New Jersey CDL — General Knowledge: Signals & Pavement Markings Practice Test

Question 1

At night, why are your turn signals and brake lights considered even more important than in daytime?

Accepted Answer

They are the main way to tell other drivers your intentions — In darkness these lights become the main way of telling other drivers what you plan to do, so they must be clean and working.

Answer

They help cool the electrical system

Answer

They replace the need for headlights

Answer

They are only decorative at night

Question 2

On a divided or one-way highway, where must you place your three warning devices after stopping?

Accepted Answer

At 10, 100, and 200 feet toward approaching traffic — On a one-way or divided highway, set the triangles at about 10 feet, 100 feet, and 200 feet from the vehicle toward the approaching traffic.

Answer

All three within 10 feet of the bumper

Answer

At 50, 150, and 250 feet ahead

Answer

Only one, placed directly behind the vehicle

Question 3

On a two-way, two-lane road with traffic moving in each direction, where should warning devices be placed after you stop?

Accepted Answer

Within 10 feet of the vehicle and about 100 feet ahead and behind — On a two-way road, put a device within 10 feet of the vehicle to mark it, plus one about 100 feet behind and one about 100 feet ahead.

Answer

Only one device, 200 feet behind the vehicle

Answer

At 10, 100, and 200 feet behind only

Answer

All three ahead of the vehicle

Question 4

How can you warn following drivers that you are about to slow down when you spot a hazard ahead?

Accepted Answer

Lightly tap the brakes to flash your brake lights — Tapping the brake pedal lightly a couple of times flashes your brake lights and warns the drivers behind you that a slowdown is coming.

Answer

Turn the steering wheel back and forth

Answer

Speed up briefly to close the gap

Answer

Switch your headlights to high beam

Question 5

If a hill or curve blocks other drivers from seeing your stopped vehicle within 500 feet, what should you do with the rear warning device?

Accepted Answer

Move it farther back beyond the obstruction so drivers get warning — When a hill or curve obstructs the view, move the rear triangle farther back down the road so approaching drivers get warning before the obstruction.

Answer

Remove it entirely to avoid confusion

Answer

Place it directly on top of the vehicle

Answer

Leave it at exactly 10 feet regardless

Question 6

When changing lanes in a commercial vehicle, how should you handle the maneuver?

Accepted Answer

Signal first, then change lanes slowly and smoothly — Put your turn signal on before moving, then change lanes slowly and smoothly so a driver you missed has a chance to react.

Answer

Move quickly without signaling to clear the lane

Answer

Flash your high beams instead of signaling

Answer

Change lanes only while braking hard

Question 7

After you stop on a road or shoulder, within how many minutes must you set out your emergency warning devices?

Accepted Answer

Within 10 minutes — Any time you stop on the roadway or shoulder, the emergency warning devices must be set out within ten minutes.

Answer

Within 30 minutes

Answer

Within one hour

Answer

Only if you leave the vehicle

Question 8

What are the three good rules for using turn signals when making a turn in a large vehicle?

Accepted Answer

Signal early, keep it on through the turn, then cancel it — Signal early so others don't try to pass, keep signaling through the whole turn since both hands are needed on the wheel, and cancel the signal after finishing.

Answer

Signal late, briefly, and leave it flashing

Answer

Signal only if other cars are close

Answer

Tap the signal once and rely on brake lights

Question 9

When should you use your four-way emergency flashers?

Accepted Answer

When driving very slowly or stopped — Turn on the four-way flashers when you are moving very slowly or are stopped, to warn other drivers of the situation.

Answer

Only while passing another vehicle

Answer

Whenever your headlights are on

Answer

Only during daytime hours

Question 10

Why should you hold the warning triangles between yourself and oncoming traffic while placing them?

Accepted Answer

So oncoming drivers can see you and you stay safer — Keeping the triangle between you and approaching vehicles makes you more visible to those drivers, protecting your own safety.

Answer

To keep the triangle from blowing away

Answer

To reflect your headlights back at you

Answer

Because the law requires carrying them that way

Question 11

Why should a commercial driver avoid signaling other drivers when it is safe to pass?

Accepted Answer

It could cause a crash for which you may be blamed — Waving another driver on can trigger a crash for which you may be blamed; you should never direct traffic in that way.

Answer

It drains the vehicle's battery

Answer

It is only allowed at night

Answer

It is required before every pass

Question 12

When you are about to pass a pedestrian, cyclist, or another vehicle and it is legal, what is one good way to signal your presence?

Accepted Answer

Lightly tap the horn, or at night flash low to high beam — Assume they don't see you; when legal, a light tap of the horn, or flashing from low to high beam at night, alerts them you are there.

Answer

Turn off all your lights briefly

Answer

Speed up so they notice the sound

Answer

Sound a long, continuous blast of the horn

Signals & Pavement Markings

Study questions with answers

1. At night, why are your turn signals and brake lights considered even more important than in daytime?

2. On a divided or one-way highway, where must you place your three warning devices after stopping?

3. On a two-way, two-lane road with traffic moving in each direction, where should warning devices be placed after you stop?

4. How can you warn following drivers that you are about to slow down when you spot a hazard ahead?

5. If a hill or curve blocks other drivers from seeing your stopped vehicle within 500 feet, what should you do with the rear warning device?

6. When changing lanes in a commercial vehicle, how should you handle the maneuver?

7. After you stop on a road or shoulder, within how many minutes must you set out your emergency warning devices?

8. What are the three good rules for using turn signals when making a turn in a large vehicle?

9. When should you use your four-way emergency flashers?

10. Why should you hold the warning triangles between yourself and oncoming traffic while placing them?

11. Why should a commercial driver avoid signaling other drivers when it is safe to pass?

12. When you are about to pass a pedestrian, cyclist, or another vehicle and it is legal, what is one good way to signal your presence?

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