Instructions

Knowledge Test Class A

This license is required for driving any legal combination of vehicles, with a gross combination weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more, provided the GVWR of a trailer exceeds 10,000 pounds To receive this license, applicants must pass a 50-question test. To pass, applicants must answer 40 questions correctly. Each question has three possible answer choices. Test questions come from the Maine Commercial Driver License Manual. Questions come from chapters covering: Introduction, Driving Safely, Transporting Cargo Safely, Air Brakes (if applicable), Combination, Doubles and Hazardous Materials. Endorsements that may be used with a Class A CDL are: Hazardous materials, Tank, Passenger, HazMat and Tank, Air Brakes and School bus.

Number of Question 50

Passing Score 40

1. Which of the following is not a good rule when using turn signals?

Signal early. Signal well before a turn or lane change.

Signal continuously. Do not cancel a signal until the turn is completed.

Don’t over-signal. If no one is near you, there is no need to signal.

When using your turn signals, you should signal well before the turn or lane change, signal continuously throughout the turn or lane change, and cancel the signal after you have completed your move.

2. As the driver of a truck carrying a load, you are responsible for all of the following, except:

Inspecting the cargo.

Recognizing poorly balanced weight.

Knowing the phone numbers of all fire departments along your intended route of travel.

It is the driver's responsibility to inspect their cargo; recognize overloading or poorly balanced weight; know that the cargo is properly secured and does not obscure the driver's view; and know that the cargo does not restrict access to emergency equipment. The driver is responsible for their cargo even if they were not the one who initially loaded and secured the cargo.

3. How many daily hours of sleep does an adult need to maintain alertness?

Six to seven

Seven to eight

Eight to nine

Being properly rested is essential to the safe operation of a CMV. To maintain alertness, most people need eight to nine hours of sleep per night.

4. Which of the following is not a warning sign of fatigue?

Difficulty focusing

Staying within your lane

Rubbing your eyes

Potential warning signs of fatigue include difficulty focusing, frequent blinking, or heavy eyelids; yawning repeatedly or rubbing your eyes; daydreaming; wandering or disconnected thoughts; trouble remembering the last few miles you've driven; missing exits or traffic signs; having trouble keeping your head up; drifting from your lane; following too closely; hitting a shoulder rumble strip; or feeling restless and irritable.

5. When driving on a wet road, you should reduce your speed by:

About one-half.

About one-third.

About one-quarter.

Reduce your speed when traveling on surfaces that provide reduced traction. Reduce your speed by about one-third when driving on a wet road.

6. Why should you regularly drain the air tanks?

Because the air gets old and needs to be replaced

Because compressed air contains some water and the water collects in the tanks

To allow for a change in pressure

Compressed air usually contains a certain amount of moisture and compressor oil, which can build up in the air storage tanks and damage the brake system. The tanks should be drained to clean out these accumulations. On a tank with a manual drain valve, draining should be performed at the end of each day of driving.

7. Some air brake systems introduce alcohol into the system to:

Make the brakes work without squeaking.

Prevent ice from forming in the brake system.

Prevent people from breathing the air from the system.

Some air brake systems contain an alcohol evaporator. An evaporator introduces alcohol into the system to help inhibit the formation of ice in cold weather.

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