South Dakota CDL DMV Knowledge Test Class A 2

Bridges tend to freeze before other parts of the roadway. Be particularly careful on bridges when temperatures are close to the freezing point.

In the event of a vehicle fire, you should leave the road and stop in an open area. Do not pull into a service station as fuels at the service station could catch fire. Report the fire and your location to emergency services.

When inspecting a vehicle equipped with power steering, check the hoses, pumps, and fluid level. Be sure to check for and repair leaks before operating the vehicle.

When braking a vehicle equipped with an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), you should not brake any differently than you would if driving a vehicle with a different braking system.

It is important for you to be aware of your surroundings at all times. To do this, regularly check your mirrors. You should make a particular point of checking your mirrors when merging, changing lanes, turning, and performing tight maneuvers.

When backing with a trailer, begin by turning the steering wheel in the direction opposite of the turn. Once the trailer starts to turn, reverse the direction of the steering wheel to follow the trailer.

Subject to certain conditions, a CDL is not required to operate military vehicles, authorized emergency vehicles, farm equipment, or recreational vehicles. It is also not required for operating a straight truck that contains only your personal property that you are not selling.

In the event of an engine fire, you should turn off the engine as soon as possible. Do not open the hood unless absolutely necessary. Using a fire extinguisher, shoot foam through the louvers or radiator, or from the vehicle’s underside. If you are unsure of how to treat a fire, wait for firefighters to arrive.

Regardless of who has loaded cargo onto a vehicle, the driver is responsible for the safety of the cargo.

Operating oil pressure should be between 35 and 75 psi. Do not operate a vehicle if it has oil pressure that is low, dropping, or fluctuating.

Never assume that the posted height on a bridge or other overhead object is correct. Even if it was accurate when posted, things may have changed that affect clearance, either permanently (such as a repaving of the road) or temporarily (such as packed snow on the road).

A steering wheel should be held firmly with each hand on opposite sides of the wheel.

A dual air brake system has two separate air brake systems that use a single set of brake controls. One system typically operates the regular brakes on the rear axle or axles. The other system operates the regular brakes on the front axle.

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.

When driving, you should continually scan the road for possible hazards. Form plans about what you will do if the hazards develop into emergencies.

A driver uses a look when they open their door, leave their seated position, and walk to the back of the vehicle to check its position. During the straight line backing exercise, a driver may not exceed one look. During any other exercise, a driver may not exceed two looks.

A steering wheel should have no more than 10 degrees of play. This is equal to about two inches of movement at the rim of a 20-inch wheel. If there is more play than this, it may be difficult to steer.

Passing parked delivery or postal trucks can be dangerous because the driver may be in a hurry and pull into traffic without warning, or may they suddenly step out of the vehicle without checking for other traffic.

Check hydraulic brakes by pumping the brake pedal three times before applying firm pressure to the pedal for five seconds. The pedal should not move. If it does, there may be a leak or some other problem in the braking system.

If the coolant temperature gauge goes above the highest safe temperature, you should stop driving as soon as possible and try to figure out what is wrong. There could be an issue in your vehicle that could lead to engine failure and possibly a fire.

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.

Air brakes are really three different braking systems: the service brake, the parking brake, and the emergency brake. Emergency and parking brakes are applied with mechanical force.

One way to know when it is time to shift gears is to learn your vehicle's operating rpm range. You should shift up when your engine reaches the top of that range. You can also learn which speeds each gear is good for and shift up based on your speedometer.

To obtain a hazardous materials endorsement, you must pass the HazMat knowledge test; undergo a Federal Security Threat Assessment; provide proof of U.S. citizenship or permanent residency; and undergo an FBI fingerprint check and federal criminal history background check.

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.

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.

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

Remaining in neutral for too long when shifting gears may make it difficult to put the vehicle into the next gear.

For safety, you must wear your seat belt at all times while operating a CMV.

ABS increases a driver's control during braking. It will not necessarily change the distance needed for a vehicle to come to a complete stop.

You will be denied a HazMat endorsement, or lose an existing endorsement, if you are not a lawful permanent U.S. resident; you renounce your U.S. citizenship; you are wanted for, under indictment for, or convicted of certain felonies; you are judged as mentally unstable or are committed to a mental institution; or you are deemed to pose a security threat by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

To reduce the risk of distraction, do not engage in complex or emotionally intense conversations while driving. Pre-programming radio stations before your trip and avoiding eating, drinking, or smoking while at the wheel can also help you avoid becoming distracted while driving. Remember that mental distractions that take your attention away from the task of driving can be just as dangerous as physical distractions.

While driving downhill, you should hold down the brake pedal until your vehicle reaches a speed 5 mph below your safe speed, then release the brake pedal. Repeat this process.

After a tire has been changed, you should stop after a short distance to re-check the tightness of the wheel nuts.

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.