West Virginia CDL — General Knowledge: Safe Driving Practices Practice Test

Question 1

In Step 2 of the seven-step inspection, which fluid level check may require the engine to be running?

Accepted Answer

Automatic transmission fluid — Most engine compartment checks are made with the engine off, but the manual notes that checking the automatic transmission fluid may call for a running engine.

Answer

Engine oil

Answer

Windshield washer fluid

Answer

Battery fluid

Question 2

Under West Virginia's definition of texting, which of these is NOT texting?

Accepted Answer

Reading information on a GPS or navigation system — The definition excludes entering or selecting a phone number to place a call, using voice commands for a call, and inputting or reading GPS or navigation information. E-mail, instant messages and web requests all count as texting.

Answer

Sending an instant message from a smart phone

Answer

Reading an e-mail on an electronic device

Answer

Entering a request to open a World Wide Web page

Question 3

The manual describes distractions that are both physical and mental at once. Which example does it give?

Accepted Answer

A phone conversation or text messaging — Reaching for something is the manual's physical example and conversation or thinking about the day is the mental one. A cell phone call or texting is both at once, which makes a crash even more likely.

Answer

Reaching for an object on the floor

Answer

Thinking over something that happened earlier

Answer

Adjusting the mirrors before the trip

Question 4

The inspection guide describes a 'safe start.' On a vehicle with a clutch, what do you do with it?

Accepted Answer

Hold it down until the engine idles, then release it slowly — For a safe start the gearshift goes in neutral, or park for an automatic. You depress the clutch before starting, keep it down until the engine is idling, and then let it out slowly.

Answer

Leave it released so that the starter also turns the gears

Answer

Pump it three times and then hold it down for five seconds

Answer

Release it quickly the moment the engine fires

Question 5

In very hot weather, why does the manual warn about loose engine belts?

Accepted Answer

They will not turn the water pump or fan properly — A loose v-belt slips instead of driving the water pump and fan, and the engine overheats as a result. The manual says to learn how to check belt tightness by pressing on the belts, and to look for cracking or other wear.

Answer

They let the tires lose air pressure in the heat

Answer

They make the brakes fade on long grades

Answer

They keep the batteries from holding a charge

Question 6

According to the manual, what are the effects of distracted driving?

Accepted Answer

Slowed perception, delayed decision making, and improper action — A distracted driver may perceive an important traffic event late or not at all, and may be slow to act or make the wrong input to the steering, accelerator or brakes.

Answer

Faster reactions, wider side vision, and steadier steering wheel control

Answer

Higher fuel use, brake wear, and tire temperature

Answer

Sharper focus, quicker decisions, and smoother stops

Question 7

West Virginia's manual summarizes FMCSA's 2010 texting rule. Besides drivers, on whom does the rule place a duty?

Accepted Answer

Motor carriers, which may not require or allow drivers to text while driving — The final rule, published October 27, 2010, prohibits texting by CMV drivers in interstate commerce and bars motor carriers from requiring or permitting it. A violation can cost up to $2,750.

Answer

Shippers, which may not telephone a driver whose vehicle is moving on a highway

Answer

Passengers, who must hold the driver's phone while the vehicle moves

Answer

Phone makers, which must lock every device while a vehicle moves

Question 8

How far does the manual go in recommending driver-side backing?

Accepted Answer

It is worth a trip around the block to set up for it — Backing toward the right is very dangerous because your view is worse. The manual says to set up for driver-side backing even when that takes a lap around the block, since the extra safety justifies it.

Answer

It should be used only when no helper is available

Answer

It should be used only during daylight hours

Answer

It should be avoided at loading docks and alleys

Question 9

On the Vehicle Inspection test you check the engine belts for snugness. How much play at the center of a belt does the manual allow?

Accepted Answer

1/2 to 3/4 inch — Belts for the power steering, water pump, alternator and air compressor should show 1/2 to 3/4 inch of play at the center, and be free of cracks, fraying, loose fibers and other wear.

Answer

No play at all

Answer

1 to 2 inches

Answer

About 3 inches

Question 10

According to West Virginia's drowsy-driving addendum, what can drowsiness do to a driver's handling of information?

Accepted Answer

Make complex information from several sources hard to process — A drowsy driver responds more slowly to road and traffic conditions, may struggle with complex information, and can become careless about driving decisions, or simply fall asleep.

Answer

Sharpen the driver's attention to hazards far down the road

Answer

Speed up the driver's decisions at busy intersections

Answer

Improve the driver's recall of the last few miles driven

Question 11

West Virginia's point chart has an entry for wireless communication device violations. When do points apply, and how many?

Accepted Answer

At three or more violations, in any mix of talking and texting: 3 points — The chart assigns 3 points for three or more wireless communication device violations, and it counts any combination of talking and texting toward that total.

Answer

At the first violation, whether talking or texting: 2 points

Answer

At the second violation, whether talking or texting: 5 points

Answer

At three or more violations, counting texting only: 6 points

Question 12

Which of these is a 2-point violation on West Virginia's point chart?

Accepted Answer

More than three passengers in the front seat — Having more than three passengers in the front seat is 2 points, the same as improper backing. Hazardous driving and failure to maintain control are 3 points each, and school-zone speeding is 6.

Answer

Hazardous driving

Answer

Failure to maintain control of the vehicle

Answer

Speeding in a school zone

West Virginia CDL — General Knowledge: Safe Driving Practices practice test

Study questions with answers

1. In Step 2 of the seven-step inspection, which fluid level check may require the engine to be running?

2. Under West Virginia's definition of texting, which of these is NOT texting?

3. The manual describes distractions that are both physical and mental at once. Which example does it give?

4. The inspection guide describes a 'safe start.' On a vehicle with a clutch, what do you do with it?

5. In very hot weather, why does the manual warn about loose engine belts?

6. According to the manual, what are the effects of distracted driving?

7. West Virginia's manual summarizes FMCSA's 2010 texting rule. Besides drivers, on whom does the rule place a duty?

8. How far does the manual go in recommending driver-side backing?

9. On the Vehicle Inspection test you check the engine belts for snugness. How much play at the center of a belt does the manual allow?

10. According to West Virginia's drowsy-driving addendum, what can drowsiness do to a driver's handling of information?

11. West Virginia's point chart has an entry for wireless communication device violations. When do points apply, and how many?

12. Which of these is a 2-point violation on West Virginia's point chart?

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