Montana MVD CDL General Knowledge Practice Test 8
- Questions50
- Correct to pass40
- Passing score80%
- Minimum age18 years
-
1. A vehicle becomes unsafe while you are already on the road. What does the federal rule allow?
Show answer
Answer A: Continuing only to the nearest place where repairs can safely be made
If stopping where you are would be more dangerous than moving, the rule allows you to reach the nearest place where the vehicle can safely be repaired, and no further.
-
2. Which step of the seven-step inspection method comes immediately after checking the engine compartment?
Show answer
Answer D: Start the engine and inspect the inside of the cab
Once the hood is closed the driver moves to the driver seat, starts the engine and checks gauges, controls and warning devices before going any further.
-
3. What does the federal bridge formula do?
Show answer
Answer C: It reduces the weight allowed on a group of axles as those axles get closer together
Axles bunched together concentrate the load on a short span of a bridge, so the formula lowers the allowable weight as the spacing shrinks.
-
4. Besides slowing down, which technique most reduces the risk of a skid on a snow covered road?
Show answer
Answer B: Make every steering, braking and speed change gradual
Traction is limited on snow, and sudden inputs demand more grip than the surface can supply, so smoothness is what keeps the tires attached to the road.
-
5. Under federal rules, what happens to a commercial driver found with any detectable amount of alcohol while operating a commercial vehicle?
Show answer
Answer D: The driver is placed out of service for 24 hours
Any measurable alcohol takes a commercial driver off the road for 24 hours, and a concentration of 0.04 percent or more brings a disqualification.
-
6. What must be true of the person who performs the annual periodic inspection?
Show answer
Answer D: They must meet the federal qualification requirements for an inspector
The inspection has to be done by someone who meets the federal training and experience requirements for inspectors, whoever employs them.
-
7. Your brakes are starting to fade on a mountain downgrade and a sign shows an escape ramp one mile ahead. What should you do?
Show answer
Answer B: Plan to use the ramp instead of trying to reach the bottom
Fading brakes on a grade only get worse, and the ramp exists precisely so a driver does not have to gamble on the rest of the descent.
-
8. A dock crew loads and straps the freight. Who is responsible for the load being legal and secure on the road?
Show answer
Answer D: The driver
Even when someone else loads and secures the freight, the driver must inspect it and remains responsible for it while driving.
-
9. You are about to slow down sharply on a highway to make a turn into a narrow driveway. How can you warn the drivers behind you?
Show answer
Answer C: Tap the brake pedal a few times so the brake lights flash before you slow down
A few light taps flash the brake lights and give following drivers an early warning that you are about to slow or stop.
-
10. At a rest area you find that the load has shifted although the straps still feel tight. What should you do?
Show answer
Answer C: Correct the load before driving on, since a shifted load is no longer secure
Movement means the securement has already failed once, and a load that has shifted can shift again, so it is put right before the vehicle moves.
-
11. What is axle weight?
Show answer
Answer C: The weight carried to the ground by one axle or one set of axles
Axle weight describes how the load is shared among the axles that carry it to the road, not how much the whole vehicle weighs.
-
12. Besides the hours when the law requires them, when should headlights be switched on?
Show answer
Answer A: Any time visibility is poor, such as in rain, fog or at dusk
Headlights are used to be seen as much as to see, so they belong on whenever light or weather makes the vehicle harder to spot.
-
13. Which set of maneuvers makes up the basic control skills part of the commercial driving test?
Show answer
Answer D: Straight line backing, offset backing, parallel parking and alley docking
The basic control skills test is carried out off the road and consists of low speed exercises such as straight line backing, offset backing, parallel parking and the alley dock.
-
14. Why does a load need to be balanced from side to side?
Show answer
Answer B: Because a heavy side raises the rollover risk and can overload the tires and springs on that side
An uneven load tips the balance of the vehicle in curves and pushes the tires and suspension on the loaded side past their rating.
-
15. Which windshield condition should be reported during the inspection?
Show answer
Answer B: Cracks or dirt that get in the way of your view of the road
The windshield must give a clear view; damage or grime in the driver line of sight is a safety defect.
-
16. On a scale, your loaded truck is well under the gross weight limit, but one axle is above the limit for that axle. What does this mean?
Show answer
Answer D: The vehicle is overloaded and the load must be shifted or reduced before you drive on
Each axle and axle group has its own limit and each must be respected; being under the gross limit does not excuse an overloaded axle.
-
17. A strap runs from an anchor point on one side of the trailer, over the load, and down to an anchor point on the opposite side. How much of its working load limit counts toward the total required?
