Alaska DMV CDL General Knowledge Practice Test 7
- Questions50
- Correct to pass40
- Passing score80%
- Minimum age18 years
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1. During a stop you find a package in the trailer leaking an unknown chemical. What should you do?
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Answer C: Keep clear, keep others away and get help without touching the package
A driver without the training and equipment does not handle a leak; the job is to protect people from the material and get qualified help to the scene.
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2. Besides age, what driving history does Alaska require of a CDL applicant?
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Answer A: The applicant must have held a valid driver license for at least one year
Alaska requires CDL applicants to have held a valid driver license for at least one year in addition to passing the knowledge, skills and vision tests.
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3. What is the correct way to make a normal stop?
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Answer A: Push the brake pedal down gradually and bring the vehicle to a smooth stop
Steady, progressive pedal pressure keeps the vehicle stable and lets the driver behind you react to a predictable slowdown.
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4. How do you confirm that the coupling is locked before pulling out of the yard?
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Answer D: By locking the trailer brakes and pulling gently forward against them
The tug test loads the coupling in the direction that would pull it apart, so if the jaws are not closed on the kingpin you find out at walking pace.
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5. What can repeated violations of the federal phone and texting rules cost a commercial driver?
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Answer D: Disqualification of the commercial driver license
Multiple convictions for using a hand-held phone or texting while driving a commercial vehicle lead to disqualification, on top of fines for driver and carrier.
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6. At the end of the day you find no defects on a property carrying vehicle. What does the federal rule require?
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Answer B: No written report is required, although the carrier may still ask for one
For property carrying vehicles the report is required only when a defect or deficiency is found or reported, although a carrier may impose a stricter policy.
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7. Under federal safety rules, what must the driver of a commercial vehicle do before starting a trip?
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Answer A: Be satisfied that the vehicle is in safe operating condition
The driver is responsible for inspecting the vehicle and must be satisfied it is in safe operating condition before the trip begins.
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8. Why can an empty truck need a longer stopping distance than a loaded one?
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Answer C: An empty vehicle has less traction, so its wheels lock up more easily
Brakes and tires are designed for a loaded vehicle, and with little weight on the axles the tires grip less and lock sooner.
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9. A car ahead of you keeps drifting within its lane and moving unevenly. What should you assume?
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Answer C: The driver may be distracted, lost or impaired
Unsteady lane keeping is a classic clue to a driver who is not in full control, so the safe response is to keep back and give plenty of room.
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10. An intermodal container is being carried on an ordinary flatbed rather than on a container chassis. What does that mean for securement?
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Answer B: It must be secured with tiedowns that meet the container securement requirements
A container carried on a vehicle that is not fitted with integral locking devices has to be secured to the deck with tiedowns that satisfy the rules for containers.
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11. You have finished a lane change in a vehicle whose turn signal does not cancel by itself. What must you do?
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Answer D: Turn the signal off yourself
A signal left running tells other drivers you are about to move again, and they may act on that false information.
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12. Why should both outside mirrors be checked over and over while backing?
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Answer B: Each mirror covers only part of the path and neither covers the blind spots, so people and objects can appear without warning
Working both mirrors in turn is the only way to follow the whole path of a vehicle you cannot see behind.
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13. A tire may be regrooved only when what is true?
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Answer B: It carries a marking from the manufacturer showing that it is regroovable
Only casings built with extra rubber under the tread and marked regroovable by the manufacturer may be cut, because others would be grooved into the belts.
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14. What is the correct order for a basic double clutch upshift?
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Answer B: Release the accelerator and push the clutch, shift to neutral, release the clutch, let engine speed drop, push the clutch again and shift to the higher gear
Double clutching passes through neutral with the clutch released so engine speed can drop to match the next gear before it is engaged.
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15. Federal rules require a power unit that is not carrying placarded hazardous materials to have a fire extinguisher with which minimum rating?
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Answer A: One rated 5 B:C or more, or two rated 4 B:C or more each
The minimum is a single unit rated 5 B:C or more, or two units of at least 4 B:C each, which is enough to attack a fuel or electrical fire.
