Illinois CDL DMV Knowledge Test Class B 1

If the road appears to be wet but the wheels of other vehicles are no longer generating spray, ice has formed on the road. Drive with extra caution when operating on wet or icy roads.

When transporting cargo on a flatbed trailer, you should use at least one tie-down for every 10 feet of cargo. Any cargo, no matter how small, should be restrained by a minimum of two tie-downs.

If you must drive slowly, you should warn drivers behind you by turning on your emergency flashers, as long as local law permits their use.

When inspecting a vehicle with air brakes that has a belt-driven air compressor, you should check the condition and tightness of the belt. It should be in good condition.

Using the brakes after a tire failure could cause you to lose control of your vehicle. Unless you're about to hit something, stay off of the brake until the vehicle has slowed sufficiently.

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.

Reaction distance is the distance traveled between the moment you mentally recognize a hazard and when you physically hit the brakes.

An Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) is in place as an addition to a braking system. It intervenes to prevent brakes from locking up during hard braking. If ABS is not working, the basic braking functions on a vehicle will still remain, so the driver can continue to drive and brake normally.

Check hydraulic brakes by pumping the brake pedal three times before applying firm pressure to the pedal for five seconds. The pedal should not move. If it does, there may be a leak or some other problem in the braking system.

Hydroplaning is an effect in which a vehicle's tires lose traction with the surface of the road and instead glide along a layer of water. There does not have to be much water on the road for this to occur.

During the straight line backing exercise, you are permitted to exit your vehicle to check its position no more than one time.

In Illinois, the use a hand-held cell phone or other communication device while operating a motor vehicle is prohibited.

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.

Cargo should be inspected by a driver to ensure that it is properly secured, balanced, and not exceeding weight limits.

With some exceptions, you must have a tank endorsement to transport liquids or gases. This applies to both hazardous and non-hazardous substances.

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).

It is important to know the maximum air loss rate that is safe for your specific vehicle. A single vehicle with air brakes should have a leakage rate no higher than 3 psi in a minute during an applied leakage test.

Your application for a hazardous materials endorsement can be denied, or your existing endorsement canceled, if you do not have legal permanent status in the United States; you renounce U.S. citizenship; you are wanted for, under indictment for, or convicted of certain felonies; you are judged mentally incompetent or are involuntarily committed to a mental institution; or you are deemed by the Transportation Security Administration to pose a security threat.

If someone is tailgating you, it is a good idea to open up the space ahead of your vehicle to make it easier for the driver to pass you. Increasing your speed is not a good idea because the driver may continue to tailgate you at the higher speed, only increasing the danger.

Vehicles operated for intrastate commerce must have signs on both sides of the vehicle displaying the trade name, permit number, and registration number of the carrier.

Always signal well ahead of a turn or lane change. Signal continuously until you have completed the turn or lane change, then be sure to cancel the signal so you do not confuse other drivers.

Cargo must be properly loaded and secured to prevent it from falling or shifting dangerously. During a quick stop, improperly loaded cargo could injure or even kill the driver.

Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) is the total weight of a single vehicle and its load of cargo.

When inspecting a vehicle with a dual air brake system, you should wait for air pressure to build from 85 to 100 psi in both the primary and secondary systems. This should take about 45 seconds.

Swerving out of the way of a hazard is sometimes safer than trying to stop before reaching the hazard. You can usually turn away from something more quickly than you can come to a complete stop. However, swerving while in a vehicle that is either top-heavy or pulling multiple trailers may result in a rollover.

Always reduce your speed and downshift before entering a curve.

Unless registered under the International Registration Plan (IRP), most vehicles are required to display front and rear license plates. Truck tractors must display one plate on the front.

Driving while fatigued can be extremely dangerous. Strategies for preventing drowsiness while driving include getting a full night's sleep before a trip; having someone ride with you so you can take turns driving; scheduling trips for times during which you are normally awake; and avoiding medications that may cause drowsiness.

Sending and reading text messages while driving is prohibited.

Backing is always dangerous because you cannot see everything behind your vehicle. Especially if you are unfamiliar with the area, you should get out of your vehicle and familiarize yourself with your path of travel before beginning to back up.

If a tire fails, braking could cause a loss of control. Unless braking is necessary to avoid a hazard, you should stay off the brakes until your vehicle has slowed considerably. Only then should you brake very gently, pull off the road, and stop.

Truck tractors with air brakes built on or after March 1, 1997 must be equipped with Anti-Lock Braking Systems (ABS).

On flatbed trailers and trailers without sides, cargo needs to be tied down. There should be at least one tie-down for every 10 feet of cargo. Regardless of the size of the cargo, at least two tie-downs must be used.

Trucks registered with a gross weight of more than 8,000 pounds are among the vehicles required to undergo a semi-annual safety inspection.

If you are asked to alley dock, you should first pull past the alley and stop your vehicle in a position that is parallel to the outer boundary. From there, you should back your vehicle entirely into the alley parking area. Your vehicle should be parked in a straight position within the boundaries of the parking space.