Tennessee CDL DMV Knowledge Test Class B 2

For the first step of a vehicle inspection, you should review the last inspection report on your vehicle, if there is one. The carrier should have repaired any problems noted on the report.

Over-sized loads require special permits, may be allowed on the roads only at certain times, and may require special warning signs or equipment.

Poorly balanced weight in a trailer can make handling unsafe. For example, either too little or too much weight on the front axle can make a vehicle difficult to steer. Weight should be distributed evenly from front to back and from side to side. It should be distributed as low as possible.

Hydroplaning is an effect in which a vehicle's tires lose traction with the surface of the road and instead glide along a layer of water. There does not have to be a large amount of water on the road for this to occur. Hydroplaning can begin at speeds as low as 30 mph.

Aggressive driving is defined as operating a motor vehicle in a selfish, bold, or pushy manner. Road rage is defined as operating a motor vehicle with the intent of doing harm to others, or the intent of physically assaulting another driver or their vehicle.

You must always properly signal before turning or changing lanes.

Blocking and bracing are techniques to keep cargo from shifting in transit. A piece of cargo should be blocked to its front, back, and/or sides to prevent movement.

Mirror adjustment should be checked prior to the start of each trip. Any attached trailer should be straight while mirrors are being adjusted.

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

If you use your brakes too much when traveling on a steep downgrade, they may overheat and become less effective. To avoid causing your brakes to overheat on a steep hill, you should rely on engine braking.

Brakes are designed to take a lot of heat, but drivers should not rely solely on the brakes to slow their vehicle. Brakes may fade and lose their ability to slow down the vehicle if they become too hot, so drivers should also rely on the engine braking effect.

Always signal well ahead of a turn or lane change. Signal continuously until you have completed the turn or lane change, then be sure to cancel the signal so you do not confuse other drivers.

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.

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

Good drivers look down the road at least 12 to 15 seconds ahead of their vehicles. This makes it possible to identify hazards early, when drivers are more likely to have time to respond appropriately.

It is important to know the maximum air loss rate that is safe for your specific vehicle. A single vehicle with air brakes should have a leakage rate no higher than 3 psi in a minute during an applied leakage test.

When accelerating, speed up smoothly and gradually so the vehicle does not jerk. Rough acceleration can cause mechanical damage.

Driving in fog is always dangerous and should be avoided entirely if at all possible. If you must drive in fog, be sure to turn on your low beam headlights and fog lights, even during the daytime.

If you must stop and park on the side of the road, make sure to turn on your emergency flashers. This is especially important at night. Taillights are not an adequate when alerting other drivers because the drivers may mistakenly think your vehicle is moving normally and collide with it.

Improperly secured or loaded cargo can be very dangerous. For example, loose cargo could fall in the event of a sudden stop, potentially injuring or even killing the driver.

It is essential that your vehicle will be able to stop within the area of the road that you are able to see. This means that you must slow down whenever conditions reduce visibility.

Driving at night is more dangerous than driving during the day. It is more difficult for drivers to see hazards, the glare of headlights can affect drivers' vision, and there are more fatigued and impaired drivers on the road.

When inspecting a vehicle, you should ensure that the wheel bearing seals are not leaking. If you find anything unsafe during the vehicle inspection, get it fixed. Federal and state laws forbid operating an unsafe vehicle.

Front-end header boards, also known as "headache racks," protect the driver from cargo moving in the event of a crash or emergency stop.

Driving drowsy is dangerous and should always be avoided. Warning signs of drowsiness include frequent blinking, your eyes closing or going out of focus by themselves, frequent yawning, and drifting between lanes.

It is essential that a driver always uses proper signals to make their intentions known to others on the road.

If you find yourself being tailgated by another driver, you should increase your following distance and avoid making quick moves. Increasing your speed may only result in the other driver continuing to tailgate you at a higher speed. Do not turn on your taillights or flash your brake lights at the other driver.

When inspecting a vehicle's exhaust system, be alert to a number of potential problems, including loose, broken, or missing exhaust pipes, mufflers, tailpipes, or vertical stacks; loose, broken, or missing mounting brackets, clamps, bolts, or nuts; exhaust system parts rubbing against fuel system parts, tires, or other moving parts of the vehicle; and exhaust system parts that are leaking.

When approaching a curve during the on-road driving skills test, you must reduce your speed sufficiently before entering the curve so that you do not need to further brake or shift in the curve. Keep the vehicle in its lane and continue to check for traffic in all directions.

If you are asked to complete an offset back/left parking maneuver, you should first pull straight forward, then back up to the left. Your vehicle must be parked completely within the boundaries of the parking space.

If you do not take or pass the air brakes test, you will be restricted to operating vehicles without air brakes.

On a wet road, it is possible for a vehicle's tires to lose traction with the road surface and begin to glide along on the layer of water. This is referred to as hydroplaning. Hydroplaning can occur at speeds as low as 30 mph.

In an air brake system, a low pressure warning signal should activate if the pressure in the air tanks falls to a level below 60 psi. This signal may be in the form of a warning light or a wig wag.

Indicators of drowsiness while driving include your eyes closing or going out of focus by themselves, having trouble keeping your head up, and drifting between lanes.

Always check your mirrors and use the proper signal when changing lanes. Be sure there is enough space for your entire vehicle in the next lane before you begin moving.