Illinois CDL General Knowledge Practice

Questions and Answers

What should you carry on your person while driving on an interstate?

Medical certification

How long can two serious traffic violations in three years mean no CDL for?

at least 60 days

How long can three serious traffic violations in three years mean no CDL for?

at least 120 days

Going 15 mph over the speed limit is considered?

a serious traffic violation Signup and view all the answers

If you are convicted for drunk driving twice, you will lose your CDL for?

life Signup and view all the answers

What does rust on wheels and rims indicate?

loose lug nuts Signup and view all the answers

What does the suspension system do?

holds up the vehicle, supports the load, keeps the axles in place Signup and view all the answers

Why are vehicle inspections made?

to make sure vehicles are safe Signup and view all the answers

What happens to any motor vehicle found in unsafe mechanical condition?

may be put out of service until it is fixed Signup and view all the answers

Why are pre-trip inspections made?

to find problems that could cause a crash or breakdown Signup and view all the answers

The tread pattern on the front tires should be at least ___ deep.

2/32" Signup and view all the answers

If you roll back when starting up, what could happen?

you may hit someone behind you Signup and view all the answers

What should you do if your drive wheels start to spin?

take your foot off the accelerator Signup and view all the answers

What do retarders do?

help slow a vehicle, thus reducing the need for using the brakes Signup and view all the answers

What are the types of retarders?

Exhaust Signup and view all the answers

Retarders put braking power on?

the drive wheels, only Signup and view all the answers

Safe drivers turn their lights on when?

they have trouble seeing others Signup and view all the answers

When you have lost power and turned on the 4-way emergency flashers, how soon must warning devices be put in place?

within 10 minutes Signup and view all the answers

When it's hard to see during the daytime, you should use?

low beam headlights Signup and view all the answers

Perception distance is the distance you travel in about?

3/4 second, you can see down the road Signup and view all the answers

What is reaction distance?

the distance you travel in 3/4 second Signup and view all the answers

Before slowing down, you should signal by?

a few light taps on the brake pedal Signup and view all the answers

In most states, slow-moving vehicles may use?

their emergency flashers Signup and view all the answers

When you are about to pass a vehicle, you should assume?

they don't see you Signup and view all the answers

It takes 100 feet to stop a vehicle at 30 mph, what distance is needed at 60 mph?

400 feet Signup and view all the answers

Braking distance can be reduced by?

slowing down a little Signup and view all the answers

Slightly melted ice is?

more slippery than hard frozen ice Signup and view all the answers

When it's below freezing and the road looks wet, you should watch out for?

black ice Signup and view all the answers

Roads will be most slippery?

just after it starts to rain Signup and view all the answers

Other than front tires, the tread pattern shall be at least ___ deep.

2/32" Signup and view all the answers

In vehicles with electrical systems protected by fuses, what should you carry?

at least one spare of each size and rating used Signup and view all the answers

What must all vehicles carry?

a fire extinguisher, spare electrical fuses, and tire chains Signup and view all the answers

A vehicle shall not be driven whenever?

any of the required lights or reflectors are inoperable Signup and view all the answers

When testing hydraulic brakes, you should?

pump the pedal three times, apply firm pressure and hold for 5 seconds, the pedal should not move Signup and view all the answers

How do you know when to shift gears?

use the engine speed, RPM, use road speed (mph), by listening to the engine's whine Signup and view all the answers

Down-shifting should be done before?

you start down a hill Signup and view all the answers

Down-shifting before entering a curve lets you?

speed up as soon as you come out of the curve Signup and view all the answers

It's best to hold the steering wheel at the ___ o'clock position.

3 and 9 Signup and view all the answers

Backing is?

always dangerous Signup and view all the answers

When someone is helping you back up, you should?

work out hand signals before starting Signup and view all the answers

When should the clutch be used?

when shifting gears Signup and view all the answers

At highway speed, it's important to look far ahead because?

stopping takes a lot of room, lane changes take a lot of room, and you want to be prepared and reduce the risk of danger Signup and view all the answers

Good drivers shift their attention?

back and forth, near and far Signup and view all the answers

Turn signals should be used to signal?

leaving a stream of traffic, entering a stream of traffic, and lane changes Signup and view all the answers

Under ideal conditions, the shortest total stopping distance at 55 mph would be about ___ feet.

