Alabama CDL DMV Knowledge Test Class A 1

Your vehicle's horn is a tool to warn others of your presence. Because the horn may create danger by startling other drivers, you should use it only if necessary.

When approaching a long downgrade, you should shift into a lower gear then use proper braking techniques. Using the brakes alone could cause them to overheat and fail. The braking power of the engine, which is maximized by being in a lower gear, will be the principal way of controlling your speed on a downgrade.

Watch the gauges in your vehicle before starting a trip. After starting your vehicle's engine, the coolant temperature should begin a gradual rise to the normal operating range.

Prescription and over-the-counter medications may have side effects that can impair a person's ability to drive safely. It is illegal to operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or any other controlled substance, including some over-the-counter medications.

When stopping, apply gradual pressure to the brake pedal and stop smoothly. If stopping a manual transmission vehicle, push the clutch in when the engine is close to idle.

On a steep downgrade, you must use the engine's braking effect as your primary method of speed control. Be sure to decelerate and downshift appropriately before beginning to drive down the hill. Relying too heavily on the brakes may cause them to overheat and fade, becoming less effective.

Subject to certain conditions, a CDL is not required to operate military vehicles, authorized emergency vehicles, farm equipment, or recreational vehicles. It is also not required for operating a straight truck that contains only your personal property that you are not selling.

When driving in reverse, it is always recommended that a driver backs their vehicle toward its left side. This will allow the driver the best possible view of the rear of their vehicle.

A passive railroad crossing is a crossing that lacks control devices, like gates or warning lights. Before crossing a passive railroad crossing, you should search the tracks for approaching trains coming from either direction.

In some vehicles, it may be necessary to leave the engine running when checking the automatic transmission fluid level.

Always change lanes slowly and smoothly to maintain control of your vehicle. Doing this will also allow a driver that you did not see time to move out of the way of your vehicle. Use the proper turn signal to communicate with other road users.

When checking the exhaust system, you should verify that no parts of the system are loose, broken, or missing.

Black ice is a thin layer of ice that is clear enough for the road surface to be seen through it. Be alert to black ice any time the temperature is below freezing and the road surface looks wet.

During the vehicle inspection test, you must check the power steering belt, water pump belt, alternator belt, and air compressor belt for snugness, cracks, or frays. If any of these components are not belt-driven, you must tell the examiner which one(s), and verify that they are operating properly, mounted securely, and not damaged or leaking.

Maneuvers that may be included in the basic vehicle control skills test include straight line backing, offset back/right parking, offset back/left parking, driver side parallel parking, conventional parallel parking, and alley docking.

Texting while driving is particularly dangerous because it is both a mental and physical distraction to the driver. In addition to diverting a driver's mental attention away from the road, texting requires a person to remove at least one hand from the vehicle's controls.

During the on-road driving test, the examiner will be score you on specific driving maneuvers as well as on your general driving behavior. You must drive in a safe and responsible manner; obey all traffic signs, signals, and laws; and not cause an accident or commit a moving violation.

A steering wheel should be held firmly with each hand on opposite sides of the wheel.

Components of an air brake system include an air compressor, an air compressor governor, air storage tanks, air tank drains, an alcohol evaporator, a safety valve, a brake pedal, foundation brakes, supply pressure gauges, an application pressure gauge, a low air pressure warning signal, a stop light switch, a front brake limiting valve (on some older vehicles), spring brakes, and parking brake controls.

When loading cargo, it is important that the weight placed on each axle is neither too little nor too much. Inappropriate loading can interfere with steering, create inadequate wheel traction, or damage the axles.

As you exit your vehicle during the basic vehicle control skills test, you must face the vehicle and maintain three points of contact at all times. If your testing vehicle is a bus, you must maintain contact with the handrail. Exiting the vehicle incorrectly may result in automatic failure of the basic control skills test.

Before slowing down, it is a good idea to flash your brake lights by lightly tapping your brake pedal a few times. This will warn drivers behind you of your plans to slow down.

A skid caused by over-acceleration can be resolved simply by removing your foot from the accelerator. Skids of this nature happen most frequently on surfaces covered in snow or ice.

An air compressor governor will stop the compressor from pumping air once the air tanks are at an air pressure level of 125 psi. This air pressure level is referred to as the "cut-out" level.

If you are being tailgated, you should increase the distance between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead. This will reduce your need to make sudden moves, and will also allow the tailgater more room to pass you. Speeding up when being tailgated is not advised because it may result in the tailgater continuing to follow you closely at the higher speed, only increasing the danger.

At speeds below 40 mph, you should allow at least one second of following distance for every 10 feet of your vehicle. When traveling at higher speeds, follow the same formula, then add one additional second to your following distance.

On a downgrade, the force of gravity will cause a vehicle's speed to increase. When approaching a downgrade, choose to travel at a speed that will be safe for the size and weight of your vehicle.

Most drivers are the least alert at night, especially after midnight. Therefore, crashes due to fatigued driving are more likely at night than any other time of day.

Rust around wheel nuts may mean that they are loose. Check the tightness of the nuts if you see any rust in the area.

Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) is defined as the total weight of a single vehicle in addition to its load.

A vehicle that is equipped with air brakes must also be equipped with a supply pressure gauge. This gauge tells the driver how much air pressure is in each of the vehicle's air tanks.

Brakes out of adjustment will fade before those that are properly adjusted. Brake adjustment must be checked frequently to help prevent brake issues.

An alcohol evaporator can help prevent ice from building up in an air brake system. In cold weather, the evaporator should be checked and refilled every day.

At times when visibility is low, you should turn your headlights on to the low beam setting. If you are having a difficult time seeing others, they are probably having a difficult time seeing you.

There may be a delay of a few seconds between the sound of a tire failing and the time that the vehicle is affected by the tire failure. Because of the short delay, a driver may initially believe that the sound came from another vehicle.