Florida CDL — General Knowledge: Sharing the Road Practice Test

Question 1

How should a commercial driver approach a highway work zone?

Accepted Answer

Slow down, obey the reduced limit, and watch for workers — Slow down, obey the posted work-zone speed, watch for workers and sudden stops, and be ready for lane shifts. Fines for speeding in a work zone are typically increased.

Answer

Maintain highway speed to clear it quickly

Answer

Change lanes rapidly to pass other traffic

Question 2

Which vehicles are generally required to stop at every railroad crossing, even when no train is coming?

Accepted Answer

Buses carrying passengers and trucks hauling placarded hazardous materials — Certain vehicles — such as buses carrying passengers and trucks placarded for hazardous materials — must stop at railroad crossings, check that the way is clear, and then cross without shifting gears.

Answer

All commercial vehicles without exception

Answer

Only empty flatbed trailers

Answer

Only vehicles with a single axle

Question 3

Why do parcel and postal delivery vans call for extra caution from a commercial driver?

Accepted Answer

Their drivers work against the clock and may step out or pull into the lane without warning — Cartons and open doors block the view out of a step van, and the delivery schedule pushes its driver to hurry. Treat any stopped delivery vehicle as one that may launch back into the traffic lane.

Answer

They are excused from stopping at red lights

Answer

Their brakes are weaker than a heavy truck's

Answer

They are not permitted to signal their turns

Question 4

After one train passes at a multi-track crossing, why must you keep watching before you proceed?

Accepted Answer

Another train may be approaching on a second track — A second train may be coming on another track, sometimes hidden behind the first. Wait until you can see clearly in both directions and the way is truly clear.

Answer

The crossing gates recharge slowly

Answer

The road is always icy near tracks

Question 5

At a blind alley you can make out the nose of a van but not the person driving it. What should you conclude?

Accepted Answer

The driver cannot see you either, so be ready to stop — If the driver is outside your line of sight, you are outside theirs. A vehicle hidden by an alley, a loaded van, and a car with iced-over glass all belong to the same family of blocked-vision hazards.

Answer

The van is parked and no longer a concern

Answer

The driver has already yielded the way to you

Answer

The alley must be closed to through traffic

Question 6

You come up on a police cruiser stopped on the shoulder with its lights going. What does a move-over law expect of you?

Accepted Answer

Move into a lane away from the cruiser when it is safe, and otherwise slow down and pass carefully — Officers and roadside crews are struck far too often, so states require passing traffic to leave them a buffer. Where changing lanes would be unsafe, cut your speed instead and pass with great care.

Answer

Sound the horn and hold your lane and speed

Answer

Stop on the shoulder behind it until an officer waves you on

Answer

Speed up briefly so you clear the scene quickly

Question 7

You are passing a row of parked cars and a transit bus loading at the curb. What deserves most of your attention?

Accepted Answer

Signs that a door is about to swing open or a rider is about to step out from behind the bus — Exhaust, brake lights, turning wheels or movement inside a car all warn that it is about to pull out. Riders leaving a bus often cross ahead of it or behind it and cannot see around it.

Answer

The odometer reading showing on the bus

Answer

Whether the parked cars sit inside their marked spaces

Answer

The condition of the paint on the curb

Question 8

Why should a commercial driver avoid shifting gears while crossing railroad tracks?

Accepted Answer

The vehicle could stall on the tracks if it slips out of gear — If you shift on the tracks, the vehicle could slip out of gear and stall where you cannot move. Pick a gear that will let you cross completely without shifting.

Answer

Shifting on the tracks wastes fuel

Answer

It is against railroad company policy

Question 9

Why should you assume a jogger or a cyclist on the shoulder has no idea your truck is coming?

Accepted Answer

Many face away from traffic, and headsets, hoods or umbrellas can hide you completely — People on foot or on a bike often travel with their backs to traffic and their ears covered, and rain gear narrows what little they can see. Pass wide and slow enough that a sudden step into your lane is survivable.

Answer

They are required by law to yield without looking

Answer

Truck engines run quieter than car engines do

Answer

Bicycles are always ridden facing oncoming vehicles

Question 10

Before starting across railroad tracks, the driver of a long vehicle must be sure that:

Accepted Answer

There is enough room to completely clear the tracks without stopping — Never start across unless you can get all the way over the tracks without stopping. Leave room on the far side for your whole vehicle, and do not count on being able to back up.

Answer

There is a gas station on the far side

Answer

The gates are painted the correct color

Florida CDL — General Knowledge: Sharing the Road practice test

Study questions with answers

1. How should a commercial driver approach a highway work zone?

2. Which vehicles are generally required to stop at every railroad crossing, even when no train is coming?

3. Why do parcel and postal delivery vans call for extra caution from a commercial driver?

4. After one train passes at a multi-track crossing, why must you keep watching before you proceed?

5. At a blind alley you can make out the nose of a van but not the person driving it. What should you conclude?

6. You come up on a police cruiser stopped on the shoulder with its lights going. What does a move-over law expect of you?

7. You are passing a row of parked cars and a transit bus loading at the curb. What deserves most of your attention?

8. Why should a commercial driver avoid shifting gears while crossing railroad tracks?

9. Why should you assume a jogger or a cyclist on the shoulder has no idea your truck is coming?

10. Before starting across railroad tracks, the driver of a long vehicle must be sure that:

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