CDL Practice Tests: On-Road Driving Exam

Choose A Section:

Go!
Question #551 (1 of 10)

Give a brief explanation of the problem:

Optional: Leave your email address if you would like a reply:

Report Cancel

If your “safe” speed is 40 mph, you should apply the brakes once your vehicle speed reaches 40 mph. Your brakes should be applied hard enough to reduce your speed to 35 mph. Once your vehicle speed reaches 35 mph, release the brakes. Repeat this procedure as often as necessary until you have reached the end of the downgrade. This braking technique is called:

  • Snubbing
  • Smashing
  • Stabbing
  • Smearing
Example: If your “safe” speed is 40 mph, you should apply the brakes once your vehicle speed reaches 40 mph. Your brakes should be applied hard enough to reduce your speed to 35 mph. Once your vehicle speed reaches 35 mph, release the brakes. Repeat this procedure as often as necessary until you have reached the end of the downgrade. This braking technique is called “snubbing.”
Previous Next
Question #537 (2 of 10)

Give a brief explanation of the problem:

Optional: Leave your email address if you would like a reply:

Report Cancel

After completing a turn on your driving exam, which of the following is NOT the correct procedure?

  • Check your mirrors and traffic
  • Get up to speed of traffic
  • Make sure your turn signal is off
  • Use turn signal and move into the left-most lane when safe to do so (if not already there)

After turn:

  • Make sure turn signal is off.
  • Get up to speed of traffic, use turn signal and move into right-most lane when safe to do so (if not already there).
  • Check mirrors and traffic.
Previous Next
Question #546 (3 of 10)

Give a brief explanation of the problem:

Optional: Leave your email address if you would like a reply:

Report Cancel

Which of the following is NOT true about gear usage with a manual transmission?

  • You can shift gears when crossing railroad tracks
  • Do not grind or clash gears
  • Do not shift in turns and intersections
  • Select gear that does not rev or lug engine

Gear Usage (for Manual Transmission)

  • Do not grind or clash gears.
  • Select gear that does not rev or lug engine.
  • Do not shift in turns and intersections.
Previous Next
Question #548 (4 of 10)

Give a brief explanation of the problem:

Optional: Leave your email address if you would like a reply:

Report Cancel

Which of the following is NOT the correct procedure for upgrades and downgrades?

  • Wait until you begin down the hill to choose the correct gear
  • Check traffic thoroughly in all directions and move to the right-most or curb lane.
  • Select the proper gear to maintain speed and not lug the engine.
  • If legal to do so, use the four-way flashers if traveling too slowly for the flow of traffic.

Upgrade and Downgrade

  • Select the proper gear to maintain speed and not lug the engine.
  • Check traffic thoroughly in all directions and move to the right-most or curb lane.
  • If legal to do so, use the four-way flashers if traveling too slowly for the flow of traffic.
Previous Next
Question #534 (5 of 10)

Give a brief explanation of the problem:

Optional: Leave your email address if you would like a reply:

Report Cancel

During your driving exam as you approach a turn you must slow down smoothly, change gears as needed to keep power, but do not coast unsafely. Unsafe coasting occurs when your vehicle is out of gear for:

  • More than the length of your vehicle
  • 25 ft
  • 100 ft
  • Three times the length of your vehicle

As you approach the turn:

  • Use turn signals to warn others of your turn.
  • Slow down smoothly, change gears as needed to keep power, but do not coast unsafely. Unsafe coasting occurs when your vehicle is out of gear (clutch depressed or gearshift in neutral) for more than the length of your vehicle.
Previous Next
Question #549 (6 of 10)

Give a brief explanation of the problem:

Optional: Leave your email address if you would like a reply:

Report Cancel

Before starting down a grade, which of the following is NOT true about your "safe speed?"

  • Once a “safe” speed has been reached, apply the brake hard enough to feel a definite slowdown.
  • Select a “safe” speed, one that is not too fast for the weight of the vehicle, length and steepness of the grade, weather, and road conditions.
  • Your safe speed will be approximately 5 mph below the maximum speed you can safely descend the grade
  • When speed has been reduced to 5 mph below the “safe” speed, release the brakes. (This application should last for about three seconds.)

Before Starting Down the Grade. Downshift as needed to help control engine speed and test brakes by gently applying the foot brake to ensure they are functioning properly. As your vehicle moves down the grade, continue checking traffic in all directions, stay in the right-most or curb lane, and, if legal to do so, use the four-way flashers if your vehicle is moving too slowly for traffic. Increase following distance and observe the following downhill braking procedures:

  • Select a “safe” speed, one that is not too fast for the weight of the vehicle, length and steepness of the grade, weather, and road conditions.
  • Once a “safe” speed has been reached, apply the brake hard enough to feel a definite slowdown.
  • When speed has been reduced to 5 mph below the “safe” speed, release the brakes. (This application should last for about three seconds.)
  • Once the speed has increased to the “safe” speed, repeat the procedure.
Your safe speed will be significantly less than the maximum speed you can safely descend a hill, far more than 5 mph less
Previous Next
Question #553 (7 of 10)

Give a brief explanation of the problem:

Optional: Leave your email address if you would like a reply:

Report Cancel

Drivers are exempt from using a cellphone or text messaging while driving only when:

  • Using the device hands-free or in voice-activated mode
  • Reporting an emergency situation
  • Stopped due to normal traffic being obstructed and the vehicle is in neutral or park
  • All these are correct

Drivers are exempt from using a cellphone or text messaging while driving only when:

  • Reporting an emergency situation.
  • Using the device hands-free or in voice-activated mode.
  • Parked on the shoulder of a highway.
  • Stopped due to normal traffic being obstructed and the vehicle is in neutral or park.
Previous Next
Question #542 (8 of 10)

Give a brief explanation of the problem:

Optional: Leave your email address if you would like a reply:

Report Cancel

When you are going through a railroad crossing, which of the following is NOT the correct procedure?

