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. At night, within what distance of an oncoming vehicle must you dim your high beams?

   Correct answer: Within 500 feet

   Lower your high beams once you come within 500 feet of a vehicle approaching you, and likewise when trailing another vehicle by less than 500 feet.

   Source: Pennsylvania CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Night Driving Procedures)

2. 2. What is the correct practice for a turn signal while you are actually making a turn?

   Correct answer: Keep the signal on until the turn is finished

   Signal continuously through the turn and do not cancel it until the turn is complete, so you can keep both hands on the wheel.

   Source: Pennsylvania CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Signal Your Intentions)

3. 3. When you stop on a two-way, two-lane road, where should the warning devices that mark the ends of your vehicle go?

   Correct answer: Within 10 feet of the corners and 100 feet ahead and behind

   On such a road, one device sits no more than 10 feet from a corner of the truck, with additional devices 100 feet ahead and 100 feet back.

   Source: Pennsylvania CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Communicating Your Presence)

4. 4. When you are about to pass another vehicle, pedestrian, or bicyclist, how can you communicate your presence?

   Correct answer: Lightly tap the horn or, at night, flash low to high beam

   Where it is legal, give the horn a light tap; after dark, briefly switch your lights from low beam up to high and down again — and drive as if they never noticed you.

   Source: Pennsylvania CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Communicating Your Presence)

5. 5. In an air-brake system, how are your brake lights turned on to warn drivers behind you?

   Correct answer: An electric switch worked by air pressure turns them on

   The stop light switch is an electric switch operated by air pressure that turns on the brake lights when you apply the air brakes.

   Source: Pennsylvania CDL Manual — Section 5: Air Brakes (Stop Light Switch)

6. 6. When should you turn on your four-way emergency flashers?

   Correct answer: When you are moving very slowly or are stopped

   Switch on the four-way flashers any time you are stopped or creeping along very slowly, so drivers closing in on you get earlier warning.

   Source: Pennsylvania CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Communicating)

7. 7. Where is the ABS malfunction lamp located on a trailer equipped with antilock brakes?

   Correct answer: A yellow lamp mounted on the trailer's left side

   A trailer's yellow ABS warning lamp is mounted on its left side, at either the front corner or the rear corner.

   Source: Pennsylvania CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (How to Know If Your Vehicle Is Equipped with ABS)

8. 8. If you must stop on the road or shoulder, within how much time must your emergency warning devices be placed out?

   Correct answer: Within ten minutes

   If you stop on the road or shoulder, your warning devices have to be placed out within a ten-minute window.

   Source: Pennsylvania CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Communicating Your Presence)

9. 9. Some drivers try to signal others when it is safe to pass. Why should a commercial driver avoid doing this?

   Correct answer: It could cause a crash and you could be held responsible

   You should not wave other drivers on to pass — doing so could cause a crash for which you could be blamed and held liable.

   Source: Pennsylvania CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Signal Your Intentions)

10. 10. How can you warn drivers behind you that you are about to slow down?

    Correct answer: Tap the brake pedal a few times to flash the brake lights

    Lightly tapping the brake pedal several times makes the brake lights flash, which alerts the drivers behind that you are about to slow.

    Source: Pennsylvania CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Slowing Down)

11. 11. What is a good rule for using turn signals when preparing to turn a large vehicle?

    Correct answer: Signal well ahead of time, before you begin the turn

    Signal early — well before the turn — so other drivers know your intentions and are less likely to try to pass you.

    Source: Pennsylvania CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Signal Your Intentions)

12. 12. If you must stop on or beside a one-way or divided highway, where should you place your warning devices?

    Correct answer: At 10, 100, and 200 feet toward the approaching traffic

    When stopped on a divided or one-way roadway, set the warning devices toward oncoming traffic at distances of 10, 100, and 200 feet.

    Source: Pennsylvania CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Communicating Your Presence)