Maine CDL — General Knowledge: Safe Driving Practices Practice Test

Question 1

What does the inspection section say movement in the steering linkage can cause?

Accepted Answer

The vehicle to wander or have other serious control problems — Play in the linkage can make the vehicle wander, and worn, cracked, loose or broken steering parts can end in a complete loss of steering.

Answer

Faster tire wear and nothing more

Answer

A louder horn

Answer

Higher fuel use and nothing more

Question 2

Before a winter trip, you expect to rely on mirror heaters and a fuel tank heater. What does the manual say to do?

Accepted Answer

Check that they operate — Along with the defrosters and cab heater, any other heaters you expect to need, such as mirror, battery box or fuel tank heaters, should be tested before you go.

Answer

Leave them off until the temperature drops below zero

Answer

Disconnect them to protect the battery

Answer

Run them only while parked

Question 3

According to the inspection section, what can a leaf spring that has shifted out of place do?

Accepted Answer

Strike a tire and cause a blowout, or interfere with steering — A shifted spring can hit a tire and blow it out or get in the way of the steering, which is why springs and their mounts are checked for missing, shifted, cracked or broken parts.

Answer

Improve the ride when the truck is empty

Answer

Raise the vehicle's ground clearance

Answer

Nothing, as long as it is not cracked

Question 4

Before driving a bus, what should you do with open access panels for baggage, restroom service or the engine?

Accepted Answer

Close them — While checking the outside of the bus, the driver closes any open emergency exits and any open access panels before moving.

Answer

Leave them open for ventilation

Answer

Remove them for the trip

Answer

Prop them open with a strap

Question 5

On the pre-trip equipment check for Maine's school bus examination, what share of the items must be checked properly to qualify?

Accepted Answer

80% — The examiner keeps a score sheet, and the applicant has to check 80% of the listed items correctly. Falling short ends the test after the examiner reviews the missed items.

Answer

60%

Answer

70%

Answer

100%

Question 6

You are inspecting a tire and can see fabric through the sidewall. What does the manual say?

Accepted Answer

The tire is defective; fabric must not be visible in the tread or sidewall — Bad wear is a tire defect on any wheel position. Fabric visible in the tread or the sidewall means the tire is not fit to run.

Answer

It is fine on a trailer tire

Answer

It is acceptable if the tread is deep enough

Answer

It matters only on steer tires

Question 7

As you walk up to your vehicle for an inspection, it is leaning to one side on level ground. What might that indicate?

Accepted Answer

A suspension problem — A sound vehicle sits level in both directions, lengthwise and across. A lean is a sign that something in the suspension may be wrong.

Answer

A full fuel tank on that side

Answer

Normal settling after a long trip

Answer

Low washer fluid

Question 8

You are assigned to haul heavy pieces of metal. What does the cargo section say about securing them?

Accepted Answer

There are special securement requirements you should find out about first — Beyond the general tie-down rules, the manual notes that various heavy metal pieces have special securing requirements and tells drivers to learn them before carrying such loads.

Answer

They need no tie-downs because of their weight

Answer

They may be secured with rope alone

Answer

They must be carried in a closed van

Question 9

On the inspection test, the windshield must be free of obstructions. What single exception does the manual name?

Accepted Answer

An inspection sticker — The windshield has to be clean and undamaged, with nothing blocking the driver's viewing area other than an inspection sticker.

Answer

A toll transponder

Answer

A dash camera

Answer

A parking permit

Question 10

At the rear of the vehicle, what should you confirm about the splash guards?

Accepted Answer

That they are present, undamaged, properly fastened and not dragging or rubbing the tires — Splash guards are part of the rear walk-around: they should be there, in good shape, fastened correctly and clear of both the ground and the tires.

Answer

That they are taken off in dry weather

Answer

That they touch the tires to stay in place

Answer

That they are painted a reflective color

Question 11

Why does the inspection test have you look for loose or cracked frame members?

Accepted Answer

They can reduce stability and cause handling problems such as wandering or a rollover — Frame members support the body. If they are loose or cracked, the vehicle can become unstable and hard to handle in corners, up to a total loss of control.

Answer

They make the vehicle fail emissions testing

Answer

They affect only how the vehicle looks

Answer

They cause the lights to flicker

Question 12

On long runs you tend to hunt through radio stations while driving. What does the manual suggest instead?

Accepted Answer

Pre-program your stations before you start driving — The goal is to clear away in-vehicle distractions before the trip starts, which includes setting up radio presets and music ahead of time.

Answer

Tune only on straight stretches of road

Answer

Ask dispatch to pick the stations by phone

Answer

Keep one hand on the dial at all times

Maine CDL — General Knowledge: Safe Driving Practices practice test

Study questions with answers

1. What does the inspection section say movement in the steering linkage can cause?

2. Before a winter trip, you expect to rely on mirror heaters and a fuel tank heater. What does the manual say to do?

3. According to the inspection section, what can a leaf spring that has shifted out of place do?

4. Before driving a bus, what should you do with open access panels for baggage, restroom service or the engine?

5. On the pre-trip equipment check for Maine's school bus examination, what share of the items must be checked properly to qualify?

6. You are inspecting a tire and can see fabric through the sidewall. What does the manual say?

7. As you walk up to your vehicle for an inspection, it is leaning to one side on level ground. What might that indicate?

8. You are assigned to haul heavy pieces of metal. What does the cargo section say about securing them?

9. On the inspection test, the windshield must be free of obstructions. What single exception does the manual name?

10. At the rear of the vehicle, what should you confirm about the splash guards?

11. Why does the inspection test have you look for loose or cracked frame members?

12. On long runs you tend to hunt through radio stations while driving. What does the manual suggest instead?

More CDL — General Knowledge topics

Practice Safe Driving Practices in another state