West Virginia CDL — General Knowledge: Speed & Space Management Practice Test

Question 1

West Virginia's drowsy-driving addendum describes what happens when a crash threat appears in front of a drowsy driver. What is it?

Accepted Answer

The driver often cannot react in time to brake or steer away — Drowsiness slows your responses and raises crash risk. The addendum adds that such crashes are often severe, with deaths and serious injuries.

Answer

The driver brakes too early and is struck from behind

Answer

The driver steers correctly but far too gently

Answer

The driver's reactions speed up because of a rush of adrenaline

Question 2

False bulkheads are holding a partial load of livestock together. Why can the trailer still be upset in a curve?

Accepted Answer

The animals can still lean, which shifts the center of gravity — Bulkheads keep a partial load from moving around, but animals still lean in a curve. That moves the center of gravity and makes a rollover more likely.

Answer

False bulkheads raise the trailer's overall height above the legal limit

Answer

Bunched animals add to the gross weight carried on the drive axles

Answer

False bulkheads block the driver's view of the trailer in the mirrors

Question 3

On West Virginia's point chart, how do driving too fast for conditions and following too closely compare?

Accepted Answer

Driving too fast for conditions is 3 points; following too closely is 2 — Driving too fast for conditions is a 3-point violation and following too closely is 2. In a CMV, following the vehicle ahead too closely also counts as a serious traffic violation.

Answer

Driving too fast for conditions is 2 points; following too closely is 3

Answer

Both violations are 3 points

Answer

Both violations are 2 points

Question 4

For how long does West Virginia's mandatory revocation list say a license is revoked for racing on streets or highways?

Accepted Answer

Six months — Most offenses on the list bring a revocation of at least one year, but racing on streets or highways, also called drag racing, is listed at six months.

Answer

30 days

Answer

One year

Answer

Two years

Question 5

West Virginia's basic speed laws list driving situations in which you should slow down. Which of these is on the list?

Accepted Answer

Approaching the top of a hill — The list: intersections, curves, hilltops, narrow roads, and any place where traffic, weather or hazards cut down how far you can see or how soon you can stop.

Answer

Driving a straight, dry road in light traffic

Answer

Passing the entrance to a rest area

Answer

Leaving a weigh station

Question 6

Why does the manual say a safe driver needs space all around the vehicle?

Accepted Answer

Room around you buys time to think and react to trouble — Space is what gives you time when a problem develops, and large vehicles need more of it because they take up more room and need more distance to stop and turn.

Answer

A wide gap keeps other drivers from ever passing your vehicle

Answer

Open space around the vehicle lowers its fuel use

Answer

Extra room lets you drive above the posted limit

Question 7

What reaction time does the manual give for the average driver?

Accepted Answer

3/4 second to 1 second — Reaction distance is how far you travel before you physically hit the brakes. The manual puts the average reaction time at 3/4 second to 1 second, which is 61 feet at 55 mph. The 1 3/4 seconds figure is perception time.

Answer

1/4 second

Answer

1 3/4 seconds

Answer

3 seconds

Question 8

The manual lists driving conditions that should govern your speed. Which of these is NOT on its list?

Accepted Answer

The make of your vehicle — The manual names traction, curves, visibility, traffic and hills, and calls excessive speed a major cause of fatal crashes.

Answer

Traction

Answer

Curves

Answer

Visibility

Question 9

According to West Virginia's manual, what does a higher speed leave you less of?

Accepted Answer

Time to spot hazards, judge others' speed, and avoid mistakes — Speed sets your reaction time for any traffic situation. The faster you go, the less time there is to see trouble, read other drivers and correct your own errors or theirs.

Answer

Fuel, since the engine burns it faster at higher speeds

Answer

Traction, since tires grip less on dry pavement at speed

Answer

Visibility, since headlights reach a shorter distance at speed

Question 10

In winter driving, how does the manual tell you to adjust your space to conditions?

Accepted Answer

Keep a longer following distance and avoid driving alongside others — On slippery roads you need more room in every direction. The manual also says to slow or stop for a traffic jam ahead and to give snowplows and salt and sand trucks plenty of room.

Answer

Close up on the vehicle ahead so that you can follow its tracks

Answer

Drive beside another truck so that it blocks the wind for you

Answer

Keep your usual following distance but begin braking earlier than normal

Question 11

A West Virginia driver is convicted of speeding 22 mph over the limit. What does the point chart assign?

Accepted Answer

6 points — Speeding 20 mph or more over the limit is a 6-point violation. The chart steps down to 5 points for 15 to 19 mph over and 3 points for 11 to 14 mph over.

Answer

3 points

Answer

5 points

Answer

8 points

Question 12

On slippery winter roads, what does the manual say about managing your speed?

Accepted Answer

Go slowly and read the road well ahead so your speed stays steady — The aim is a constant pace with as little braking and accelerating as possible. Take curves more slowly, do not brake in them, and do not pass slower vehicles unless you have to.

Answer

Speed up on straight stretches to make up lost time

Answer

Brake firmly in curves to keep the vehicle under control

Answer

Pass slower vehicles whenever a gap opens up in the traffic ahead of you

West Virginia CDL — General Knowledge: Speed & Space Management practice test

Study questions with answers

1. West Virginia's drowsy-driving addendum describes what happens when a crash threat appears in front of a drowsy driver. What is it?

2. False bulkheads are holding a partial load of livestock together. Why can the trailer still be upset in a curve?

3. On West Virginia's point chart, how do driving too fast for conditions and following too closely compare?

4. For how long does West Virginia's mandatory revocation list say a license is revoked for racing on streets or highways?

5. West Virginia's basic speed laws list driving situations in which you should slow down. Which of these is on the list?

6. Why does the manual say a safe driver needs space all around the vehicle?

7. What reaction time does the manual give for the average driver?

8. The manual lists driving conditions that should govern your speed. Which of these is NOT on its list?

9. According to West Virginia's manual, what does a higher speed leave you less of?

10. In winter driving, how does the manual tell you to adjust your space to conditions?

11. A West Virginia driver is convicted of speeding 22 mph over the limit. What does the point chart assign?

12. On slippery winter roads, what does the manual say about managing your speed?

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