to drive a truck loaded with enough hazardous materials to require placards. What must you have?
Show answer
Answer C: A hazardous materials endorsement on your commercial driver license
Driving a vehicle that must be placarded requires the H endorsement, which involves a separate knowledge test and a security background check.
-
18. On a set of dual tires, which condition must be reported as a defect?
Show answer
Answer D: The two tires are touching each other or rubbing on part of the vehicle
Duals that touch each other or the vehicle overheat and wear quickly, so they must be separated by proper spacing and inflation before driving.
-
19. You are drifting in the lane, yawning constantly and cannot remember the last few miles. What is the only reliable cure?
Show answer
Answer C: Stopping in a safe place and sleeping
Those are classic drowsiness warning signs, and nothing except sleep repays the sleep the body is missing.
-
20. You need fuel and the canopy over the pumps is low. What is the safe way to handle the clearance?
Show answer
Answer B: Stop and check the height at the entrance and at the way out before committing
Clearance can differ at the entry, under the canopy and at the exit, and a sloping approach changes the effective height, so both ends have to be checked.
-
21. Which of these is a major cause of skids in heavy vehicles?
Show answer
Answer C: Over-braking, over-steering, over-acceleration or driving too fast for conditions
Skids happen when the tires are asked for more grip than the road can give, which happens through braking, steering or accelerating too hard or simply too much speed.
-
22. Your vehicle is stopped just past a hill or curve that hides it from approaching traffic. How should the warning devices be adjusted?
Show answer
Answer A: Move the rearmost device farther back, up to 500 feet, so drivers are warned before the obstruction
When a hill or curve blocks the view, the farthest device is moved back beyond the obstruction so approaching drivers see the warning in time.
-
23. What blood alcohol concentration disqualifies the holder of a commercial driver license who is operating a commercial vehicle?
Show answer
Answer D: 0.04 or higher
Commercial drivers are held to 0.04, half the limit that applies to a driver of a passenger car in the same state.
-
24. You are stopped in a line of traffic behind a car. How much space should you leave in front of you?
Show answer
Answer C: Enough to see where the rear tires of that car meet the road
That amount of space lets you pull around the vehicle ahead if it stalls and absorbs some of the shock if you are struck from behind.
-
25. A roadside test shows a commercial driver has measurable alcohol in the system but below 0.04. What happens?
Show answer
Answer C: The driver is placed out of service for 24 hours
Any measurable alcohol while on duty results in an immediate 24 hour out of service order, even when the concentration is under the 0.04 limit.
-
26. How should the steering wheel be held when driving a large vehicle?
Show answer
Answer D: Firmly with both hands, placed on opposite sides of the wheel
Both hands on opposite sides give the leverage and control needed if a tire drops off the pavement or the wheel is jolted.
-
27. How can a driver restart the 60 or 70 hour on-duty limit?
Show answer
Answer B: Take 34 or more consecutive hours off duty
A period of 34 or more consecutive hours off duty resets the 60 or 70 hour calculation so the driver can begin a new period.
-
28. After two hours of driving you measure a tire and the pressure reads higher than the cold figure. What should you do?
Show answer
Answer B: Nothing, because pressure rises normally as a tire heats up in use
Air expands as the tire heats, so a higher hot reading is expected, and letting air out leaves the tire underinflated once it cools.
-
29. Which description matches controlled braking during an emergency stop?
Show answer
Answer D: Apply the brakes as hard as you can without locking the wheels and keep steering movements small
Controlled braking keeps the wheels rolling just short of lockup, which gives the shortest stop while you keep the ability to steer.
-
30. The combined working load limit of the tiedowns on a load must equal at least what share of the cargo weight?
Show answer
Answer C: One half of the cargo weight
Federal securement rules set the aggregate working load limit at no less than half the weight of the article or group of articles being held.
-
31. What is the correct order for a double clutch downshift?
Show answer
Answer D: Release the accelerator and push the clutch to reach neutral, release the clutch and press the accelerator to raise engine speed, then push the clutch again and select the lower gear
A lower gear turns faster than the one being left, so engine speed has to be raised in neutral before that gear will engage cleanly.
-
32. The temperature is around freezing and the road looks wet. What is a practical way to tell whether it is icy?
Show answer
Answer C: Check for ice building up on the mirrors, antenna or the front of the vehicle
Ice that forms on the mirror, antenna or windshield is a warning that the road surface is freezing too, and black ice can look like a wet road.
-
33. Under the federal air brake standard, the low air pressure warning must come on before reservoir pressure drops below what level?
Show answer
Answer A: Before pressure falls below 60 psi
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 121 requires the warning to operate while service reservoir pressure is still above 60 psi, which leaves enough air to bring the vehicle to a normal stop.
