CDL Exam Prep 2020-2021: A CDL Study Guide with Practice Questions and Answers for the Commercial Driver's License Exam (Test Preparation Book)

CDL Exam Prep 2020-2021

A CDL Study Guide with Practice Questions and Answers for the Commercial Driver's License Exam (Test Preparation Book)

Jerry Johnson

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Table of Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1: General Information

Getting Your CDL

Vision Standards

What Is a Commercial Motor Vehicle?

Who Are Commercial Drivers?

CDL Age Requirements

CDL Instruction Permit

CDL Classifications

CDL Endorsements

CDL Restrictions

Moving Violations

Chapter 2: Steps in Getting Your CDL

Apply for a License

Get Your Learner's Permit

Get Your Full License

Chapter 3: Taking the CDL Tests

Test Tip

Disqualifications

Serious Violations

How to Study for the CDL Written Test

How to Study for the CDL Driving Test?

Chapter 4: General Knowledge

Vehicle Inspection

The Seven-Step Pre-Trip Inspection Method

Inspection During the Trip

Other Safety Precautions

Important Definitions

Medical Requirements

Exemption

Chapter 5: Transporting Cargo Safely

Inspecting Cargo

Weight and Balance

Legal Weight Limits

Securing Cargo

Cargo Needing Special Attention

Chapter 6: Transporting Passengers

Pre-Trip Inspection

Loading and Trip Start

On The Road

After-trip Vehicle Inspection

Prohibited Practices

Brake-Door Interlocks

Chapter 7: Air Brakes

Parts of an Air Brakes System

Dual Air Brake Systems

Inspecting the Air Brakes

Operating the Air Brakes

Low-Pressure Warning System

Parts of the Low-Pressure Warning System

Air Brake Check

Pump Down Tests

Pump Up Tests

ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)

Further Considerations

Chapter 8: Combination Vehicles

Major Safety Concerns

Rollover Risk

Braking

Railroad Tracks

Skids

Turn Wide

Backing Up

Brief information of the Air Brakes Test Study Guide

Hose Couplers (Glad Hands)

Trailer Hand Valve

Trailer Air Lines

Shut-off Valves

Coupling and Uncoupling

Coupling

Uncoupling

Combination Vehicle Care

Chapter 9: Tanker

Do You Need A Tankers Endorsement?

Inspection

High Center of Gravity and Rollover Risk

Chapter 10: Doubles & triples

General Information

Definitions

Coupling and Uncoupling

Double Trailers

Triple Trailers

Chapter 11: Passenger bus

Who Needs A Passenger Endorsement?

Additional Restrictions

Vehicle Inspection

Inspect the Interior

Safety

Hazardous Material (HazMat)

HazMat That Can Be Transported by Bus or Van

Materials That Can Never Be Transported by Bus or Van

Materials That Can Sometimes Be Transported by Bus or Van

Transporting Medical Oxygen

Other Transportation Concerns

Care of Passengers

Required Stopping

Post-Trip Inspection

Prohibited

Chapter 12: Hazardous Materials

Who Needs a HazMat Endorsement?

Is My HazMat Endorsement Valid Everywhere?

Why Bother?

Background Information

Federal Regulations versus State Law

HazMat Test Preparation Lessons

Lesson 1: Introduction

Lesson 2: Intent of Regulations and Who Does What

Lesson 3: Communication Rules

Lesson 4: Loading and Unloading

Lesson 5: Bulk Packaging, Marking, Loading, and Unloading

Lesson 6: Driving and Parking Rules

Lesson 7: Emergencies

Lesson 8: Glossary

Chapter 13: DMV Driving Test: Vehicle Inspection Test, Basic Control Skills Test, and Road Test

Eligibility Status:

About the Test

How To Pass The Test

General Advice

The Truck Inspection Test

Step-by-Step process

The Three Divisions for Inspection

Tips for taking the test

Basic Controls Skills Test

The Road Test

General Test-taking Tips

Mock Tests

Time Allowed

General Knowledge

Air Brakes Test

Combination Vehicles Test

Tanker Vehicles Test

Doubles/Triples Test

Passenger Transport Test

Hazardous Materials Test

The Driving Test

Answer Key

Conclusion

Introduction

Commercial driving is full of potentials. You are bound to enjoy commercial driving as an interesting and rewarding career provided you can adhere strictly to the rules and regulations enshrined in the federal and state laws and can survive the bureaucratic bottlenecks.

A lot of opportunities abound for commercial driver's license (CDL) holders, one of which is the benefit of meeting people from various walks of life. As a commercial driver, you have the choice to work in isolation or in a people-friendly role such as local bus driving.

The Commercial Driver's License (CDL) test comprises a written knowledge test – which is the first part, then a skilled test. The knowledge test is further divided into seven parts. One part is on general knowledge, while five parts are centered on specific endorsements. The remaining one is about Air Brakes.

