CCDL Permit Prep

General Knowledge · page 9 of 19

General Knowledge questions 161–180

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. The four duty statuses a driver must record are:

    • AOff duty, sleeper berth, driving, and on-duty not drivingCorrect
    • BDriving, resting, eating, and fueling the vehicle
    • CLoading, unloading, driving, parked
    • DDay, night, highway, city

    Drivers log their time in four statuses — off duty, sleeper berth, driving, and on-duty not driving — to track hours of service.

    49 CFR § 395.8 · Record of duty status · verified 2026-09-08

  2. Falsifying a logbook or electronic logging device (ELD) record is:

    • AOnly a paperwork error with no real consequence
    • BA prohibited record that can lead to enforcement penaltiesCorrect
    • CAllowed if you are behind schedule
    • DRequired to meet delivery times

    False duty records are prohibited and can lead to enforcement penalties. They also hide duty time and dangerous fatigue from safety oversight.

    49 CFR § 395.8 · Falsifying logs · verified 2026-09-08

  3. An Electronic Logging Device (ELD) is used to:

    • AAutomatically record a driver's hours of service and driving timeCorrect
    • BReplace the medical card requirement entirely
    • CControl the engine speed
    • DTrack the vehicle's fuel mileage only

    An ELD connects to the engine and automatically records driving time and duty status, making hours-of-service records more accurate.

    49 CFR § 395.8 · ELD requirement · verified 2026-09-08

  4. Under the sleeper berth provision, a driver may split the required 10 hours off duty as long as one period is at least:

    • A10 hours of driving
    • B5 hours anywhere, split however the driver prefers
    • C2 hours in the berth
    • D7 consecutive hours in the sleeper berthCorrect

    The split requires at least 7 consecutive hours in the sleeper berth plus a separate break of at least 2 hours, together totaling 10.

    49 CFR § 395.1 · Sleeper berth provision · verified 2026-09-08

  5. What is the purpose of hours-of-service rules?

    • ASet limits on on-duty time, including driving, and specify rest periods to help drivers stay awake and alert.Correct
    • BSet minimum wages for over-the-road drivers.
    • CSet fuel-tax rates for motor carriers.
    • DLimit how far a carrier may ship freight in one day.

    FMCSA describes hours-of-service rules as limits on on-duty time, including driving, and required rest periods intended to help drivers stay awake and alert.

    Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration: Hours of Service · Hours-of-service overview: on-duty limits and rest periods · verified 2026-09-27

  6. The adverse driving conditions exception generally allows a driver to:

    • ADrive 20 hours straight
    • BSkip all rest breaks, treating the exception as eliminating rest requirements entirely
    • CExtend the maximum driving window by up to 2 hours for bad weatherCorrect
    • DIgnore the 70-hour limit

    When unforeseen weather or traffic conditions occur, a driver may extend driving and the window by up to 2 hours to reach a safe stop.

    49 CFR § 395.1 · Adverse driving conditions · verified 2026-09-08

  7. If your brakes fail on a long downgrade, your best escape is usually to:

    • AJump from the vehicle
    • BUse an escape ramp if one is availableCorrect
    • CTurn off the engine to stop the vehicle
    • DSteer into oncoming traffic

    An escape ramp is designed to stop a runaway vehicle safely, making it the best option when brakes fail on a long downgrade.

    FMCSA Commercial Driver's License Manual · Section 2.19 - Brake Failure On A Downgrade · verified 2026-09-08

  8. If a front tire suddenly blows out at highway speed, you should:

    • AHold the wheel firmly and stay off the brakeCorrect
    • BBrake hard immediately
    • CAccelerate to regain control
    • DSteer sharply toward the shoulder

    A firm grip and gradual slowing keep a front blowout under control; hard braking could pull the vehicle sharply toward the flat tire.

    FMCSA Commercial Driver's License Manual · Section 2.19 - Tire Failure - Front · verified 2026-09-08

  9. If your vehicle catches fire while driving, you should first:

    • AKeep driving to reach a fire station, letting the fire spread while the vehicle is still in motion
    • BOpen the hood wide and fan the flames
    • CDrive faster to the next town
    • DPull off the road, park away from buildings and other vehicles, and shut off the engineCorrect

    Getting off the road and shutting down keeps the fire from spreading and lets you use the extinguisher or call for help safely.

    FMCSA Commercial Driver's License Manual · Section 2.21.3 - Fire Fighting · verified 2026-09-08

  10. From a safe position, where should the extinguisher stream be aimed to control a vehicle fire?

    • AAt the top of the flames
    • BDirectly at the fuel tank
    • CInto the wind so smoke blows away from you
    • DAt the base of the fire, staying as far back as possibleCorrect

    Aiming at the base of the fire and staying back puts out the source while keeping you clear of heat, smoke, and flare-ups.

