California CDL DMV Knowledge Test Class A 1

It is common for drivers to tailgate slow-moving vehicles that cannot keep up with the speed of surrounding traffic. If you are being tailgated, allow the other driver to pass your vehicle.

It is important to inspect your tires before every drive. Rust around wheel nuts may indicate that they are loose.

Always check for traffic in your mirrors before changing lanes. Frequent mirror checks should be a part of your normal scanning routine.

In California, you must be at least 18 years old to apply for a commercial driver license.

Before backing up, you should get out of your vehicle and look at your line of travel. Check your clearance to the sides and overhead.

A modulating control valve allows a driver to gradually apply spring brakes. In equipped vehicles, the valve is controlled by a lever located on the dashboard.

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 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.

Poorly balanced loads can lead to unsafe handling. It is important to properly distribute the weight of cargo when loading a vehicle.

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.

Driving in fog is always dangerous and should be avoided entirely if at all possible. If you must drive in fog, be sure to turn on your low beam headlights and fog lights, even during the daytime.

If your CMV gets stuck on railroad tracks, you should immediately leave the vehicle and get away from the tracks. Check the signposts or signal housing at the crossing for emergency contact information and call 911, or another appropriate emergency number.

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.

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.

Regrooved, recapped, or retreaded tires are not permitted to be used on the front of a bus.

Many large CMVs are equipped with air brakes. An air braking system uses compressed air to operate.

During the vehicle inspection test, you will be required to do a complete inspection of your vehicle. During this inspection, you must explain to the examiner what you are inspecting and why you are inspecting those items.

You must notify your employer within two business days if your license is suspended, revoked, or canceled, or if you are otherwise disqualified from driving.

In the event of a vehicle fire, you should leave the road and stop in an open area. Do not pull into a service station as fuels at the service station could catch fire. Report the fire and your location to emergency services.

Driving at night is more dangerous than driving during the day because hazards become more difficult to see in the dark.

Stopping is not always the best way to avoid a hazard. If there is not enough space for you to stop to avoid coming into contact with the hazard, swerving out of the way may be your safest option.

It is best not to avoid driving in fog. However, if you must drive under foggy conditions, be sure to decrease your speed.

Distracted driving is always dangerous. Talking on a cell phone takes away about 39 percent of a person's mental energy that would otherwise be devoted to driving.

All air tanks on air-braked vehicles must have a check valve located between the air compressor and the first reservoir. The valve allows air to flow in only one direction and helps keep air from leaving the air compressor if the compressor develops a leak.

Always signal your intentions before turning or changing lanes. Do not assume that other drivers will move out of your way simply because you are signaling to turn.

Without a working Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), your vehicle will still have normal brake function. Continue to drive and brake as you normally would and have your ABS serviced as soon as possible.

Check each slack adjuster after parking on level ground, setting wheel chocks, and disengaging the parking brake. Pull the slack adjusters to make sure they do not move more than about one inch from where the push rod is attached. If they move more than one inch, they may be out of adjustment and will need to be fixed.

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.

Some air brake systems contain an alcohol evaporator. An evaporator introduces alcohol into the system to help inhibit the formation of ice in cold weather.

During the on-road driving test, if your route does not include a railroad crossing, the examiner may ask you to explain and demonstrate the necessary procedures at a simulated location.

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.

Braking after a tire fails can result in a loss of control. Stay off your brakes, if possible, until your vehicle has slowed considerably.

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 scoring you on specific driving maneuvers, as well as your general driving behavior.

If your brakes fail while you are driving downhill, you should first look for an escape ramp to stop your vehicle. If no ramp is available, you should look for an alternative place to bring your vehicle to a stop, such as an open field or side road that flattens out or turns uphill.