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CDL Test: Vehicle control questions and answers

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Vehicle control

28 questions

  1. #1

    When backing a large vehicle, you should, whenever possible, back toward:

    1. The passenger (right) side
    2. The driver's side
    3. The center of the road
    4. Oncoming traffic

    Answer: B. You can see better backing toward the driver's side; use a helper when possible.

    Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (2025-2027), 2.2.4

  2. #2

    When using a helper to back up, the most important signal to agree on beforehand is:

    1. Turn left
    2. Speed up
    3. Turn right
    4. Stop

    Answer: D. Agree on hand signals before you start, especially the signal for STOP.

    Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (2025-2027), 2.2.4

  3. #3

    You should turn off the retarder when:

    1. The road is wet, icy or snow covered
    2. Going down a long grade
    3. Driving empty
    4. Driving at night

    Answer: A. Retarders can make the drive wheels skid on slippery roads.

    Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (2025-2027), 2.3.4

  4. #4

    You should downshift:

    1. In the middle of a curve
    2. Halfway down a hill
    3. Before starting down a hill and before entering a curve
    4. Only after the brakes get hot

    Answer: C. Get into the right gear before the hill or curve so you can concentrate on steering.

    Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (2025-2027), 2.3.4

  5. #5

    To keep from rolling back when starting on a hill in a manual transmission vehicle, you should:

    1. release the clutch fully before moving your foot off the brake
    2. shift into neutral and coast
    3. partly engage the clutch before taking your right foot off the brake
    4. turn off the engine and restart it

    Answer: C. In a manual vehicle, partly engage the clutch before your right foot leaves the brake.

    Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (AAMVA model), Section 2, p. 36If you have a manual transmission vehicle, partly engage the clutch before you take your right foot off the brake.

  6. #6

    If the drive wheels begin to spin while you accelerate on a slippery road, you should:

    1. press the accelerator harder
    2. apply the brakes firmly
    3. shift to a higher gear
    4. take your foot off the accelerator

    Answer: D. Ease off the accelerator when the drive wheels start to spin.

    Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (AAMVA model), Section 2, p. 36If the drive wheels begin to spin, take your foot off the accelerator.

  7. #7

    When steering, where should your hands be?

    1. On opposite sides of the wheel, holding it firmly
    2. Both at the top of the wheel
    3. One hand on the wheel and one on the gearshift
    4. At the bottom of the wheel

    Answer: A. Hold the wheel firmly with both hands on opposite sides so a curb or pothole cannot pull it away.

    Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (AAMVA model), Section 2, p. 36Your hands should be on opposite sides of the wheel.

  8. #8

    When stopping a vehicle with a manual transmission, you should push the clutch in when:

    1. you first touch the brake pedal
    2. the engine is close to idle
    3. the vehicle reaches 30 mph
    4. the brake pedal is fully pressed

    Answer: B. Push the clutch in when the engine is close to idle.

    Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (AAMVA model), Section 2, p. 36If you have a manual transmission, push the clutch in when the engine is close to idle.

  9. #9

    When backing a large vehicle, which gear should you use?

    1. The highest reverse gear
    2. Neutral with the engine off
    3. The lowest reverse gear
    4. Any reverse gear, if the helper is watching

    Answer: C. Back as slowly as possible in the lowest reverse gear so you can correct steering errors and stop quickly.

    Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (AAMVA model), Section 2, p. 36Always back as slowly as possible. Use the lowest reverse gear.

  10. #10

    Where should a helper stand when you are backing up?

    1. Directly behind the vehicle in your blind spot
    2. Beside the driver's door
    3. In front of the vehicle
    4. Near the back of your vehicle where you can see the helper

    Answer: D. The helper should stand near the rear of the vehicle where the driver can see him or her.

    Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (AAMVA model), Section 2, p. 36The helper should stand near the back of your vehicle where you can see the helper.

