Vermont CDL — General Knowledge practice
Vermont CDL — General Knowledge: Safe Driving Practices practice test
Following distance, scanning, blind spots, using your lights, and the habits that prevent crashes and keep you in control.
Content reviewed against official driver handbooks · August 12, 2026
15 questions · pass with 12 correct. You get instant feedback and an explanation after every answer.
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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.
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1. When you inspect lug nuts, which signs of looseness does the inspection guide name?
Correct answer: Rust trails or shiny threads
Every lug nut should be present and free of cracks and distortion. Rust trails or shiny threads are the signs of looseness to look for.
Source: Vermont Commercial Driver's Manual — Section 11.2.4, Wheels
2. How do the Class A and the Class B vehicle inspection tests differ in the number of versions an applicant might be given?
Correct answer: Class A has four versions; Class B has three
A Class A applicant performs one of four equivalent versions, and a Class B applicant one of three. In both cases you do not know which version you will get until just before testing begins.
Source: Vermont Commercial Driver's Manual — Section 11.6.2, Class B and C Vehicle Inspection Test
3. The walk-around inspection's battery checks make an exception for maintenance-free batteries. Which checks does that exception cover?
Correct answer: Fluid level, cell caps and the vents in the caps
Every battery is checked for a secure box and cover, for being held against movement and for breaks or leaks. The fluid level, the cell caps and the vents in those caps are checked on all but the maintenance-free type.
Source: Vermont Commercial Driver's Manual — Section 2.1.5, Seven-step Inspection Method
4. The manual lists four ways of working toward a drive free of in-vehicle distractions. Which of these is one of them?
Correct answer: Expecting distractions to occur
The four are sizing up possible in-vehicle distractions ahead of time, making a plan to prevent them, expecting distractions to occur, and talking through possible scenarios before getting behind the wheel.
Source: Vermont Commercial Driver's Manual — Section 2.9.6, Don't Drive Distracted
5. On the inspection test, what must be true of brake linings that can be seen on a drum brake?
Correct answer: They must not be worn dangerously thin
The drum is checked for cracks, dents, holes and loose or missing bolts, and for contaminants such as debris, oil or grease. Linings that can be seen must not be worn dangerously thin.
Source: Vermont Commercial Driver's Manual — Section 11.2.3, Brakes
6. Suspension mounts hold the springs to the vehicle. Where does the inspection test say the mounts should be checked?
Correct answer: At every place they attach to the frame and to an axle
Spring hangers that are cracked or broken, bushings that are missing or damaged, and bolts or u-bolts that are broken, loose or missing are what you look for, at every point the mounts fasten to the frame and the axle or axles.
Source: Vermont Commercial Driver's Manual — Section 11.2.2, Suspension
7. During the inspection test you point out that your truck's water pump is gear driven, not belt driven. What does the manual require for a component like that?
Correct answer: Tell the examiner, then confirm it works properly, is undamaged, not leaking and securely mounted
When a listed component is not belt driven, you tell the examiner which one it is, and you make sure it is operating properly, is not damaged or leaking, and is securely mounted.
Source: Vermont Commercial Driver's Manual — Section 11.1.1, Engine Compartment (Engine Off)
8. During the walk-around, what does the manual say about the spare tire and wheel?
Correct answer: It should be secure in its rack, the proper size and properly inflated
If the vehicle has a spare tire carrier, it should be undamaged, with the spare securely mounted in the rack. The spare must also be adequate, meaning the proper size and properly inflated.
Source: Vermont Commercial Driver's Manual — Section 2.1.5, Seven-step Inspection Method
9. You are hauling open cargo. What does the manual suggest watching for in your mirrors?
Correct answer: Loose straps, ropes or chains, and a flapping or ballooning tarp
Mirrors let you check open cargo while driving: watch for straps, ropes or chains that have worked loose, and for a tarp that flaps or balloons.
Source: Vermont Commercial Driver's Manual — Section 2.4.2, Seeing to the Sides and Rear
10. What does Vermont require of the safety belts in a skills-test vehicle, and which vehicles does it exempt?
Correct answer: The belts must be clean and operable; school buses are exempt
The test vehicle has to have clean, operable safety belts. The manual exempts school buses from that requirement.
Source: Vermont Commercial Driver's Manual — Skills Test
11. To check the engine compartment you may have to tilt the cab. What does the manual tell you to do about loose things first?
Correct answer: Secure them so nothing falls and breaks
The engine compartment check may mean raising the hood, opening a compartment door or tilting the cab, and with a tilting cab loose things should be secured so that they cannot fall and break something.
Source: Vermont Commercial Driver's Manual — Section 2.1.5, Seven-step Inspection Method
12. You are backing and become unsure of your path. What does the manual say to do?
Correct answer: Stop, climb out and look the path over yourself
The backing rules say to check both outside mirrors often, and to leave the vehicle and check the path whenever you are not sure of it.
Source: Vermont Commercial Driver's Manual — Section 2.2.4, Backing Safely
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