300 feet Signup and view all the answers

Why are there grooves in tires?

to carry water away Signup and view all the answers

If you enter a curve too fast, you may?

skid off the road, you may roll over Signup and view all the answers

You should always be able to stop?

within the distance you can see Signup and view all the answers

The safest way to handle a curve is to?

accelerate slightly in the curve Signup and view all the answers

In heavy traffic, it is safer to?

go with the flow of traffic Signup and view all the answers

What is the most important thing to consider when going down long steep hills?

going slowly Signup and view all the answers

Hydroplaning is like water-skiing, and can occur at speeds as low as?

30 mph Signup and view all the answers

In order to have space available when something goes wrong, you should?

manage the space around your vehicle Signup and view all the answers

How many seconds should a 30 ft long vehicle going 50 mph stay behind other vehicles?

4 Signup and view all the answers

When you are being tailgated, you should?

open up room in front of you Signup and view all the answers

If you travel alongside other vehicles, you will?

be trapped Signup and view all the answers

When making a right turn, you should?

turn wide at the end of the turn Signup and view all the answers

At night, low beam headlights?

shall be used within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle Signup and view all the answers

When driving slower, what should you consider?

the lighting is poor Signup and view all the answers

About how far can you expect to see with low beam headlights?

250 feet Signup and view all the answers

About how far can you expect to see with high beam headlights?

350 to 500 feet Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is likely to save your life when you feel drowsy?

taking a nap Signup and view all the answers

Escape ramps are?

made to stop runaway vehicles Signup and view all the answers

If you have been driving on a very hot road and your tires are too hot to touch, what should you do?

wait for the tires to cool down before getting back on the road Signup and view all the answers

When it is very hot, you should be aware that tires can lead to?

overheating, blowouts, and fires are a real danger Signup and view all the answers

If your brakes get very hot, they will?

fade Signup and view all the answers

Once you reach the safe speed for going down a hill, what should you do?

start light, steady brake pressure Signup and view all the answers

Traffic emergencies occur when?

two vehicles are about to crash Signup and view all the answers

Seeing hazards early lets you?

prepare, act and reduce danger Signup and view all the answers

Sudden braking or lane changes are likely to cause?

a crash Signup and view all the answers

When driving near work zones, warn drivers behind you with?

4-way flashers or brake lights Signup and view all the answers

A vehicle displaying a red triangle with an orange center is?

limited to 25 mph or less Signup and view all the answers

If you must drive through deep standing water, what should you do?

apply gentle pressure to brakes as you drive through the water Signup and view all the answers

Hazards can quickly turn into emergencies. Expert drivers:

look for hazards in order to have time to plan a way out of any emergency Signup and view all the answers

Vehicle emergencies happen when?

critical parts fail Signup and view all the answers

By keeping both hands on the steering wheel at all times, you will be?

ready for emergencies Signup and view all the answers

If an oncoming vehicle drifts into your lane, what is best?

a move to the right is best Signup and view all the answers

Your right wheels have dropped off the edge of the road onto the gravel shoulder. What is the best thing to do?

turn sharply to the left then countersteer when both front wheels are on the pavement Signup and view all the answers

In an emergency braking situation, remember that if you begin to skid, you will?

lose control of the vehicle Signup and view all the answers

Your vehicle has hydraulic brakes. When approaching an intersection, what should you do if the brake pedal goes to the floorboard without slowing you down?

shift to a lower gear, pump the brakes, apply the parking brake while pressing the release button, look for an escape route Signup and view all the answers

You might have tire failure when?

you hear a loud bang, steering becomes heavy, the vehicle vibrates heavily Signup and view all the answers

In the most common type of skid, the drive wheels usually?

slide sideways Signup and view all the answers

To stop a front wheel skid, you should?

let the vehicle slow down on its own Signup and view all the answers

If your vehicle catches on fire, what should you do?

park in an open area Signup and view all the answers

With an engine fire, you should?

turn the engine off ASAP, don't open the hood, shoot extinguishers through the louvers Signup and view all the answers

The B:C type of fire extinguisher can be used to fight fires in?

electrical equipment and liquids Signup and view all the answers

The A:B:C type fire extinguisher can be used to fight fires:

in electrical equipment, that leave an ash, that are fueled by liquids Signup and view all the answers

