Indiana CDL DMV Knowledge Test Class B 2

A vehicle that is equipped with air brakes must also be equipped with a supply pressure gauge. This gauge tells the driver how much air pressure is in each of the vehicle's air tanks.

To maintain alertness while driving, strategies include wearing sunglasses to reduce eye strain; maintaining a cool temperature inside the cab; avoiding heavy foods; and traveling with someone else who can share the responsibilities of driving.

When pressing the brake pedal in a vehicle with S-cam brakes, air will enter the brake chambers. The added air pressure will push out the rods and move slack adjusters, twisting the brake camshafts.

In conditions of poor visibility (such as at dawn, at dusk, in rain, or in snow), you should turn on your low beam headlights to make your vehicle easier to see. Do not use your high beams when driving near other vehicles.

When inspecting the engine compartment, you should check the oil level, coolant level, and windshield washer fluid level, among other things. In both cold and hot weather, it is important that the engine have enough coolant.

When inspecting your vehicle, you should check the wiper blades for damage, stiff rubber, and proper securement. Clean the blades if they are dirty.

On newer vehicles with air brakes, the parking brake is controlled by a yellow, diamond-shaped knob. The knob is pulled out to set the brakes, and pushed in to release them.

On flatbed trailers or trailers without sides, cargo must be tied down to keep it from shifting or falling off in transit.

You must wear a seat belt at all times while operating a CMV.

For the first step of a vehicle inspection, you should review the last inspection report on your vehicle, if there is one. The carrier should have repaired any problems noted on the report.

Truck tractors with air brakes that were manufactured on or after March 1, 1997 are required to be equipped with Anti-Lock Braking Systems (ABS). ABS is required in any other type of vehicle with air brakes that was manufactured on or after March 1, 1998.

Increasing your vehicle's speed will increase your vehicle's striking power and braking distance. Doubling your vehicle's speed from 20 to 40 mph will multiply its braking distance by four.

Drivers are required by state and federal law to inspect their vehicles before beginning to drive.

Speeding up too quickly on a road with poor traction could cause a driver to lose control of their vehicle. In conditions that cause poor traction, a driver should accelerate especially smoothly and gradually.

Check each slack adjuster after 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.

Good drivers look down the road at least 12 to 15 seconds ahead of their vehicles. This makes it possible to identify hazards early, when drivers are more likely to have time to respond appropriately.

It is essential that your low pressure warning light function properly. After allowing the system to charge, you can test the warning signal by rapidly applying and releasing the brake pedal. This will release air from the braking system and the warning signal should come on when pressure drops to a dangerous level.

To improve visibility, you should use high beam headlights at night where it is safe and legal to do so. However, the glare from high beam lights can blind other drivers. You should dim your lights to their low beam setting when driving within 500 feet of an approaching vehicle.

Passing an accident scene can be hazardous because the people involved in the accident may not be watching traffic, and the scene itself may distract other passing drivers. Ice cream trucks can create hazardous conditions because they attract children who may not pay attention to nearby vehicles. Shoppers near the roadway are often paying attention to stores, not passing traffic.

When inspecting your tires, verify that there is at least 4/32 of an inch of tread depth in every major groove on the front tires, and tread depth of at least 2/32 of an inch on the other tires. Tires on the same vehicle should all be the same size.

It is important to know the maximum air loss rate that is safe for your specific vehicle. A triple combination should have a leakage rate no higher than 6 psi in a minute during an applied leakage test.

If you are being tailgated, it is best to allow more room to open up in front of your vehicle. This will help you avoid the need for sudden stops, which could result in the tailgater rear-ending you, and will make it easier for the tailgater to pass. Speeding up may only make things more dangerous by prompting the other driver to continue tailgating you at a higher speed.

If you encounter a distracted driver, make sure to give them plenty of room. Be very careful if you pass their vehicle because the driver may be unaware of your presence and drift into your lane.

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.

You should be cautious when you are near people who are not paying attention to the road. Be wary of drivers who are engaged in conversation with passengers, children near the road, and road workers.

Always shift to a lower gear before starting down a hill. Doing this will help your vehicle maintain a safe speed without you needing to use the brakes too much.

If you use a helper while backing your vehicle, they should stand near the back of the vehicle in a place where they are visible to you. Before backing, work out a set of hand signals that both you and your helper understand. Agree on a signal for "stop."

Before driving a vehicle with a dual air brake system, you should wait for the air compressor to build up at least 100 psi in both the primary and secondary systems.

If your vehicle gets stuck on railroad tracks for any reason, you should immediately exit the vehicle and walk away from the tracks. Contact the proper emergency authorities.

It is essential for a CMV driver to be aware of what is happening on all sides of their vehicle.

Driving in fog is always dangerous. If possible, you should always avoid driving under foggy conditions.

Vehicles must be equipped with the appropriate emergency equipment. When inspecting a CMV, you should check for at least one fire extinguisher; spare electrical fuses, unless the vehicle is equipped with circuit breakers; and the appropriate warning devices to be used when the vehicle is parked.

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.

If you must stop on the side of the road, it is important that you turn on your emergency flashers as a warning to other drivers. This is especially important if you are stopped at night.

There are a number of crimes that will disqualify a person from receiving a hazardous materials endorsement for seven years. Among these are kidnapping or hostage taking, smuggling, and immigration violations. More serious crimes, such as murder, will result in a lifetime disqualification.