Pennsylvania CDL DMV Knowledge Test Class B 1

Backing maneuvers that may be included in the basic vehicle control skills test include straight line backing, offset back/right, offset back/left, driver side parallel parking, conventional parallel parking, and alley docking.

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.

Cargo needs to be secured appropriately to prevent it from moving in transit. Cargo should be arranged to keep the vehicle's center of gravity low and well-distributed.

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.

To reduce the chances of driving distracted, you should avoid eating, drinking, or smoking while driving. Anything that diverts attention from the task of driving is a distraction.

Before inspecting under a vehicle's hood, make sure the parking brake is engaged and/or the wheels are properly chocked.

When inspecting a vehicle with a dual air brake system, you should wait for air pressure to build from 85 to 100 psi in both the primary and secondary systems. This should take about 45 seconds.

When inspecting cargo, a driver must ensure that the cargo is balanced and properly secured. To reduce the risk of a rollover, the weight of a load of cargo should be kept as low as possible. A trailer should not be overloaded.

During the on-road driving test, you must listen to and follow the directions given by the examiner. They will never ask you to drive in an unsafe manner.

The stab braking method for emergency stops involves fully applying the brakes until they lock up. The brakes are then released until the wheels start rolling, then the process is repeated.

Before starting down a hill, be sure to switch into a low gear. Gravity will increase your vehicle's speed as you travel downhill.

Press the brake pedal down smoothly and gradually every time you slow or stop. The amount of brake pressure you need to apply depends on the speed of your vehicle and how quickly you need to stop.

Backing up is always dangerous because it is impossible to see everything behind your vehicle. If you must drive in reverse, use a helper, if possible.

During the basic vehicle control skills test, you will tested on your ability to operate your vehicle through certain maneuvers. You will be asked to move your vehicle forward, operate your vehicle backward, and turn your vehicle within a defined area.

Always downshift before entering a curve. Decreasing your speed before entering the curve will allow you to maintain better control over the vehicle throughout the curve.

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 drops to an unsafe level, the parking brake valve should pop out and spring brakes should come on.

In Pennsylvania, you must be at least 18 years old to obtain a CDL. To operate a commercial vehicle in interstate commerce, you must be at least 21.

When crossing railroad tracks during the on-road driving skills test, you must not stop, switch gears, pass another vehicle, or change lanes while any part of your vehicle is in the crossing.

If you drive under an overpass during the on-road driving skills test, your examiner may ask you to recall the posted clearance or height of the overpass.

Most heavy vehicles with manual transmissions require double clutching to change gears. A driver should release the accelerator, push in the clutch, and shift into neutral at the same time. After releasing the clutch and allowing the vehicle to change to the necessary speed, the driver should push in the clutch, shift gears, then simultaneously release the clutch and accelerate.

Anti-Lock Braking Systems (ABS) will help you to maintain control during hard braking. ABS will not necessarily shorten your stopping distance.

Potential problems to check for when inspecting brakes include cracked drums; shoes or pads with oil, grease, or brake fluid on them; and shoes that are missing, broken, or worn dangerously thin.

The faster you drive, the hotter your engine and tires will become. When it is very hot, you can help prevent this overheating by decreasing your speed.

If your vehicle "pulls" to one side when braking, you may have brake trouble. If there is an issue with your brakes, you should fix the issue before driving. Operating an unsafe vehicle is against federal and state laws.

The function of an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) is to prevent the vehicle's wheels from locking up from hard brake application.

For safe driving, it is essential that you are aware of what is happening on all sides of your vehicle. In addition to watching the road ahead, you should frequently check your mirrors to monitor the road to the sides and to the rear of 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 pre-trip inspection should be completed in the same way before every drive. Consistency will help you learn all of the proper steps and decrease the likelihood that you will forget to check something.

In an air brake system, the air storage tanks hold enough air for brakes to be used several times if the compressor stops working.

If you are convicted of any traffic violations while driving any vehicle, you must notify your employer within 30 days of the conviction. This rule excludes parking violations.

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.

When driving down a steep grade, you should rely primarily on the braking effect of the engine to slow down. To prevent overheating, use your brakes only as a supplement to this slowing technique.

An encroachment during the basic vehicle control skills test is when an exercise boundary line is touched or crossed by any portion of the applicant's vehicle. Every encroachment will be counted as an error.

Air expands as it gets warmer, so the air pressure in your tires could reach dangerously high levels while being used in very hot weather. If this happens, stop and let your tires cool. Do not let air out of the tires, as this could result in the pressure dropping to an unsafe level once the tires cool down.

During the straight line backing exercise, you are permitted to exit your vehicle to check its position no more than one time.