Montana CDL DMV Knowledge Test Class B 1

Black ice is a thin layer of ice that is clear enough for the road surface to be seen through it. A road covered in black ice may look like it is merely wet. You should be very careful when temperatures are below freezing and the road looks wet.

To let drivers behind you know that you plan to slow down, lightly tap your brake pedal a few times to flash your brake lights. It is important to communicate your intentions to other drivers.

Both systems in a dual air brake system share a single air compressor. If the air compressor is damaged, neither system will be able to operate properly.

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.

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

During the external inspection portion of the pre-trip vehicle inspection test, you must verify that the steering box is securely mounted and not leaking.

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.

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.

In some emergencies, the best strategy for avoiding a hazard may be to drive onto the shoulder. Most shoulders are strong enough to support the weight of a large vehicle.

To avoid a loss of control, you should accelerate slowly when driving in poor-traction conditions, such as rain or snow.

Steering wheel play of more than 10 degrees (about two inches of movement at the rim of a 20-inch steering wheel) can make it difficult to steer.

During the on-road driving test, do not stop, change gears, pass another vehicle, or change lanes while any part of your vehicle is in a railroad crossing.

Drum brakes are attached to the wheels and located on the axles of a vehicle. The braking mechanisms that cause the vehicle to stop can be found inside of a drum brake.

Cargo and its securing devices must be inspected before starting a trip. After beginning a trip, the driver should check the load and securing devices within the first 50 miles on the road, every three hours or 150 miles traveled, and after every break.

Before driving a vehicle with air brakes, you should ensure that the spring brakes come on automatically when air tank pressure falls to a level between 20 and 45 psi. You can do this by chocking the wheels and releasing air from the braking system by stepping on and off the brake pedal. Once the pressure levels drop to an unsafe level, the parking brake valve should pop out and spring brakes should come on.

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.

Most alcohol is removed from the body by the liver, which processes alcohol at a fixed rate. Despite popular belief, techniques like drinking black coffee or taking a cold shower will not accelerate this process. The only thing you can do to become sober after drinking is allow your body the time it needs to eliminate the alcohol from your system.

If an ABS system fails, the vehicle will still have normal braking function. The driver should continue to drive and brake as they normally would.

Problems to check for when inspecting tires include: air pressure that is too low or too high; using radial and bias-ply tires together; tread depth of less than 4/32 of an inch in major grooves on front tires; and tread depth of less than 2/32 of an inch on all other tires.

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.

It is essential that your low pressure warning light functions 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.

Before driving, you should always verify that your service brakes are in good working order. Testing the brakes before a trip allows you to locate any problems before you need to brake while on the road.

If you are convicted of any kind of traffic violation, in any type of vehicle, you must notify your employer within 30 days. You must also inform your motor vehicle licensing agency of the violation within 30 days if the conviction happened in another jurisdiction. This rule does not apply to parking infractions.

An Individual Vehicle Distance Record (IVDR) must include information about the distance traveled by a vehicle and the amount of fuel purchased. The required distance information includes the origin and destination points of the trip and the Vehicle Identification Number.

Traction is friction between your tires and the surface of the road. Adequate traction is necessary for braking and steering.

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.

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

If you choose to use a mobile phone while operating a CMV, you may only use a hands-free mobile phone that is located close to you. However, even a hands-free mobile phone can be a dangerous distraction while driving. Make sure you are aware of all cell phone laws in the state in which you are driving.

A vehicle's total stopping distance is made up of perception distance, reaction distance, brake lag distance, and braking distance. With all of these factors included, an air brake-equipped vehicle traveling at a speed of 55 mph under ideal driving conditions will need approximately 450 feet to come to a complete stop.

You should always slow down to a safe speed and shift into a lower gear before entering a curve.

You must drive in a safe and responsible manner during the on-road driving test. This includes wearing your safety belt; obeying all traffic signs, signals, and laws; and completing the test without an accident or moving violation.

Be cautious when driving near people who are working on disabled vehicles. The task will likely consume their attention, so they may not be aware of traffic or other hazards on the road.

The suspension system performs the vital functions of holding up the vehicle and its load while keeping the axles in place. Defects in the suspension are therefore extremely dangerous.

Cargo on a flatbed trailer should be secured by at least one tie-down for every 10 feet of the cargo's length. Cargo should be secured by a minimum of two tie-downs, regardless of size.

Tires should never have too much air pressure. Be sure to check your tires' air pressure with a gauge during inspections.