Parking & Stopping

Study questions with answers

8 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. Why should you avoid pressing the brake pedal while the spring brakes are already applied?

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

   Doing so adds air pressure on top of the spring force, and the combined forces could damage the brakes.

   Source: Minnesota Commercial Driver's License Manual, Section 5.1.15 - Parking Brake Controls

2. 2. How are the spring brakes kept released while you drive normally?

   Correct answer: Air pressure holds the powerful springs back

   While driving, air pressure holds the powerful springs back; if that air is lost, the springs push the brakes on.

   Source: Minnesota Commercial Driver's License Manual, Section 5.1.14 - Spring Brakes

3. 3. On newer air brake vehicles, what does the parking brake control usually look like?

   Correct answer: A yellow, diamond-shaped push-pull knob

   Newer vehicles use a yellow, diamond-shaped push-pull knob; you pull it out to set the parking (spring) brakes and push it in to release them.

   Source: Minnesota Commercial Driver's License Manual, Section 5.1.15 - Parking Brake Controls

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

   Correct answer: Set the parking brake and gently pull against it in a low gear

   Stop the vehicle, set the parking brake, and gently pull against it in a low gear to confirm it holds.

   Source: Minnesota Commercial Driver's License Manual, Section 5.3.3 - Test Parking Brake

5. 5. What should you always do before leaving your vehicle unattended?

   Correct answer: Set the parking brakes or chock the wheels

   Never leave the vehicle unattended without setting the parking brakes or chocking the wheels, or it could roll away.

   Source: Minnesota Commercial Driver's License Manual, Section 5.4.8 - Parking Brakes

6. 6. When should you avoid setting the parking brakes and use wheel chocks instead?

   Correct answer: When the brakes are very hot from coming down a steep grade

   Don't set the parking brakes when they are very hot from just coming down a steep grade, because the heat can damage them; let them cool and use chocks.

   Source: Minnesota Commercial Driver's License Manual, Section 5.4.8 - Parking Brakes

7. 7. Why shouldn't you set the parking brakes when the brakes are very wet in freezing temperatures?

   Correct answer: The brakes could freeze so the vehicle cannot move

   Very wet brakes set in freezing weather can freeze, leaving the vehicle unable to move; drive slowly in low gear first to warm and dry them.

   Source: Minnesota Commercial Driver's License Manual, Section 5.4.8 - Parking Brakes

8. 8. How often must you drain air tanks that have manually operated drain valves?

   Correct answer: At the end of each day of driving

   Tanks with manual drains have to be emptied by the driver at the end of each day of driving.

   Source: Minnesota Commercial Driver's License Manual, Section 5.1.4 - Air Tank Drains