Kansas CDL — General Knowledge: Signals & Pavement Markings Practice Test

Question 1

In a combination vehicle, which rear lights do you inspect during the lights operations check?

Accepted Answer

Only those on the rear of the trailer — For a combination vehicle, checking the lights at the back of the trailer is enough.

Answer

None; rear lights are not part of the check

Answer

Only those on the rear of the tractor

Answer

Those on the rear of the tractor and the trailer

Question 2

On the road test, as you approach a student pick-up point in a school bus, which lights do you turn on?

Accepted Answer

The amber warning lights and the right turn signal — On the approach you slow down, switch on the amber warning lights and right turn signals, and move as far right as you can.

Answer

The high beams

Answer

The red warning lights and the stop arm

Answer

Only the four-way flashers

Question 3

During the multi-lane part of the road test, which lane changes will you be asked to make?

Accepted Answer

One to the left, then back to the right — You'll change lanes to the left and then return to the right, checking traffic and signaling before each move.

Answer

Two in a row to the left

Answer

None; lane changes are not scored

Answer

One to the right, then back to the left

Question 4

Why can sounding your horn when it isn't needed be a problem?

Accepted Answer

It can startle other road users and create danger — The horn can help prevent a crash, but used needlessly it can startle people and become dangerous.

Answer

It drains the air brake system

Answer

It is illegal in every state

Answer

It cancels your turn signal

Question 5

During a school bus student discharge, at what point do you switch on the stop arm and the red warning lights?

Accepted Answer

After the bus is fully stopped with the transmission in neutral or park and the parking brake set — First bring the bus to a complete stop, put the transmission in neutral or park, and set the parking brake; then turn on the stop arm and red lights.

Answer

About 100 feet before the stop while still rolling

Answer

As soon as you can see the stop ahead

Answer

After the students have left the bus

Question 6

Which student lights must be inspected and demonstrated on both the front and the back of a school bus?

Accepted Answer

The alternately flashing amber and red lights, plus the strobe if equipped — The inspection covers the strobe (if equipped), the alternately flashing amber lights, and the alternately flashing red lights, along with their dash indicators.

Answer

Steady green lights

Answer

Only the four-way flashers

Answer

Only the brake lights

Question 7

How much can dirty headlights cut your light at night?

Accepted Answer

They may give only about half the light they should — Dirt on headlights can leave you with only half their normal light, which makes it harder for you to see and for others to see you.

Answer

Hardly at all, if the bulbs are new

Answer

They only affect the high beams

Answer

They make the lights brighter by scattering them

Question 8

On the vehicle inspection test, from where must the operation of the vehicle's external lights be checked?

Accepted Answer

From outside the vehicle — including lights set off by an automated light-check system — Every external light must be inspected from outside, even when an automatic light-check system turns the lights on.

Answer

From the driver's seat, using the dashboard indicators

Answer

Only from behind the vehicle

Answer

From the examiner's car

Question 9

After you start the engine during a pre-trip inspection, how soon should the oil pressure gauge reach normal?

Accepted Answer

Within seconds — Oil pressure should rise to its normal reading within seconds of starting the engine.

Answer

Only once the engine is fully warm

Answer

After 15 minutes of driving

Answer

Within about 3 minutes

Question 10

The examiner is helping you watch the lights during the lights operations check. What is your job?

Accepted Answer

Tell the examiner exactly which lights to look at as you switch them on from the cab — Guide the examiner around the front, sides, and rear, naming each light you want watched; keep the window down and speak up. Any light you skip earns no credit.

Answer

Turn every light on at once and wait

Answer

Nothing — the examiner decides what to check

Answer

Give the examiner the keys

Question 11

What problem can headlights that are out of adjustment cause?

Accepted Answer

They give you a poor view ahead and can blind other drivers — Lights that don't point the right way won't show you the road well and can glare into other drivers' eyes. Have a qualified person adjust them.

Answer

None, as long as the lenses are clean

Answer

They drain the battery

Answer

They make the high-beam indicator flicker

Question 12

During a walk-around inspection, which colors are acceptable for a rear turn signal?

Accepted Answer

Red, yellow, or amber — Rear turn signals should be clean, working, and red, yellow, or amber.

Answer

White only

Answer

Amber only

Answer

Blue or green

Kansas CDL — General Knowledge: Signals & Pavement Markings practice test

Study questions with answers

1. In a combination vehicle, which rear lights do you inspect during the lights operations check?

2. On the road test, as you approach a student pick-up point in a school bus, which lights do you turn on?

3. During the multi-lane part of the road test, which lane changes will you be asked to make?

4. Why can sounding your horn when it isn't needed be a problem?

5. During a school bus student discharge, at what point do you switch on the stop arm and the red warning lights?

6. Which student lights must be inspected and demonstrated on both the front and the back of a school bus?

7. How much can dirty headlights cut your light at night?

8. On the vehicle inspection test, from where must the operation of the vehicle's external lights be checked?

9. After you start the engine during a pre-trip inspection, how soon should the oil pressure gauge reach normal?

10. The examiner is helping you watch the lights during the lights operations check. What is your job?

11. What problem can headlights that are out of adjustment cause?

12. During a walk-around inspection, which colors are acceptable for a rear turn signal?

More CDL — General Knowledge topics

Practice Signals & Pavement Markings in another state