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 Montana 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 Montana 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 have 20 minutes to correctly answer a minimum of 16 questions. The Combination test is not a replacement for the Double/Triple endorsement test.

Number of Question
Passing Score

8. A shut-off valve:

Explanation
Shut-off valves are used in air supply lines to control the passage of air from one trailer to another. The rear shut-off valve should always be closed to prevent air from leaving the braking system.

9. If you must cross traffic while driving a combination vehicle, you should:

Explanation
Combination vehicles require more space on the road than other vehicles. When entering or crossing traffic while driving a combination vehicle, it is especially important that there is a large enonugh gap in traffic to safely do so.

10. A trolley valve:

Explanation
The trailer hand valve (also referred to as the trolley valve or Johnson bar) is a mechanism that works the trailer brakes. It should only be used to test the brakes. Using it while the vehicle is being driven could cause a skid. Never use the trailer hand valve while parking because doing so may release the air pressure from the braking system, releasing the brakes that are holding the vehicle in place.

11. Shut-off valves:

Explanation
Shut-off valves are used in air supply lines to control the passage of air from one trailer to another. The rear shut-off valve should always be closed to prevent air from leaving the braking system.

12. What is a bobtail tractor?

Explanation
Tractors without semi-trailers are referred to as "bobtail tractors." Bobtail tractors are difficult to operate and drivers must exercise caution.

13. Fully-loaded rigs:

Explanation
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.

14. Simply changing lanes can cause:

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