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. What is the best general policy toward backing a commercial vehicle?

   Correct answer: Avoid backing whenever possible

   Because you cannot see everything behind you, backing is always risky, so avoid it whenever you can and try to park to pull forward when leaving.

   Source: Missouri CDL Manual — Section 2.2: Basic Control of Your Vehicle

2. 2. How far ahead does the manual say good drivers should be looking?

   Correct answer: About 12 to 15 seconds ahead

   Most skilled drivers keep their eyes about 12 to 15 seconds down the road—roughly a block at low speed and about a quarter mile at highway speed.

   Source: Missouri CDL Manual — Section 2.4: Seeing

3. 3. Dirty headlights at night can reduce the light they give by about how much?

   Correct answer: About half

   Grime on your headlights can cut their output roughly in half, hurting both your ability to see and others' ability to see you.

   Source: Missouri CDL Manual — Section 2.11: Driving at Night

4. 4. How should you hold the steering wheel while driving?

   Correct answer: With both hands firmly on opposite sides

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

   Source: Missouri CDL Manual — Section 2.2: Basic Control of Your Vehicle

5. 5. Before starting down a steep hill, what should you do with your gears?

   Correct answer: Downshift into low gear before descending

   Shift into a low gear before you begin the descent; do not wait, because once speed builds you may be unable to downshift and could lose all engine braking.

   Source: Missouri CDL Manual — Section 2.3: Shifting Gears

6. 6. One quick way to check whether the road surface is beginning to ice over is to do what?

   Correct answer: Feel the mirror, its support, or the antenna for ice

   Roll the window down and touch the face of the mirror, its bracket, or the antenna; if ice has formed there, the roadway is likely icing too.

   Source: Missouri CDL Manual — Section 2.6: Controlling Speed

7. 7. Why should you downshift before entering a curve?

   Correct answer: So you can apply some power for stability through the curve

   Slowing and selecting the right gear before the curve lets you apply a little power through it, keeping the vehicle more stable and letting you accelerate out.

   Source: Missouri CDL Manual — Section 2.3: Shifting Gears

8. 8. When you must back a large vehicle, which direction should you turn toward whenever possible?

   Correct answer: Toward the driver's side

   Back toward the driver's side so you can watch the rear through your side window; backing to the right is riskier because you cannot see as well.

   Source: Missouri CDL Manual — Section 2.2: Basic Control of Your Vehicle

9. 9. In a curved mirror (convex or “fisheye”) on a large truck, how do objects appear?

   Correct answer: Smaller and farther away than they really are

   Convex mirrors show a wider view, but everything looks smaller and appears farther away than it actually is, so you must account for that.

   Source: Missouri CDL Manual — Section 2.4: Seeing

10. 10. What is the proper braking pattern when descending a long, steep grade at your chosen safe speed?

    Correct answer: Brake to about 5 mph below your safe speed, release, then repeat

    Once in the right low gear, brake firmly enough to feel a definite slowdown, drop about 5 mph below your safe speed, release, and repeat as the speed climbs back up.

    Source: Missouri CDL Manual — Section 2.16: Mountain Driving

11. 11. In very hot weather, how often should you inspect the tires?

    Correct answer: Every two hours or 100 miles

    During very hot driving, check tire mounting and pressure every two hours or every 100 miles, and if any tire is too hot for your hand, remain stopped until it cools.

    Source: Missouri CDL Manual — Section 2.14: Driving in Very Hot Weather

12. 12. When starting on an upgrade with a manual transmission, how can you avoid rolling back?

    Correct answer: Partly engage the clutch before releasing the brake

    Partly engage the clutch before releasing the brake, and use the parking brake as needed, releasing it only once you have enough engine power to hold the vehicle.

    Source: Missouri CDL Manual — Section 2.2: Basic Control of Your Vehicle