Montana CDL — General Knowledge: Road Signs Practice Test

Question 1

Your vehicle is stuck on railroad tracks and you have gotten out and away. Where does the manual say to look for emergency notification information?

Accepted Answer

On the signposts or signal housing at the crossing — The manual says to check the signposts or signal housing at the crossing, call 911 or another emergency number, and give the location using landmarks and the DOT number if one is posted.

Answer

On the back of the advance warning sign

Answer

In the Emergency Response Guidebook

Answer

On the nearest mile marker

Question 2

A bridge ahead displays a posted clearance height. Why does the manual tell you not to assume the figure is correct?

Accepted Answer

New pavement or packed snow may have cut the clearance since the sign went up — The manual warns that repaving or packed snow can reduce the clearance after the height was posted. If you doubt you can clear an object, go slowly, and take another route if you are not sure.

Answer

Posted heights are always given for the center lane only

Answer

The figures apply to cars rather than trucks

Answer

Posted heights are rounded up to the next foot

Question 3

In a roadway work zone the manual says to obey the posted speed limit at all times. When should you slow down even further?

Accepted Answer

When a worker is near the roadway — Drivers should lower speed for bad weather or road conditions and drop it further still when a worker is near the roadway.

Answer

Only when a flagger waves at you

Answer

Only at night

Answer

When the work zone is less than a mile long

Question 4

According to the manual, what does the 'slow moving vehicle' symbol look like?

Accepted Answer

A red triangle with an orange center — The manual describes the symbol carried by some slow vehicles, such as farm or construction machinery, as a red triangle with an orange center, and tells drivers to watch for it.

Answer

A yellow diamond with a black arrow

Answer

A white rectangle with red letters

Answer

A round yellow disc with a black X

Question 5

Besides special equipment such as 'wide load' signs, flashing lights and flags, what may an oversized load require on the road?

Accepted Answer

A police escort or pilot vehicles carrying warning signs and/or flashing lights — The manual says over-length, over-width or overweight loads need special transit permits, are usually limited to certain driving times, and may call for a police escort or pilot vehicles.

Answer

A second licensed driver in the cab

Answer

Hazardous materials placards on all four sides

Answer

A railroad flagman at every crossing

Question 6

Speed limit signs are often posted on freeway off ramps and on ramps. What does the manual warn commercial drivers about those posted speeds?

Accepted Answer

They may be safe for cars but not for larger or heavily loaded vehicles — The manual cautions that a ramp speed that is safe for automobiles may not be safe for bigger or heavily loaded vehicles, and that you should be going slowly enough before reaching the curved part of the ramp.

Answer

They apply only at night

Answer

They are minimum speeds for trucks

Answer

Trucks may exceed them by 5 mph in dry weather

Question 7

Tests cited in the manual looked at trucks with a high center of gravity on curves. What did they show about the posted speed limit for a curve?

Accepted Answer

Such trucks can roll over even at the posted speed — The manual reports that a truck whose center of gravity is high can roll over at a curve's posted speed limit, so drivers should slow to a safe speed before entering.

Answer

The posted speed is always safe for any truck

Answer

Such trucks can safely exceed the posted speed by 10 mph

Answer

Only empty trucks are at risk at the posted speed

Question 8

How large must a hazardous materials placard be, according to the manual?

Accepted Answer

At least 9.84 inches (250 mm) square, set upright on a point — The manual gives a minimum of 9.84 inches, or 250 mm, square, with the placard turned on a point so it forms a diamond.

Answer

At least 6 inches square

Answer

A 12-inch circle

Answer

At least 24 inches square

Question 9

What is a hazardous materials identification number, as the manual describes it?

Accepted Answer

A four-digit code that first responders use to identify the material — Identification numbers are four-digit codes, preceded by the letters NA or UN, that first responders use to identify hazardous materials. One number may cover more than one chemical.

Answer

A nine-digit account number assigned to the shipper

Answer

The hazard class number from 1 to 9

Answer

A phone number for the carrier's dispatcher

Question 10

In many states the posted speed limit for trucks and buses is lower than the one for cars. By how much does the manual say the two can differ?

Accepted Answer

As much as 15 mph — The manual says truck and bus limits can be as much as 15 mph lower than car limits in many states, and it calls for extra caution when changing lanes or passing on those roads.

Answer

5 mph

Answer

25 mph

Answer

30 mph

Question 11

You are starting down a long grade where a sign shows a 'Maximum Safe Speed.' How does the manual tell you to treat that sign?

Accepted Answer

As a speed you must never exceed — Where a speed limit is posted or a sign shows a Maximum Safe Speed on a downgrade, the manual says never to go faster than the speed shown.

Answer

As advice meant for cars only

Answer

As a speed you may exceed by 5 mph in a low gear

Answer

As a limit that applies only when the road is wet

Question 12

Which publication does the manual say lists chemicals together with the identification numbers assigned to them?

Accepted Answer

The US DOT Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) — The manual names the US DOT Emergency Response Guidebook as the list of chemicals and their assigned identification numbers.

Answer

The IFTA Procedures Manual

Answer

The National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners

Answer

The Montana Code Annotated

Montana CDL — General Knowledge: Road Signs practice test

Study questions with answers

1. Your vehicle is stuck on railroad tracks and you have gotten out and away. Where does the manual say to look for emergency notification information?

2. A bridge ahead displays a posted clearance height. Why does the manual tell you not to assume the figure is correct?

3. In a roadway work zone the manual says to obey the posted speed limit at all times. When should you slow down even further?

4. According to the manual, what does the 'slow moving vehicle' symbol look like?

5. Besides special equipment such as 'wide load' signs, flashing lights and flags, what may an oversized load require on the road?

6. Speed limit signs are often posted on freeway off ramps and on ramps. What does the manual warn commercial drivers about those posted speeds?

7. Tests cited in the manual looked at trucks with a high center of gravity on curves. What did they show about the posted speed limit for a curve?

8. How large must a hazardous materials placard be, according to the manual?

9. What is a hazardous materials identification number, as the manual describes it?

10. In many states the posted speed limit for trucks and buses is lower than the one for cars. By how much does the manual say the two can differ?

11. You are starting down a long grade where a sign shows a 'Maximum Safe Speed.' How does the manual tell you to treat that sign?

12. Which publication does the manual say lists chemicals together with the identification numbers assigned to them?

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