  • Change gears if necessary while in the crossing
  • Do not pass another vehicle
  • Do not change lanes
  • Do not stop
Do not stop, change gears, pass another vehicle, or change lanes while any part of your vehicle is in the railroad crossing.
Previous Next
Question #552 (9 of 10)

Give a brief explanation of the problem:

Optional: Leave your email address if you would like a reply:

Report Cancel

When operating any commercial vehicle, which of the following should you NOT do while driving down a steep grade?

  • Coast
  • Ride the clutch
  • All these are correct
  • Change gears
When operating any commercial vehicle, do not ride the clutch, race the engine, change gears, or coast while driving down the grade
Previous Next
Question #550 (10 of 10)

Give a brief explanation of the problem:

Optional: Leave your email address if you would like a reply:

Report Cancel

If your “safe” speed for going down a grade is 40 mph, you should apply the brakes once your vehicle speed reaches:

  • 35 mph
  • 40 mph
  • 45 mph
  • None of these are correct
Example: If your “safe” speed is 40 mph, you should apply the brakes once your vehicle speed reaches 40 mph. Your brakes should be applied hard enough to reduce your speed to 35 mph. Once your vehicle speed reaches 35 mph, release the brakes. Repeat this procedure as often as necessary until you have reached the end of the downgrade. This braking technique is called “snubbing.”
Previous Next
Complete!

Choose your next section:

Go!

The Rules For The Driving Portion Of The CDL Exam

You will drive over a test route that has a variety of traffic situations. At all times during the test, you must drive in a safe and responsible manner. You must wear your safety belt, obey all traffic signs, signals and laws and complete the test without an accident or violation. No radios, electronic devices or phones may be on during the test.

During the driving test, the examiner will be scoring you on specific driving maneuvers as well as on your general driving behavior. You will follow the directions of the examiner. Directions will be given to you so you will have plenty of time to do what the examiner has asked. You will not be asked to drive in an unsafe manner.

If your test route does not have certain traffic situations, you may be asked to simulate a traffic situation. You will do this by telling the examiner what you are or would be doing if you were in that traffic situation.

When ready to turn:

  • Check traffic in all directions.
  • Keep both hands on the steering wheel during the turn.
  • Keep checking your mirror to make sure the vehicle does not hit anything on the inside of the turn.
  • Vehicle should not move into oncoming traffic.
  • Vehicle should finish turn in correct lane.

Driving Through Intersections

As you approach an intersection:

  • Check traffic thoroughly in all directions.
  • Decelerate gently.
  • Brake smoothly and, if necessary, change gears.
  • If necessary, come to a complete stop (no coasting) behind any stop signs, signals, sidewalks or stop lines maintaining a safe gap behind any vehicle in front of you.
  • Your vehicle must not roll forward or backward.
  • When driving through an intersection:

When Driving Through An Intersection

  • Check traffic thoroughly in all directions.
  • Decelerate and yield to any pedestrians and traffic in the intersection.
  • Do not change lanes while proceeding through the intersection.
  • Keep both hands on the wheel.
  • Once through the intersection:

Once Through The Intersection

  • Continue checking mirrors and traffic.
  • Accelerate smoothly and change gears as necessary.

Railroad Crossings

Before reaching the crossing, all commercial drivers should:

  • Decelerate, brake smoothly and shift gears as necessary.
  • Look and listen for the presence of trains.
  • Check traffic in all directions.

Do not stop, change gears, pass another vehicle, or change lanes while any part of your vehicle is in the railroad crossing.

School Bus Or Placarded Vehicle

If you are driving a bus, school bus, or vehicle displaying placards, be prepared to observe the following procedures at every railroad crossing (unless the crossing is exempt):

  • As the vehicle approaches a railroad crossing, activate the four-way flashers.
  • Stop the vehicle within 50 feet but not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail, place the bus in park/neutral and set the parking brake.
  • Listen and look in both directions along the track for an approaching train and for signals indicating the approach of a train. If operating a bus, you may also be required to open the window and door prior to crossing tracks.
  • Keep hands on the steering wheel as the vehicle crosses the tracks.
  • Do not stop, change gears, or change lanes while any part of your vehicle is proceeding across the tracks.
  • Four-way flashers should be deactivated after the vehicle crosses the tracks.
  • Continue to check mirrors and traffic.

Not all driving road test routes will have a railroad crossing. You may be asked to explain and demonstrate the proper railroad crossing procedures to the examiner at a simulated location.

Why Join Trucking Truth?

We have an awesome set of tools that will help you understand the trucking industry and prepare for a great start to your trucking career. Not only that, but everything we offer here at TruckingTruth is 100% free - no strings attached! Sign up now and get instant access to our member's section:
High Road Training Program Logo
  • The High Road Training Program
  • The High Road Article Series
  • The Friendliest Trucker's Forum Ever!
  • Email Updates When New Articles Are Posted

Apply For Paid CDL Training Through TruckingTruth

Did you know you can fill out one quick form here on TruckingTruth and apply to several companies at once for paid CDL training? Seriously! The application only takes one minute. You will speak with recruiters today. There is no obligation whatsoever. Learn more and apply here:

Apply For Paid CDL Training