Hawaii CDL — General Knowledge: Safe Driving Practices Practice Test

Question 1

The manual says to back as slowly as possible in the lowest reverse gear. What two advantages does it give?

Accepted Answer

You can correct steering errors more easily and stop quickly if you need to — Backing slowly in the lowest reverse gear makes steering mistakes easier to fix and lets you stop quickly if you have to.

Answer

It keeps the engine cool and saves fuel

Answer

It lets you skip checking the mirrors

Answer

It makes the backup alarm louder

Question 2

During the walk-around at the front of the vehicle, how does the manual say to test the steering mechanism for looseness?

Accepted Answer

Grab it and test it by hand — At the front you check the axle and the steering system for loose, worn, bent, damaged or missing parts. The manual says you have to take hold of the steering mechanism to test it for looseness.

Answer

Kick the front tires and listen

Answer

Turn the steering wheel with the engine off and count the rotations

Answer

Look at it from the driver's seat

Question 3

Which four situations does the manual say call for more than your regular mirror checks?

Accepted Answer

Lane changes, turns, merges, and tight maneuvers — Regular checks cover traffic and your own vehicle. Lane changes, turns, merges and tight maneuvers are named as special situations that need extra mirror checks.

Answer

Hills, bridges, tunnels, and toll booths

Answer

Fuel stops, weigh stations, rest areas, and docks

Answer

Rain, fog, snow, and darkness

Question 4

A shipper's crew loaded your trailer and strapped everything down before you arrived. Who is responsible for recognizing an overload and knowing the cargo is properly secured?

Accepted Answer

You are, whether or not you loaded it yourself — The manual says the driver is responsible for inspecting the cargo, recognizing overloads and poor weight balance, and knowing the load is properly secured, regardless of who did the loading.

Answer

Only the shipper

Answer

Only the motor carrier's dispatcher

Answer

No one, once the doors are sealed

Question 5

When you check the safety belt during the in-cab inspection, what are you looking for?

Accepted Answer

That the mounting is solid, the belt adjusts and latches as it should, and the webbing has no rips or fraying — The belt check has four parts: the belt is mounted securely, it adjusts, it latches properly, and the webbing is not ripped or frayed.

Answer

That it is a different color from the seat

Answer

That it locks only above 20 mph

Answer

That it reaches across to the passenger seat

Question 6

What does the manual say about sunglasses and eyeglasses for night driving?

Accepted Answer

Do not wear sunglasses at night, and keep eyeglasses clean and unscratched — The night driving procedures say that eyeglasses should be clean and free of scratches and that sunglasses should not be worn at night. Tinted lenses cut down the light you need to see.

Answer

Wear lightly tinted sunglasses to cut headlight glare

Answer

Take eyeglasses off so they do not reflect the dash lights

Answer

Wear sunglasses until your eyes adjust, then remove them

Question 7

Blocking and bracing both keep cargo from moving. According to the manual, how do they differ?

Accepted Answer

Blocking sits against the cargo's front, back or sides and is fixed to the deck; bracing runs from high on the cargo down to the floor or walls — Blocking is fitted snugly against the front, back or sides of a piece of cargo and fastened to the cargo deck so the piece cannot slide. Bracing runs from the upper part of the cargo down to the floor or across to the walls of the cargo compartment.

Answer

Blocking is used only in closed vans; bracing is used only on flatbeds

Answer

Blocking is a kind of chain; bracing is a kind of strap

Answer

Blocking protects cargo from weather; bracing protects it from theft

Question 8

If your load needs a canvas or tarp, what three problems is proper securing meant to prevent?

Accepted Answer

Tearing, billowing, and blocking of the mirrors — During the walk-around you check that a required canvas or tarp is secured so that it cannot tear, billow, or block your mirrors. At the rear, the concern also includes covering the rear lights.

Answer

Fading, shrinking, and staining

Answer

Rattling, squeaking, and whistling

Answer

Overheating, freezing, and rusting

Question 9

What goal does the manual set for in-vehicle distractions?

Accepted Answer

Eliminate all of them before you start driving — The manual says your aim should be to get rid of every in-vehicle distraction before the drive starts, by assessing them ahead of time and making a plan to reduce or remove them.

Answer

Limit them to one at a time

Answer

Save them for straight, empty roads

Answer

Handle them only at speeds under 40 mph

Question 10

Before winter driving, how does the manual say you can check that the cooling system has enough antifreeze?

Accepted Answer

With a special coolant tester — The winter vehicle checks start with making sure the cooling system is full and holds enough antifreeze to keep it from freezing. A special coolant tester is the tool for checking that.

Answer

By tasting a drop of coolant

Answer

By checking the color of the exhaust

Answer

By reading the oil pressure gauge

Question 11

The manual warns against one kind of conversation with other people in the vehicle while you drive. Which kind?

Accepted Answer

Complex or emotionally intense conversations — Among the tips for avoiding distraction is to keep out of complicated or emotional conversations with the people riding with you, and to get their commitment to help you keep distractions down.

Answer

Any conversation about the route

Answer

Conversations in a second language

Answer

Conversations lasting under a minute

Question 12

You tend to eat lunch behind the wheel to stay on schedule. What does the manual suggest instead?

Accepted Answer

Leave early so you have time to stop and eat — The manual advises against eating, drinking or smoking at the wheel, and it says to leave early enough that you have time to stop for a meal.

Answer

Eat only foods that need one hand

Answer

Skip meals on driving days

Answer

Eat only while stopped at red lights

Hawaii CDL — General Knowledge: Safe Driving Practices practice test

Study questions with answers

1. The manual says to back as slowly as possible in the lowest reverse gear. What two advantages does it give?

2. During the walk-around at the front of the vehicle, how does the manual say to test the steering mechanism for looseness?

3. Which four situations does the manual say call for more than your regular mirror checks?

4. A shipper's crew loaded your trailer and strapped everything down before you arrived. Who is responsible for recognizing an overload and knowing the cargo is properly secured?

5. When you check the safety belt during the in-cab inspection, what are you looking for?

6. What does the manual say about sunglasses and eyeglasses for night driving?

7. Blocking and bracing both keep cargo from moving. According to the manual, how do they differ?

8. If your load needs a canvas or tarp, what three problems is proper securing meant to prevent?

9. What goal does the manual set for in-vehicle distractions?

10. Before winter driving, how does the manual say you can check that the cooling system has enough antifreeze?

11. The manual warns against one kind of conversation with other people in the vehicle while you drive. Which kind?

12. You tend to eat lunch behind the wheel to stay on schedule. What does the manual suggest instead?

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