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

Number of Question 20

Passing Score 16

1. If you cannot reverse your trailer in a straight path, you should:

Swerve back and forth while backing.

Back toward the driver's side.

Back toward the passenger's side.

If you need to back your trailer but cannot back up in a straight path, you should back on a curved path toward the driver's side of the vehicle. This will allow you the best possible visibility while backing.

2. Having anti-lock brakes on only one axle:

Will not make a difference in braking.

Will provide increased control in braking.

Will likely cause the air brakes to malfunction.

If a vehicle has anti-lock brakes on just one axle, the driver will still have more control during braking than they would without any anti-lock brakes.

3. Which of the following will not help prevent a rig from rolling over?

Keeping the cargo as close to the ground as possible

Driving slowly around turns

Driving on the shoulder of a road

To help prevent a rig from rolling over, you should keep the weight of the cargo as close to the ground as possible when loading. You should also drive slowly around turns.

4. When backing up your tractor while coupling it to a trailer, the trailer brakes should be:

Deactivated.

Locked.

Unlocked.

Correctly following the steps to couple and uncouple trailers is vital to safely operating a combination vehicle. Before backing your tractor under the trailer while coupling, make sure your trailer brakes are locked.

5. 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.

6. After completing a pre-trip inspection, you should ensure that the:

Service line valve is closed.

Trailer hand brake is applied.

Emergency line valve is open.

Before a trip, you should ensure that air reaches all air brakes on all trailers by opening up the rear emergency line and service line shut-off valves and listening for escaping air. Close both shut-off valves before beginning to drive.

7. If a parked trailer does not have spring brakes, you should keep the trailer from moving by:

Having the vehicle parked against a wall or other vehicle.

Using chock blocks.

Parking on a slight incline.

If a parked trailer does not have spring brakes, wheel chocks should be used to prevent it from moving.

Grade This Section

See the exact questions that will be on the 2025 New Mexico DMV exam.

99.2% of people who use the cheat sheet pass the FIRST TIME

Alexa shares with us how she went in for her Class A permit and decided to get her Hazmat endorsement as a bonus!

Mark shares his feedback on his Class A CDL Cheat Sheet

Click Here
Full Cheat Sheet Unlock Your Exclusive Cheat Sheet!