Utah CDL — General Knowledge: Signals & Pavement Markings Practice Test

Question 1

How can you warn drivers behind you that you are about to slow down?

Accepted 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.

Answer

Wave your arm out the window

Answer

Turn your headlights off and on

Answer

Sound a long horn blast

Question 2

At night, how can you signal your presence to a vehicle you are about to pass?

Accepted Answer

Flash from low to high beam and back — After dark, briefly switching between low and high beam alerts the driver you're passing, on the assumption they haven't spotted you.

Answer

Keep high beams on the whole time

Answer

Turn all lights off briefly

Answer

Flash only your brake lights

Question 3

Why should you hold a warning triangle between yourself and oncoming traffic when placing it?

Accepted Answer

So oncoming drivers can see you — Holding the triangle between you and oncoming traffic lets other drivers see you, protecting your own safety while you set out the devices.

Answer

To keep the reflector clean

Answer

To warm the reflective surface

Answer

To block your headlight glare

Question 4

When should you turn on your signal before changing lanes in a large vehicle?

Accepted Answer

Before you begin the lane change — Put the turn signal on before changing lanes and move over slowly and smoothly, giving an unseen driver a chance to react.

Answer

After you are halfway over

Answer

Only once you finish the change

Answer

Only if traffic is heavy

Question 5

In fog, why should you turn on your four-way flashers?

Accepted Answer

To help vehicles behind notice you sooner — Switching on the four-way flashers in fog gives vehicles approaching from behind a quicker chance to notice your vehicle.

Answer

To improve your forward visibility

Answer

To signal a mandatory stop

Answer

To warn of an oncoming train

Question 6

When are four-way emergency flashers appropriate?

Accepted Answer

When driving very slowly or stopped — Switch on the four-way flashers whenever you crawl along or sit stopped, warning others of your low speed.

Answer

Whenever you make a normal turn

Answer

Only while parked overnight

Answer

Every time you change lanes

Question 7

When you pull off and stop at the side of the road, what should you turn on?

Accepted Answer

The four-way emergency flashers — Turn on the four-way emergency flashers when you stop at the roadside; do not rely on taillights, which drivers may think mean you are still moving.

Answer

The high-beam headlights only

Answer

The interior dome light

Answer

Just the taillights

Question 8

When should you cancel your turn signal if the vehicle lacks self-canceling signals?

Accepted Answer

After the turn is finished — Cancel the signal only after you have completed the turn; leaving it on can mislead other drivers about your intentions.

Answer

The moment you start the turn

Answer

Before you begin to turn

Answer

Only when a car is behind you

Question 9

On a two-lane road with traffic in both directions, where do you place the forward warning device for a stopped vehicle?

Accepted Answer

About 100 feet ahead of the vehicle — On an undivided two-way road, place devices within 10 feet of the vehicle's corners plus 100 feet ahead of and behind the vehicle.

Answer

About 500 feet ahead

Answer

Directly on the front bumper only

Answer

200 feet to one side

Question 10

Why does the manual say to signal early before a turn?

Accepted Answer

It discourages others from trying to pass you — An early signal is your best defense against someone trying to pass just as you slow to turn.

Answer

It saves electrical power

Answer

It is required only in cities

Answer

It lets you skip using mirrors

Question 11

What are the three good rules for using turn signals?

Accepted Answer

Signal early, keep it on through the turn, and cancel after — Signal early, signal continuously with both hands on the wheel, and cancel the signal after completing the turn if it does not self-cancel.

Answer

Signal late, briefly, and leave it on afterward

Answer

Signal only if another car is near

Answer

Signal after you begin the turn

Question 12

How should you communicate a very slow tight turn to drivers behind you?

Accepted Answer

Brake early and slow down gradually — Because car drivers rarely expect how slowly a large vehicle must take a tight turn, warn them by braking early and slowing gradually.

Answer

Stop suddenly at the turn

Answer

Speed up into the turn

Answer

Wave them around you

Signals & Pavement Markings

Study questions with answers

1. How can you warn drivers behind you that you are about to slow down?

2. At night, how can you signal your presence to a vehicle you are about to pass?

3. Why should you hold a warning triangle between yourself and oncoming traffic when placing it?

4. When should you turn on your signal before changing lanes in a large vehicle?

5. In fog, why should you turn on your four-way flashers?

6. When are four-way emergency flashers appropriate?

7. When you pull off and stop at the side of the road, what should you turn on?

8. When should you cancel your turn signal if the vehicle lacks self-canceling signals?

9. On a two-lane road with traffic in both directions, where do you place the forward warning device for a stopped vehicle?

10. Why does the manual say to signal early before a turn?

11. What are the three good rules for using turn signals?

12. How should you communicate a very slow tight turn to drivers behind you?

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