Utah CDL — General Knowledge Practice Test
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Utah CDL — General Knowledge questions with answers
20 sample questions from the Utah CDL — General Knowledge question bank — each with the correct answer, a short explanation, and the section of the official handbook it comes from.
1. What white pavement marking may appear before railroad tracks, and what does it govern?
Correct answer: A stop line the school bus front must stay behind
A white stop line may be painted before the rails; a stopped school bus must keep its front bumper behind that line at the crossing.
Source: Utah CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Pavement Markings)
2. Which three distances add together to make total stopping distance?
Correct answer: Perception, reaction, and braking distance
Total stopping distance combines perception distance, reaction distance, and braking distance.
Source: Utah CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Stopping Distance)
3. When you stop on a hill or curve that blocks other drivers' view, what should you do with the rear warning device?
Correct answer: Move it back beyond the obstruction so warning reaches 500 feet
Move the rearmost triangle farther back beyond the hill or curve so drivers get warning at least 500 feet before reaching your vehicle.
Source: Utah CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Communicating Your Presence)
4. What symbol identifies a slow-moving vehicle such as farm machinery?
Correct answer: A red triangle with an orange center
The slow-moving-vehicle emblem shows an orange center framed by a red triangle, alerting drivers to a vehicle traveling well under normal speed.
Source: Utah CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Slow Drivers)
5. What is the penalty for a second major alcohol or drug offense in a commercial vehicle?
Correct answer: Loss for life
A second offense results in loss of the CDL for life.
Source: Utah CDL Manual — Section 1: Introduction (Alcohol Disqualifications)
6. When gates lower at a railroad crossing, when may you proceed?
Correct answer: After the gates rise and the lights stop flashing
Stop before the gate lowers and remain stopped until the gates rise fully and the lights stop flashing, then cross when it is safe.
7. Why should you take the starter key with you during a walk-around inspection?
Correct answer: To keep anyone from moving the vehicle while you inspect
Removing the key ensures no one can start or move the vehicle while you are inspecting around and under it.
Source: Utah CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Seven-Step Inspection)
8. What does federal rule prohibit CMV drivers from doing with an electronic device while driving?
Correct answer: Texting or reading text messages
Texting, meaning manually entering or reading text on an electronic device, is prohibited for CMV drivers in interstate commerce.
Source: Utah CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Texting)
9. How soon must a driver inform an employer that their license has been suspended, revoked, or canceled?
Correct answer: Within two business days
A driver has to notify the employer within two business days if the license is suspended, revoked, canceled, or the driver becomes disqualified.
Source: Utah CDL Manual — Section 1: Introduction (Other CDL Rules)
10. What is the first thing you should do at an accident scene when you are not seriously hurt?
Correct answer: Protect the area to prevent another crash
The first priority is to protect the area so no further crash happens in the same spot, then notify authorities and care for the injured.
Source: Utah CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Accident Procedures)
11. When you must cross into an oncoming lane to complete a right turn, what should you do about vehicles coming toward you?
Correct answer: Give them room, but do not back up
Watch oncoming vehicles and leave them space to pass or halt; never reverse for them, since a vehicle could be right behind you.
Source: Utah CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Right Turns)
12. How can you warn drivers behind you that you are about to slow down?
Correct answer: Lightly tap the brakes to flash your brake lights
Gently tapping the pedal so the brake lights blink alerts drivers behind that you are about to slow.
Source: Utah CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Slowing Down)
13. Before checking overhead clearance at a bridge, what should you assume about posted heights?
Correct answer: They may no longer be accurate
Do not assume posted heights are still accurate, since repaving or packed snow may have reduced the actual clearance.
Source: Utah CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Space Overhead)
14. How many tie-downs are needed as a minimum for a 20-foot flatbed load?
Correct answer: Two
With at least one tie-down for every ten feet of cargo, a 20-foot load needs a minimum of two.
Source: Utah CDL Manual — Section 3: Transporting Cargo (Cargo Tie-Down)
15. Why are drivers of rental trucks a special hazard to watch for?
Correct answer: They are not used to the truck's limited vision
Rental-truck drivers often aren't used to how little they can see toward the sides and back, which makes their moves harder to predict.
Source: Utah CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Blocked Vision)
16. At what blood alcohol concentration does it become illegal to operate a commercial motor vehicle?
Correct answer: .04 percent
Driving a CMV with a BAC of .04 percent or higher is against the law, a stricter threshold than for ordinary passenger vehicles.
Source: Utah CDL Manual — Section 1: Introduction (Alcohol Disqualifications)
17. What does a cross-buck sign at a railroad crossing require of you?
Correct answer: Give way and let any approaching train go first
The cross-buck identifies the grade crossing and directs you to let any train go first.
Source: Utah CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Cross-Buck Signs)
18. During a pre-trip check, how are hydraulic brakes tested for leaks?
Correct answer: Pump the pedal three times, then hold firm pressure five seconds
Pump the brake pedal three times, then hold firm pressure for five seconds; if the pedal sinks, there may be a leak that must be fixed before driving.
Source: Utah CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Test for Hydraulic Leaks)
19. What happens to your CDL if your personal-vehicle license is suspended for an alcohol-related violation?
Correct answer: You lose the CDL for one year
A suspension of your personal-vehicle privilege for alcohol, controlled substance, or felony violations also costs your CDL for one year.
Source: Utah CDL Manual — Section 1: Introduction (Traffic Violations in Personal Vehicle)
20. Which endorsements are the only ones allowed on a Commercial Learner's Permit?
Correct answer: Passenger, school bus, and tank vehicle
A CLP may carry only the passenger, school bus, and tank vehicle endorsements; the others cannot be added at the permit stage.
Source: Utah CDL Manual — Section 1: Introduction (CDL Endorsements)