1. When are commercial motor vehicle drivers required to use headlights?

2. A driver performing a walk-around pre-trip inspection discovers the following exhaust system conditions: (1) The exhaust pipe has a small hole near the muffler allowing some exhaust gases to escape upward, (2) The exhaust mounting brackets are secure but one shows minor surface rust, (3) The exhaust pipe extends beyond the rear of the cab or sleeper berth and directs exhaust away from the vehicle. Which analysis correctly identifies which condition(s) require repair before operation?

3. A commercial driver begins a trip at 6:00 AM after 8 hours of sleep. By 2:00 PM, the driver has been on duty for 8 hours and on the road for 6 hours. The driver notices increasing difficulty maintaining steady lane position and realizes they were briefly unaware of the last few miles driven. What should the driver do?

4. A driver is inspecting a loaded flatbed trailer during the pre-trip inspection. The trailer carries steel coils loaded in the forward section. The driver observes that each coil is secured with two chains crossing over the top of the coil, and the chains are attached to anchor points on the trailer deck. The chains appear tight with no slack. The driver also notices that edge protection is not used between the chains and the steel coil edges. Based on 49 CFR Part 393 cargo securement requirements, what should the driver determine?

5. A driver is coupling a tractor to a semitrailer at a loading dock. The driver has positioned the tractor, connected the air lines, supplied air to the trailer, tested the trailer brakes, and backed under the trailer until the fifth wheel engaged. What should the driver do NEXT to complete the coupling procedure safely?

6. You are approaching a railroad-highway grade crossing while hauling placarded hazardous materials. The crossing has active warning signals with flashing red lights, but no train is visible. The crossing has multiple tracks, and traffic ahead of you has cleared the crossing. You must stop within what distance from the nearest rail?

7. A driver must perform an alley dock maneuver to back a 53-foot trailer into a dock located at the end of a narrow alley. The alley is approximately 12 feet wide and 40 feet long. The driver approaches perpendicular to the alley entrance. What is the correct sequence of actions to safely complete this maneuver?

8. During the cab check portion of a pre-trip inspection (with engine running), what is the maximum acceptable amount of steering wheel play (free play) for a commercial motor vehicle?

9. A property-carrying driver has accumulated 72 on-duty hours over the past 8 days and wants to drive today. The driver has not taken a 34-hour restart. What must the driver do before driving?

10. A driver starts a tractor-trailer and begins building air pressure. The pressure rises to 125 PSI and the governor cuts out, but the driver notices that when air pressure drops to 85 PSI during normal braking, the compressor does not start building pressure again. The driver continues driving and the pressure continues to drop. What is the most likely cause of this situation?

11. Which of the following is NOT a disqualifying condition for commercial driver medical certification under 49 CFR Part 391?

12. A driver has coupled a tractor to a semitrailer and successfully performed the tug test. The fifth wheel is confirmed locked. What is the correct procedure for raising the landing gear before driving?

13. Why should a tank vehicle NEVER be loaded to 100% full capacity?

14. A driver is approaching a curved highway ramp with a loaded tractor-semitrailer. The posted ramp speed is 35 MPH. At what point should the driver reduce speed to prevent rollover risk?

15. During a pre-trip inspection at a truck stop, a driver observes that the left mirror on the tractor is cracked and has reduced visibility. The driver’s next scheduled stop requires backing into a loading dock on the left side. Which decision demonstrates the BEST professional judgment?

16. A driver with a Class B CDL is preparing to inspect a 26,000 lb GVWR straight truck with air brakes. The driver’s previous experience was only with Class A combination vehicles. Which statement correctly describes what the driver should focus on during this Class B inspection?

17. What is the recommended steering method for commercial motor vehicles?

18. A driver operating a baffled tanker with a partially filled load approaches a railroad crossing. The crossing has active warning signals, and a train is approaching. The driver must stop before the crossing. What factors should the driver consider when planning the stop, and what stopping technique should be used?

19. Two identical Class A tractor-semitrailer vehicles are traveling at 55 MPH on a dry road. Vehicle A is fully loaded at 80,000 lbs. Vehicle B is empty at 35,000 lbs. Both drivers apply brakes simultaneously with equal force. Vehicle B takes noticeably longer to stop than Vehicle A, and the driver of Vehicle B must increase brake pressure to stop effectively. What explains this counterintuitive result, and what does it indicate about brake force requirements?

20. A driver is descending a long, steep grade in a vehicle equipped with S-cam drum brakes. After several minutes of continuous braking, the driver notices the brakes require more pedal pressure to achieve the same stopping power, and there is a faint burning smell. What is the most likely cause, and what should the driver do?

21. A CDL driver is approaching a railroad crossing with active flashing lights and no visible train. The driver is operating a loaded tractor-semitrailer at 45 mph. The crossing has multiple tracks. What procedure should the driver follow?

22. What is the purpose of the tractor protection valve in a combination vehicle air brake system?

23. Under 49 CFR Section 396.11, how long must a motor carrier retain Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports (DVIRs) before they may be discarded?

24. A driver is traveling on a wet, slippery highway when the tractor begins to skid and the trailer swings outward, creating a jackknife situation where the trailer is pushing the tractor sideways. What is the correct immediate response to recover from this jackknife?

25. During driving, you observe the following gauge readings: Primary tank gauge shows 65 PSI and slowly decreasing, while Secondary tank gauge shows steady at 118 PSI. The low-pressure warning has just activated. What is the most likely cause and what does this indicate about system function?

