Alaska CDL DMV Knowledge Test Class B 2

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.

If your brakes are hot after coming down a steep grade, you should not use your parking brake when parking. Let your brakes cool before applying the parking brake or risk damaging the brakes.

If you must back up, it is safest to back toward the driver's side of the vehicle. This way, as the driver, you will have the best possible view of your path of travel.

It is best to avoid driving through large puddles or moving water. If there is no way to avoid driving through water, you should slow down, shift into a low gear, and gently apply the brakes. Pressing linings against the brake drums or discs will keep water, mud, silt, and sand from getting inside the brake mechanisms.

Skills tests must be taken in the type of vehicle the applicant plans to drive. The applicant is generally responsible to supply the testing vehicle.

Distractions while driving can be physical (such as reaching for an object), mental (such as making conversation with a passenger), or both (such as holding a phone to send texts). Strategies to help you avoid distracted driving include pre-programming radio stations; planning out your route in advance; avoiding complex or emotionally taxing conversation while driving; adjusting your mirrors before setting out; and not eating, drinking, or smoking while behind the wheel.

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

It is essential to the safe operation of a CMV that cargo be properly loaded. Improper loading can affect handling and damage the vehicle. Additionally, improperly loaded materials can cause injury or death by falling off of the vehicle.

Almost any foreign object on the road poses some potential danger. For example, even something as seemingly harmless as a cardboard box could contain a hard or heavy object that could damage your vehicle.

Compressed air usually contains a certain amount of moisture and compressor oil, which can build up in the air storage tanks and damage the brake system. The tanks should be drained to clean out these accumulations. On a tank with a manual drain valve, draining should be performed at the end of each day of driving.

A driver uses a look when they open their door, leave their seated position, and walk to the back of the vehicle to check its position. During the straight line backing exercise, a driver may not exceed one look. During any other exercise, a driver may not exceed two looks.

Roads are particularly slippery when it first begins to rain. The water mixes with oil drippings on the road that have not yet washed away, creating a slippery and dangerous mixture.

A driver's seat should always be equipped with a seat belt. You must wear a seat belt at all times while operating a CMV.

Because air pressure increases with temperature, you should pay special attention to the tire mounting and pressure when traveling in hot weather.

Cargo should be restrained by at least one tie-down for every 10 feet of cargo. However, all cargo should have at least two tie-downs, no matter the size of the cargo.

When braking, push the pedal down gradually to ensure that the vehicle comes to a smooth, safe stop.

When inspecting your vehicle, you should check all belts for tightness and excessive wear. You should learn how much "give" is appropriate for each belt.

Gravity causes a vehicle's speed to increase when traveling on a downgrade. Adjust your speed before reaching a downgrade.

The total stopping distance for vehicles equipped with air brakes is made up of four factors: perception distance, reaction distance, brake lag distance, and braking distance. When braking at a speed of 55 mph while driving on dry pavement, the brake lag can add around 32 feet to the vehicle's total stopping distance.

You may have to swing right to safely make a left turn. If there are two left turn lanes available at an intersection, you should always begin your turn in the rightmost lane.

A dual air brake system is made up of two separate air brake systems. If there is an air leak in one system, it may not affect the other.

During a pre-trip inspection, you should check for emergency equipment, including spare electrical fuses; three red reflective triangles, six fuses, or three liquid burning flares; and at least one properly charged and rated fire extinguisher.

Overloading a vehicle can have negative effects on steering, braking, and speed control. Learn to recognize when cargo is overloaded or poorly balanced.

Cargo with a high center of gravity makes a vehicle more likely to tip over than cargo with a low center of gravity. For this reason, it is important that the weight of cargo be distributed as low as possible.

Completing the steps of a vehicle inspection in the same order before every trip aids in learning what the proper steps are. Additionally, you be less likely to forget a step when going through the checklist in a prescribed order.

If a heavy load prevents your vehicle from keeping up with the speed of other traffic, you should stay in the right lane.

You must take an air brakes knowledge test to become licensed to operate a vehicle that is equipped with air brakes, including an air over hydraulic braking system.

The heavier a vehicle is, the more the brakes will need to work to bring the vehicle to a complete stop.

Mirror adjustment should be checked prior to the start of each trip. Any attached trailer should be straight while mirrors are being adjusted.

When using your turn signals, you should signal well before the turn or lane change, signal continuously throughout the turn or lane change, and cancel the signal after you have completed your move.

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).

Always use your turn signals and check your mirrors when changing lanes.

If a tractor-trailer is so equipped, the trailer brake hand valve can be used to stop the vehicle from rolling back when being started from a stop.

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.

All commercial motor vehicles are required to be equipped with the proper emergency equipment. This may include spare electrical fuses; three red reflective triangles, six fuses, or three liquid burning flares; and at least one properly charged and rated fire extinguisher.