Massachusetts CDL DMV Knowledge Test Class A 2

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.

It is prohibited for any person to possess more than one driver license. All states share drivers' information in a computer database to help prevent issuance of licenses to drivers who already have them.

Hydroplaning occurs when a vehicle's tires lose contact with the road surface and instead glide along on a film of water above the surface of the road.

To make a normal stop in a vehicle with air brakes, push the brake pedal down. The harder the pedal is pressed, the more air pressure is released.

If brakes are used too much, they will overheat and become less effective. This is referred to as brake fade.

If you are approaching a traffic light that has been green for a long time, there is a good chance that it will turn yellow before you reach it. Start slowing down and be ready to stop.

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.

Regrooved, recapped, or retreaded tires are prohibited from use on the front wheels of a bus.

Dry bulk tanks require special care when being driven because they have high centers of gravity. Drivers should also be careful because the materials being carried can easily shift in transit, causing a change in the vehicle's handling.

Vehicles with Anti-Lock Braking Systems (ABS) have yellow malfunction lights to alert the driver if something is wrong with the braking system. If these lights activate, the driver may have lost ABS on one or more wheels.

A parking brake should not be used if the vehicle's brakes are very hot from use on a steep downgrade or if the brakes are very wet and temperatures are freezing. Using the parking brake when brakes are hot could cause damage to the brakes, and using the brakes when they are wet in freezing weather may cause the brakes to ice up, rendering the vehicle immobile.

In the event of tire failure, hold the steering wheel firmly. Stay off the brakes and let the vehicle slow down on its own. Once the vehicle has slowed considerably, you should brake very gently, pull off the road, and stop.

When driving, you should scan the road at least 12 to 15 seconds ahead of your vehicle. This will allow you to notice hazards as early as possible, giving you time to react to them appropriately.

Many large vehicles have curved, convex mirrors. Convex mirrors allow drivers to see a wider area than flat mirrors. However, they also make objects seem smaller and farther away than they really are.

Cargo must be properly balanced so that there is neither too little nor too much weight on the front or rear axles. Improperly balanced cargo can damage a vehicle and affect the handling of a vehicle.

Always signal before a turn or lane change. Begin signaling well in advance of the movement and keep the signal on continuously during the turn. If it is not self-canceling, make sure to turn your signal off after your turn or lane change is complete.

Friction inside a brake drum is caused when the brake shoes and linings push against the inside of the drum. The friction in the drums will slow and stop the vehicle.

Blocking and bracing are used to prevent cargo from sliding in transit.

When driving, you should always scan the road for potential hazards. Formulate plans for how to deal with the hazards if they develop into emergencies.

Part of your vehicle should be visible in your mirrors so that you have a point of reference when judging how close other drivers and objects are to your vehicle.

During the on-road driving skills test, you will be evaluated on your gear usage. Select a gear that does not rev or lug the engine; avoid grinding and clashing gears; and avoid shifting through turns or intersections.

A one-way check valve is required to be between an air compressor and the first main reservoir. This valve prevents air from escaping the system if the air compressor develops a leak.

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.

The adjustment of mirrors must be checked prior to the start of any trip.

If confronted by an aggressive driver, the most important thing for you to do is get out of their way. Avoid making eye contact, do not challenge them by increasing your speed, and do not let yourself be provoked by any angry gestures they direct toward you.

A vehicle inspection report allows a driver to inform the motor carrier of issues that could affect the safe operation of a vehicle. If required, the driver should fill out a vehicle inspection report after every day of driving. They should make note of any issues that could affect the safety of the vehicle or that could lead to a mechanical breakdown.

Loads that are over-length, over-width, and/or overweight may require special permits. Such vehicles are usually only allowed to be driven at certain times.

In an air brake system, the air compressor governor controls when the air compressor pumps air into the air storage tanks.

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.

You should always apply the parking brake when leaving your vehicle.

Driving while fatigued is dangerous. Warning signs of fatigue include difficulty focusing; repeated yawning or rubbing of the eyes; daydreaming or wandering thoughts; and drifting out of your lane.

Drivers who are holding conversations with others may not be paying full attention to the road and may make unsafe moves. Children do not always pay attention to traffic and may dart into the road without looking. Exercise caution when driving near road workers. This helps to keep the workers and other distracted drivers safe.

Traffic violations classified as "serious" include excessive speeding, reckless driving, operating a CMV without a valid CDL, following other vehicles too closely, and improper lane usage. Consequences for multiple serious traffic violations can result in license disqualification.

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.

Black ice is a layer of ice that is thin and clear enough for the road to be visible through it. This makes the road look as if it is merely wet.