Instructions

Combination

All applicants who are applying for a Class A CDL should be prepared to take the Combination test. This test covers information found in Section 6 of the Commercial Driver License.. Read More

All applicants who are applying for a Class A CDL should be prepared to take the Combination test. This test covers information found in Section 6 of the Commercial Driver License Manual. Section 6 provides the information needed to safely operate tractor-trailers, doubles, triples, and straight trucks with trailers. The test is made up of 20 multiple-choice questions, and applicants will need to correctly answer a minimum of 16 questions to pass. The Combination test is not a replacement for the Double/Triple endorsement test.

Number of Question 20

Passing Score 16

1. If your trailer goes off course while you are backing, you should:

Continue the backing process without changing anything.

Pull the truck forward, readjust, and start backing again.

Get out of the truck and move the trailer into the right position.

Turn the steering wheel all the way to the left until the trailer straightens out.

If your trailer goes off course while you are backing, you should pull your truck forward and reposition your vehicle as needed before continuing to back up.

2. Fully-loaded rigs:

Are less likely to roll over than empty rigs.

Are more likely to roll over than empty rigs.

Are just as likely to roll over as empty rigs.

Should not be driven.

Because the weight of cargo gives them a higher center of gravity, fully-loaded rigs are 10 times more likely to roll over in a crash than empty rigs.

3. Trailers manufactured after ____ must be equipped with Anti-Lock Braking Systems (ABS).

1943

1998

2009

2015

Trailers and converter dollies manufactured on or after March 1, 1998 are required to have Anti-Lock Braking Systems (ABS).

4. When coupling, you should:

Make sure to couple the proper glad hands.

Only couple one set of glad hands.

It is best to leave one glad hand loose.

When coupling air brake hoses, you should make sure the proper pairs of gland hands are connected. They are sometimes color-coded to help drivers avoid mistakes. Typically, blue is used for service lines and red is used for emergency lines.

5. When testing ____, you should apply your vehicle's brakes with the hand control while moving the vehicle forward slowly.

The Anti-Lock Braking System

The emergency braking system

The trailer service brakes

To test the trailer service brakes, you should first ensure that the braking system has a normal air pressure level, then release the parking brake. You should then move the vehicle forward slowly and apply the brakes with the hand control. If the trailer service brakes are working properly, you will feel the brakes activate.

6. Avoid needing to make sudden lane changes by:

Using your horn to encourage other drivers to move out of your lane.

Only driving slower than the posted speed limit.

Watching the road ahead while driving.

Pulling off the road and waiting when there is high traffic.

Making a sudden lane change can be dangerous when driving a combination vehicle. Avoid the need to make a sudden lane change by looking down the road for upcoming obstacles that will require you to change lanes.

7. When coupling a trailer:

Make sure to couple the proper glad hands.

Glad hands can be connected to any other glad hands.

Only one set of glad hands should be connected.

When coupling, make sure you couple matching glad hands. They are often color-coded to help drivers avoid mistakes. Typically, blue is used for service lines and red is used for emergency lines.

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