Safe Driving Practices

Study questions with answers

12 sample Safe Driving Practices questions with the correct answer, a short explanation, and the official handbook reference. Read through them, then take the quiz above.

1. 1. In very hot weather, if a tire becomes too hot to touch, you should:

   Correct answer: stay stopped until the tire cools

   If a tire is too hot to touch, stay stopped until it cools; otherwise it may blow out or catch fire.

   Source: KY CDL Manual, Sec 2.14 Vehicle Checks

2. 2. Objects seen in a convex 'fisheye' mirror appear:

   Correct answer: smaller and farther away than they really are

   A convex mirror shows a wider area, but everything looks smaller and seems farther away than it truly is.

   Source: KY CDL Manual, Sec 2.4 How to Use Mirrors

3. 3. Most heavy vehicles with unsynchronized manual transmissions require the driver to:

   Correct answer: double clutch when changing gears

   Unsynchronized manual transmissions generally require double clutching to change gears; a synchronized transmission does not.

   Source: KY CDL Manual, Sec 2.3 Manual Transmissions

4. 4. At night, when is it appropriate to use your high beams?

   Correct answer: When it is safe, legal, and no oncoming vehicle is within 500 feet

   Use high beams when it is safe and legal and you are not within 500 feet of an approaching vehicle; they let you see farther.

   Source: KY CDL Manual, Sec 2.11 Use High Beams When You Can

5. 5. Because a vehicle has blind spots you cannot see, when backing you should:

   Correct answer: use a helper positioned where you can see them

   Use a helper who stands near the back where you can see them, and agree on a hand signal for 'stop' before you begin.

   Source: KY CDL Manual, Sec 2.2 Backing Safely

6. 6. If you must drive through fog, which headlights should you use?

   Correct answer: Low beams

   Use low beams and fog lights in fog, even during the day; high beams reflect back and cut visibility.

   Source: KY CDL Manual, Sec 2.12 Driving in Fog

7. 7. When you become drowsy behind the wheel, the only safe remedy is to:

   Correct answer: stop and get some sleep

   Once you are drowsy, the only genuine cure is to leave the road and sleep; caffeine and fresh air only help for a short time.

   Source: KY CDL Manual, Sec 2.11 If You Get Sleepy

8. 8. Good commercial drivers look ahead the distance they will travel in about:

   Correct answer: 12 to 15 seconds

   Most good drivers look at least 12 to 15 seconds ahead, which is roughly a block at low speed and a quarter mile at highway speed.

   Source: KY CDL Manual, Sec 2.4 Seeing Ahead

9. 9. To keep control if you strike a curb or pothole, you should hold the steering wheel:

   Correct answer: firmly with both hands on opposite sides

   Hold the wheel firmly with both hands on opposite sides so a curb or pothole cannot jerk it out of your grip.

   Source: KY CDL Manual, Sec 2.2 Steering

10. 10. The manual's best advice for driving in dense fog is to:

    Correct answer: avoid driving and pull off safely until it clears

    The best advice for fog is not to drive in it; pull off into a rest area or truck stop until visibility improves.

    Source: KY CDL Manual, Sec 2.12 Driving in Fog

11. 11. Whenever possible, you should back your vehicle toward:

    Correct answer: the driver's side

    Back and turn toward the driver's side so you can see better; backing toward the right side is much more dangerous.

    Source: KY CDL Manual, Sec 2.2 Backing Safely

12. 12. When the road is wet, icy, or snow-covered, you should turn the vehicle's speed retarder:

    Correct answer: off, to avoid a drive-wheel skid

    When the drive wheels have poor traction, a retarder can make them skid, so turn it off on wet, icy, or snowy roads.

    Source: KY CDL Manual, Sec 2.3 Retarders