New Mexico CDL — General Knowledge: Parking & Stopping Practice Test

Question 1

In Step 2 of the seven-step inspection, what do you confirm before you check the engine compartment?

Accepted Answer

That the parking brakes are set, the wheels are chocked, or both — Before raising the hood or tilting the cab, make sure the vehicle cannot move: parking brakes applied, wheels chocked, or both.

Answer

That the engine is running at idle

Answer

That the trailer is uncoupled

Answer

That all lights are switched off

Question 2

How do you set up for the alley dock exercise before you start backing?

Accepted Answer

Pull past the alley and line the vehicle up parallel with the outer boundary — The exercise begins beyond the alley, with the vehicle lined up alongside the outer boundary; from there you sight-side back into the alley.

Answer

Stop with the rear of the vehicle already inside the alley

Answer

Approach head-on and turn around inside the alley

Answer

Park at a 45-degree angle across the alley entrance

Question 3

You stop on the shoulder of a one-way or divided highway. Which of these is NOT one of the three places for your warning devices?

Accepted Answer

100 feet ahead of the vehicle, away from approaching traffic — On a one-way or divided highway all three devices go behind you, toward the traffic coming up: at 10, 100 and 200 feet. A device 100 feet ahead belongs to the two-way road pattern.

Answer

10 feet toward approaching traffic

Answer

100 feet toward approaching traffic

Answer

200 feet toward approaching traffic

Question 4

On the basic control skills test, how many times may you get out to check your vehicle's position during the straight line backing exercise, compared with the other exercises?

Accepted Answer

Once for straight line backing; twice for the others — The maximum number of looks is two, except in the Straight Line Backing exercise, where only one look is allowed.

Answer

Twice for straight line backing; once for the others

Answer

Never for straight line backing; three times for the others

Answer

As often as needed on every exercise

Question 5

On a slippery winter road you see a traffic jam ahead. What does the manual tell you to do?

Accepted Answer

Slow down or stop and wait for it to clear — Adjusting space to conditions in winter means a longer following distance and holding back from a jam until it clears, rather than driving up into it.

Answer

Change lanes repeatedly to find a way through

Answer

Close up on the vehicle ahead so no one cuts in

Answer

Use the shoulder to get past it

Question 6

An emergency forces you onto a clear shoulder at speed. What does the manual say about where to bring the vehicle to a stop?

Accepted Answer

Stay on the shoulder until the vehicle has stopped — With a clear shoulder, ride it out there until you have stopped, then signal and look in your mirrors before returning to the road.

Answer

Steer back onto the pavement right away and stop in your lane

Answer

Cross the shoulder and stop in the grass beyond it

Answer

Speed up to rejoin traffic before braking

Question 7

In Step 3 of the seven-step inspection, where should the gearshift be when you start the engine?

Accepted Answer

In neutral, or in 'park' if the transmission is automatic — With the parking brake on, you put the gearshift in neutral (park for an automatic), then start the engine and listen for unusual noises.

Answer

In the lowest forward gear

Answer

In reverse

Answer

In whatever gear the last driver left it

Question 8

You are hauling hazardous materials and step out of the cab at a truck stop. Where does the manual say the shipping papers go while you are out of the vehicle?

Accepted Answer

On the driver's seat — While you drive, the papers ride in a door pouch or in plain view where you can reach them; once you leave the cab they belong on the driver's seat.

Answer

In the sleeper berth

Answer

In your pocket

Answer

Under the sun visor

Question 9

On the road test's stop/start maneuver, once the parking brake is applied and the gearshift is in neutral or park, what do you do with your feet?

Accepted Answer

Take them off the brake and clutch pedals — After canceling the turn signal, turning on the four-way flashers, setting the parking brake and shifting to neutral or park, you take both feet off the pedals.

Answer

Keep one on the brake and one on the clutch

Answer

Rest the right foot on the accelerator

Answer

Hold the clutch to the floor

Question 10

Your truck catches fire on the highway. What is the first step the manual gives?

Accepted Answer

Pull off the roadway and bring the vehicle to a stop — Fire fighting starts with pulling off the road and stopping in an open area, then telling emergency services what is wrong and where you are.

Answer

Open the hood to find the source

Answer

Keep driving to the nearest service station

Answer

Open the cargo doors to let the heat out

Question 11

In daylight you pull onto the shoulder to re-tighten a strap. Which statement matches the manual?

Accepted Answer

Turn on the four-way flashers when you stop, and have warning devices out within ten minutes — Any time you stop at the roadside, the four-way flashers go on, and a stop on a road or its shoulder calls for the warning devices to be set out inside ten minutes.

Answer

Flashers are needed only at night, and warning devices only after thirty minutes

Answer

Taillights alone are enough for a short stop

Answer

No warning is needed unless you stop in a travel lane

Question 12

Your cargo makes a full stop at railroad crossings mandatory. As you slow for the stop, what does the manual tell you to check?

Accepted Answer

Traffic behind you, while you stop gradually — When stopping at a crossing you watch the traffic behind and brake gradually, use a pullout lane if there is one, and turn on the four-way flashers.

Answer

The trailer's coupling

Answer

The posted weight limit

Answer

Your fuel level

New Mexico CDL — General Knowledge: Parking & Stopping practice test

Study questions with answers

1. In Step 2 of the seven-step inspection, what do you confirm before you check the engine compartment?

2. How do you set up for the alley dock exercise before you start backing?

3. You stop on the shoulder of a one-way or divided highway. Which of these is NOT one of the three places for your warning devices?

4. On the basic control skills test, how many times may you get out to check your vehicle's position during the straight line backing exercise, compared with the other exercises?

5. On a slippery winter road you see a traffic jam ahead. What does the manual tell you to do?

6. An emergency forces you onto a clear shoulder at speed. What does the manual say about where to bring the vehicle to a stop?

7. In Step 3 of the seven-step inspection, where should the gearshift be when you start the engine?

8. You are hauling hazardous materials and step out of the cab at a truck stop. Where does the manual say the shipping papers go while you are out of the vehicle?

9. On the road test's stop/start maneuver, once the parking brake is applied and the gearshift is in neutral or park, what do you do with your feet?

10. Your truck catches fire on the highway. What is the first step the manual gives?

11. In daylight you pull onto the shoulder to re-tighten a strap. Which statement matches the manual?

12. Your cargo makes a full stop at railroad crossings mandatory. As you slow for the stop, what does the manual tell you to check?

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