Space overhead, below, for turns, and to cross or enter traffic

Review questions with answers

1. Why shouldn't you fully trust the posted height of a bridge or overpass?
   1. Re-paving or packed snow may have reduced the clearance
   2. Signs always show metric units
   3. Heights are posted only for cars
   4. Bridges grow taller in summer
   Show answer

   Re-paving or packed snow may have reduced the clearance

   Clearance can be lower than posted because of re-paving or packed snow.

2. You fit under a bridge with a loaded van. On the trip back the van is empty. What is true?
   1. You will surely fit again
   2. The empty van sits lower
   3. The empty van is higher and may not fit
   4. Weight does not change height
   Show answer

   The empty van is higher and may not fit

   An empty van rides higher than a loaded one.

3. You are not sure you can clear a low overpass. What should you do?
   1. Speed up to get through
   2. Let some air out of the tires
   3. Follow a car through
   4. Go slowly, and if still unsure, take another route
   Show answer

   Go slowly, and if still unsure, take another route

   If in doubt go slowly; if you are not sure you can make it, use another route.

4. A road tilts your vehicle toward signs and trees at the edge. What should you do?
   1. Drive on the shoulder
   2. Drive a little closer to the center of the road
   3. Speed up to pass them quickly
   4. Lower your mirrors
   Show answer

   Drive a little closer to the center of the road

   Moving a little toward the center gives clearance from roadside objects.

5. Before backing into an area, you should get out and check for:
   1. Overhanging trees, branches or electric wires
   2. The color of the pavement
   3. Other drivers' license plates
   4. The time of day
   Show answer

   Overhanging trees, branches or electric wires

   Overhead hazards are easy to miss while backing; check them first.

6. Space under a vehicle is often a problem:
   1. On interstate highways
   2. On new bridges
   3. In parking garages only
   4. On dirt roads, unpaved yards, drainage channels and railroad tracks
   Show answer

   On dirt roads, unpaved yards, drainage channels and railroad tracks

   Low clearance can get you hung up on dirt roads, yards, dips and tracks, especially when heavily loaded.

7. The space under a vehicle gets smaller when:
   1. The vehicle is empty
   2. The vehicle is heavily loaded
   3. The tires are new
   4. It is raining
   Show answer

   The vehicle is heavily loaded

   Heavy loads lower the vehicle and reduce the space below.

8. Your truck cannot make a right turn without swinging into another lane. How should you turn?
   1. Swing wide to the left before starting the turn
   2. Back up and try again
   3. Turn wide as you complete the turn, keeping the rear close to the curb
   4. Turn from the left lane
   Show answer

   Turn wide as you complete the turn, keeping the rear close to the curb

   Keep the rear near the curb and swing wide only as you finish, so no one passes on your right.

9. Why shouldn't you swing wide to the left as you start a right turn?
   1. A driver behind may think you are turning left and try to pass on your right
   2. It wears out the steering
   3. It is illegal in every state
   4. It makes the trailer off-track less
   Show answer

   A driver behind may think you are turning left and try to pass on your right

   Swinging left first invites a driver to pass on your right, and you may hit them.

10. During a turn you must cross into the oncoming lane, and a car is coming. What should you do?
    1. Back up to give them room
    2. Speed up to finish quickly
    3. Sound the horn and continue
    4. Give them room to go by or stop, but do not back up
    Show answer

    Give them room to go by or stop, but do not back up

    Backing up could hit someone behind you.

11. On a left turn, when should you start turning?
    1. As soon as you enter the intersection
    2. After you reach the center of the intersection
    3. Before the stop line
    4. When the light turns yellow
    Show answer

    After you reach the center of the intersection

    Turning too soon can make the left side hit another vehicle because of off-tracking.

12. There are two left-turn lanes. Which should you use?
    1. The left (inside) lane
    2. Whichever is empty
    3. The right-hand (outer) lane
    4. Straddle both lanes
    Show answer

    The right-hand (outer) lane

    Use the right-hand turn lane; starting inside may force you to swing right.

13. What causes large vehicles to hit other vehicles or objects during turns?
    1. Wide turning and off-tracking
    2. Using turn signals
    3. Low tire pressure only
    4. Engine braking
    Show answer

    Wide turning and off-tracking

    The rear wheels follow a shorter path (off-tracking), and big vehicles turn wide.

14. Compared with a car, to enter traffic a large vehicle usually needs:
    1. A smaller gap
    2. The same gap
    3. No gap if it signals
    4. A much larger gap
    Show answer

    A much larger gap

    Slow acceleration and vehicle size mean you need a much larger gap.

15. Before you start across a road, you must be sure that:
    1. The light is about to change
    2. You can get all the way across before traffic reaches you
    3. Your trailer is empty
    4. Traffic will stop for you
    Show answer

    You can get all the way across before traffic reaches you

    Make sure you can clear the whole road before traffic arrives; allow more room when heavily loaded.

16. When your vehicle is heavily loaded, crossing or entering traffic requires:
    1. Less room, because the vehicle is more stable
    2. The same room as when empty
    3. More room, because acceleration is slower
    4. No change if you use a low gear
    Show answer

    More room, because acceleration is slower

    Acceleration varies with load; allow more room when heavily loaded.