Signals & Pavement Markings

Study questions with answers

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.

1. 1. Before passing a pedestrian or bicyclist, where it is legal, a driver may make their presence known by:

   Correct answer: lightly tapping the horn or, at night, flashing the lights

   Assume they do not see you; when legal, tap the horn lightly or, at night, flash the lights from low to high and back.

   Source: KY CDL Manual, Sec 2.5 Communicating Your Presence

2. 2. In an air brake system, which device turns on the brake lights to warn drivers behind you?

   Correct answer: the air-pressure-operated stop light switch

   An electric switch that works by air pressure turns on the brake lights when you apply the air brakes.

   Source: KY CDL Manual, Sec 5.1 Stop Light Switch

3. 3. Turn signal lights that face toward the front of the vehicle must be:

   Correct answer: amber or white

   Signals facing forward must be amber or white, while those facing the rear may be red, yellow, or amber.

   Source: KY CDL Manual, Sec 2.1 Walk-around Inspection

4. 4. When you must drive far slower than the surrounding traffic, you should alert drivers behind you by:

   Correct answer: turning on your emergency flashers where legal

   If you must travel slowly, turn on your emergency flashers where it is legal so faster drivers notice you sooner.

   Source: KY CDL Manual, Sec 2.5 Driving Slowly

5. 5. To warn drivers behind you of a hazard that will force you to slow, you can:

   Correct answer: lightly tap the brake pedal to flash your brake lights

   A few light taps on the brake pedal flash your brake lights and warn following drivers that you are about to slow down.

   Source: KY CDL Manual, Sec 2.5 Slowing Down

6. 6. You should dim your high beams when an oncoming vehicle is within:

   Correct answer: 500 feet

   Dim your lights within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle, and also when following another vehicle within 500 feet.

   Source: KY CDL Manual, Sec 2.11 Avoid Blinding Others

7. 7. One good rule for using turn signals as you prepare to turn is to:

   Correct answer: signal well before you begin the turn

   Signal early, well before the turn, so other drivers do not try to pass you, and keep signaling until the turn is finished.

   Source: KY CDL Manual, Sec 2.5 Signal Your Intentions

8. 8. After you pull off the road and stop, especially at night, you should:

   Correct answer: turn on the four-way emergency flashers

   When you stop at the roadside, turn on the four-way flashers; do not trust the taillights, which drivers may mistake for a moving vehicle.

   Source: KY CDL Manual, Sec 2.5 When Parked at the Side of the Road

9. 9. After finishing a turn in a truck that has no self-canceling signals, you should:

   Correct answer: turn the signal off yourself

   Remember to switch off your turn signal after the turn if your vehicle does not cancel it for you.

   Source: KY CDL Manual, Sec 2.5 Signal Your Intentions

10. 10. When a white stop line is painted before railroad tracks, a stopping bus must keep:

    Correct answer: its front behind that line

    The front of the bus must stay behind the white stop line while it is stopped at the crossing.

    Source: KY CDL Manual, Sec 2.15 Pavement Markings

11. 11. On a trailer, where is the yellow ABS malfunction lamp located?

    Correct answer: On the left side, at the front or rear corner

    Trailers carry the yellow ABS malfunction lamp on the left side, at either the front or rear corner.

    Source: KY CDL Manual, Sec 2.18 How to Know If Equipped with ABS

12. 12. On tractors, trucks, and buses, a fault in the antilock brake system is shown by a:

    Correct answer: yellow malfunction lamp on the instrument panel

    ABS-equipped tractors, trucks, and buses have yellow ABS malfunction lamps on the instrument panel.

    Source: KY CDL Manual, Sec 2.18 How to Know If Equipped with ABS