Show answer
Answer C: All of it
A tiedown that is anchored on one side, passes over or around the cargo and is anchored on the other side counts its full working load limit toward the aggregate figure.
-
18. You pick up a sealed trailer at a shipper. What should you check before leaving the dock?
Show answer
Answer B: That the seal number matches the paperwork and that the doors are properly closed
You cannot look at a sealed load, but you can confirm that the seal is intact, that its number matches the documents and that the doors are secure.
-
19. What are you looking for when you check the drive belts in the engine compartment?
Show answer
Answer C: That each belt is snug and free of cracks, frays or heavy wear
A loose or cracked belt can break and stop the fan, the water pump or the alternator, which leads quickly to overheating or a dead electrical system.
-
20. You need fuel and the canopy over the pumps is low. What is the safe way to handle the clearance?
Show answer
Answer B: Stop and check the height at the entrance and at the way out before committing
Clearance can differ at the entry, under the canopy and at the exit, and a sloping approach changes the effective height, so both ends have to be checked.
-
21. How does bracing differ from blocking when securing cargo?
Show answer
Answer B: Bracing runs from the upper part of the cargo to the floor or walls to keep it from moving, while blocking fits snugly against the cargo
Blocking is shaped to fit against the front, back or sides of a piece of cargo; bracing supports it from above so it cannot tip or shift.
-
22. While double clutching, what goes wrong if you take too long between the two clutch movements?
Show answer
Answer A: Engine speed falls too far and the gear becomes hard or impossible to engage
Double clutching only works while engine speed and road speed still match; a slow shift lets rpm drop away and the gear will not go in.
-
23. Why does a load of live animals need special attention?
Show answer
Answer D: The animals move and lean, so the center of gravity shifts and the vehicle can be pushed off balance in a turn
A live load will not stay where it is put, and that movement changes the balance of the vehicle exactly when a curve is loading it most.
-
24. Below 40 mph, what following distance does the standard commercial rule of thumb call for?
Show answer
Answer C: One second for every 10 feet of vehicle length
The base rule allows one second of space for each 10 feet of vehicle length while speed stays under 40 mph.
-
25. What are the minimum ages for a Montana interstate and a Montana intrastate commercial driver license?
Show answer
Answer A: 21 for interstate and 18 for intrastate
The Montana CDL manual states that an interstate license requires the applicant to be at least 21 years old, while an intrastate license requires at least 18.
-
26. What should a driver assume about the height posted at a bridge or an overpass?
Show answer
Answer B: That it may be wrong, because repaving or packed snow can leave less clearance than the sign shows
Resurfacing and packed snow raise the road under the structure, so the real clearance can be lower than the posted figure.
-
27. A commercial driver is convicted of two serious traffic violations within three years. What is the result?
Show answer
Answer D: Disqualification for 60 days
Two serious traffic violations in a three year period bring a 60 day disqualification, and a third in the same period raises it to 120 days.
-
28. What is the first step of the standard seven-step vehicle inspection?
Show answer
Answer C: A general overview of the vehicle, including the last inspection report
The routine opens with a walk-up overview of the vehicle and a review of the previous inspection report so known defects are addressed first.
-
29. What are you checking on the mud flaps during the walkaround?
Show answer
Answer C: That they are securely attached, not torn and not dragging on the ground
A flap that is torn or hanging loose stops shielding following traffic from spray and stones, and a dragging flap can catch and tear away on the road.
-
30. You want to check whether a tire on your truck is properly inflated. What is the correct method?
Show answer
Answer A: Measure the pressure with a tire gauge
Only a tire gauge tells you the actual pressure; a tire can look and sound normal while being badly underinflated.
-
31. Why is backing toward the driver side preferred?
Show answer
Answer C: You can watch the rear of the vehicle directly through the side window
Backing to the left lets the driver look out the window and see the rear of the vehicle directly instead of relying on a mirror alone.
-
32. What happens to braking distance when speed is doubled?
Show answer
Answer C: It becomes about four times longer
Braking distance grows with the square of speed, so doubling the speed multiplies both the braking distance and the force of an impact by about four.
-
33. A delivery van is stopped in the right lane ahead with its flashers on. What should you expect?
Show answer
Answer C: Someone may step into your lane from in front of it
A stopped delivery vehicle hides the space in front of it, and that is exactly where a person carrying a package is likely to walk out.
-
34. What must a written driver vehicle inspection report cover at the end of the day?
Show answer
Answer C: Any defect or deficiency that would affect safety or could cause a mechanical breakdown
The report identifies the vehicle and lists defects that affect safe operation or could lead to a breakdown, so they are repaired before the next trip.
