Illinois CDL DMV Knowledge Test Class A 2

Before starting down a hill, you should shift into a lower gear. This will help get your vehicle to a speed that you can control without having to use your brakes too much.

The parking brake should be applied every time you park your vehicle.

Water and compressor oil are removed from air storage tanks through a drain valve. The water and oil can damage the brakes if left to accumulate in the system. Manually operated tanks must be drained every day to remove this build-up.

Black ice is a thin layer of ice that is clear enough for the road surface to be seen through it. A road covered in black ice may look like it is merely wet. You should be very careful when temperatures are below freezing and the road looks wet.

A tire load rating is the maximum safe weight that can be carried by a tire at a specified pressure. This number is stated on the side of each tire.

Backing up is always dangerous because it is impossible to see everything behind your vehicle. If you must drive in reverse, use a helper, if possible.

To check your vehicle's lights before a trip, you should set the parking brake, turn off the engine, remove the key from the ignition, and take the key with you. Turn on your low beam headlights and four-way flashers. Get out of the vehicle to make sure the lights are working properly.

During the basic vehicle control skills test, you must place the vehicle in neutral and set the parking brake before exiting the vehicle to check its position. You may check the position of the vehicle no more than twice, except during the straight line backing exercise, where you may look no more than once.

Front-end header boards, also known as "headache racks," protect the driver from cargo moving in the event of a crash or emergency stop.

When inspecting your vehicle's engine, check the belts for tightness and excessive wear. The amount of "give" that is safe for each belt in a given engine will vary, so learn what is appropriate for your vehicle.

Potential problems to check for when inspecting brakes include cracked drums; shoes or pads with oil, grease, or brake fluid on them; and shoes that are missing, broken, or worn dangerously thin.

On flatbed trailers and trailers without sides, cargo must be secured to prevent it from shifting or falling in transit.

Always check your mirrors and use the proper signal when changing lanes. Be sure there is enough space for your entire vehicle in the next lane before you begin moving.

An Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) helps prevent wheel lockup during hard braking. While it provides better control, it does not necessarily shorten a vehicle's stopping distance.

A driver is allowed to use two pull-ups without penalty during any skills test exercise, aside from the straight line backing exercise, during which only one pull-up is permitted. Exceeding the number of permitted pull-ups during a single exercise will result in automatic failure of the basic vehicle control skills test.

Mismatched, bent, or cracked lock rings are dangerous and should not be used.

When stopping a vehicle with a manual transmission, you should push in the clutch when the engine is close to idle.

After a trip, you may be required to perform an inspection and file a report on each vehicle that you've driven.

When approaching your vehicle before a trip, be sure to look underneath the vehicle for fresh oil, coolant, grease, or fuel leaks.

In rainy weather, roads are often at their most slippery when the rain first begins to fall. Fresh rainwater mixes with oil and grease on the road to form a slick film. As the rain continues, this mixture will eventually wash away.

If you must stop on the side of the road, you should turn on your emergency flashers and place the appropriate warning signals to warn other drivers.

Tires need to have at least 4/32 of an inch of tread depth in every major groove on the front tires, and at least 2/32 of an inch of tread depth on other tires.

Cargo on flatbed trailers or trailers without sides must be tied down to prevent it from shifting or falling in transit.

During the on-road driving test, you must drive in a safe and responsible manner; wear your safety belt; obey all traffic signs, signals, and laws; and complete the test without any accidents or moving violations.

In newer vehicles with air brakes, the parking brakes are controlled by a diamond-shaped yellow knob. Pull the knob out to activate the parking brakes and push it in to release them.

When approaching a curve during the on-road driving test, you should thoroughly check traffic in all directions. Before entering the curve, reduce your speed sufficiently so that further braking or shifting is not required. Keep your vehicle in its lane and continue checking traffic in all directions.

If you must stop on the side of the road, it is important to turn on your four-way emergency flashers to warn other road users.

Black ice is a thin layer of ice that is clear enough for the road surface to be seen through it. A road covered in black ice may look like it is merely wet. You should be very careful when temperatures are below freezing and the road looks wet.

If you must drive in reverse, you should back up slowly and use the mirrors on both sides of your vehicle. Use a helper to monitor your blind spots whenever possible. You and the helper should agree on a signal for "stop."

To be certain that others are aware of your intentions, always signal whenever you plan to turn or change lanes. You should signal well in advance of a turn; signal continuously throughout the turn; and make sure to cancel the signal when you are finished turning.

Always be sure that you are driving in a manner that will allow your vehicle to come to a complete stop, if necessary, within the area of the road ahead that you are able to see.

The most common type of foundation brake is an s-cam drum brake.

Front-end header boards, also known as "headache racks," protect the driver from cargo moving in the event of a crash or emergency stop.

Never apply the brake pedal if your spring breaks are activated. Brakes can be damaged if they are subject to both springs and air pressure.

In Illinois, five-axle combination vehicles operated on state and local streets and highways may weigh up to 80,000 pounds. The maximum permitted weight varies depending on the spacing of the axles.