Parking & Stopping

Study questions with answers

8 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. Before walking away from a parked commercial vehicle, what must you do?

   Correct answer: Set the parking brakes or chock the wheels

   An unattended vehicle can roll away, so you must set the parking brakes or chock the wheels.

   Source: 5.4.8 Parking Brakes

2. 2. On a newer air-brake vehicle, how do you set the parking brakes?

   Correct answer: Pull the yellow, diamond-shaped knob out

   Newer vehicles use a diamond-shaped yellow push-pull knob; pulling it out applies the spring/parking brakes and pushing it in releases them.

   Source: 5.1.15 / 5.4.8 Parking Brakes

3. 3. If your brakes are too hot to set the parking brakes safely, how should you secure the vehicle?

   Correct answer: Chock the wheels on level ground and let the brakes cool

   When hot brakes rule out the parking brake, use wheel chocks on level ground and wait for the brakes to cool.

   Source: 5.4.8 Parking Brakes

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

   Correct answer: The combined forces could damage the brakes

   Adding air pressure on top of the spring force can damage the braking components, so drivers are cautioned against it.

   Source: 5.1.15 Parking Brake Controls

5. 5. Setting the parking brakes on soaking-wet brakes in freezing weather can cause what?

   Correct answer: The brakes can freeze so the vehicle can't move

   Wet brakes used in freezing temperatures can freeze in place, leaving the vehicle unable to move.

   Source: 5.4.8 Parking Brakes

6. 6. When is it a bad idea to set the parking brakes right after coming down a steep grade?

   Correct answer: When the brakes are still very hot

   Setting the parking brakes while they are still very hot can damage them, so hot brakes should be allowed to cool first.

   Source: 5.4.8 Parking Brakes

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

   Correct answer: Set it and gently tug against it in a low gear

   You confirm it holds by setting the parking brake and easing the vehicle forward against it in a low gear.

   Source: 5.3.3 Test Parking Brake

8. 8. Why must emergency and parking brakes be held on by mechanical force?

   Correct answer: Because air can slowly leak off over time

   Air can slowly bleed off over time, so the parking and emergency brakes must be held mechanically, which is what spring brakes do.

   Source: 5.1.14 Spring Brakes