Water can be used to put out?

tire fires Signup and view all the answers

When your body needs sleep, the only solution is?

sleep Signup and view all the answers

Driving and taking a drug which makes you slightly drowsy or relaxes you is?

against the law Signup and view all the answers

There are 9 hazard classes. They reflect what?

the risks associated with a particular material Signup and view all the answers

Vehicles carrying any amount of hazardous materials must have?

shipping papers readily available Signup and view all the answers

Gross weight is the vehicle weight as driven, loaded. What should you know?

the only acceptable way is to use a tire pressure gauge Signup and view all the answers

Vehicles can be declared out of service for?

being overloaded Signup and view all the answers

The ___ is responsible for not overloading the vehicle.

driver Signup and view all the answers

Who has primary responsibility for making sure that cargo is properly secured?

driver Signup and view all the answers

Normally, a driver should inspect their load within 25 miles after starting a trip, when a change of duty status is made, and every (1) hours or (2) miles, whichever comes first.

(1) 3 (2) 150 Signup and view all the answers

Poor weight balance can make handling?

unsafe Signup and view all the answers

Blocking is used to?

keep cargo from sliding Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

General CDL Knowledge

Medical certification is required to be carried by drivers on interstate journeys.
Serious traffic violations can result in CDL suspension: two violations lead to a minimum 60-day suspension, while three violations result in at least 120 days.
A conviction for drunk driving twice results in a lifetime loss of CDL.

Vehicle Safety and Inspection

Rust on wheels may indicate loose lug nuts, necessitating inspection.
The suspension system supports the vehicle's load and keeps axles in place.
Vehicle inspections ensure safety and can place vehicles out of service if deemed unsafely mechanical.
Pre-trip inspections are conducted to identify potential issues that could lead to crashes or breakdowns.

Tire and Braking Regulations

Front tire tread depth should be at least 2/32".
Poor tire conditions can pose serious risks, including skidding or rolling over.
Braking distance increases significantly with speed; stopping from 30 mph takes about 100 feet, while at 60 mph, it requires approximately 400 feet.

Driving Techniques

Safe driving practices include turning on lights in low visibility and indicating intentions with signals for lane changes.
Manage the space around the vehicle to avoid emergencies; maintain a following distance of about 4 seconds behind other vehicles.
Strategies such as down-shifting before curves and using proper steering techniques enhance safety in turns.

Emergency and Hazard Awareness

Stay vigilant for hazards early to act promptly; sudden changes can cause crashes.
Use 4-way flashers or brake lights in work zones to alert following drivers of your presence.
Vehicle emergencies frequently occur when critical components fail, emphasizing the importance of regular maintenance.

Weather and Road Conditions

Hydroplaning can begin at 30 mph; tire pressure and tread depth are crucial for safety.
Roads are most slippery shortly after rain begins and when black ice forms during freezing temperatures.
Drivers must slow down in fog or poor lighting conditions, adjusting headlight usage appropriately.

Cargo Safety and Weight Management

All vehicles must carry a fire extinguisher, spare electrical fuses, and tire chains.
Drivers are held responsible for the vehicle's gross weight and ensuring cargo is secured to prevent shifting during transport.
Blocking techniques can be employed to keep cargo in place, maintaining safe loading conditions.

Laws and Regulations

Driving laws prohibit operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs that cause drowsiness.
Regular load inspections occur within 25 miles of starting a trip, every change in duty status, and every 3 hours or 150 miles.

Fire Safety

Fire safety protocol requires parking in open areas if a vehicle catches fire and using the proper type of extinguisher for specific fire classes (B:C for electrical and liquid fires).
Water can be effective against tire fires, but care must be taken with other types of fires.

Night Driving

Low beam headlights provide a safe visibility range of approximately 250 feet, while high beams extend visibility to 350-500 feet. Use appropriate lights based on conditions.

Additional Considerations

Utilize proper hand signals when backing up with assistance.
Drowsiness while driving necessitates resting rather than relying on stimulants.
Understanding and executing safe clutch usage when shifting gears is essential for control.

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Description

Test your knowledge with this practice quiz designed for Illinois CDL applicants. The questions cover important regulations and requirements that all drivers should know. Prepare effectively for your CDL with these essential concepts.