Parking & Stopping

Study questions with answers

8 sample Parking & Stopping questions with the correct answer, a short explanation, and the official handbook reference. Read through them, then take the quiz above.

1. 1. How do you test that the parking brake will actually hold?

   Correct answer: Set the parking brake, then ease the vehicle forward against it while in low gear

   Stop the vehicle, apply the parking brake, and ease forward against it in low gear to confirm it holds.

   Source: Connecticut CDL Manual, Section 5.3.3 (Final Air Brake Check)

2. 2. With a manual transmission, when should you push in the clutch during a normal stop?

   Correct answer: Not until the engine rpm has dropped close to idle

   For a smooth, safe stop with a manual box, hold off on the clutch until engine rpm falls near idle, then pick a starting gear once stopped.

   Source: Connecticut CDL Manual, Section 5.4.1 (Normal Stops)

3. 3. Why should you avoid pressing the brake pedal while the spring brakes are already set?

   Correct answer: The combined spring and air forces could damage the brakes

   Pushing the pedal can load the brakes with the combined force of the springs plus the stored air pressure, which may damage them.

   Source: Connecticut CDL Manual, Section 5.1.15 (Parking Brake Controls)

4. 4. On a tractor or straight truck, spring brakes come fully on when air pressure drops into what range?

   Correct answer: 20 to 45 psi

   As air pressure bleeds down to roughly 20 to 45 psi (often 20 to 30), the spring brakes apply on their own, but you should stop well before that when the warning first sounds.

   Source: Connecticut CDL Manual, Section 5.1.14 (Spring Brakes)

5. 5. What should you always do before leaving your vehicle unattended?

   Correct answer: Apply the parking brakes

   Leaving a vehicle without the parking brakes set risks it rolling away and causing injury or damage, so always apply them.

   Source: Connecticut CDL Manual, Section 5.4.8 (Parking Brakes)

6. 6. On newer air brake vehicles, how do you apply the parking (spring) brakes?

   Correct answer: Pull out the diamond-shaped yellow knob

   Newer rigs use a yellow, diamond-shaped push-pull control: pull it out to set the spring brakes and push it back in to let them off.

   Source: Connecticut CDL Manual, Section 5.1.15 (Parking Brake Controls)

7. 7. How are spring brakes held in the released position while you drive?

   Correct answer: By air pressure holding back powerful springs

   During driving, air pressure keeps strong springs compressed; if that air is lost, the springs push the brakes on.

   Source: Connecticut CDL Manual, Section 5.1.14 (Spring Brakes)

8. 8. When should you NOT set the parking brakes?

   Correct answer: When the brakes are very hot from a steep grade, or very wet in freezing temperatures

   Hot brakes can be damaged if you park on them, and wet brakes can freeze solid in cold weather; in those cases use wheel chocks and let them cool or dry first.

   Source: Connecticut CDL Manual, Section 5.4.8 (Parking Brakes)