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. #1

    On a two-lane road, where should warning triangles be placed for a stopped vehicle?

    1. One triangle about 50 feet behind
    2. All three directly behind the vehicle
    3. One 500 feet ahead and one 500 feet behind
    4. 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. #2

    On a one-way or divided highway, warning triangles should be placed:

    1. 10, 100 and 200 feet toward approaching traffic
    2. 10, 50 and 100 feet ahead of the vehicle
    3. Only at the rear bumper
    4. 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. #3

    After stopping on the road or shoulder, you must put out warning devices within:

    1. 1 hour
    2. 30 minutes
    3. 10 minutes
    4. 2 minutes

    Answer: C. Put out your warning devices within ten minutes of stopping.

    Source: Michigan CDL Manual (2022), 2.5.2
  4. #4

    When turning, you should keep your turn signal on until:

    1. you have completed the turn
    2. you begin to slow down
    3. you reach the center of the intersection
    4. 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.
  5. #5

    How can you warn drivers behind you that you will need to slow down?

    1. Brake hard once so the following drivers feel you slowing down
    2. Give a few light taps on the brake pedal to flash the brake lights
    3. Turn on the high beams for several seconds to get their attention
    4. 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.
  6. #6

    Another driver behind you wants to pass. Should you signal to them when it is safe to pass?

    1. Yes, with the left turn signal when the road ahead is clear
    2. Yes, if the road is straight and you can see far ahead
    3. No; you could cause a crash and be blamed for it
    4. 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.
  7. #7

    When you are about to pass a vehicle, pedestrian or bicyclist, you should assume that they:

    1. will move out of your way
    2. will stay in their lane
    3. can hear your engine
    4. 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.
  8. #8

    At dawn, dusk, or in rain or snow, you should make yourself easier to see by turning on:

    1. the low beam headlights, not just the clearance or identification lights
    2. only the clearance and identification lights, since they are enough
    3. the high beams, because they make your vehicle show up better
    4. 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.
  9. #9

    When you pull off the road and stop, you should be sure to turn on:

    1. only the rear taillights
    2. the four-way emergency flashers
    3. the high beam headlights
    4. 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.
  10. #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:

    1. 100 feet
    2. 200 feet
    3. 500 feet
    4. 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.
  11. #11

    When putting out warning triangles, you should hold them:

    1. behind your back, away from the oncoming traffic
    2. on the side away from traffic, next to your body
    3. under your arm, on the side nearest the shoulder
    4. 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.