26. Under 49 CFR 391.41, what is the minimum age requirement for a driver to operate a commercial motor vehicle in interstate commerce?

27. A driver is operating a loaded tractor-semitrailer on a wet highway when the vehicle begins to hydroplane. The front tires lose contact with the road surface. What should the driver do to regain control?

28. A driver is approaching a railroad crossing with a 60-foot tractor-semitrailer. The crossing has active flashing lights but no gates, and no train is visible. The driver calculates that if the vehicle stops at the required distance from the tracks, proceeds at 10 mph across, and the crossing is 30 feet wide, the vehicle will need approximately 9 seconds to completely clear the crossing. A train horn is heard in the distance. What should the driver do?

29. A driver is approaching a bridge with a posted clearance height of 13 feet 6 inches. The driver’s tractor-semitrailer has a cab height of 12 feet and an trailer height marked as 13 feet 8 inches on the inside of the cab. The driver has never checked this marking against actual trailer height. What should the driver do before proceeding under the bridge?

30. When driving at night, at what distance should you dim your high beams when approaching an oncoming vehicle?

31. A commercial driver is approaching a four-way intersection with a green light. A passenger vehicle in the oncoming left-turn lane waits to turn across the driver’s path. The driver estimates they have 4 seconds until reaching the intersection and notices a pedestrian beginning to cross the perpendicular street. If the passenger vehicle begins its turn when the driver is 2 seconds from the intersection, which analysis is most accurate?

32. When starting a CMV engine, what should the driver verify regarding oil pressure?

33. When performing a pre-trip inspection on a Class B single-unit vehicle (such as a straight truck or bus), which inspection step is NOT required compared to a Class A combination vehicle?

34. A driver hauling a baffled tanker with a partially filled load is approaching a sharp right turn on a city street. How should the driver manage the turn to account for liquid surge?

35. A new driver is practicing push-pull steering in a training yard. The instructor observes the driver moving both hands together during a turn. What correction should the instructor make?

36. A driver enters a curved exit ramp from an interstate at 45 mph in a loaded combination vehicle. The posted ramp speed is 25 mph. The driver maintains steering input through the curve but notices the trailer beginning to lean outward. The driver applies brakes mid-curve to reduce speed. The vehicle’s rear tires lose traction and the trailer swings toward the guardrail. What errors in speed management and curve technique led to this near-rollover situation?

37. A CDL skills test applicant has completed three basic control exercises with the following scores: straight-line backing with 3 points (two encroachments, one pull-up beyond free allowance), offset backing (left) with 2 points (one encroachment, one wrong-direction look), and alley dock with 1 point (one encroachment). The maximum allowable total points to pass the basic control skills test is 12. The applicant must complete parallel parking (conventional) and driver-side parallel parking. What is the maximum total points the applicant can accumulate on the remaining two exercises while still passing?

38. If a commercial motor vehicle becomes stuck on railroad tracks and the crossing signals begin flashing, which direction should the driver move after evacuating the vehicle?

39. A driver starts the tractor engine during the cab check portion of a pre-trip inspection. As the engine runs, the driver observes the dashboard gauges. The oil pressure gauge shows normal pressure after the engine warms up. The temperature gauge rises slightly but stabilizes in the normal range. The voltmeter/ammeter shows the charging system is functioning. However, the air pressure gauge for the primary system shows 65 PSI and does not rise after 3 minutes of engine operation at idle. What should the driver determine?

40. A tank vehicle driver is hauling liquid fertilizer with a high center of gravity. When approaching a curved exit ramp, what should the driver do to minimize rollover risk?

41. When driving at highway speeds, how far ahead should a commercial driver look to anticipate traffic conditions and potential hazards?

42. A commercial driver with a valid DOT Medical Examiner’s Certificate has vision corrected to 20/40 in each eye with glasses. During a pre-trip inspection, the driver realizes they forgot their glasses at home. The driver believes they can still see adequately without them. What action must the driver take?

43. What penalty is assessed when a driver’s vehicle crosses or touches a boundary line during a skills test maneuver?

44. A CDL driver is approaching a railroad crossing in a school bus. The crossing has active warning lights flashing but no train is visible. The driver must stop the vehicle within what distance range from the nearest rail?

45. During the CDL skills test basic control exercises, how many “free” pull-ups are typically allowed before additional pull-ups start counting as point deductions?

46. A driver approaches a right turn at a T-intersection where the destination road is narrow with cars parked along the curb. The driver’s tractor-trailer is 73 feet long. A car is waiting to turn left from the opposite direction on the destination road. Analyze the proper turning approach.

47. During the cab check portion of a pre-trip inspection, the driver inspects the windshield, windows, and mirrors. What windshield condition would be a defect requiring repair before operation?

48. A driver is descending a 6% grade in snow conditions at 25 mph in a loaded Class A combination vehicle. The driver notices the brake air pressure dropping faster than normal during repeated brake applications. Which analysis best explains this situation and what should the driver do?

49. A driver operating a combination vehicle with manual transmission is approaching a steep downgrade. The driver is currently in 9th gear traveling at 55 mph. What gear selection procedure should the driver follow before entering the downgrade?

50. A driver is performing a pre-trip inspection on a Class A tractor-semitrailer. During the walk-around inspection, the driver measures a drive axle tire tread depth at 2/32 inch and a steer axle tire tread depth at 3/32 inch. Which statement correctly describes the regulatory status of this vehicle?