Alaska CDL DMV Knowledge Test Class B 1

To avoid hitting anything behind you, make sure that your vehicle does not roll back when you start from a complete stop.

You will not be able to brake or steer your vehicle without adequate traction. Ensure that your tires are in proper working condition before beginning a trip.

Tar in road pavement often rises to the surface of the road, or "bleeds," in very hot weather. Watch for such areas because they can be very slippery.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) require carriers to affix the USDOT number to both sides of each CMV in their fleet.

A load of cargo must be properly balanced. Placing too much weight over an axle can damage the axle and make it more difficult for you to steer. Placing too little weight over an axle can cause poor traction, also leading to difficult handling.

If you must back up, you should exit the cab and check your path for obstacles before beginning the maneuver. Drive as slowly as you can, checking your mirrors on both sides.

A vehicle's weight is an important factor affecting its stopping distance. The heavier a vehicle is, the more work the brakes will need to do to bring it to a complete stop.

When driving on a wet road surface, the risk of hydroplaning is increased if your tire pressure is too low or your tire tread is too worn. If you begin to hydroplane, release the accelerator and push in the clutch to slow down.

Some older vehicles have front brake limiting valves with "normal" and "slippery" settings. Setting a brake limiting valve to "slippery" reduces the vehicle's stopping power, so a driver should make sure the valve is in its "normal" position. Front wheel braking has proven to be effective in all driving conditions.

When driving, you should continually scan the road for possible hazards. Form plans about what you will do if the hazards develop into emergencies.

All commercial motor vehicles must carry appropriate emergency equipment, including fire extinguishers.

In a vehicle with air brakes, the brake lights are activated when the brake pedal is pushed and air pressure moves an electric switch. With the application of air pressure, the switch will then turn on the brake lights.

It is important to know the maximum air loss rate that is safe for your specific vehicle. A double combination vehicle should have a leakage rate no higher than 4 psi in a minute during an applied leakage test.

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.

Potential warning signs of fatigued driving include difficulty focusing; frequent blinking or heavy eyelids; yawning repeatedly or rubbing one's eyes; daydreaming; wandering or disconnected thinking; trouble remembering the last few miles driven; missing exits or traffic signs; having trouble keeping one's head up; drifting from one's lane; following a vehicle too closely; hitting a shoulder rumble strip; and feeling restless or irritable.

Empty trucks require longer stopping distances than full trucks because they have less traction available.

When asked to make a turn during the on-road driving test, you must check traffic in all directions and use your turn signal.

In a vehicle with dual parking control valves, there is a separate air tank that can be used to temporarily release the spring brakes if they have been activated due to low air pressure. Pushing in the proper control will release the spring brakes for a short period of time, allowing the driver to move the vehicle in an emergency.

Check your engine during the pre-trip inspection. After starting the engine, you should listen for unusual noises.

After starting a vehicle's engine, the oil pressure should come up to a normal level within seconds. Do not operate a vehicle if it has oil pressure that is low, dropping, or fluctuating.

The purpose of an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) is to prevent a vehicle's wheels from locking up when the driver brakes hard on a slippery surface.

If you must drive so slowly that you will impede the flow of traffic, you should turn on your four-way flashers to alert drivers behind you (as long as local laws allow the use of flashers).

The added weight of a heavy load will make a vehicle sit lower than usual. A vehicle will often be taller when carrying a light load than when carrying a heavy load. If your vehicle fits under an overpass while carrying a full load, it is not guaranteed that it will fit under the same overpass if it is empty.

Always signal before turning or changing lanes to ensure that other drivers are aware of your intentions.

If confronted by an aggressive driver, it is most important to get out of their way, if possible. Do not make eye contact with the driver, as doing so could provoke them. Do not let them provoke you with their actions.

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.

Texting while driving is dangerous and is never permitted while operating a CMV.

The best thing to do when confronted with an aggressive driver is to get out of their way, if possible. Avoid making eye contact, which could further provoke the driver. Ignore any hand gestures made by the driver.

Be sure to thoroughly inspect your tires before a trip. Tire sizes should not be mismatched, and tires should not be cut, cracked, or otherwise damaged in any way.

A driver should inspect wheels before a drive, specifically looking for damage on the wheels and rims. Wheels or rims that have had welding repairs are not safe for use.

A steering wheel should have no more than 10 degrees of play. This is equal to about two inches of movement at the rim of a 20-inch wheel. If there is more play than this, it may be difficult to steer.

If the low pressure warning signal activates while you are driving, it is important that you safely exit the roadway as soon as possible and park your vehicle. If the air pressure gets too low, the brakes will no longer work well enough for you to stop safely.

Distracted drivers perceive hazards on the road more slowly than drivers who are focused, or they do not perceive hazards at all.

In an air brake system, the air tanks must be periodically drained to remove accumulations of water and compressor oil. If water is not removed, it could freeze in cold weather and cause brake failure.

After changing a tire, you should stop a short distance later to recheck the tightness of the tire's lug nuts.