Iowa CDL — General Knowledge: Sharing the Road Practice Test

Question 1

A driver ahead keeps braking, creeps along slowly, and seems to be reading house numbers. What does that suggest?

Accepted Answer

A confused driver who may not be paying attention to you — Hesitation, frequent braking, very slow driving, and studying street signs, maps, or house numbers are clues to a confused driver who may not notice you.

Answer

A driver signaling you to pass

Answer

An unmarked police car

Answer

A driver about to pull over for repairs

Question 2

If your bus aisle is lower than the seats, when is it best to remind riders about the step-down?

Accepted Answer

Before the bus comes to a complete stop — Remind riders of the step-down, ideally before you come to a full stop, along with reminding them to take their carry-ons.

Answer

After everyone has stood up

Answer

Only at the final destination

Answer

Only after someone trips

Question 3

Besides checking that the buses are safe, what should mass transit drivers confirm during the after-trip inspection?

Accepted Answer

That the brake-door interlocks and the riders' signal devices are working — Transit drivers' end-of-shift checks should also cover the riders' signal devices and the brake-door interlocks.

Answer

That every seat cushion is spotless

Answer

That fare boxes are empty

Answer

That riders' lost items are logged

Question 4

Besides harming tires and rims, what damage can objects that have fallen onto the road do to a truck?

Accepted Answer

Damage electrical and brake lines or get caught between dual tires — Road debris can damage electrical and brake lines and can lodge between dual tires and cause severe damage, so spot it early and avoid it without sudden moves.

Answer

Lower its fuel economy

Answer

Crack the windshield from below

Answer

Set off the airbags

Question 5

Which of these does the manual give as an example of a driver whose vision may be blocked?

Accepted Answer

A loaded station wagon or a car with its rear window blocked — Vans, loaded station wagons, and cars with blocked rear windows are examples of drivers who may not be able to see you.

Answer

A convertible with the top down

Answer

A motorcycle rider

Answer

A car with its headlights on

Question 6

You want to report an aggressive driver. What information does the manual suggest giving authorities?

Accepted Answer

A description of the vehicle, its license number, the location, and its direction of travel if possible — Report aggressive drivers with a vehicle description, plate number, location, and if you can, which way they were headed. Call police only if you can do it safely.

Answer

Only the car's color

Answer

Your opinion of the driver

Answer

Your trip log

Question 7

Which seemingly harmless habit does the manual warn could anger another driver?

Accepted Answer

Shaking your head in irritation — Avoid gestures, even mild expressions of annoyance such as shaking your head, and keep your hands on the wheel.

Answer

Using your turn signals

Answer

Keeping a safe following distance

Answer

Driving in the right lane

Question 8

Why should a bus driver report rider damage to handholds, seats, emergency exits, or windows at the end of a shift?

Accepted Answer

So mechanics can repair it before the bus goes out again — Riders sometimes damage safety-related parts. Reporting it at the end of your shift lets mechanics fix it before the bus is used again.

Answer

So the riders can be billed

Answer

Because damage cancels the bus registration

Answer

So the next driver can avoid those seats

Question 9

You're about to pass a pedestrian walking along the edge of the road. What should you assume?

Accepted Answer

That the pedestrian doesn't see you and could suddenly move in front of you — Treat anyone you're about to pass, whether walking, cycling, or driving, as unaware of you, and leave yourself enough margin to avoid hitting them even if they never notice.

Answer

That the pedestrian has seen you and will stay put

Answer

That pedestrians always yield to trucks

Answer

That a horn tap is never allowed

Question 10

On a transit bus with a brake-door interlock, what happens when the rear door is opened?

Accepted Answer

The brakes apply and the throttle is held at idle — While the rear door stands open, the interlock sets the brakes and keeps the throttle at idle; closing the door releases it. Don't treat it as a substitute for the parking brake.

Answer

The horn sounds

Answer

The bus can still accelerate normally

Answer

The parking brake releases

Question 11

Your bus breaks down with riders aboard. When may it be towed or pushed with the riders still on it?

Accepted Answer

Only if getting off would be unsafe, and only to the nearest safe spot to unload — A broken-down bus shouldn't be towed or pushed while riders are on it unless getting off would be unsafe, and then only to the closest safe place to unload them. Follow your employer's guidelines.

Answer

Any time the tow is under 10 miles

Answer

Never under any circumstances

Answer

Whenever the riders agree

Question 12

Where does the manual say riders must not leave carry-on baggage on a bus?

Accepted Answer

In a doorway or the aisle — Nothing should sit in an aisle or doorway where it could trip riders. Secure baggage so the driver can move freely, riders can use any exit in an emergency, and shifting items won't hurt anyone.

Answer

Under their own seat

Answer

In the overhead rack

Answer

In the baggage compartment

Iowa CDL — General Knowledge: Sharing the Road practice test

Study questions with answers

1. A driver ahead keeps braking, creeps along slowly, and seems to be reading house numbers. What does that suggest?

2. If your bus aisle is lower than the seats, when is it best to remind riders about the step-down?

3. Besides checking that the buses are safe, what should mass transit drivers confirm during the after-trip inspection?

4. Besides harming tires and rims, what damage can objects that have fallen onto the road do to a truck?

5. Which of these does the manual give as an example of a driver whose vision may be blocked?

6. You want to report an aggressive driver. What information does the manual suggest giving authorities?

7. Which seemingly harmless habit does the manual warn could anger another driver?

8. Why should a bus driver report rider damage to handholds, seats, emergency exits, or windows at the end of a shift?

9. You're about to pass a pedestrian walking along the edge of the road. What should you assume?

10. On a transit bus with a brake-door interlock, what happens when the rear door is opened?

11. Your bus breaks down with riders aboard. When may it be towed or pushed with the riders still on it?

12. Where does the manual say riders must not leave carry-on baggage on a bus?

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