West Virginia CDL DMV Knowledge Test Class A 1

After an accident, spilled fuel and improper use of flares can result in a fire.

Missing clamps, spacers, studs, or lugs can be a dangerous defect. Mismatched, bent, or cracked lock rings are not safe to be used. Wheels or rims with welded repairs are not safe.

To obtain a hazardous materials endorsement, you will be required to submit your fingerprints and undergo a TSA background check.

When checking the engine compartment during the vehicle inspection test, you must check the power steering, water pump, alternator, and air compressor belts. In addition to cracks and frays, you should check the belts for snugness, allowing up to three-quarters of an inch of play at the center of each belt. If any of these items are not belt-driven, you must identify them and ensure that their components are operating properly, are not damaged or leaking, and are mounted securely.

Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) is the total weight of a single vehicle and its load of cargo.

On newer vehicles with air brakes, the parking brake is controlled by a yellow, diamond-shaped knob. The knob is pulled out to set the brakes, and pushed in to release them.

If at all possible, it is best to avoid driving in fog. However, if you must drive through fog, slow down before reaching it.

A parking brake should not be used if the vehicle's brakes are very hot from use on a steep downgrade or if the brakes are very wet and temperatures are freezing. Using the parking brake when brakes are hot could cause damage to the brakes, and using the brakes when they are wet in freezing weather may cause the brakes to ice up, rendering the vehicle immobile.

When checking a cargo lift as part of your vehicle inspection test, you should check for leaking, damaged, or missing parts. The lift must be fully retracted and latched securely.

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.

In West Virginia's point system, driving between 11 mph and 14 mph faster than the posted speed limit will incur three points on a driver's record. If a driver accrues 12 points or more, their license will be suspended.

During the on-road driving test, you must drive in a safe and responsible manner; wear your safety belt; obey all traffic signs, signals, and laws; and complete the test without any accidents or moving violations.

Strategies to reduce the risk of fatigue while driving include getting seven to eight hours of sleep beforehand; scheduling trips for the hours during which you are normally awake; planning to take breaks during the trip; and exercising regularly.

Mismatched, bent, or cracked lock rings are dangerous and should not be used.

While regular mirror checks should always be part of your driving routine, you should make a particular point of checking the mirrors when changing lanes, turning, merging, or making tight maneuvers.

Drum brakes are attached to the wheels and located on the axles of a vehicle. The braking mechanisms that cause the vehicle to stop can be found inside of a drum brake.

After the brake pedal is pushed down in a vehicle with air brakes, it takes a half-second or more for air to flow through the lines and make the brakes work. This contrasts with hydraulic brakes used in cars and light and medium trucks, which instantly begin working when the pedal is pushed.

While driving, you should continually scan the road ahead to spot potential hazards well in advance. Make emergency plans for how to deal with the hazards in the event that they become dangerous.

During a trip, you should regularly monitor the instruments, gauges, meters, and mirrors. Check the tires, cargo, and lights for signs of trouble.

Pre-trip inspections should be conducted in the same way every time. This will reinforce the steps, making it less likely that you will forget to inspect something important.

When driving under foggy conditions, lights cannot be taken as a reliable indication of where the road is. The lights may be coming from a vehicle that has pulled off the road.

Check you mirrors frequently while driving, but check them quickly. Staring at one mirror for too long can cause you to drive a long distance without knowing what is ahead.

A person may not have more than one license. Violation of this law may be punishable by jail time and/or a fine of up to $5,000.

In a vehicle with air brakes, never push the brake pedal down when the spring brakes are activated. The combined force of the springs and the pressure of the air brakes could damage the brakes.

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.

When checking the power steering fluid during the vehicle inspection test, you must be able to indicate where the power steering fluid dipstick is located and show that there is an adequate amount of power steering fluid in the engine compartment. The fluid level must be above the refill mark.

Air brakes consists of three separate braking systems: the service brake system, the parking brake system, and the emergency brake system. The service brake system applies and releases the brakes when you use the brake pedal while driving normally.

When stopping a vehicle with a manual transmission, you should push in the clutch when the engine is close to idle.

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 air leaks from the air brake system at a quicker rate, the vehicle should not be driven because something likely needs to be repaired.

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

Before starting down a hill, you should shift into a lower gear. This will help get your vehicle to a speed that you can control without having to use your brakes too much.

It is important to take turns and curves at a safe speed. You should always downshift before entering a curve.

An Individual Vehicle Distance Record (IVDR) must include the following information about distance traveled: trip start and end dates; trip origin and destination points; route(s) of travel; beginning and ending odometer or hubometer readings; total distance traveled; in-jurisdiction distance; and power unit number or vehicle identification number.

Your application for a hazardous materials endorsement can be denied, or your existing endorsement canceled, if you do not have legal permanent status in the United States; you renounce U.S. citizenship; you are wanted for, under indictment for, or convicted of certain felonies; you are judged mentally incompetent or are involuntarily committed to a mental institution; or you are deemed by the Transportation Security Administration to pose a security threat.

If an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) is not working, the vehicle's basic braking functions are still intact. The driver should continue to drive and brake in a normal fashion.