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 a trailer begins to jackknife, you should not:

Release the brakes.

Apply the trailer hand brake.

Allow the wheels to grip the road.

Allow the trailer to straighten out.

If a trailer begins to jackknife, you should release the brakes and allow the trailer wheels to regain traction with the road. Do not apply the trailer hand brake to attempt to straighten out the rig because it will only prolong the skid. The application of brakes is what caused the wheels to lock in the first place.

2. Simply changing lanes can cause:

A “crack-the-whip” effect, resulting in a rollover.

A trailer to straighten out.

Confusion over which lane the driver is hoping to use.

Other drivers to reduce their speed.

Due to the "crack-the-whip" effect caused by rearward amplification, changing lanes too quickly in a combination vehicle can result in a rollover.

3. How many air lines does a combination vehicle have?

One

Two

Three

Four

Every combination vehicle has two air lines: the service line and the emergency line.

4. A lightly-loaded combination vehicle will stop more slowly than a fully-loaded vehicle because:

The stiff suspension springs and strong brakes will have high traction.

The stiff suspension springs and strong brakes will have low traction.

The brakes only operate when a trailer reaches a minimum weight.

The suspension springs only operate when a trailer reaches a minimum weight.

An empty combination vehicle will come to a complete stop more slowly than a fully-loaded vehicle. The stiff suspension springs and strong brakes will have lower traction on a light trailer than they would if the vehicle carried more weight.

5. Driving a combination vehicle ____ than driving a single vehicle.

Is easier

Requires more driving skill

Is better for training

Is safer in inclement weather

Driving a combination vehicle usually requires more skill than driving a single vehicle. Combination vehicles are generally longer and heavier than single commercial vehicles.

6. To help prevent a rollover, cargo should be:

Placed as high as possible inside the trailer.

Placed as low as possible inside the trailer.

Placed on the passenger side of the trailer.

Placed on the driver’s side of the trailer.

To reduce the risk of a rollover, the weight of cargo in a trailer should be kept as low to the ground as possible. Weight should not be placed primarily on one side of the trailer as this could make the trailer lean, increasing the risk of a rollover.

7. Trailers with low underneath clearance may be difficult to drive:

On interstate highways.

Over railroad crossings.

On dirt roads.

At the posted speed limit.

Railroad-highway crossings may be difficult to cross when pulling a trailer with a low underneath clearance. In particular, both low-slung units and single-axle tractors pulling long trailers are especially challenging to drive over raised crossings.

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