Wyoming CDL DMV Knowledge Test Class A 2

It is important for you to be aware of your surroundings at all times. To do this, regularly check your mirrors.

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.

Loads that are over-length, over-width, and/or overweight may require special permits. Drivers of such loads may be subject to special restrictions, such as only being permitted to drive at certain times.

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

Front wheel braking is effective under all road conditions. It is unlikely that you will experience a front wheel skid, even on ice.

If you must stop on the side of the road, it is important to turn on your four-way emergency flashers to warn other road users.

Stay aware of upcoming obstacles and hazards by consistently watching the road at least 12 to 15 seconds ahead of your vehicle. When traveling at highway speeds, this is equivalent to about a quarter of a mile.

Tire load is the maximum weight a tire can safely carry at a given pressure. This rating is stated on the side of each tire.

Speeding traffic is the main cause of death and injury in work zones. Drive with special caution when traveling near road workers.

Maximum axle weights are often set by a bridge formula, which sets a lower maximum weight for axles that are close together.

Spring brakes will activate in a vehicle with air brakes if the pressure in the air system becomes too low. A heavily loaded vehicle will take a long time to stop when using only the spring brakes because the spring brakes do not work on all axles.

Alcohol impairment begins long before the legal limit is reached. A 200-pound person will reach a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.02 percent after a single drink.

Being properly rested is essential to the safe operation of a CMV. To maintain alertness, most people need seven to eight hours of sleep per night.

You should reduce your speed by about one-third when driving on a wet road. It can be difficult to stop or turn when operating on a slippery surface, so you must adjust your speed to drive safely under such conditions.

Before starting down a hill, decelerate and shift down into a gear that will allow you to control your vehicle without braking too hard. Using too much brake when driving downhill can cause the brakes to overheat, reducing the braking power.

Without a working Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), your vehicle will still have normal brake function. Continue to drive and brake as you normally would and have your ABS serviced as soon as possible.

During the external inspection portion of the pre-trip vehicle inspection test, you must verify that the steering box is securely mounted and not leaking.

When inspecting a tractor/trailer coupling, look into the fifth wheel gap and make sure the locking jaws are fully closed around the kingpin.

The suspension system holds up the vehicle and its load while keeping the axles in place. Damage to a suspension system can be very dangerous.

If your brakes fail on a downgrade, your best option is to use an escape ramp. If no escape ramp is available, it is a good idea to look for a different escape route, such as a side road or open field.

Potential problems to check for when inspecting brakes include cracked drums; shoes or pads with oil, grease, or brake fluid on them; and shoes that are missing, broken, or worn dangerously thin.

A steering wheel with play of more than 10 degrees may be defective. On a 20-inch wheel, this is equal to about two inches of movement at the rim of the wheel.

Once you have begun to drive after a tire has been changed, you should stop after a short distance to recheck the tightness of the lug nuts.

You should not brake while making a quick turn to avoid a hazard. Doing so could cause your wheels to lock and make your vehicle skid out of control.

Friction inside a brake drum is caused when the brake shoes and linings push against the inside of the drum. The friction in the drums will slow and stop the vehicle.

Over-length, over-width, and/or overweight loads may require special permits from the Department of Transportation.

When backing a straight truck, you would turn the wheel in the direction you want to go. By contrast, when backing a vehicle with a trailer, you must turn the steering wheel in the direction opposite of where you want to go. Once your trailer starts to turn, you should turn the steering wheel the other way to follow the trailer.

Before driving a vehicle with air brakes, you should ensure that the spring brakes come on automatically when air tank pressure falls to a level between 20 and 45 psi. You can do this by chocking the wheels and releasing air from the braking system by stepping on and off the brake pedal. Once the pressure levels drop to an unsafe level, the parking brake valve should pop out and spring brakes should come on.

For some vehicles, you may need to leave the engine running to be able to check its automatic transmission fluid level.

If an ABS system fails, the vehicle will still have normal braking function. The driver should continue to drive and brake as they normally would.

In an air braking system, the air storage tanks can usually hold enough compressed air for the brakes to be used several times.

Most states have an Implied Consent Law, which means that by driving a vehicle on the state's roads, you have agreed to undergo a drug or alcohol test if a police officer asks you to do so. If you refuse to submit to a test, you will lose your operating privileges. Make sure you are aware of the laws for every state in which you drive.

Part of your vehicle should be visible in your mirrors so that you have a point of reference when judging how close other drivers and objects are to your vehicle.

Cargo inside a trailer must be secured appropriately to prevent it from shifting in transit.

In newer vehicles with air brakes, the parking brake is controlled by a yellow, diamond-shaped knob. The driver should pull the knob outward to apply the parking brakes and push the knob inward to release them.