Safe Driving Practices

Study questions with answers

12 sample Safe Driving Practices questions with the correct answer, a short explanation, and the official handbook reference. Read through them, then take the quiz above.

1. 1. Who is responsible for making sure the cargo is properly loaded and secured?

   Correct answer: The driver

   The driver is responsible for inspecting the cargo and confirming it is properly distributed, secured, and within legal weight limits — even if someone else loaded it. On the road, an overloaded or poorly secured load is the driver's responsibility.

   Source: New York CDL Manual — Loading and Securing Cargo

2. 2. Another driver is tailgating you, honking, and making rude gestures. The safest response is to:

   Correct answer: Ignore the gestures, stay calm, and give the driver room to pass

   Do not engage an aggressive driver. Stay calm, avoid eye contact, give them room, and let them pass. Responding in kind can escalate into road rage and a crash.

   Source: New York CDL Manual — Aggressive Drivers and Road Rage

3. 3. Whenever it is possible to choose, you should back a commercial vehicle toward:

   Correct answer: The driver's side

   Back toward the driver's side so you can look down the side of the vehicle through your window and see your path. Backing toward the right (blind) side hides much of the area behind you and is far more dangerous.

   Source: New York CDL Manual — Backing Safely

4. 4. Federal rules require that turn signals, brake lights, taillights, and reflectors be:

   Correct answer: Clean and working properly

   Required lights and reflectors must be present, clean, and working. Other drivers rely on them to judge your size, position, and intentions, so a burned-out lamp must be fixed before you drive.

   Source: New York CDL Manual — Vehicle Inspection

5. 5. When you inspect the coupling on a tractor-trailer, what should be true of the fifth wheel and locking jaws?

   Correct answer: The locking jaws are fully closed around the kingpin with no gap between the trailer and fifth wheel

   The locking jaws must be fully closed around the kingpin, the release lever seated with its safety latch in place, and there must be no gap between the trailer and the fifth wheel. A bad coupling can let the trailer come loose from the tractor.

   Source: New York CDL Manual — Coupling and Uncoupling

6. 6. Which of these is a proper way to keep cargo from shifting or falling during a trip?

   Correct answer: Using proper tie-downs, blocking, bracing, and a header board

   Cargo must be secured with the right tie-downs, plus blocking and bracing as needed, and a header board (front-end structure) helps protect you from a load that shifts forward. Loose cargo can fall off or shift and cause a crash.

   Source: New York CDL Manual — Loading and Securing Cargo

7. 7. You notice you are yawning, drifting in your lane, and struggling to keep your eyes open. You should:

   Correct answer: Stop at a safe place and rest before continuing

   Those are warning signs of dangerous drowsiness. Get off the road at a safe place and rest or take a short nap. Do not push on — a drowsy driver can fall asleep at the wheel.

   Source: New York CDL Manual — Staying Alert and Fit to Drive

8. 8. When you start a heavy vehicle moving forward, you should speed up:

   Correct answer: Smoothly and gradually

   Accelerate smoothly and gradually so the vehicle does not jerk. Rough acceleration can damage the drivetrain, and on a slippery surface too much power can spin the drive wheels and cause a skid.

   Source: New York CDL Manual — Basic Control of Your Vehicle

9. 9. Federal rules require that a commercial vehicle carry certain emergency equipment. This includes:

   Correct answer: A fire extinguisher, spare fuses, and warning triangles

   You must carry a properly charged and rated fire extinguisher, spare electrical fuses (unless the vehicle uses circuit breakers), and warning devices such as three reflective triangles. Check that this equipment is present and in working order before every trip.

   Source: New York State CDL Manual — Vehicle Inspection

10. 10. A good way to check that your service brakes are working at the start of a trip is to:

    Correct answer: Apply the brakes at about 5 mph and check that the vehicle stops straight without pulling

    Once you are moving at about 5 mph, apply the brake pedal to make sure the vehicle stops and does not pull to one side. Pulling, an unusual feel, or a delay can signal a brake problem you should fix before going farther.

    Source: New York State CDL Manual — Basic Control of Your Vehicle

11. 11. As a general rule, federal cargo securement rules require that you use at least:

    Correct answer: One tie-down for every 10 feet of cargo, and at least two in all

    As a rule, you need at least one tie-down for each 10 feet of cargo, and never fewer than two tie-downs no matter how short the load. The tie-downs together must be strong enough to handle the weight of the cargo, and heavier or longer loads need more.

    Source: New York State CDL Manual — Loading and Securing Cargo

12. 12. You should reject a front (steering-axle) tire during inspection if its tread depth is less than:

    Correct answer: 4/32 inch

    Steering-axle tires must have at least 4/32 inch of tread; other tires need at least 2/32 inch. Worn tires have less grip and are more likely to fail — especially the front tires that steer the vehicle.

    Source: New York CDL Manual — Vehicle Inspection