  11. #11

    In the basic method for shifting up with double clutching, the first step is to:

    1. release the accelerator, push in the clutch and shift to neutral at the same time
    2. push in the clutch and shift to the higher gear immediately
    3. press the accelerator to increase rpm
    4. release the clutch and shift to neutral

    Answer: A. The first step is to release the accelerator, push in the clutch and shift to neutral at the same time.

    Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (AAMVA model), Section 2, p. 36Release accelerator, push in clutch and shift to neutral at the same time.

  12. #12

    Why select a low range on an automatic transmission when going down a grade?

    1. To save fuel
    2. To get greater engine braking
    3. To keep the transmission cooler at idle
    4. To allow the transmission to shift up sooner

    Answer: B. A low range gives greater engine braking on downgrades.

    Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (AAMVA model), Section 2, p. 37You can select a low range to get greater engine braking when going down grades.

  13. #13

    When a retarder is turned on, it applies its braking power:

    1. to all of the wheels, whenever you press down lightly on the brake pedal
    2. only when the parking brake is set and the transmission is in neutral
    3. to the drive wheels only, whenever you let up on the accelerator all the way
    4. to the steering axle only, whenever you drive at speeds under 20 mph

    Answer: C. With a retarder on, braking power goes to the drive wheels only when you fully release the accelerator.

    Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (AAMVA model), Section 2, p. 37When turned “on,” retarders apply their braking power (to the drive wheels only) whenever you let up on the accelerator pedal all the way.

  14. #14

    How many basic types of retarders does the manual list?

    1. Two
    2. Three
    3. Five
    4. Four

    Answer: D. The manual lists exhaust, engine, hydraulic and electric retarders.

    Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (AAMVA model), Section 2, p. 37There are four basic types of retarders (exhaust, engine, hydraulic, and electric).

  15. #15

    Why should you shift down to a controllable speed before starting down a hill?

    1. Otherwise the brakes can overheat and lose their braking power
    2. To make the engine warm up faster before you reach the bottom
    3. To reduce tire wear on the steering axle during the descent
    4. To keep the transmission fluid cool and prevent it from boiling

    Answer: A. Without a low enough gear you will use the brakes hard, and they can overheat and lose braking power.

    Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (AAMVA model), Section 2, p. 37Otherwise the brakes can overheat and lose their braking power.

  16. #16

    Before entering a curve, you should:

    1. brake hard inside the curve to hold your line through it
    2. slow down to a safe speed and downshift to the right gear
    3. shift to neutral and coast through the curve to save fuel
    4. speed up to maintain stability before entering the curve

    Answer: B. Slow down and downshift before the curve so you can use some power through it.

    Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (AAMVA model), Section 2, p. 37Slow down to a safe speed, and downshift to the right gear before entering the curve.

  17. #17

    Your CDL is disqualified for how long after a second conviction within three years for hand-held mobile phone use while operating a CMV?

    1. 30 days
    2. 120 days
    3. 60 days
    4. One year

    Answer: C. Disqualification is 60 days for the second offense and 120 days for three or more within three years.

    Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (AAMVA model), Section 2, p. 48Disqualification is 60 days for the second offense within three years and 120 days for three or more offenses within three years.

  18. #18

    Drivers who violate the hand-held mobile phone prohibition are subject to civil penalties of up to:

    1. $275
    2. $1,100
    3. $11,000
    4. $2,750

    Answer: D. Each violation can bring a civil penalty of up to $2,750 for the driver; employers may face up to $11,000.

    Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (AAMVA model), Section 2, p. 48In addition, the first and each subsequent violation of such a prohibition are subject to civil penalties imposed on such drivers, in an amount up to $2,750.

  19. #19

    While crossing railroad tracks, you should:

    1. downshift to a lower gear
    2. shift into neutral
    3. not shift gears
    4. shift to a higher gear

    Answer: C. Do not shift gears while crossing railroad tracks.

    Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (AAMVA model), Section 2, p. 56Do not shift gears while crossing railroad tracks.

  20. #20

    When using stab braking, how long can it take for the wheels to start rolling after you release the brakes?

