New Mexico CDL DMV Knowledge Test Class A 1

When driving, you should frequently check the mirrors on both sides of your vehicle.

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

All trucks, truck tractors, and buses must be equipped with emergency brakes and parking brakes.

Dry bulk tanks require special care to be driven, both because they have high centers of gravity and because the weight of the load can shift in transit.

If the low air pressure warning signal comes on while you are driving a vehicle with air brakes, you should immediately bring the vehicle to a safe stop while you are still able to control the brakes. Inspect and repair the brakes as soon as possible.

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.

Ice cream trucks can create hazardous conditions for other drivers because they attract children. Children often do not notice or pay attention to other vehicles on the roadway when running to or from ice cream trucks.

Look at your truck's gauges when starting the engine. The oil pressure in an engine should come up to a normal level within seconds of the vehicle's engine being started.

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.

While regular mirror checks should be part of your normal scanning routine, be especially sure to check your mirrors when changing lanes.

During the pre-trip vehicle inspection test, you will be asked to indicate where the power steering fluid dipstick or reservoir sight glass is located. You will need to show that the power steering fluid is within a safe operating range.

You may have to swing right to safely make a left turn. If there are two left turn lanes available at an intersection, you should always begin your turn in the rightmost lane.

If your vehicle begins to hydroplane, do not apply the brakes. Instead, slow down by releasing the accelerator and pushing in the clutch. This will help you to regain traction.

If a heavy load prevents your vehicle from keeping up with the speed of other traffic, you should stay in the right lane.

If making a left turn where there is more than one available turn lane, you should always choose to begin your turn in the rightmost lane. Large vehicles often have to swing right to make left turns. Because of this, it is safer for you to have other left-turning traffic to your left instead of to your right. This will allow you to have the best possible view of other turning vehicles and will lower the risk of your vehicle colliding with them.

If your brakes fail on a downgrade, your best option is to use an escape ramp. If no escape ramp is available, it is a good idea to look for a different escape route, such as a side road or open field.

Distractions that can affect safe driving can be classified as physical (such as reaching for an object), mental (such as talking with passenger), or both (such as talking on a hand-held phone).

It is essential that a vehicle's engine have adequate oil pressure. An engine can be destroyed rapidly if it is run without oil.

To operate a vehicle of any size that is used to transport hazardous materials requiring placards, you must have a CDL with a hazardous materials endorsement.

Backing up is always dangerous because it is impossible to see everything that is behind you. Only drive in reverse if it is absolutely necessary.

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

For safe driving, it is essential that you maintain cushions of space on all sides of your vehicle. This helps to ensure that you will have time to take appropriate action if a problem arises.

In a dual air brake system, either the front or rear brakes will not be fully operable if one of the air systems gets too low on pressure. If the air pressure in either tank gets too low while you are driving, you should exit the road and park as soon as possible.

You must take an air brakes knowledge test to become licensed to operate a vehicle that is equipped with air brakes, including an air over hydraulic braking system.

Be sure to thoroughly inspect your tires before a trip. Tire sizes should not be mismatched, and tires should not be cut, cracked, or otherwise damaged in any way.

On flatbed trailers and trailers without sides, cargo must be tied down. There should be at least one tie-down for every 10 feet of cargo. Regardless of the size of the cargo, at least two tie-downs must be used.

While driving, spring brakes are generally held in place by air pressure. If the air pressure gets low enough, the springs will activate the brakes.

Most states have an Implied Consent Law, which means that by driving a vehicle on the state's roads, you have agreed to undergo a drug or alcohol test if a police officer asks you to do so. If you refuse to submit to a test, you will lose your operating privileges. Make sure you are aware of the laws for every state in which you drive.

In an air brake system, there are three different braking systems: a service brake system, a parking brake system, and an emergency brake system. The emergency brake system uses parts of both the parking and service brake systems.

If your vehicle begins to hydroplane, you can regain control by releasing the accelerator and pushing in the clutch.

When inspecting your tires, verify that there is tread depth of at least 4/32 of an inch in every major groove on the front tires and tread depth of at least 2/32 of an inch in grooves on the other tires. Be sure that your tires are not too worn, are not cracked, have proper air pressure, and are all equally sized.

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.

Because you can't see everything behind you, driving in reverse is always dangerous and should be done only when necessary. Before backing into an area, you should exit your vehicle and inspect the path of travel to check for potential hazards, especially overhanging objects that would otherwise be difficult to spot in a mirror.

The suspension system holds up a vehicle and its load while keeping the axles in place. Defects in this system are extremely dangerous.

Over-length, over-width, and/or overweight loads may require special permits from the Department of Transportation.