Colorado CDL — General Knowledge Exam Simulation
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Colorado CDL — General Knowledge questions with answers
20 sample questions from the Colorado CDL — General Knowledge question bank — each with the correct answer, a short explanation, and the section of the official handbook it comes from.
1. When flashing red lights begin at a highway-rail crossing, what must the driver do?
Correct answer: Stop and let the train go first
Flashing red lights mean a train is coming; you must stop and yield the right-of-way, and if there are several tracks make sure all are clear before crossing.
Source: Colorado CDL Manual, Section 2.15.2 (Warning Signs and Devices)
2. After you leave the traveled lane and come to a stop, particularly after dark, how should you warn other drivers?
Correct answer: Turn on your four-way emergency flashers
Turn on the four-way emergency flashers when you stop off the road; drivers have crashed into parked vehicles thinking they were still moving.
Source: Colorado CDL Manual, Section 2.5.2 (Communicating Your Presence)
3. Objects seen in a convex ('fisheye') mirror appear how, compared with looking at them directly?
Correct answer: Smaller and farther away than they really are
In a convex mirror everything looks smaller and seems farther away than it really is, so you must allow for that distortion.
Source: Colorado CDL Manual, Section 2.4.2 (Seeing to the Sides and Rear)
4. For a combination vehicle to fall in Group A and require a Class A CDL, the towed unit's gross vehicle weight rating must be more than what?
Correct answer: More than 10,000 pounds
Group A covers a combination with a GCWR of 26,001 pounds or more when the trailer or towed unit is rated over 10,000 pounds GVWR.
Source: Colorado CDL Manual, Section 1 (CDL Classifications)
5. A crossbuck sign marking a highway-rail grade crossing places what legal duty on the driver?
Correct answer: It requires you to give the right-of-way to an approaching train
The X-shaped crossbuck requires you to yield to any train using the tracks, since a train always has the right-of-way at a crossing.
Source: Colorado CDL Manual, Section 2.15.2 (Warning Signs and Devices)
6. Total stopping distance is made up of which three parts added together?
Correct answer: Perception distance, reaction distance, and braking distance
Total stopping distance equals perception distance plus reaction distance plus braking distance.
Source: Colorado CDL Manual, Section 2.6.1 (Stopping Distance)
7. During a front-wheel skid, what is the only way to stop it?
Correct answer: Let the vehicle slow down
During a front-wheel skid the nose of the vehicle keeps going straight however you steer, so the only fix is to let it slow down.
Source: Colorado CDL Manual, Section 2.19.3 (Front-wheel Skids)
8. About how much alcohol can the liver process in an hour?
Correct answer: About one-third of an ounce per hour
The liver clears only about one-third of an ounce of alcohol per hour at a fixed rate, so drinking faster than that leaves alcohol building up in the body.
Source: Colorado CDL Manual, Section 2.22.1 (Alcohol and Driving)
9. How long, at minimum, is a driver disqualified for a first out-of-service order violation?
Correct answer: At least 90 days
A first out-of-service order violation costs the CDL for at least 90 days; a second within ten years brings at least one year.
Source: Colorado CDL Manual, Section 1.3.4 (Violation of Out-of-Service Orders)
10. Where a white stop line is painted on the pavement before railroad tracks, what does it require of a stopped school bus?
Correct answer: The front of the bus must remain behind the line
The front of the school bus must stay behind the painted white stop line while it is stopped at the crossing.
Source: Colorado CDL Manual, Section 2.15.2 (Warning Signs and Devices)
11. How does road rage differ from aggressive driving, according to the manual?
Correct answer: Road rage involves the intent to harm or assault another driver
Road rage is operating a vehicle with the intent to harm others or to physically assault a driver or their vehicle, going beyond mere aggressive driving.
Source: Colorado CDL Manual, Section 2.10.1 (Aggressive Drivers/Road Rage)
12. When you make a right turn so wide that traffic could squeeze between your vehicle and the curb, how should you position the vehicle?
Correct answer: Keep the rear of the vehicle close to the curb
Hold the back end near the curb as you turn so no one can slip past on your right side.
Source: Colorado CDL Manual, Section 2.7.6 (Space for Turns)
13. When you must stop on a two-lane road, one warning device belongs about 100 feet ahead of the vehicle and another about how far behind it?
Correct answer: About 100 feet behind
On a two-way road, place one device about 100 feet behind and one about 100 feet ahead, plus one within 10 feet of the vehicle.
Source: Colorado CDL Manual, Section 2.5.2 (Communicating Your Presence)
14. The manual defines a hazard as what?
Correct answer: Any road condition or road user that could become a danger
A hazard is any road condition or road user, such as a driver, bicyclist, or pedestrian, that is a possible danger.
Source: Colorado CDL Manual, Section 2.8.1 (Importance of Seeing Hazards)
15. If an applicant passes the skills test in a vehicle with an automatic transmission, what appears on the license?
Correct answer: A restriction that prohibits driving a CMV with a manual transmission
Passing the skills test in an automatic results in an 'E' restriction barring the driver from operating a CMV with a manual transmission.
Source: Colorado CDL Manual, Section 1 (Restrictions)
16. On a two-lane road, what does a no-passing zone sign posted at a railroad crossing indicate?
Correct answer: That passing other vehicles is prohibited at the crossing
A no-passing marking and sign at a rail crossing on a two-lane road prohibit passing other vehicles in that area.
Source: Colorado CDL Manual, Section 2.15.2 (Warning Signs and Devices)
17. The manual's rule for following distance at speeds below 40 mph is what?
Correct answer: About one second per 10 feet of your vehicle's length
Below 40 mph, allow at least one second of following distance for each 10 feet of vehicle length; above 40 mph, add one more second.
Source: Colorado CDL Manual, Section 2.7.1 (Space Ahead)
18. How does an antilock braking system help the driver during hard braking?
Correct answer: It helps you keep control and steer while braking hard
ABS keeps the wheels from locking up so you can keep the vehicle under control and steer around an obstacle; it does not necessarily shorten stopping distance.
Source: Colorado CDL Manual, Section 2.18 (Anti-lock Braking Systems)
19. As blood alcohol builds up, which part of the brain is affected first?
Correct answer: The part controlling judgment and self-control
The area of the brain hit first governs judgment and self-control, which is risky because a drinker may not notice they are becoming impaired.
Source: Colorado CDL Manual, Section 2.22.1 (Alcohol and Driving)
20. What happens to a CDL after a second major offense such as a second DUI in a CMV?
Correct answer: Loss of the CDL for life
A second major offense results in loss of the CDL for life.
Source: Colorado CDL Manual, Section 1.3.2 (Alcohol, Leaving the Scene, and Felony)