Maine CDL DMV Knowledge Test Class B 1

If your license to operate your personal vehicle is revoked, canceled, or suspended, you may not obtain a hardship license to operate a CMV.

You may be asked to complete a conventional parallel parking maneuver into a parking space that is to the right of your vehicle. You should drive past the parking space before backing into it while bringing the rear of your vehicle as close to the rear of the space as possible. Your vehicle should be completely within the boundaries of the space.

Empty trucks require longer stopping distances than full trucks because they have less traction available.

A cargo of hanging meat can be very unstable, both because the meat swings about in transit and because its center of gravity is high.

You should not rely solely upon the presence of warning signals, gates, or flaggers to alert you to the approach of a train. Be especially alert to approaching trains at crossings that are not controlled by gates or signals. At any railroad crossing, you should operate under the assumption that a train is coming.

An air brake system has a safety relief valve, which releases air from the tanks if the pressure gets too high. If the valve must operate, something in the system is wrong and should be addressed by a mechanic.

If you begin to feel drowsy while driving, the best thing to do is to stop and get some sleep. A driver trying to push on and finish a trip while fatigued is a major cause of fatal accidents.

If you have an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) equipped on only the tractor, only the trailer, or only one axle, you will still have more control over the vehicle when braking than you would without ABS. You should brake normally.

You should always slow to a safe speed before entering a curve. Slowing while within the curve could cause a skid.

When inspecting a trailer coupling, you should make sure the fifth wheel locking jaws are closed around the shank of the kingpin, not the head of the kingpin.

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

When approaching your vehicle before an inspection, make note of its general condition and ensure that it is not damaged or leaning. Look under the vehicle for fresh leaks of oil, grease, or fuel. Check around the vehicle for hazards to movement, such as people, other vehicles, or low-hanging wires or tree limbs.

During the vehicle inspection test, you will be asked to do a complete inspection of your vehicle. You will need to explain what you are inspecting and why.

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.

It is always important to have enough water and antifreeze in a vehicle's cooling system. Despite the name, antifreeze is beneficial to an engine even in hot weather.

The safety valve protects air tanks and the rest of an air brake system from accumulating too much air pressure. The safety valve is usually set to open at 150 psi.

If your on-road driving test route does not include a railroad crossing, you may be asked to explain and demonstrate the proper railroad crossing procedures to the examiner at a simulated location.

The purpose of an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) is to prevent a vehicle's wheels from locking up when the driver brakes hard on a slippery surface.

If you encounter an aggressive driver, you should not let yourself be provoked by any angry gestures they make toward you. Avoid making eye contact with the other driver and do not try to race them.

Drivers who are engaged in conversation with passengers may be distracted from the task of driving. Use extra caution when driving near distracted drivers.

Front wheel braking is effective under all road conditions. It is unlikely that you will experience a front wheel skid, even on ice.

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

To help avoid frustration, which can lead to aggressive driving behavior, you should begin a trip with realistic expectations about your travel time. Plan ahead to allow time for potential traffic delays. Other strategies to help prevent aggressive driving behavior include driving an appropriate speed and keeping a reasonable following distance; avoiding making gestures at other drivers; and keeping your hands on the steering wheel.

If you see, hear, smell, or feel anything while driving that does not feel right, you should have it checked out.

If you experience tire failure, you may hear the loud "bang" sound of a blowout or feel a heavy thumping or vibration in your vehicle. If steering begins to feel heavy, or if the rear of your vehicle begins to fishtail, you should stop to check your tires.

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

When backing, you should pull forward to reposition your vehicle whenever needed. Drift should be corrected immediately by turning the steering wheel in the direction of the drift.

Hydroplaning occurs on surfaces where water has collected. If there is enough water, vehicles can hydroplane at speeds as low as 30 mph. Hydroplaning becomes more likely if tires are under-inflated or if the tread is worn.

After a tire has been changed, you should stop a short while later to recheck the tightness of the lug nuts.

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.

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 decrease your speed when traveling through a construction area. Slow down even further if there are workers on or near the roadway.

If your brakes fail on a downgrade, you will need to quickly find something outside that can stop your vehicle. An escape ramp is the best option. If no escape ramp is available, use the least hazardous available option, such as driving into an open field or side road that flattens out or turns uphill.

On many vehicles, multi-speed rear axles and auxiliary transmissions are used to provide extra gears.

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.