Alaska CDL — General Knowledge practice
Alaska CDL — General Knowledge: Signals & Pavement Markings practice test
How to read traffic signals, lane lines, and pavement markings — including yellow and white lines, arrows, and flashing lights.
Content reviewed against official driver handbooks · August 12, 2026
14 questions · pass with 11 correct. You get instant feedback and an explanation after every answer.
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12 sample Signals & Pavement Markings questions with the correct answer, a short explanation, and the official handbook reference. Read through them, then take the quiz above.
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1. You see a hazard ahead that will force you to slow down. Why should you flash your brake lights for the drivers behind?
Correct answer: Your vehicle's size may keep them from seeing the hazard themselves
A large vehicle can block the view of drivers following it, so they may not see trouble ahead. Flashing the brake lights passes the warning back.
Source: Alaska Commercial Driver License Manual — Section 2.5.1, Signal Your Intentions
2. What does the manual say about lights and reflectors during bad winter weather?
Correct answer: Check them from time to time to be sure they are clean and working
Lights and reflectors matter most in bad weather, so the winter checks call for looking at them now and then to confirm they are still clean and working.
Source: Alaska Commercial Driver License Manual — Section 2.13.1, Vehicle Checks
3. On the road test, running your vehicle over which of these counts against you under lane usage?
Correct answer: Curbs, sidewalks, or lane markings
The lane usage standard says the vehicle must not be put over curbs, sidewalks, or lane markings.
Source: Alaska Commercial Driver License Manual — Section 13.1.14(d), Lane Usage
4. As you begin the walk-around in step 5 of the seven-step inspection, which turn signal do you leave on?
Correct answer: The right turn signal
After checking the headlights and flashers from the front, you switch on the parking, clearance, side-marker, and identification lights and the right turn signal, then start around the vehicle.
Source: Alaska Commercial Driver License Manual — Section 2.1.5, Seven-step Inspection Method
5. On the lane-change portion of the road test, what comes before you use your signal?
Correct answer: Making the necessary traffic checks
For the lane changes on the multiple-lane section, you make the needed traffic checks first, then signal, then move over smoothly when it is safe.
Source: Alaska Commercial Driver License Manual — Section 13.1.4, Lane Changes
6. What does the manual say about the laws on using emergency flashers while driving slowly?
Correct answer: They differ from state to state, so check the laws where you will drive
Flasher laws are not the same everywhere. The manual says to use them when driving slowly if it is legal, and to check the laws of each state you will drive in.
Source: Alaska Commercial Driver License Manual — Section 2.5.1, Signal Your Intentions
7. During the walk-around inspection, what should you do with lights, reflectors, and glass as you go?
Correct answer: Clean them
The general instruction for the walk-around is to clean every light, reflector, and piece of glass as you pass it.
Source: Alaska Commercial Driver License Manual — Section 2.1.5, Seven-step Inspection Method
8. When you must drive in fog, what does the manual suggest using as a guide to how the road curves ahead?
Correct answer: Roadside highway reflectors
Lights ahead of you may not show where the road really goes, so the manual points to the reflectors along the roadside as a guide to curves.
Source: Alaska Commercial Driver License Manual — Section 2.12, Driving in Fog
9. What color are the ABS malfunction lamps on tractors, trucks, buses, and trailers?
Correct answer: Yellow
ABS malfunction lamps are yellow. Powered vehicles carry them on the instrument panel, and trailers carry them on the left side.
Source: Alaska Commercial Driver License Manual — Section 2.18.3, How to Know If Your Vehicle Is Equipped with ABS
10. Your truck has emissions after-treatment equipment. On the inspection test, how much diesel exhaust fluid must the DEF tank hold?
Correct answer: More than 1/8 of a tank
The DEF level is adequate when the tank is more than one-eighth full. You also confirm that the DEF indicator on the dash works.
Source: Alaska Commercial Driver License Manual — Section 11.2.5, Side of Vehicle
11. At the end of the hydraulic brake check on the inspection test, what do you confirm about the warning buzzer or light?
Correct answer: That it is off
The hydraulic brake check finishes with confirming that the brake warning buzzer or light is off.
Source: Alaska Commercial Driver License Manual — Section 11.1.2, Cab Check/Engine Start
12. The manual says to keep your turn signal on continuously through a turn. What reason does it give?
Correct answer: Turning safely takes both of your hands on the steering wheel
Signal continuously because a safe turn needs both hands steering. You leave the signal alone until the turn is finished, then cancel it.
Source: Alaska Commercial Driver License Manual — Section 2.5.1, Signal Your Intentions
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