Alabama CDL — General Knowledge: Signals & Pavement Markings Practice Test

Question 1

A cross-buck sign at a railroad crossing tells drivers to:

Accepted Answer

Yield the right of way to any approaching train — The cross-buck marks the crossing and requires drivers to yield to trains; extra signs show the number of tracks.

Answer

Proceed without slowing

Answer

Ignore the crossing if no gate is present

Answer

Come to a complete stop every time

Question 2

After you signal a lane change, why should the move itself be made gradually?

Accepted Answer

A driver you never spotted still has time to warn you or get out of the way — The indicator goes on first and the vehicle then eases over, which buys a moment for anyone hidden beside you to sound a horn or steer clear before your wheels reach their lane.

Answer

It reduces fuel use during the change

Answer

It gives the trailer time to catch up with the tractor

Answer

It stops the signal lever from cancelling too early

Question 3

Once you have begun a turn, when should the turn signal be switched off?

Accepted Answer

Only after the turn has been finished — Turning a large vehicle takes both hands, so leave the indicator running through the whole maneuver and shut it off afterward if your vehicle does not cancel it for you.

Answer

The moment you enter the intersection

Answer

Midway through, so that both hands are free sooner

Answer

Just before the wheels start to turn, so nobody is confused

Question 4

On a trailer, a steady yellow ABS lamp on the left rear indicates:

Accepted Answer

The trailer's antilock braking system is not working properly — For trailers, a yellow ABS malfunction lamp on the left rear that stays on shows the antilock system needs attention.

Answer

The turn signal is on

Answer

The load is unbalanced

Answer

The trailer brakes are fully released

Question 5

During the walk-around, front turn signal lights should be:

Accepted Answer

Clean, working, and amber or white — Turn signal lamps facing forward must work and be amber or white; you clean and check them during inspection.

Answer

Blue for night visibility

Answer

Any color as long as they light

Answer

Red at the front

Question 6

How should you warn following traffic that your vehicle is moving unusually slowly?

Accepted Answer

Switch on the four-way hazard flashers wherever the law allows it — Motorists close on a crawling truck far quicker than they realize, so the hazard flashers are the accepted warning. Rules on using them differ from state to state, so check the law where you drive.

Answer

Turn on the high beams and leave them on

Answer

Move onto the shoulder and continue there

Answer

Leave one turn signal blinking the whole time

Question 7

A white line painted across the roadway just before a set of railroad tracks marks:

Accepted Answer

The point a stopped school bus must keep its front bumper behind — Some crossings carry a painted stop line ahead of the rails. A school bus that halts there must hold its front end back of that mark rather than creeping past it.

Answer

The boundary of the railroad's property

Answer

The place where overtaking becomes legal again

Answer

A space set aside for track maintenance vehicles

Question 8

If your ABS malfunction lamp stays lit after startup, it means:

Accepted Answer

The antilock braking system is not working properly — The ABS indicator should light briefly and go out; if it stays on, the antilock system has a fault to be serviced.

Answer

The headlights are on

Answer

The air pressure is too high

Answer

The parking brake is engaged

Question 9

Drivers behind you are warned that you are braking by the:

Accepted Answer

Stop lights, which come on when you apply the brakes — The stop light switch turns on your brake lights so following drivers know you are slowing.

Answer

Clearance lights

Answer

Turn signals only

Answer

Identification lights

Question 10

At a crossing equipped with gates, you may begin across the tracks only when:

Accepted Answer

The arms are fully raised, the red lamps have quit flashing and the way is clear — The arms drop after the red lamps begin working, so halt before they come down and hold there. The crossing is safe again only once the arms are back up, the flashing has ended and you can see the way is clear.

Answer

The arm starts lifting, even though the lamps still flash

Answer

The bells fall silent, whatever position the arms are in

Answer

Five seconds have gone by since the last car of the train

Question 11

Signaling your intentions is important mainly because:

Accepted Answer

Other drivers cannot know what you plan to do until you tell them — Turn signals communicate your plan so other drivers can respond safely; they cannot read your mind.

Answer

It replaces checking your mirrors

Answer

It lets you turn without slowing

Answer

It is optional courtesy only

Question 12

Clearance and identification lights at the front of a vehicle should show which color?

Accepted Answer

Amber — Front clearance, identification, and marker lights must be amber; red is used at the rear.

Answer

Blue

Answer

Red

Answer

Green

Alabama CDL — General Knowledge: Signals & Pavement Markings practice test

Study questions with answers

1. A cross-buck sign at a railroad crossing tells drivers to:

2. After you signal a lane change, why should the move itself be made gradually?

3. Once you have begun a turn, when should the turn signal be switched off?

4. On a trailer, a steady yellow ABS lamp on the left rear indicates:

5. During the walk-around, front turn signal lights should be:

6. How should you warn following traffic that your vehicle is moving unusually slowly?

7. A white line painted across the roadway just before a set of railroad tracks marks:

8. If your ABS malfunction lamp stays lit after startup, it means:

9. Drivers behind you are warned that you are braking by the:

10. At a crossing equipped with gates, you may begin across the tracks only when:

11. Signaling your intentions is important mainly because:

12. Clearance and identification lights at the front of a vehicle should show which color?

More CDL — General Knowledge topics

Practice Signals & Pavement Markings in another state