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16. On a wet road, a commercial driver should reduce speed by roughly how much?
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Answer C: By about one third
Cutting speed by roughly a third, for example from 55 to about 35 mph, restores a margin for the traction lost on a wet surface.
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17. You have chosen 40 miles per hour as your safe speed for a downgrade. How should the brakes be used?
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Answer A: Brake firmly to about 35, release, and repeat at 40
Proper technique is firm application to about 5 miles per hour below the safe speed, then full release so the brakes cool before the next application.
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18. How often must every commercial motor vehicle receive a periodic inspection?
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Answer C: At least once every twelve months
Federal rules require each commercial motor vehicle to pass a periodic inspection at least once in every twelve month period.
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19. Which step of the seven-step inspection method comes immediately after checking the engine compartment?
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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.
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20. Your drive wheels start to spin and the rear begins to slide while you accelerate on a slick surface. What should you do?
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Answer B: Stop accelerating and, if the vehicle has a manual transmission, push in the clutch
An acceleration skid ends when the drive wheels stop pushing, so easing off the throttle and disengaging the clutch lets them regain grip.
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21. What does the commercial driver manual tell you to do with the parking brake when you leave your vehicle?
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Answer B: Apply the parking brake every time you leave the vehicle
The manual is explicit that the parking brake goes on whenever the driver leaves the vehicle, because once nobody is at the controls it is the only thing holding it.
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22. What are you looking for when you check the drive belts in the engine compartment?
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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.
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23. Using the snub braking method on a downgrade, when does the driver release the brakes?
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Answer A: After speed has dropped about 5 mph below the safe speed
The driver brakes firmly to about 5 mph under the chosen safe speed, releases to let the brakes cool, then repeats when the safe speed returns.
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24. Which set of emergency equipment must be carried on a commercial motor vehicle?
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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.
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25. You are pulling away from the curb after a delivery. Why is a mirror check needed first?
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Answer B: A cyclist or a vehicle may be coming up alongside you
Traffic and cyclists can arrive alongside a parked vehicle at any moment, so the mirrors must be checked immediately before pulling out.
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26. Which items belong to the in-cab part of the inspection?
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Answer D: Gauges, controls, mirrors, windshield, wipers, horn, heater and defroster
The in-cab step checks the instruments and controls the driver depends on, along with mirrors, glass, wipers, horn and the heater and defroster.
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27. Why should the radiator cap never be removed while the engine is hot?
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Answer A: The cooling system is under pressure and scalding coolant can be sprayed out
A hot cooling system holds pressurized coolant above its normal boiling point, so releasing the cap can throw boiling liquid and steam at whoever is holding it.
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28. A driver snores heavily, stops breathing briefly during the night and is tired all day despite long hours in bed. What should be suspected?
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Answer B: Sleep apnea
Sleep apnea repeatedly interrupts breathing during sleep, so the driver never gets true rest and stays dangerously drowsy during the day.
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29. In the seven-step method, what comes immediately after starting the engine and inspecting inside the cab?
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Answer D: Turn off the engine and check the lights
Step four shuts the engine down and switches on the lamps needed for driving so the driver can leave the cab and confirm they actually work.
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30. You are loading lengths of large diameter pipe on a flatbed. What is needed besides the tiedowns?
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Answer D: Chocks, wedges or cradles that keep the pipe from rolling
Anything that can roll must be prevented from rolling by chocks, wedges, cradles or a similar device that is itself secured so it cannot come out.
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31. Why does a load need to be balanced from side to side?
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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.
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32. What does the gross vehicle weight rating of a vehicle describe?
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Answer A: The maximum loaded weight of that single vehicle, as specified by the manufacturer
The rating is the manufacturer figure for the loaded weight of one vehicle, so it is a limit fixed in advance rather than a measurement of the load on board today.
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33. What are the Alaska minimum ages for commercial driving?
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Answer B: 18 to operate in intrastate commerce and 21 to operate in interstate commerce
Alaska requires applicants to be at least 21 to operate in interstate commerce and at least 18 to operate in intrastate commerce at the time of application.
