Parking & Stopping

Study questions with answers

7 sample Parking & Stopping questions with the correct answer, a short explanation, and the official handbook reference. Read through them, then take the quiz above.

1. 1. What must you always do before leaving your vehicle unattended?

   Correct answer: Apply the parking brakes or chock the wheels

   An unattended vehicle can roll away, so always set the parking brakes or chock the wheels before walking away.

   Source: Louisiana Commercial Driver's License Manual, Section 5.4.8 - Parking Brakes

2. 2. On newer air-brake vehicles, how do you apply the parking brakes?

   Correct answer: Pull out the diamond-shaped yellow push-pull knob

   Newer vehicles use a yellow, diamond-shaped push-pull control; pull it out to set the parking or spring brakes and push it in to release them.

   Source: Louisiana Commercial Driver's License Manual, Section 5.1.15 - Parking Brake Controls

3. 3. Why should you avoid pressing the brake pedal while the spring brakes are applied?

   Correct answer: The combined force of the springs and the air pressure could damage the brakes

   Adding air pressure on top of the spring force can damage the brakes, so it is best never to push the pedal when the spring brakes are set.

   Source: Louisiana Commercial Driver's License Manual, Section 5.1.15 - Parking Brake Controls

4. 4. When should you NOT use the parking brakes?

   Correct answer: When the brakes are very hot from a steep grade, or very wet in freezing temperatures

   Hot brakes can be damaged and wet brakes can freeze; in those cases use wheel chocks instead and let the brakes cool or dry first.

   Source: Louisiana Commercial Driver's License Manual, Section 5.4.8 - Parking Brakes

5. 5. On vehicles with dual parking control valves and a separate air tank to release the spring brakes, why must you plan your moves carefully?

   Correct answer: The separate tank holds only enough air to release the spring brakes a few times

   The reserve tank can release the spring brakes only a few times before it runs out, so plan carefully or you may be stranded in a bad spot.

   Source: Louisiana Commercial Driver's License Manual, Section 5.1.15 - Parking Brake Controls

6. 6. What must you do before pulling on the slack adjusters to check them?

   Correct answer: Park on level ground, chock the wheels, and release the parking brakes

   To move the slack adjusters by hand, park on level ground, chock the wheels so the vehicle cannot roll, then release the parking brakes.

   Source: Louisiana Commercial Driver's License Manual, Section 5.3.2 - Walk-around Inspection

7. 7. How do you test that the parking brake will hold?

   Correct answer: Apply the parking brake and, in a low gear, gently try to move forward against it

   With the vehicle stopped, set the parking brake and gently try to move forward in a low gear to confirm it holds.

   Source: Louisiana Commercial Driver's License Manual, Section 5.3.3 - Final Air Brake Check