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

Question 1

On the basic control skills test, how is touching or crossing an exercise boundary line or cone scored?

Accepted Answer

Each encroachment counts as an error — The examiner tallies every time any part of the vehicle touches or crosses a boundary line or cone, and each one is an error.

Answer

Only the first one counts; later ones are ignored

Answer

It is recorded as a pull-up

Answer

It ends the test on the spot

Question 2

The manual names several situations in which you should warn the drivers behind you that you are slowing or stopped. Which of these is NOT one of them?

Accepted Answer

Being overtaken by a faster vehicle — The listed situations are trouble ahead, tight turns, stopping on the road, and driving slowly. Being passed is not one of them.

Answer

Trouble ahead that will force you to slow

Answer

A tight turn you must take slowly

Answer

Stopping on the road to unload

Question 3

On the vehicle inspection test you confirm that dash indicators work when their lights are switched on. Besides the turn signal and four-way flasher indicators, which are on the manual's list?

Accepted Answer

The high beam headlight and ABS indicators — The dash indicator list covers the left and right turn signals, the four-way emergency flashers, the high beam headlight and the antilock braking system indicator.

Answer

The oil pressure and coolant temperature gauges

Answer

The fuel gauge and odometer

Answer

The tachometer and speedometer

Question 4

While you watch the air pressure gauge in the seven-step inspection, at about what pressure does the manual say the governor usually cuts out?

Accepted Answer

Around 120 to 140 psi — Pressure is built up to the point where the governor cuts out, usually about 120 to 140 psi, and the manual adds that you should know your own vehicle's requirements.

Answer

Around 50 to 90 psi

Answer

Around 90 to 100 psi

Answer

Around 150 to 180 psi

Question 5

On a newer vehicle, the ABS malfunction lamp lights at start-up and then quickly goes out. What does that tell you?

Accepted Answer

It is the normal bulb check — Newer systems light the lamp briefly at start-up as a bulb check. It is a lamp that stays on afterward, or comes on while you are driving, that signals a possible loss of ABS control.

Answer

The ABS has switched itself off

Answer

The brakes need immediate adjustment

Answer

The trailer is not connected

Question 6

On the road test's student discharge for a school bus, what do you activate as you approach the stop at slow speed?

Accepted Answer

The amber warning lights and the right turn signal — On the approach you slow down, keep checking traffic, and switch on the amber warning lights and right turn signal. The stop arm and red lights come after the bus has stopped.

Answer

The red warning lights and the stop arm

Answer

The four-way flashers and the horn

Answer

The left turn signal and the high beams

Question 7

During the in-cab check of the seven-step inspection, how quickly should air pressure build from 50 to 90 psi?

Accepted Answer

Within 3 minutes — When you look at the gauges, the climb from 50 psi to 90 psi should take no more than 3 minutes.

Answer

Within 30 seconds

Answer

Within 10 minutes

Answer

Only once the vehicle is moving

Question 8

In the straight line backing exercise, what marks the path you must back along?

Accepted Answer

Two rows of cones — The lane is formed by two rows of cones, and the vehicle must stay inside the exercise boundaries the whole way back.

Answer

A single painted center line

Answer

Barrels on the driver's side only

Answer

The examiner's hand signals alone

Question 9

During the signal-light check of the seven-step inspection, which colors may the stop lights be?

Accepted Answer

Red, yellow or amber — In Step 6 you confirm that the left rear turn signal and both stop lights are clean, working and the proper color, which the manual gives as red, yellow or amber.

Answer

Red only

Answer

White or amber

Answer

Any color, as long as both lights match

Question 10

Where do tractors, trucks and buses carry their yellow ABS malfunction lamps?

Accepted Answer

On the instrument panel — On powered vehicles the lamp is on the dash; trailers carry theirs on the left side.

Answer

On the left rear corner of the body

Answer

Under the hood, beside the electronic control unit

Answer

On the driver's door frame

Question 11

Right after start-up in the seven-step inspection, which two gauges are expected to climb gradually into the normal operating range?

Accepted Answer

Coolant temperature and engine oil temperature — Oil pressure should reach normal within seconds, but the coolant and engine oil temperature gauges climb gradually toward their normal range.

Answer

Air pressure and oil pressure

Answer

Ammeter and voltmeter

Answer

Fuel level and tachometer

Question 12

During the air brake check on the inspection test, the low air warning device (buzzer, light or flag) should come on before pressure falls below what level?

Accepted Answer

55 psi, or the level the manufacturer specifies — As you fan off the air, the low air warning should activate before pressure gets under 55 psi or the manufacturer's specified level.

Answer

20 psi, or the level the manufacturer specifies

Answer

90 psi, or the level the manufacturer specifies

Answer

120 psi, the governor cut-out

New Mexico CDL — General Knowledge: Signals & Pavement Markings practice test

Study questions with answers

1. On the basic control skills test, how is touching or crossing an exercise boundary line or cone scored?

2. The manual names several situations in which you should warn the drivers behind you that you are slowing or stopped. Which of these is NOT one of them?

3. On the vehicle inspection test you confirm that dash indicators work when their lights are switched on. Besides the turn signal and four-way flasher indicators, which are on the manual's list?

4. While you watch the air pressure gauge in the seven-step inspection, at about what pressure does the manual say the governor usually cuts out?

5. On a newer vehicle, the ABS malfunction lamp lights at start-up and then quickly goes out. What does that tell you?

6. On the road test's student discharge for a school bus, what do you activate as you approach the stop at slow speed?

7. During the in-cab check of the seven-step inspection, how quickly should air pressure build from 50 to 90 psi?

8. In the straight line backing exercise, what marks the path you must back along?

9. During the signal-light check of the seven-step inspection, which colors may the stop lights be?

10. Where do tractors, trucks and buses carry their yellow ABS malfunction lamps?

11. Right after start-up in the seven-step inspection, which two gauges are expected to climb gradually into the normal operating range?

12. During the air brake check on the inspection test, the low air warning device (buzzer, light or flag) should come on before pressure falls below what level?

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