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34. After two hours of driving you measure a tire and the pressure reads higher than the cold figure. What should you do?
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Answer B: Nothing, because pressure rises normally as a tire heats up in use
Air expands as the tire heats, so a higher hot reading is expected, and letting air out leaves the tire underinflated once it cools.
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35. You need to check your route on a navigation device. What is the correct approach?
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Answer D: Set it before the trip or after you have parked
Route programming is planning work, and it belongs to the time before the wheels turn or after the vehicle is safely parked off the roadway.
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36. Which windshield condition should be reported during the inspection?
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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.
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37. You are about to back across a quiet street into a driveway. Which of these is good practice before you start to move?
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Answer B: Turn on the four-way flashers and sound the horn to alert anyone nearby
Warning other road users and pedestrians before a reverse maneuver gives them the chance to stop or move clear before the vehicle starts back.
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38. With water standing on the road, hydroplaning can begin at speeds as low as what?
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Answer D: 30 mph
When enough water covers the surface, the tires can ride up on it and lose contact at speeds as low as 30 mph.
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39. You need fuel and the canopy over the pumps is low. What is the safe way to handle the clearance?
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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.
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40. Your brakes have failed on a downgrade and there is no escape ramp in sight. What is the best choice?
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Answer A: Steer into an open field or onto a side road that flattens out or climbs uphill
A flat or uphill escape route uses gravity and rolling resistance to stop the vehicle; take it as soon as you see it, because the longer you wait the faster you go.
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41. What are you checking when you look at the batteries during the engine compartment inspection?
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Answer D: That they are securely mounted, the connections are tight and free of corrosion, and the caps are in place
Loose or corroded batteries can fail or short out, so the mount, cables, terminals and vent caps are all part of the check.
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42. Your truck has a backup alarm that sounds whenever reverse is selected. What may a driver rely on it for?
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Answer D: Very little; it warns some people but cannot show you what is behind the vehicle
An alarm may not be heard over yard noise or by someone wearing hearing protection, so it never replaces looking at the path yourself.
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43. Which clues warn you that a parked car may pull out or open a door?
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Answer A: Exhaust smoke, turned front wheels, a person in the seat
Signs of life in a parked vehicle, such as a running engine, turned wheels or an occupant, mean it may move or open a door into your path.
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44. The paperwork shows a weight, but the load looks heavier than you expected. What should you do?
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Answer C: Weigh the vehicle, since you are the one answerable for driving it overweight
The driver is the one who can be cited for an overweight vehicle, so a doubtful weight is settled on a scale before the trip continues.
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45. Why must you never coast down a hill in neutral or with the clutch pushed in?
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Answer C: You lose the braking effect of the engine and your brakes may overheat and fail
Engine braking is what keeps a heavy vehicle in check on a grade; coasting throws it away and leaves the service brakes to do all the work until they overheat.
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46. You are backing with a helper guiding you and the helper drops out of sight in your mirror. What should you do?
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Answer B: Stop until you can see the helper again
If you cannot see the helper you cannot receive a signal to stop, so the only safe action is to halt until visual contact is restored.
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47. You want to check whether a tire on your truck is properly inflated. What is the correct method?
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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.
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48. Why is a quick lane change particularly risky with a load of hanging meat or of livestock?
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Answer A: The load swings or leans and can keep pushing the trailer after you straighten out
A swinging or leaning load keeps moving after the vehicle has finished the maneuver, so its momentum acts on the trailer at the worst moment.
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49. The rear wheels of your vehicle lock during braking and the rear starts to slide sideways. What should you do first?
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Answer A: Stop braking so the rear wheels can roll again, then steer quickly in the direction you want to go
Locked wheels have no side grip; releasing the brakes restores traction and then countersteering brings the vehicle back into line.
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50. Before raising the hood to inspect the engine compartment, what should you do?
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Answer B: Shut off the engine, set the parking brake and chock the wheels if needed
The engine compartment is inspected with the engine off and the vehicle secured so nothing can move or turn while your hands are inside.