CCDL Permit Prep

General Knowledge · page 19 of 19

General Knowledge questions 361–376

Part of the 376-question General Knowledge pool. Each answer cites the FMCSA CDL Manual or the federal rule it comes from.

Practise these as a timed set

  1. How long must a carrier keep its accident register?

    • AThree years after each accidentCorrect
    • BSix months after each accident
    • COne year after each accident
    • DTen years after each accident

    The register lists the date, place, driver, injuries, fatalities and any hazardous material release, and it is held for three years.

    49 CFR § 390.15 · Assistance in investigations and special studies · verified 2026-09-08

  2. How long before performing safety-sensitive work must alcohol use stop?

    • AAt least one hour beforehand
    • BAt least four hours beforehandCorrect
    • CAt least twelve hours beforehand
    • DAt least twenty-four hours beforehand

    The pre-duty rule bars safety-sensitive work within four hours of using alcohol, separately from the 0.04 concentration limit.

    49 CFR § 382.207 · Pre-duty use · verified 2026-08-14

  3. How long after a crash requiring a test may a driver not use alcohol?

    • ATwenty-four hours, without exception
    • BTwo hours, or until tested
    • CEight hours, or until testedCorrect
    • DUntil the carrier files its report

    Drinking after a reportable crash would destroy the test result, so the ban runs eight hours or until the test happens, whichever comes first.

    49 CFR § 382.209 · Use following an accident · verified 2026-08-14

  4. When may a driver work while using a prescribed controlled substance?

    • AWhen the carrier is told in writing
    • BWhenever a prescription exists
    • CWhen the dose is taken after the shift
    • DWhen the prescriber says it is safe to driveCorrect

    The prescriber must know the driver's history and advise that the substance will not affect safe operation; a prescription alone is not enough.

    49 CFR § 382.213 · Controlled substance use · verified 2026-08-14

  5. What test must be passed before a driver first performs safety-sensitive work?

    • AA pre-employment controlled substances testCorrect
    • BA pre-employment alcohol test
    • CA road test with the new employer
    • DAn annual physical agility test

    The employer must hold a verified negative controlled substances result before using the driver; pre-employment alcohol testing is optional.

    49 CFR § 382.301 · Pre-employment testing · verified 2026-08-14

  6. What happens immediately after a driver violates the testing rules?

    • AThey receive a written warning first
    • BThey are retested the following week
    • CThey are removed from safety-sensitive dutiesCorrect
    • DThey may drive until the hearing

    A driver who has engaged in prohibited conduct may not perform safety-sensitive functions, and the return-to-duty process is what restores them.

    49 CFR § 382.501 · Removal from safety-sensitive function · verified 2026-08-14

  7. What must a CDL holder do after violating the drug and alcohol rules?

    • ANotify only the testing laboratory
    • BSurrender the license at the scene
    • CWait one year before reapplying
    • DNotify current employers in writingCorrect

    The driver must tell every current employer in writing before performing safety-sensitive work again, unless that employer is the one that documented it.

    49 CFR § 382.415 · Notification to employers of a violation · verified 2026-08-14

  8. What does the on-duty use rule prohibit?

    • AUsing alcohol while performing safety-sensitive workCorrect
    • BCarrying sealed alcohol as freight
    • CDrinking coffee during the required break
    • DTaking any medication while on duty

    Use during safety-sensitive functions is barred outright, which is separate from the four-hour pre-duty window and the 0.04 concentration limit.

    49 CFR § 382.205 · On-duty use · verified 2026-08-14

  9. What is the minimum age to drive a commercial vehicle in interstate commerce?

    • A18 years old
    • B21 years oldCorrect
    • C25 years old
    • D19 years old

    Interstate driving requires 21, along with enough English to read signs, answer officials and complete reports and records.

    49 CFR § 391.11 · General qualifications of drivers · verified 2026-08-14

  10. Under the general federal vision standard, what distant visual acuity is required in each eye?

    • A20/60, with or without correction
    • B20/20, without correction only
    • C20/40, with or without correctionCorrect
    • D20/100, with correction

    The general standard requires 20/40 in each eye, 20/40 binocular acuity, and at least 70 degrees of horizontal field in each eye. A separate alternative vision standard may apply to some drivers.

    49 CFR § 391.41 · Physical qualifications for drivers · verified 2026-08-14

  11. Which colors must a driver be able to recognize?

    • ABlue and white only
    • BRed and green only
    • CEvery color on the sign chart
    • DStandard red, green and amberCorrect

    Traffic signals and devices use standard red, green and amber, so color recognition is part of the physical qualification standard.

    49 CFR § 391.41 · Vision standards · verified 2026-08-14

  12. How is the hearing standard measured?

    • AA forced whisper heard at five feetCorrect
    • BA normal voice heard at ten feet
    • CA shout heard at twenty feet
    • DA tone heard through headphones only

    The better ear must perceive a forced whisper at five feet, or show no more than 40 decibels average loss on an audiometric test.

    49 CFR § 391.41 · Hearing standards · verified 2026-08-14

  13. Who is allowed to perform the DOT medical examination?

    • AAny licensed physician
    • BAn examiner on the National RegistryCorrect
    • CThe carrier's safety director
    • DAny licensed pharmacist

    The examination must be done by a medical examiner listed on the National Registry, with narrow exceptions for the vision portion and for veteran drivers.

    49 CFR § 391.43 · Medical examination; certificate of physical examination · verified 2026-08-14

  14. How often must most drivers be medically examined and certified?

    • AAt least every 6 months
    • BAt least every 36 months
    • CAt least every 24 monthsCorrect
    • DOnly once, before the first job

    Twenty-four months is the standard interval, but insulin-treated diabetes or a vision exemption shortens it to twelve.

    49 CFR § 391.45 · Persons who must be medically examined and certified · verified 2026-08-14

  15. What happens if illness or injury impairs a driver's normal duties?

    • AThey switch to intrastate work instead
    • BThey may drive until the card expires
    • CThey report it only at the next physical
    • DThey must be examined and certified againCorrect

    An impairment of the ability to perform normal duties triggers a new examination, regardless of how much time the current certificate has left.

    49 CFR § 391.45 · Re-examination after impairment · verified 2026-08-14

  16. What disqualifies a driver under the general qualification rule?

    • AHolding CDLs from more than one stateCorrect
    • BHolding a single valid CDL
    • CWorking for more than one carrier
    • DLiving outside the licensing state

    A driver may hold a commercial license from one jurisdiction only, alongside being medically qualified and not otherwise disqualified.

    49 CFR § 391.11 · General qualifications of drivers · verified 2026-08-14