Each of the knowledge tests is awarded a separate score. Most drivers do not take all; they take only three or four. The type of tests you must take is subject to the kind of commercial vehicle you want to drive. However, the tests must be taken in your state of residence. Each state has its peculiar regulations, especially pertaining to the transport of harmful substances. Never forget to check the CDL manual of your state for confirmation of the various regulations.

Note that all the questions are multiple-choice, with three/four choices per question. Each candidate takes the skills test in the presence of an examiner. The skilled test comprises three different parts. The first is the vehicle inspection test which screens your ability to determine whether or not a truck is safe to drive. The second is basic control skills test that examines your capability to park turn and back up the vehicle. The last is a road test that examines your ability to drive a vehicle safely on the road.

Chapter 1: General Information

Before you can be issued a Commercial Driver's License in most states, you are required to answer questions in a multiple-choice format. This involves picking the best answer to one question from a series of options. There are usually three options to choose from.

Some states have other state laws that are specific to that state. You are required to confirm if these laws are applicable to your state; if it is, it is important that you visit the closest Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office to you to get a copy of the State Handbook and properly read and understand it.

Getting Your CDL

A proof of residency, identification and social security number is required when applying for a Commercial Driver's License. You would also be required to present your latest certificate of health gotten from a certified medical personnel.

Another important document that you have to present is a proof that you have successfully completed a CDL driver education course that is approved by the Department of Education or DMV; otherwise, you must be a certified holder of a Commercial Driver's License instruction permit for at least one month.

You can present your driver's license as a form of identification that shows your area of residence and social security number if you have one. However, if you do not own a driver's license, you are required to present other documents which include:

One proof of residency, like a voter registration card, a tax return issued by the state or the U.S, IRRSW-2 form, and a check stub or patrol check. Your name and your main residential address the exact way it is written in the application you are submitting.

Two documents that are a form of identification like a birth certificate, instruction permit, driver's license, a valid U.S. military discharge papers or a military identification card, or a photo identification card issued by the government. Photocopies are unacceptable so all these documents must be in the original format.

One document showing your social security number like a valid U.S. Military identification card, social security card, check stub or payroll check, income tax return from the last year, IRS-W2 form, or your social security card. Original documents are the only acceptable document. A control number would be provided by the DMV if you do not want your social security number to appear on your CDL.

You are required to present your latest certificate of health issued by a certified medical personnel, this is necessary to fulfill the Federal or State Motor Carrier Safety Rules. The medical forms can be gotten from all DMV offices.

It is compulsory for every driver to provide an attestation as to whether or not they are working in accordance with the State or Federal carrier safety rules. For comprehensive details on the safety requirements, check the Code of Federal Regulations.

Vision Standards

To be authorized as a commercial motor vehicle operator, it is necessary that your vision is:

140 degrees or higher horizontal vision

At least, a 20/40 vision in both eyes.

These standards must be fulfilled without using a telescopic lens. However, some drivers might be exempted from these visual standards.

What Is a Commercial Motor Vehicle?

•  Vehicles that can accommodate at least 16 passengers, with the inclusion of the driver.

•  One vehicle that has a GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) of at least 26,001 pounds.

•  A vehicle that carries dangerous materials that makes it necessary to obtain a federal placard, irrespective of the weight of the vehicle.

•  A towed vehicle(s) that has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of at least 1,000 pounds; or an assemblage of vehicles with a combined GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) of at least 26,001 pounds.

Who Are Commercial Drivers?

These groups of vehicle operators are exempted from the requirements for a CDL:

Farmers who drive vehicles on the farm, which are only used to move machineries, supplies, or farm goods within 150 miles of the farm.

Firefighters and other people who drive emergency vehicles.

Individuals who drive vehicles for personal use like rental moving vans and recreational vehicles.

Military personnel on duty who are driving military vehicles.

Commercial drivers who have more than one license are considered to be breaking the law. It is important that you return any license that has been issued by another state and you use only the license issued by your present state of residence. The penalty for failing to return this license is a jail term for about three months, or a fine of $5,000, and in some cases both.

CDL Age Requirements

To hold a Commercial Driver's License, you must be 18 years old or more. Federal laws stipulate that a commercial driver should not be younger than 21 years old to be authorized to transport interstate freight (such as mail), operate across state lines, and transport dangerous materials within the state.

CDL Instruction Permit

Obtaining a Commercial Driver's License instruction permit is imperative if you would like to learn how to operate a commercial motor vehicle. It is important for you to pass a general knowledge examination on CDL, or any other relevant examination pertaining to the vehicle you would be operating. For instance, to learn how to operate a school bus, you would be required to write the school bus examination, the passenger vehicle examination, and also the general knowledge on CDL examination. Also, you are required to write the general knowledge examination, a passenger vehicle examination, and the tank vehicle examination if you want to learn how to operate a passenger bus or a