Wisconsin CDL DMV Knowledge Test Class A 2

Backing up is always dangerous because you cannot see everything behind your vehicle. Whenever possible, use a helper who can monitor your blind spots.

When inspecting your tires, verify that there is tread depth of at least 4/32 of an inch in every major groove on the front tires and tread depth of at least 2/32 of an inch in grooves on the other tires. Be sure that your tires are not too worn, are not cracked, have proper air pressure, and are all equally sized.

To maintain proper control of your vehicle, the steering wheel should be held firmly with both hands. Your hands should be positioned on opposite sides of the wheel.

If you are being tailgated, it is best to allow more room to open up in front of your vehicle. This will help you avoid the need for sudden stops, which could result in the tailgater rear-ending you, and will make it easier for the tailgater to pass. Speeding up may only make things more dangerous by prompting the other driver to continue tailgating you at a higher speed.

If a tire fails, braking could cause a loss of control. Unless braking is necessary to avoid a hazard, you should stay off the brakes until your vehicle has slowed considerably. Only then should you brake very gently, pull off the road, and stop.

To obtain a hazardous materials endorsement, you must submit your fingerprints and pass a background check.

When inspecting your tires, verify that there is tread depth of at least 4/32 of an inch in every major groove on the front tires and tread depth of at least 2/32 of an inch in grooves on the other tires. Be sure that your tires are not too worn, are not cracked, have proper air pressure, and are all equally sized.

It is common for drivers to tailgate slow-moving vehicles that cannot keep up with the speed of surrounding traffic. If you are being tailgated, allow the other driver to pass your vehicle.

At the end of each day of driving, you may be required to make a written report on the vehicle or vehicles driven. Be sure to make note of any issues that could affect the safety of the vehicle or that could lead to a mechanical breakdown.

Many large CMVs are equipped with air brakes. An air braking system uses compressed air to operate.

Driving with a dry bulk tank requires special care, both because dry bulk tanks have high centers of gravity and because their loads often shift in transit. Be especially careful when taking turns and curves while operating such a 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.

Increasing your vehicle's speed will increase your vehicle's striking power and braking distance. Doubling your vehicle's speed from 20 to 40 mph will multiply its braking distance by four.

Some older vehicles have front brake limiting valves with "normal" and "slippery" settings. Setting a brake limiting valve to "slippery" reduces the vehicle's stopping power, so a driver should make sure the valve is in its "normal" position. Front wheel braking has proven to be effective in all driving conditions.

Under Wisconsin law, the length of a 2 vehicle combination, including the load, is generally limited to 65 feet.

If steering begins to feel heavy, it is likely that one of your front tires has failed. If you feel a change to your steering, you should exit the road as quickly as is safely possible and check your tires.

Front-end header boards protect the driver from the forward motion of their cargo in the event of a crash or emergency stop.

During a pre-trip inspection, be sure to check the mirrors and windshield for dirt and anything else that could interfere with your ability to see. Clean them as necessary.

The first hazardous materials class includes explosives such as ammunition, dynamite, and fireworks.

Check each slack adjuster after parking on level ground, setting wheel chocks, and disengaging the parking brake. Pull the slack adjusters to make sure they do not move more than about one inch from where the push rod is attached. If they move more than one inch, they may be out of adjustment and will need to be fixed.

Because air takes time to flow through the air lines to the brakes, air brakes cannot begin working instantly. There is often a brake lag of at least one-half of a second between the moment the brake pedal is pressed and the moment the brakes begin to work.

If you are being tailgated, it is advisable to open up the space in front of your vehicle, making it easier for the tailgater to get around you. Speeding up may be counterproductive because the driver may continue to tailgate you at the higher speed, only increasing the danger.

After finishing a day of driving, you may have to complete a written report on the condition of your vehicle. Be sure to mention anything that could affect safety or lead to mechanical breakdown.

When asked to make a lane change during the on-road driving test, you should make the proper traffic checks, use your turn signal, and smoothly change lanes when it is safe to do so.

A one-way check valve is required to be between an air compressor and the first main reservoir. This valve prevents air from escaping the system if the air compressor develops a leak.

If you experience tire failure, you may hear the loud "bang" sound of a blowout or feel a heavy thumping or vibration in your vehicle. If steering begins to feel heavy, or if the rear of your vehicle begins to fishtail, you should stop to check your tires.

Overloading a vehicle can have negative effects on steering, braking, and speed control. Learn to recognize when cargo is overloaded or poorly balanced.

Distractions that can affect safe driving can be classified as physical (such as reaching for an object), mental (such as talking with passenger), or both (such as talking on a hand-held phone).

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.

You should shift your vehicle's transmission into a low gear before staring a downhill grade. Be prepared for gravity to increase your vehicle's speed when traveling downhill.

If you are approaching a traffic light that has been green for a long time, there is a good chance that it will turn yellow before you reach it. Start slowing down and be ready to stop.

If you are asked to alley dock, you should first pull past the alley and stop your vehicle in a position that is parallel to the outer boundary. From there, you should back your vehicle entirely into the alley parking area. Your vehicle should be parked in a straight position within the boundaries of the parking space.

If a pre-trip inspection reveals a load to be oversize, the driver must confirm that all required signs, flags, lamps, and reflectors are safely and properly mounted, and that and all required permits are in their possession.

If you are not sure which kind of extinguisher should be used on a fire in your vehicle, particularly a hazardous materials fire, you should wait for the firefighters to arrive and allow them to extinguish it.

CDL skills tests, including the on-road test, must be taken with the type of vehicle for which you want to be licensed.