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

Question 1

Why should you keep your turn signal on continuously through a turn?

Accepted Answer

Because you should not cancel it until the turn is complete — Because both hands are needed on the wheel to turn safely, you should leave the signal running and not cancel it until the turn is finished.

Answer

So the bulb does not burn out

Answer

To save fuel

Answer

It is not necessary to keep it on

Question 2

When following another vehicle at night, at what point should you switch to low beams?

Accepted Answer

When following within 500 feet — You should drop to low beams when you are following within 500 feet of the vehicle ahead so your lights do not glare in their mirrors.

Answer

Only when directly bumper to bumper

Answer

You never need low beams when following

Answer

When following within 50 feet

Question 3

The four-way emergency flashers are meant to be used in which situation?

Accepted Answer

When you are moving very slowly or stopped — Emergency flashers are for when you are moving very slowly or are stopped, warning others of your reduced pace.

Answer

Any time you exceed the speed limit

Answer

Whenever you make a routine turn

Answer

Only in the rain

Question 4

When you pull off and stop at the roadside, what lights should you be sure to turn on?

Accepted Answer

The four-way emergency flashers — Whenever you park at the edge of the road, switch on the four-way emergency flashers; do not rely on taillights alone to warn traffic.

Answer

High-beam headlights only

Answer

The interior dome light

Answer

No lights are needed if it is daytime

Question 5

In dawn, dusk, rain, or snow, what should you turn on to make your vehicle easier to see?

Accepted Answer

Your headlights on low beam — When visibility drops, switch on your headlights—using the low beams, not merely the clearance or marker lamps.

Answer

Only your identification lights

Answer

Just your parking lights

Answer

Nothing, to avoid glare

Question 6

Before changing lanes, what should you do with your turn signal?

Accepted Answer

Switch it on before starting the lane change — Put the turn signal on before you move over, and change lanes slowly and smoothly so a driver you missed has a chance to react.

Answer

Signal only after you are halfway over

Answer

Skip signaling on multi-lane roads

Answer

Use your horn instead of the signal

Question 7

At a crossing with a painted stop line, where must the front of a stopped school bus stay?

Accepted Answer

Behind the painted stop line — Where a white stop line is painted before the tracks, the bus's front end must stay behind that painted line while waiting.

Answer

Just past the line for better visibility

Answer

On top of the nearest rail

Answer

Anywhere within fifty feet

Question 8

At night, how might you signal your presence to a vehicle you are about to pass?

Accepted Answer

Repeatedly switch between low and high beams — When it is legal, briefly flashing your headlights from low to high and back can alert the driver ahead that you are passing.

Answer

Turn off your lights entirely

Answer

Hold your high beams on the whole time

Answer

Flash your hazard lights repeatedly

Question 9

When is the best time to activate your turn signal before making a turn?

Accepted Answer

Early, well before you begin the turn — Signaling well in advance of a turn is the surest way to discourage others from trying to pass you as you turn.

Answer

Only after you start turning the wheel

Answer

Right as your front tires leave the lane

Answer

Signaling is optional for large vehicles

Question 10

If another driver refuses to dim their high beams at you, what should you do?

Accepted Answer

Look toward the right edge of the road and keep low beams on — Do not retaliate by turning on your own high beams; that only worsens the glare and raises the chance of a crash. Instead look toward the right edge of your lane.

Answer

Flip on your high beams to match theirs

Answer

Flash your brake lights at them

Answer

Speed up to get past them quickly

Question 11

Within what distance of an oncoming vehicle at night should you dim your high beams?

Accepted Answer

Within 500 feet — You should lower your headlights from high to low beam once you come within 500 feet of a vehicle approaching you.

Answer

Within 100 feet

Answer

Within 250 feet

Answer

Within 1,000 feet

Question 12

How can you warn drivers behind you that you are about to slow down?

Accepted Answer

Tap the brake pedal to flash your brake lights — A few gentle taps on the brake pedal that flash your brake lights alerts following drivers that you will be reducing speed.

Answer

Wave your arm out the window

Answer

Turn the vehicle sideways

Answer

Honk three times

Signals & Pavement Markings

Study questions with answers

1. Why should you keep your turn signal on continuously through a turn?

2. When following another vehicle at night, at what point should you switch to low beams?

3. The four-way emergency flashers are meant to be used in which situation?

4. When you pull off and stop at the roadside, what lights should you be sure to turn on?

5. In dawn, dusk, rain, or snow, what should you turn on to make your vehicle easier to see?

6. Before changing lanes, what should you do with your turn signal?

7. At a crossing with a painted stop line, where must the front of a stopped school bus stay?

8. At night, how might you signal your presence to a vehicle you are about to pass?

9. When is the best time to activate your turn signal before making a turn?

10. If another driver refuses to dim their high beams at you, what should you do?

11. Within what distance of an oncoming vehicle at night should you dim your high beams?

12. How can you warn drivers behind you that you are about to slow down?

More CDL — General Knowledge topics

Practice Signals & Pavement Markings in another state