    1. About three seconds
    2. Up to five seconds
    3. Up to one second
    4. Almost instantly

    Answer: C. If you re-apply the brakes before the wheels start rolling, the vehicle won't straighten out.

    Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (AAMVA model), Section 2, p. 58It can take up to one second for the wheels to start rolling after you release the brakes.

  21. #21

    If your steering suddenly feels "heavy," it is probably a sign that:

    1. one of the front tires has failed
    2. a rear tire has failed
    3. the brakes are overheated
    4. the engine is overheating

    Answer: A. Failure of a front tire can also twist the steering wheel out of your hand if you do not grip it firmly.

    Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (AAMVA model), Section 2, p. 59If the steering feels “heavy,” it is probably a sign that one of the front tires has failed.

  22. #22

    In the "controlled braking" method, you:

    1. apply the brakes all the way until the wheels lock
    2. pump the brakes rapidly
    3. apply only the parking brake
    4. apply the brakes as hard as you can without locking the wheels

    Answer: D. Keep steering wheel movements very small; if wheels lock, release the brakes and reapply as soon as you can.

    Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (AAMVA model), Section 2, p. 58With this method, you apply the brakes as hard as you can without locking the wheels.

  23. #23

    What does ABS do for you during hard braking?

    1. It helps you keep the vehicle under control
    2. It always shortens your stopping distance
    3. It lets you follow other vehicles more closely
    4. It replaces the normal brakes

    Answer: A. ABS does not necessarily shorten stopping distance, but it helps you stay in control during hard braking.

    Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (AAMVA model), Section 2, p. 59ABS does not necessarily shorten your stopping distance, but it does help you keep the vehicle under control during hard braking.

  24. #24

    The yellow ABS malfunction lamp stays on after the bulb check, or comes on while you are driving. This means:

    1. you may have lost ABS control
    2. the ABS is working normally
    3. the brakes are fully disabled
    4. the trailer brakes are locked

    Answer: A. If your ABS malfunctions you still have regular brakes; drive normally but get the system serviced soon.

    Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (AAMVA model), Section 2, p. 60If the lamp stays on after the bulb check, or goes on once you are under way, you may have lost ABS control.

  25. #25

    With working ABS on all axles of a straight truck or combination, in an emergency stop you can:

    1. use only light pressure
    2. pump the brake pedal
    3. use only the parking brake
    4. fully apply the brakes

    Answer: D. This is the only exception to braking as you always have with ABS.

    Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (AAMVA model), Section 2, p. 60If you drive a straight truck or combination with working ABS on all axles, in an emergency stop, you can fully apply the brakes.

  26. #26

    By far the most common type of skid is:

    1. the front-wheel skid, when the front wheels lose traction
    2. the trailer swing only, when the trailer slides sideways
    3. the drive-wheel skid, when the rear wheels lose traction
    4. the skid caused by tire blowouts on the steering axle

    Answer: C. It happens through excessive braking or acceleration.

    Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (AAMVA model), Section 2, p. 61By far the most common skid is one in which the rear wheels lose traction through excessive braking or acceleration.

  27. #27

    What is the first thing you should do to correct a drive-wheel braking skid?

    1. Brake harder
    2. Accelerate
    3. Stop braking
    4. Turn the wheel away from where you want to go

    Answer: C. This lets the rear wheels roll again and keeps them from sliding any further.

    Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (AAMVA model), Section 2, p. 61Stop Braking. This will let the rear wheels roll again, and keep the rear wheels from sliding any further.

  28. #28

    In a front-wheel skid, the only way to stop the skid is to:

    1. let the vehicle slow down
    2. turn the steering wheel more sharply
    3. accelerate to regain traction
    4. brake harder

    Answer: A. Stop turning and/or braking so hard, and slow down as quickly as possible without skidding.

    Source: North Dakota CDL Manual (AAMVA model), Section 2, p. 61When a front-wheel skid occurs, the only way to stop the skid is to let the vehicle slow down.
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