Minnesota CDL DMV Knowledge Test Class B 2

Cargo must be properly secured to prevent it from moving in transit. Loose cargo can be dangerous to the driver operating the CMV, as well as to other road users.

If you must drive in fog, you should use your low beam headlights and fog lights, even during the day.

When stopping, press down the brake pedal smoothly and gradually.

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.

Warning signs that a driver may be impaired include that they are having trouble staying in their lane, they are having trouble maintaining an appropriate driving speed, or they are stopping without a clear reason.

You must be properly restrained by a safety belt at all times when driving a commercial motor vehicle.

The purpose of an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) is to prevent wheel lockup while brakes are being applied.

Most drivers are the least alert at night, especially after midnight. Therefore, crashes due to fatigued driving are more likely at night than any other time of day.

After a tire has been changed, the driver should stop a short distance later to recheck the tightness of the tire's lug nuts.

An air brake system's safety relief valve is located in the tank that is first to receive air from the compressor.

Drivers behind you may not anticipate how slowly your CMV must travel to safely make a right turn. You can help warn them in advance by braking early and slowing gradually.

If you are not certain that your vehicle will fit under overhead objects, you should slow down and take a different route, if possible.

If you experience an engine fire, you should turn off the engine as soon as safely possible. Avoid opening the vehicle's hood when extinguishing the fire.

It is the driver's responsibility to inspect their cargo; recognize overloading or poorly balanced weight; know that the cargo is properly secured and does not obscure the driver's view; and know that the cargo does not restrict access to emergency equipment. The driver is responsible for their cargo even if they were not the one who initially loaded and secured the cargo.

For some vehicles, you may need to leave the engine running to be able to check its automatic transmission fluid level.

If you need to make an emergency stop, you can use either the controlled braking method or the stab braking method. It's important to brake in a way that keeps your vehicle in a straight line but will still allow you to turn if necessary.

If a vehicle is traveling at inconsistent speeds, it could be an indication that the driver is distracted. Give distracted drivers plenty of space on the road.

To obtain a hazardous materials endorsement, you must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. You will lose your hazardous materials endorsement if you renounce your U.S. citizenship.

Always signal your intentions before turning or changing lanes. Do not assume that other drivers will move out of your way simply because you are signaling to turn.

If you are turning to avoid a hazard, do not apply the brakes while you are turning. This could easily lock the wheels and create a skid.

There are two indicators that determine when you need to shift into a higher gear. One indicator is the engine speed (rpm). You should read your vehicle's manual to learn its rpm range and shift up when you reach the top of that range. The other indicator is road speed (mph). You should learn which speeds each gear can accommodate, then keep an eye on the speedometer and shift up as needed.

Any foreign object on the road is potentially dangerous. For example, something seemingly harmless, such as a cardboard box or paper sack, could contain a hard or heavy object that could do serious damage to a vehicle.

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.

Stopping is not always the safest option when responding to an emergency while driving. It is usually safer to steer out of the way when attempting to avoid a crash.

Because air takes time to flow through the air lines to the brakes, air brakes cannot begin working instantly. There is often a brake lag of at least one-half of a second between the moment the brake pedal is pressed and the moment the brakes begin to work. On vehicles with hydraulic brakes, the brakes work instantly when the pedal is pressed.

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

Posted speed limits on exit and entrance ramps often show speeds that are safe to be driven by cars. However, these speed limits may be too fast for large or heavily-loaded vehicles and CMV drivers will likely need to slow down to a speed below the posted limit.

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

When approaching your vehicle to conduct an inspection, you should look underneath it to make sure there are no fresh oil, coolant, grease, or fuel leaks on the ground. Leaks can indicate unsafe defects on a vehicle.

When using a fire extinguisher, you should stand as far away from the fire as possible. Aim the extinguisher at the base of the fire, not at the flames. If you are not sure which kind of extinguisher should be used on a fire, particularly a hazardous materials fire, you should wait for the firefighters to arrive and allow them to extinguish it.

Bridges usually freeze before the rest of the road. You should be especially careful when crossing bridges if the temperature is near the freezing point.

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.

A load of cargo must be properly balanced. Placing too much weight over an axle can damage the axle and make it more difficult for you to steer. Placing too little weight over an axle can cause poor traction, also leading to difficult handling.

All commercial motor vehicles are required to be equipped with the proper emergency equipment. This may include spare electrical fuses; three red reflective triangles, six fuses, or three liquid burning flares; and at least one properly charged and rated fire extinguisher.

A hot, poorly-ventilated area can make a person sleepy. Opening a window, opening a vent, or using the air conditioning can help keep the cab cool and reduce the risk of fatigue.