-
34. Why should a driver avoid traveling alongside another vehicle for any length of time?
Show answer
Answer D: You lose your escape route and you may be sitting in the other driver blind spot
Running beside someone leaves nowhere to move if you have to change lanes, and the other driver may not know you are there at all.
-
35. Federal rules require a power unit that is not carrying placarded hazardous materials to have a fire extinguisher with which minimum rating?
Show answer
Answer A: One rated 5 B:C or more, or two rated 4 B:C or more each
The minimum is a single unit rated 5 B:C or more, or two units of at least 4 B:C each, which is enough to attack a fuel or electrical fire.
-
36. Besides staying secure, cargo carried inside a vehicle must not do what?
Show answer
Answer C: Block the driver view or access to emergency equipment and exits
Cargo may not obstruct the view to the front or sides or prevent the driver from reaching emergency equipment and exits.
-
37. What does a Utah CDL applicant pay when taking the driving skills test, beyond the written test fee?
Show answer
Answer D: A total of 78 dollars, covering both tests together
A Utah CDL applicant pays 52 dollars for the written test and 78 dollars when the driving skills test is included.
-
38. If an intersection has two lanes marked for left turns, which one should a large vehicle use?
Show answer
Answer D: The right hand of the two turning lanes
The outside turning lane leaves room for the rear of the vehicle to swing without striking a vehicle in the adjacent lane.
-
39. What is checked about the engine cooling system during the engine compartment inspection?
Show answer
Answer C: That the coolant level is adequate and the radiator and hoses are not leaking
A low coolant level or a leaking hose leads to overheating, which can stop the vehicle in a place where stopping is dangerous.
-
40. How is the fluid level in an automatic transmission usually checked?
Show answer
Answer A: With the engine running, following the procedure in the operator manual
Most automatic transmissions are designed to be checked with the engine running, and the operator manual gives the exact conditions for that vehicle.
-
41. You are about to back across a quiet street into a driveway. Which of these is good practice before you start to move?
Show answer
Answer B: Turn on the four-way flashers and sound the horn to alert anyone nearby
Warning other road users and pedestrians before a reverse maneuver gives them the chance to stop or move clear before the vehicle starts back.
-
42. May a commercial driver use a hand-held phone while stopped at a red light?
Show answer
Answer B: No, a stop in traffic still counts as driving
Hand-held use is allowed only when the vehicle has been moved to the side of or off the highway and halted where it can safely remain stopped.
-
43. Why does a load of live animals need special attention?
Show answer
Answer D: The animals move and lean, so the center of gravity shifts and the vehicle can be pushed off balance in a turn
A live load will not stay where it is put, and that movement changes the balance of the vehicle exactly when a curve is loading it most.
-
44. After starting the engine, how quickly should the oil pressure gauge come up to its normal range?
Show answer
Answer B: Within a few seconds
Oil pressure should build within seconds of starting; if it stays low, the engine is not being lubricated and should be shut down.
-
45. What are you looking for on the brake drums during the walkaround?
Show answer
Answer B: Cracks, dents and any oil or grease that has reached the friction surface
A cracked or badly scored drum can break apart under braking heat, and oil or grease on the friction surface destroys the braking effort at that wheel.
-
46. A driver hauling a sealed trailer that cannot be opened is still responsible for what?
Show answer
Answer D: Making sure the rig is not over the gross or axle weight limits
A seal prevents inspecting the contents, but the driver must still confirm the vehicle is not overloaded.
-
47. You have countersteered to correct a rear-wheel skid and the vehicle straightens out. What must you be ready for next?
Show answer
Answer D: The vehicle may swing back the other way, so you must steer again to correct it
A vehicle coming out of a skid tends to overshoot and swing in the opposite direction, and the driver must be ready to countersteer a second time.
-
48. You miss a gear while double clutching and the transmission is stuck in neutral. What should you do?
Show answer
Answer B: Return to neutral, release the clutch, bring engine speed to match road speed and try again
Forcing the lever damages the gears; matching the engine speed to the road speed lets the gear engage cleanly on the next try.
-
49. A delivery van is stopped in the right lane ahead with its flashers on. What should you expect?
Show answer
Answer C: Someone may step into your lane from in front of it
A stopped delivery vehicle hides the space in front of it, and that is exactly where a person carrying a package is likely to walk out.
-
50. Who may remove an out-of-service sticker from a commercial vehicle?
Show answer
Answer B: Only an authorized person, and only after the defect that caused it has been repaired
The sticker stays on the vehicle until the repairs are made and an authorized person removes it, so nobody can simply peel it off and drive away.