New Hampshire CDL — General Knowledge: Handling Emergencies Practice Test

Question 1

What can the failure of a front tire do to the steering wheel?

Accepted Answer

Twist it out of your hands — A front tire failure can wrench the wheel from your grip. A firm two-handed hold at all times is the only protection.

Answer

Lock it in the straight-ahead position

Answer

Make it spin freely with no resistance

Answer

Nothing; only rear tires affect steering

Question 2

When adding coolant to a system that has no recovery tank, you turn the radiator cap slowly to its first stop. What does that do?

Accepted Answer

Releases the pressure seal — The first stop lets the pressure seal go. You then step back while pressure escapes, and only afterward press down and turn the cap the rest of the way.

Answer

Locks the cap so it cannot blow off

Answer

Drains the coolant into the overflow tank

Answer

Starts the cooling fan

Question 3

Which of these does the manual list as a fuel-related cause of vehicle fires?

Accepted Answer

The driver smoking — Under fuel, the manual names a driver who smokes, improper fueling, and loose fuel connections.

Answer

Using premium diesel

Answer

A full fuel tank

Answer

Fueling in cold weather

Question 4

You notice a hazard ahead that has not yet become dangerous. What does the manual tell you to think about?

Accepted Answer

The emergencies that could develop and what you would do — Hazards can turn into emergencies. On seeing one, work out which emergencies might follow and what you would do, so you are ready to act on a plan.

Answer

How much time you have lost on the trip

Answer

Whether the other driver is at fault

Answer

Where the next rest area is

Question 5

Why does the manual stress learning how to fight a vehicle fire before one happens?

Accepted Answer

Drivers without that knowledge have made fires worse — Not knowing what to do has led drivers to make fires worse, so learn how your extinguisher works ahead of time.

Answer

Fire departments do not respond to truck fires

Answer

Extinguishers can be used only once a year

Answer

Only trained drivers are covered by insurance

Question 6

Your air-braked trailer was built in June 1997. Did the Department of Transportation require it to have ABS?

Accepted Answer

No, the rule for trailers starts with those built on or after March 1, 1998 — Only air-braked truck tractors were covered from March 1, 1997. Trucks, buses, trailers and converter dollies with air brakes came under the rule a year later.

Answer

Yes, every air-braked unit built after March 1, 1997 needed it

Answer

Yes, trailers have needed ABS since 1990

Answer

No, trailers are never required to have ABS

Question 7

In a vehicle without ABS, locked steering wheels cost you steering control. What may happen when the other wheels lock?

Accepted Answer

The vehicle may skid, jackknife or spin — Locked wheels other than the steering wheels can send the vehicle into a skid, a jackknife or even a spin.

Answer

The engine may stall

Answer

The brakes release by themselves

Answer

Stopping distance is cut in half

Question 8

With failed brakes you look for an escape route. Which of these is NOT one of the examples the manual gives?

Accepted Answer

A service station driveway — The manual's examples are an open field, a side street and an escape ramp. A service station is where it tells you never to take a burning vehicle, and it is no escape route.

Answer

An open field

Answer

A side street

Answer

An escape ramp

Question 9

You must cross deep standing water. Why does the manual have you gently apply the brakes as you go through?

Accepted Answer

The linings stay pressed to the drums or discs, which keeps out water, mud, silt and sand — Light pressure holds the linings against the drums or discs, so mud, silt, sand and water have a harder time getting in.

Answer

It cools the brake drums

Answer

It keeps the engine from stalling

Answer

It lights the brake lights for drivers behind

Question 10

Your truck has no electrical fuses. On the Vehicle Inspection test, what must you do when you reach the spare-fuse item?

Accepted Answer

Tell the examiner and point out that the vehicle uses circuit breakers — A vehicle without fuses needs no spares, but you have to say so to the examiner and identify that it runs on circuit breakers.

Answer

Skip the item without comment

Answer

Show a spare headlight bulb instead

Answer

Ask the examiner to mark the item as failed

Question 11

A vehicle towing a trailer goes into a drive-wheel skid. What does the manual say the trailer can do?

Accepted Answer

Shove the towing vehicle sideways into a sudden jackknife — In a bus or straight truck this skid ends in a spin out. With a trailer behind, the trailer can push the towing vehicle to the side and jackknife it suddenly.

Answer

Uncouple from the fifth wheel

Answer

Pull the tractor back into a straight line

Answer

Apply its own brakes automatically

Question 12

With ABS you may or may not stop any faster. What does the manual say you should still be able to do during hard braking?

Accepted Answer

Steer around an obstacle — ABS keeps the wheels from locking, so you should be able to steer past an obstacle while you brake and avoid skids caused by over-braking.

Answer

Follow other vehicles more closely

Answer

Take curves at a higher speed

Answer

Stop in half the usual distance

New Hampshire CDL — General Knowledge: Handling Emergencies practice test

Study questions with answers

1. What can the failure of a front tire do to the steering wheel?

2. When adding coolant to a system that has no recovery tank, you turn the radiator cap slowly to its first stop. What does that do?

3. Which of these does the manual list as a fuel-related cause of vehicle fires?

4. You notice a hazard ahead that has not yet become dangerous. What does the manual tell you to think about?

5. Why does the manual stress learning how to fight a vehicle fire before one happens?

6. Your air-braked trailer was built in June 1997. Did the Department of Transportation require it to have ABS?

7. In a vehicle without ABS, locked steering wheels cost you steering control. What may happen when the other wheels lock?

8. With failed brakes you look for an escape route. Which of these is NOT one of the examples the manual gives?

9. You must cross deep standing water. Why does the manual have you gently apply the brakes as you go through?

10. Your truck has no electrical fuses. On the Vehicle Inspection test, what must you do when you reach the spare-fuse item?

11. A vehicle towing a trailer goes into a drive-wheel skid. What does the manual say the trailer can do?

12. With ABS you may or may not stop any faster. What does the manual say you should still be able to do during hard braking?

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