North Dakota CDL — General Knowledge: Safe Driving Practices Practice Test

Question 1

What is the purpose of a front-end header board, sometimes called a 'headache rack'?

Accepted Answer

To shield you from your cargo in a crash or emergency stop — The front-end structure should block cargo from moving forward into the cab, so the manual says to make sure it is in good condition.

Answer

To keep rain off the cargo

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To hold the trailer's spare tire

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To reduce wind drag on the cab

Question 2

On a vehicle with an automatic transmission, what does selecting a low range do on a downgrade?

Accepted Answer

Keeps the transmission from shifting up past the selected gear, giving more engine braking — A lower range blocks upshifts beyond the gear you chose, unless governor rpm is exceeded, so the engine helps hold the vehicle back. The manual calls this braking effect very important on downgrades.

Answer

Locks the drive wheels so the vehicle cannot roll

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Shuts off the retarder so the brakes stay cool

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Raises the governed rpm so the engine cannot stall

Question 3

During an inspection you see rust around the wheel nuts. What might that tell you?

Accepted Answer

The nuts may be loose, so their tightness should be checked — Rust streaks around wheel nuts can be a sign of looseness. The walk-around guide says to test rust-streaked lug nuts with a wrench.

Answer

The wheel was recently painted

Answer

The tire is overinflated

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The brakes are out of adjustment

Question 4

Some newer vehicles use 'progressive' shifting. What does that mean?

Accepted Answer

The rpm at which you shift gets higher as you move up through the gears — With progressive shifting, each upshift happens at a somewhat higher engine speed than the one before. The manual says to find out what is right for the vehicle you will operate.

Answer

The transmission skips every other gear automatically

Answer

You shift without using the clutch at any speed

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The engine holds one rpm in every gear

Question 5

How do you check the service brakes' stopping action at the end of a pre-trip inspection?

Accepted Answer

Roll at about five mph and push the brake pedal firmly — At roughly five miles per hour, a firm push on the pedal should stop the vehicle evenly. Pulling to one side, an odd pedal feel, or a delayed stop can mean brake trouble.

Answer

Pull against the parking brake in a high gear

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Pump the pedal ten times with the engine off

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Brake hard from highway speed on an empty road

Question 6

Why should each mirror be adjusted so that it shows some part of your own vehicle?

Accepted Answer

It gives you a reference point for judging where the other images are — Seeing a piece of your own vehicle in each mirror lets you work out the position of everything else that appears there.

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It proves to an inspector that the mirror is mounted

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It blocks glare from vehicles behind you

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It makes other vehicles look closer than they are

Question 7

Which tires does the manual prohibit on the front wheels of a bus?

Accepted Answer

Regrooved, recapped, or retreaded tires — The manual's tire checklist flags regrooved, recapped, and retreaded tires as prohibited on a bus's front wheels.

Answer

Radial tires

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Tires with more than 4/32 inch of tread

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Tires made by different manufacturers

Question 8

Under the federal restriction described in the manual, which of these counts as using a hand-held mobile telephone?

Accepted Answer

Dialing by pressing more than a single button — The rule treats holding the phone to talk, dialing with more than one button press, and leaving your seated, belted driving position to reach for a phone as hand-held use.

Answer

Speaking through a hands-free speaker mounted nearby

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Answering with one touch of a button on an earpiece

Answer

Glancing at a phone that is switched off

Question 9

A helper is guiding you while you back. Where should the helper stand?

Accepted Answer

Close to the rear of the vehicle, in a spot visible to you — A helper covers the blind spots you cannot see, but only if you can see the helper, so the position is near the back and in your view.

Answer

Directly behind the vehicle, out of mirror view

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In the cab, watching the passenger-side mirror

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At the front bumper, facing traffic

Question 10

Federal and state inspectors may inspect your vehicle on the road. What happens if they find it unsafe?

Accepted Answer

It is put out of service until it is fixed — Inspectors who judge a vehicle unsafe will take it off the road, and it stays there until the problem has been repaired.

Answer

You are given 30 days to make repairs while driving

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A warning sticker is placed on the windshield

Answer

The carrier is fined but the trip may continue

Question 11

In North Dakota, when must safety chains be used between a towing vehicle and the vehicle it tows?

Accepted Answer

When towing at more than 25 mph, except with fifth wheel coupling devices — The drawbar rule requires safety chains for towing above 25 mph. Fifth wheel couplings are the one exception.

Answer

Only when towing at more than 55 mph

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Whenever towing, including with a fifth wheel

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Only when the towed vehicle weighs over 10,000 pounds

Question 12

The manual sorts distractions into types. Which of these is an example of a physical distraction?

Accepted Answer

Reaching for an object — A physical distraction takes your hands off the wheel or your eyes off the road, as reaching for something does. Mental distractions take your mind off the road instead.

Answer

Thinking about something that happened earlier in the day

Answer

Daydreaming about the weekend

Answer

Worrying about a late delivery

North Dakota CDL — General Knowledge: Safe Driving Practices practice test

Study questions with answers

1. What is the purpose of a front-end header board, sometimes called a 'headache rack'?

2. On a vehicle with an automatic transmission, what does selecting a low range do on a downgrade?

3. During an inspection you see rust around the wheel nuts. What might that tell you?

4. Some newer vehicles use 'progressive' shifting. What does that mean?

5. How do you check the service brakes' stopping action at the end of a pre-trip inspection?

6. Why should each mirror be adjusted so that it shows some part of your own vehicle?

7. Which tires does the manual prohibit on the front wheels of a bus?

8. Under the federal restriction described in the manual, which of these counts as using a hand-held mobile telephone?

9. A helper is guiding you while you back. Where should the helper stand?

10. Federal and state inspectors may inspect your vehicle on the road. What happens if they find it unsafe?

11. In North Dakota, when must safety chains be used between a towing vehicle and the vehicle it tows?

12. The manual sorts distractions into types. Which of these is an example of a physical distraction?

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