Parking & Stopping

Study questions with answers

7 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. What must you always do before leaving your vehicle unattended?

   Correct answer: Set the parking brakes or chock the wheels

   If you walk away from the vehicle, always set the parking brakes or chock the wheels so it cannot roll away.

   Source: Massachusetts CDL Manual — Section 5.4.8: Parking Brakes

2. 2. How do you test that the parking brake will hold?

   Correct answer: Set the parking brake and gently try to pull forward in a low gear

   With the parking brake set, ease against it in a low gear; if it holds the vehicle, it passes.

   Source: Massachusetts CDL Manual — Section 5.3.3: Final Air Brake Check

3. 3. Why should you avoid pushing the brake pedal while the spring brakes are already applied?

   Correct answer: The combined force of the springs and the air could damage the brakes

   Adding pedal air pressure on top of the spring force can damage the brakes, so make a habit of not doing it.

   Source: Massachusetts CDL Manual — Section 5.1.15: Parking Brake Controls

4. 4. When should you NOT rely on the parking brakes to hold the vehicle?

   Correct answer: When the brakes are very hot from a steep grade, or very wet in freezing temperatures

   Very hot brakes can be damaged and very wet brakes can freeze; in those cases let them cool or dry and use wheel chocks instead.

   Source: Massachusetts CDL Manual — Section 5.4.8: Parking Brakes

5. 5. During the service-brake test you move forward slowly and firmly press the pedal. What are you watching for?

   Correct answer: Pulling to one side, an unusual feel, or a delayed stop

   Rolling at about 5 mph and applying the brakes reveals pulling, an odd feel, or a slow response that you might not otherwise catch.

   Source: Massachusetts CDL Manual — Section 5.3.3: Final Air Brake Check

6. 6. How often should tanks with manually operated drain valves be emptied?

   Correct answer: At the end of every day of driving

   Manual drain valves require you to drain the tanks yourself at the close of each driving day.

   Source: Massachusetts CDL Manual — Section 5.1.4: Air Tank Drains

7. 7. Water and compressor oil settle in the bottom of the air tanks. Why does that make draining important?

   Correct answer: Trapped water can turn to ice in winter and cause the brakes to fail

   Moisture collects in the tanks and can freeze in cold conditions, which may cause the brakes to fail, so the tanks must be drained.

   Source: Massachusetts CDL Manual — Section 5.1.4: Air Tank Drains