CDL Test: Communicating questions and answers
Every question we use, with the correct answer, an explanation and the source it comes from.
Communicating
11 questions-
#1
On a two-lane road, where should warning triangles be placed for a stopped vehicle?
- One triangle about 50 feet behind
- All three directly behind the vehicle
- One 500 feet ahead and one 500 feet behind
- One by the corner, one 100 feet behind, one 100 feet ahead
Answer: D. On a two-lane or undivided road: one within 10 feet of the front or rear corner, one about 100 feet behind and one about 100 feet ahead.
Source: Michigan CDL Manual (2022), 2.5.2 -
#2
On a one-way or divided highway, warning triangles should be placed:
- 10, 100 and 200 feet toward approaching traffic
- 10, 50 and 100 feet ahead of the vehicle
- Only at the rear bumper
- 1,000 feet behind
Answer: A. Divided or one-way: 10, 100 and 200 feet back toward approaching traffic.
Source: Michigan CDL Manual (2022), 2.5.2 -
#3
After stopping on the road or shoulder, you must put out warning devices within:
- 1 hour
- 30 minutes
- 10 minutes
- 2 minutes
Answer: C. Put out your warning devices within ten minutes of stopping.
Source: Michigan CDL Manual (2022), 2.5.2 -
#4
When turning, you should keep your turn signal on until:
- you have completed the turn
- you begin to slow down
- you reach the center of the intersection
- you have turned the wheel
Answer: A. Signal continuously: both hands are needed on the wheel, so don't cancel until the turn is done.
Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (AAMVA model), Section 2, p. 39You need both hands on the wheel to turn safely. Don’t cancel the signal until you have completed the turn.
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#5
How can you warn drivers behind you that you will need to slow down?
- Brake hard once so the following drivers feel you slowing down
- Give a few light taps on the brake pedal to flash the brake lights
- Turn on the high beams for several seconds to get their attention
- Sound the horn repeatedly until the drivers behind you back off
Answer: B. A few light taps on the brake pedal flash the brake lights and warn following drivers.
Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (AAMVA model), Section 2, p. 39A few light taps on the brake pedal—enough to flash the brake lights— should warn following drivers.
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#6
Another driver behind you wants to pass. Should you signal to them when it is safe to pass?
- Yes, with the left turn signal when the road ahead is clear
- Yes, if the road is straight and you can see far ahead
- No; you could cause a crash and be blamed for it
- Yes, but only at night, when headlights show oncoming traffic
Answer: C. The manual says not to signal other drivers that it is safe to pass; you could cause a crash and be blamed.
Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (AAMVA model), Section 2, p. 39Some drivers try to help out others by signaling when it is safe to pass. You should not do this.
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#7
When you are about to pass a vehicle, pedestrian or bicyclist, you should assume that they:
- will move out of your way
- will stay in their lane
- can hear your engine
- do not see you
Answer: D. Assume they don't see you; tap the horn lightly when legal and drive carefully.
Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (AAMVA model), Section 2, p. 39Whenever you are about to pass a vehicle, pedestrian, or bicyclist, assume they don’t see you.
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#8
At dawn, dusk, or in rain or snow, you should make yourself easier to see by turning on:
- the low beam headlights, not just the clearance or identification lights
- only the clearance and identification lights, since they are enough
- the high beams, because they make your vehicle show up better
- only the four-way flashers while driving at normal highway speed
Answer: A. Use headlights on low beam; high beams can bother people even in the daytime.
Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (AAMVA model), Section 2, p. 39Use the headlights, not just the identification or clearance lights. Use the low beams; high beams can bother people in the daytime as well as at night.
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#9
When you pull off the road and stop, you should be sure to turn on:
- only the rear taillights
- the four-way emergency flashers
- the high beam headlights
- the left turn signal lights
Answer: B. Turn on the four-way flashers, and don't trust the taillights to warn others.
Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (AAMVA model), Section 2, p. 40When you pull off the road and stop, be sure to turn on the fourway emergency flashers.
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#10
If a hill or curve blocks the view of your stopped vehicle, you should place the rear-most warning device back far enough that drivers can see the vehicle within:
- 100 feet
- 200 feet
- 500 feet
- 1,000 feet
Answer: C. Move the rear-most triangle back beyond the obstruction so the vehicle is visible within 500 feet.
Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (AAMVA model), Section 2, p. 40Back beyond any hill, curve, or other obstruction that prevents other drivers from seeing the vehicle within 500 feet.
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#11
When putting out warning triangles, you should hold them:
- behind your back, away from the oncoming traffic
- on the side away from traffic, next to your body
- under your arm, on the side nearest the shoulder
- between yourself and the oncoming traffic
Answer: D. Hold the triangles between you and oncoming traffic so other drivers can see you.
Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (AAMVA model), Section 2, p. 41When putting out the triangles, hold them between yourself and the oncoming traffic for your own safety.