Vermont CDL DMV Knowledge Test Class B 1

After a tire has been changed, the driver should stop a short distance later to recheck the tightness of the tire's lug nuts.

Never remove the radiator cap or any part of the pressurized cooling system until it has cooled. Opening the cap while the system is too hot could release steam and boiling water that could severely burn you. If the radiator cap is cool to the touch, the system is likely cool enough for you to open the cap.

Speeding is the leading cause of death and injury in work zones. Use extra caution when driving near workers in a work zone.

Drivers may be required to submit a written vehicle inspection report at the end of each day of driving. The motor carrier must repair any items in the report that affect safety and certify on the report that repairs were either made or unnecessary.

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 stopped on the side of the road, be sure to turn on your vehicle's four-way emergency flashers, especially during times of lowered visibility. Place warning devices within 10 minutes of being stopped.

There are two indicators that determine when you need to shift into a higher gear. One indicator is the engine speed (rpm). You should read your vehicle's manual to learn its rpm range and shift up when you reach the top of that range. The other indicator is road speed (mph). You should learn which speeds each gear can accommodate, then keep an eye on the speedometer and shift up as needed.

Ice becomes wet when the weather is just warm enough to melt the ice slightly. Wet ice is much more slippery than ice that is not wet.

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.

Black ice is a thin layer of ice that is clear enough for the road surface to be seen through it. A road covered in black ice may look like it is merely wet. You should be very careful when temperatures are below freezing and the road looks wet.

An alcohol evaporator can help prevent ice from building up in an air brake system. In cold weather, the evaporator should be checked and refilled every day.

Before driving a vehicle with a dual air brake system, allow time for the air compressor to build up a minimum of 100 psi pressure in both the primary and secondary systems. Watch the air pressure gauges to monitor the pressure levels.

You should be cautious when you are near people who are not paying attention to the road. Drivers and pedestrians who are talking to someone may be distracted by the conversation and not fully paying attention to the road. Workers on or near the road may not be paying attention to traffic because they are focused on their work, and can themselves also be a distraction to drivers.

To avoid becoming fatigued on a long trip, you should take a break after every 100 miles or two hours of driving. Driving through the night, or during any other time when you would normally be asleep, raises the danger of fatigue.

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

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

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.

If you must stop on the side of the road, you must place the appropriate emergency warning devices within 10 minutes of stopping.

Some air brake systems have alcohol evaporators, which introduce alcohol into the braking system to help prevent the formation of ice.

When checking the tires as part of a pre-trip inspection, make sure the tires have sufficient tread. There should be at least 4/32 of an inch of tread in every major groove of the front tires, and at least 2/32 of an inch of tread depth on the other tires. Tire sizes should not be mismatched.

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

You should stay in the right lane of a multilane road if your vehicle is being slowed down by a heavy load. Allow other vehicles to pass your truck using the left lane.

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.

When inspecting a vehicle equipped with power steering, you should inspect the hoses, pumps, and fluid levels. Specifically check the hoses for leaks.

When performing a static leakage test on a double combination vehicle with air brakes, the leakage rate should be no more than 3 psi in one minute. If the air leaks from the air brake system at a quicker rate, the vehicle should not be driven because something likely needs to be repaired.

In an air brake system, air tank drains are used to remove water and compressor oil from the air tanks. When operating a drain, be sure to drain the tank completely.

During the on-road driving test, if your route does not include a railroad crossing, the examiner may ask you to explain and demonstrate the necessary procedures at a simulated location.

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.

A visual low pressure warning signal should activate before air pressure drops to a level between 55 and 75 psi. This signal could be a light, a buzzer, or a wig wag.

The purpose of an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) is to prevent a vehicle's wheels from locking up when the driver brakes hard on a slippery surface.

Braking after a tire fails can result in a loss of control. Stay off your brakes, if possible, until your vehicle has slowed considerably.

When inspecting your brakes, you should check for cracked drums; shoes or pads covered in oil, grease, or brake fluid; and shoes that are missing, broken, or worn dangerously thin.

Always speed up smoothly and gradually so that your vehicle does not jerk. Rough acceleration can cause mechanical damage.

You must have a hazardous materials endorsement to drive a vehicle of any size that is used to transport defined classes of hazardous materials.

If someone is following you too closely, you should open up the space in front of your vehicle to make it easier for the tailgater to pass. Speeding up is counterproductive because the other driver may just continue tailgating you at the higher speed, only increasing the danger.