Free Skills test guide CDL practice questions

Sample questions from this test

1. During the Vehicle Inspection test, what must you do for each item to get credit?
   1. Touch it and say "OK"
   2. Point to it silently
   3. Name it, point to or touch it, and explain what you are checking it for
   4. Write it on your checklist
   Show answer

   Name it, point to or touch it, and explain what you are checking it for

   You only get credit when you name the item, point to and/or touch it, and explain what you are inspecting it for.

2. Which vehicle cannot be used for the Vehicle Inspection test?
   1. A vehicle with circuit breakers instead of fuses
   2. A vehicle with cameras instead of mirrors
   3. A bus with a wheelchair lift
   4. A vehicle with parts labeled by someone other than the manufacturer
   Show answer

   A vehicle with parts labeled by someone other than the manufacturer

   Vehicles with parts marked or labeled by anyone other than the manufacturer cannot be used.

3. On a combination vehicle with trailer ABS, what should the trailer ABS lamp do when you start the vehicle?
   1. Stay on the whole time
   2. Never come on
   3. Come on and then go off
   4. Flash until you drive
   Show answer

   Come on and then go off

   The rear driver's side trailer ABS light should turn on and then turn off.

4. How do you show the windshield wipers work?
   1. Say they were replaced last month
   2. Lift the blades only
   3. Spray water on the glass with a hose
   4. Check the arms and blades are secure, then turn the wipers on and off
   Show answer

   Check the arms and blades are secure, then turn the wipers on and off

   Inspect that arms and blades are secure and undamaged, then operate the wipers to show they work smoothly.

5. At about what pressure should the air compressor governor cut out?
   1. 60–80 psi
   2. 90–100 psi
   3. 120–140 psi
   4. 150–175 psi
   Show answer

   120–140 psi

   Build air to governor cut-out, which happens at about 120–140 psi (or the manufacturer's level).

6. On a combination vehicle, the tractor protection valve and trailer parking brake valve should pop out:
   1. Only after the tractor valve
   2. Never
   3. Above 100 psi
   4. At the same time as, or before, the tractor's valve
   Show answer

   At the same time as, or before, the tractor's valve

   The trailer valves should close at the same time as or before the truck/tractor valve.

7. How many emergency exits must you actually demonstrate on a bus?
   1. All of them
   2. None, you only describe them
   3. At least one, and describe how the others work
   4. Only the roof hatch
   Show answer

   At least one, and describe how the others work

   Demonstrate at least one exit and point out and describe how all the others operate.

8. When inspecting passenger seats, you check that:
   1. Seats are reclined
   2. Seat frames are not broken and are firmly attached to the floor, with cushions secured
   3. Every seat has a seat belt
   4. Seats are clean
   Show answer

   Seat frames are not broken and are firmly attached to the floor, with cushions secured

   No broken seat frames, frames firmly attached to the floor, and cushions securely attached.

9. Why is an underinflated tire dangerous?
   1. It flexes more and builds heat, which can cause a blowout
   2. It has more traction than needed
   3. It makes steering too light
   4. It wears only the center of the tread
   Show answer

   It flexes more and builds heat, which can cause a blowout

   Underinflation increases flexing and heat buildup, raising the chance of a blowout.

10. Play or movement in the steering linkage can cause:
    1. Better fuel mileage
    2. Smoother braking
    3. Quieter engine
    4. The vehicle to wander or other serious control problems
    Show answer

    The vehicle to wander or other serious control problems

    Movement in the linkage can make the vehicle wander or cause serious control problems.

11. Why must the fuel tank be checked for leaks?
    1. Leaks only waste money
    2. Leaks make the engine louder
    3. Leaks are a fire hazard and fuel makes the road slippery
    4. Leaks are allowed if small
    Show answer

    Leaks are a fire hazard and fuel makes the road slippery

    Fuel leaks are a fire hazard and make the pavement very slippery for other traffic.

12. Why must the landing gear be fully raised before driving?
    1. To make the trailer lighter
    2. So it does not hit the ground and clears the tractor in turns
    3. To help the brakes
    4. To lower the trailer height
    Show answer

    So it does not hit the ground and clears the tractor in turns

    Landing gear must be raised so it will not strike the ground and must clear the power unit while turning.

13. True or false: Stopping without changing direction counts as a pull-up.
    1. True
    2. False
    Show answer

    False

    False. Stopping without changing direction does not count as a pull-up.

14. What happens if you stop during the Forward Offset Tracking exercise?
    1. You get one free stop
    2. The exercise ends
    3. Nothing, stopping is allowed
    4. You must back up and retry
    Show answer

    The exercise ends

    You may not stop, back up or exit in Forward Offset Tracking; if you stop, the exercise is ended.

15. When stopped behind another vehicle at a turn, a safe gap means you can:
    1. Read its license plate
    2. Touch its bumper
    3. See its rear tires on the pavement
    4. See its roof
    Show answer

    See its rear tires on the pavement

    Stop where you can see the rear tires of the vehicle ahead.