New Mexico CDL DMV Knowledge Test Class B 1

When asked to make a lane change during the on-road driving test, you should make the proper traffic checks, use your turn signal, and smoothly change lanes when it is safe to do so.

When inspecting your vehicle, you should check all belts for tightness and excessive wear. You should learn how much "give" is appropriate for each belt.

As the temperature begins to rise and ice on the road begins to melt, the road surface will often become even more slippery. Water from the slight melting will sit on top of the ice, decreasing the available traction even more. Always decrease your speed and drive with caution when traveling on slippery surfaces.

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.

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.

Wheels or rims with welding repairs are never safe to use.

Potential warning signs of fatigue include difficulty focusing, frequent blinking, or heavy eyelids; yawning repeatedly or rubbing your eyes; daydreaming; wandering or disconnected thoughts; trouble remembering the last few miles you've driven; missing exits or traffic signs; having trouble keeping your head up; drifting from your lane; following too closely; hitting a shoulder rumble strip; or feeling restless and irritable.

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

You should accelerate very gradually when driving under slippery conditions. Using too much power in such conditions may cause you to lose control of your vehicle.

The weight of cargo in a vehicle should be distributed as low as possible. Having a center of gravity that is too high will increase the risk of a rollover.

Always drive with caution through work zones. You should make a particular point of reducing your speed when workers are on or near the roadway.

An operator should drive with care when transporting a cargo of hanging meat. Such a load is unstable, both because it has a high center of gravity and because the swinging of the meat can affect the driver's handling of the vehicle.

Stopping is not always the best way to avoid a hazard. If there is not enough space for you to stop to avoid coming into contact with the hazard, swerving out of the way may be your safest option.

Check your engine during the pre-trip inspection. After starting the engine, you should listen for unusual noises.

When inspecting your tires, verify that there is at least 4/32 of an inch of tread depth in every major groove on the front tires, and tread depth of at least 2/32 of an inch on the other tires. Tires on the same vehicle should all be the same size.

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) is the value specified by the manufacturer as the loaded weight of a single vehicle.

The adjustment of your mirrors should be checked prior to the start of all trips. Adjust your mirrors as needed.

If there is enough water on the road, hydroplaning can occur at speeds as low as 30 mph. It is most likely if the tires' air pressure is too low or if tires' tread is worn.

Compressed air in an air brake system usually has a certain amount of water and oil in it. This can harm the system if allowed to accumulate. Air tanks have drain valves to aid in removing water and oil from the compressed air.

Cargo with a high center of gravity makes a vehicle more likely to tip over than cargo with a low center of gravity. For this reason, it is important that the weight of cargo be distributed as low as possible.

Compressed air in an air brake system usually contains a certain amount of water and compressor oil. The water and oil can damage the brakes if left to accumulate in the system. Tanks must be drained regularly to remove this build-up.

As the first step of a vehicle inspection, a driver should review any inspection report left by the previous driver.

When inspecting an exhaust system, you should verify that parts of the system are not loose, broken, or missing. The system's parts must be properly mounted and should not be rubbing against moving parts of the vehicle.

At the end of each day of driving, you may be required to make a written report on the vehicle or vehicles driven. Be sure to make note of any issues that could affect the safety of the vehicle or that could lead to a mechanical breakdown.

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

In an air brake system, the air compressor pumps air into the air storage tanks. The air compressor is controlled by the air compressor governor.

The brakes in an air brake system use compressed air to function properly.

When checking your tires as part of a pre-trip inspection, it is important to verify that the tire pressure is neither too low nor too high.

It is essential that you are aware of what is surrounding your vehicle at all times. You should make a habit of regularly checking your mirrors while driving.

Watch the gauges in your vehicle before starting a trip. After starting your vehicle's engine, the coolant temperature should begin a gradual rise to the normal operating range.

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.

You should tap your brakes and flash your brake lights to warn other drivers any time you plan to slow or stop where other drivers may not expect you to do so. Use this technique when stopping on the road to unload cargo or passengers.

Distractions while driving can be physical (such as reaching for an object), mental (such as making conversation with a passenger), or both (such as holding a phone to send texts). Strategies to help you avoid distracted driving include pre-programming radio stations; planning out your route in advance; avoiding complex or emotionally taxing conversation while driving; adjusting your mirrors before setting out; and not eating, drinking, or smoking while behind the wheel.

When inspecting a vehicle, you should verify that your dual tires do not come into contact with one another, or with any other part of the vehicle.

Regularly check mirrors on both sides of your vehicle while driving. It is important to be aware of what is happening behind and to the sides of your vehicle.