Parking & Stopping

Study questions with answers

7 sample Parking & Stopping questions with the correct answer, a short explanation, and the official handbook reference. Read through them, then take the quiz above.

1. 1. To set the parking brakes on a newer air-brake vehicle, you:

   Correct answer: pull the yellow diamond-shaped knob out

   Newer trucks use a yellow, diamond-shaped push-pull knob; pulling it out applies the spring parking brakes and pushing it in releases them.

   Source: Section 5.4.8 - Parking Brakes

2. 2. How do you check that the parking brake will actually hold?

   Correct answer: Set it, then gently try to pull forward in a low gear

   With the parking brake on, easing forward against it in a low gear confirms it can keep the vehicle in place.

   Source: Section 5.3.3 - Test Parking Brake

3. 3. Before walking away from a truck you will leave unattended, the handbook requires you to:

   Correct answer: apply the parking brakes or chock the wheels

   An unattended vehicle can roll away and cause harm, so you must set the parking brakes or block the wheels before leaving it.

   Source: Section 5.4.8 - Parking Brakes

4. 4. The emergency and parking brakes are held on by mechanical force rather than air because:

   Correct answer: air pressure can eventually leak away

   Air could bleed off over time, so powerful springs hold these brakes on; when air pressure is released, the springs set the brakes.

   Source: Section 5.1.14 - Spring Brakes

5. 5. When should you NOT rely on the parking brakes to hold the vehicle?

   Correct answer: When the brakes are very hot, or very wet in freezing weather

   Very hot brakes can be heat-damaged and wet brakes can freeze solid; in those cases chock the wheels on level ground instead.

   Source: Section 5.4.8 - Parking Brakes

6. 6. Why is it important to drain the air tanks?

   Correct answer: To remove water and oil that could otherwise cause brake failure

   Compressed air carries water and compressor oil that settle in the tank bottom; the water can freeze and knock out the brakes, so tanks must be drained.

   Source: Section 5.1.4 - Air Tank Drains

7. 7. Why should you avoid stepping on the brake pedal while the spring brakes are already applied?

   Correct answer: The combined air and spring forces could damage the brakes

   Adding pedal air pressure on top of the spring force can overstress and damage the brakes, so it is best never to do it.

   Source: Section 5.1.15 - Parking Brake Controls