-
35. A car is following you far too closely. What is the safest response?
Show answer
Answer A: Open up more space ahead so you can slow gradually, avoid sudden changes, and do not speed up
Extra room in front lets you slow smoothly instead of braking hard, which is exactly what the driver behind cannot cope with.
-
36. What is the risk when too little weight rests on the drive axles?
Show answer
Answer A: Poor traction, so the drive wheels spin easily on wet or slippery surfaces
Traction depends on weight pressing the driving tires onto the road, so a light drive axle spins on wet, snowy or loose surfaces.
-
37. Total stopping distance is made up of which parts?
Show answer
Answer A: Perception distance, reaction distance and braking distance
The vehicle travels while the hazard is recognized, while the driver moves to the pedal, and again while the brakes slow the vehicle.
-
38. Taking your eyes off the road for about five seconds at highway speed means traveling roughly how far unseen?
Show answer
Answer A: About the length of a football field
At highway speed a five second glance away covers roughly 100 yards, which is far more road than any driver can afford to travel blind.
-
39. The engine oil pressure gauge falls toward zero while you are driving. What should you do?
Show answer
Answer C: Stop as soon as it is safe to do so and shut the engine down
Loss of oil pressure destroys an engine in a very short time, so the correct response is to stop and shut down rather than to drive on.
-
40. You are stopped in traffic on a steep upgrade behind another truck. How much space should you leave in front?
Show answer
Answer A: Enough that you can pull away without rolling back into the vehicle behind you
Room ahead lets you get moving smoothly on a grade instead of having to hold the vehicle perfectly still or roll back toward the traffic behind.
-
41. A load overhangs the rear of the trailer. What must the driver check before leaving?
Show answer
Answer D: That the overhang is marked as required, with flags or lamps as conditions demand
A projecting load has to be made visible to other drivers, with flags in daylight and lamps when lights are required, so nobody runs into what they cannot see.
-
42. You are unsure whether your vehicle will fit through a narrow gate. What should you do?
Show answer
Answer A: Stop, get out and look, and take another route if the space is not clearly enough
Clearance is never guessed at from the seat; you look at it on foot and go round rather than trying a gap that may be too tight.
-
43. Which set of emergency equipment must be carried on a commercial motor vehicle?
Show answer
Answer D: A fire extinguisher, spare electrical fuses unless the vehicle has circuit breakers, and warning devices
The required kit is a properly charged and rated fire extinguisher, spare fuses when the vehicle uses them, and warning devices for a stopped vehicle.
-
44. Which wheel or rim condition must be treated as a defect during the walkaround?
Show answer
Answer C: Cracks, illegal welded repairs, or missing and loose lug nuts
Cracked or welded rims and missing or loose fasteners can let a wheel separate from the vehicle and must be corrected before driving.
-
45. How soon must warning devices be placed after a commercial vehicle stops on the traveled part or the shoulder of a highway?
Show answer
Answer D: As soon as possible and in any case within 10 minutes
The hazard warning flashers go on immediately and the warning devices must be in place as soon as possible, never later than 10 minutes after stopping.
-
46. Why does a load of hanging meat in a refrigerated trailer require special care in curves?
Show answer
Answer D: The meat swings and has a high center of gravity, which makes the trailer unstable
Hanging meat is heavy, sits high and swings, so the trailer can tip in a curve or on a ramp taken at normal speed.
-
47. How long must a person live in Montana before the state requires a Montana commercial driver license?
Show answer
Answer A: More than 30 consecutive days
Montana requires a commercial driver license once a person has resided in the state for more than 30 consecutive days, half the period used for a regular license.
-
48. What must the driver confirm about the required emergency equipment before a trip?
Show answer
Answer A: That it is in place, in working order and ready to be used
Federal rules require the driver to be satisfied that the emergency equipment is present and ready, because it is needed at the worst possible moment.
-
49. At 55 mph, about how far does a vehicle travel during a typical 3/4 second perception time plus 3/4 second reaction time, before the brakes even begin to work?
Show answer
Answer C: About 120 feet
Each 3/4 second at 55 mph covers about 60 feet, so perception and reaction together use up roughly 120 feet before braking starts.
-
50. What are you looking for on the brake drums during the walkaround?
Show answer
Answer B: Cracks, dents and any oil or grease that has reached the friction surface
A cracked or badly scored drum can break apart under braking heat, and oil or grease on the friction surface destroys the braking effort at that wheel.