    FMCSA Commercial Driver's License Manual · Section 2.19 - Using A Fire Extinguisher · verified 2026-09-08

  11. If your drive wheels begin to skid from excessive acceleration, you should:

    • ATurn the wheel opposite your path
    • BBrake harder
    • CAccelerate to straighten out
    • DEase off the accelerator; on a very slippery surface, push in the clutchCorrect

    Taking your foot off the accelerator can stop an acceleration skid. On a very slippery surface, pushing in the clutch lets the drive wheels turn freely and regain traction.

    FMCSA Commercial Driver's License Manual · Section 2.19 - Skid Control - Drive-Wheel Skid · verified 2026-09-08

  12. After stopping on the shoulder of a two-lane road, you should place a warning triangle:

    • AOnly directly behind the vehicle
    • BOn the roof of the cab
    • C500 feet ahead only, with none placed behind the vehicle
    • DAbout 10 feet behind, 100 feet behind, and 100 feet ahead of the vehicleCorrect

    On a two-lane road, place triangles roughly 10 and 100 feet behind and 100 feet ahead so traffic from both directions is warned.

    FMCSA Commercial Driver's License Manual (July 2014) · Section 2.5.1 - Signal Your Intentions (warning devices, two-lane road) · verified 2026-09-25

  13. If you must leave the road to avoid a crash, it is usually better to:

    • AStay on the road and accept the crash
    • BLeave the road if it is less risky than the collision, while keeping controlCorrect
    • CSlam on the brakes before leaving the road
    • DSwerve back and forth to slow the vehicle down

    The FMCSA manual says driving off the road may be less risky than a collision. Avoid braking until speed drops, brake gently on a loose surface, keep one set of wheels on the pavement if possible, and stay on the shoulder until stopped.

    FMCSA Commercial Driver's License Manual · Section 2.19 - Leaving The Road To Avoid A Crash · verified 2026-09-08

  14. In an emergency stop, a straight truck or combination vehicle with working ABS on all axles allows you to:

    • APump the brake pedal repeatedly
    • BCoast to a stop without braking
    • CUse only the trailer brakes
    • DFully apply the brakesCorrect

    The manual says to brake as you always have, using only the force needed, with one exception: a straight truck or combination with working ABS on all axles can fully apply the brakes in an emergency stop.

    FMCSA Commercial Driver's License Manual (July 2014) · Section 2.18.6 - Braking with ABS · verified 2026-09-25

  15. If you are first at the scene of an accident, you should:

    • AProtect the area, notify emergency services, and care for the injuredCorrect
    • BMove all injured people immediately
    • CLeave to avoid liability, abandoning the injured without notifying emergency services
    • DDirect traffic into the scene

    Securing the scene, calling for help, and avoiding unnecessary movement of the injured prevents further harm until responders arrive.

    FMCSA Commercial Driver's License Manual · Section 2.21 - Accident Procedures · verified 2026-09-08

  16. GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) is:

    • AThe maximum weight of the vehicle plus its loadCorrect
    • BThe weight of the cargo only
    • CThe empty weight of the trailer
    • DThe weight on the steer axle

    GVWR is the manufacturer's maximum safe loaded weight for a single vehicle; exceeding it strains the brakes, tires, and frame.

    FMCSA Commercial Driver's License Manual · Section 3.1 - Weight And Balance Definitions · verified 2026-09-08

  17. A high center of gravity (weight loaded high) makes a vehicle:

    • AMore likely to tip over, especially in curves and quick maneuversCorrect
    • BMore stable in curves
    • CEasier to stop in emergency braking situations
    • DLighter on the axles

    When weight rides high, the vehicle leans more in turns and is far more likely to roll over, so load heavy items low.

    FMCSA Commercial Driver's License Manual · Section 3.1 - Center Of Gravity · verified 2026-09-08

  18. Blocking and bracing are used to:

    • AKeep cargo from sliding or shifting during transportCorrect
    • BMark the load as hazmat
    • CCool the cargo
    • DAdd weight to the trailer

    Blocking and bracing wedge and support cargo so it cannot move, preventing dangerous load shifts that affect handling.

    FMCSA Commercial Driver's License Manual · Section 3.2 - Securing Cargo - Blocking And Bracing · verified 2026-09-08

  19. The rule of thumb for cargo tiedowns is that you need at least one tiedown for every:

    • AAxle on the trailer
    • B50 feet of cargo, regardless of total weight
    • C20 feet of cargo
    • D10 feet of cargo, with a minimum of two tiedownsCorrect

    Federal rules require at least one tiedown per 10 feet of cargo, and a minimum number based on length and weight, to keep loads secure.

    49 CFR § 393.102 · Cargo securement - tiedowns · verified 2026-09-08

  20. Driving a vehicle that is overloaded can:

    • AImprove braking
    • BLower the center of gravity
    • CMake the vehicle harder to steer and stopCorrect
    • DReduce tire wear

    Overloading strains the brakes and tires and lengthens stopping distance, making the vehicle harder to control and unsafe.

    FMCSA Commercial Driver's License Manual · Section 3.1 - Legal Weight Limits · verified 2026-09-08