Air Brakes

This endorsement is required for driving a vehicle with air brakes. To receive this endorsement, applicants must pass a written test. The test consists of 25 multiple choice.. Read More

This endorsement is required for driving a vehicle with air brakes. To receive this endorsement, applicants must pass a written test. The test consists of 25 multiple choice questions. To pass, the applicant must answer at least 20 questions correctly. Test questions come from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Commercial Driver’s Manual. Questions come from chapters covering: Air Brakes. The Air Brakes endorsement may be used with the Class A, B or C CDL.

Number of Question
Passing Score

1. Both systems in a dual air brake systems share:

Explanation
Both systems in a dual air brake system share a single air compressor. If the air compressor is damaged, neither system will be able to operate properly.

2. When inspecting your brakes, a slack adjuster should move ____ from where it is attached to the push rod.

Explanation
Check each slack adjuster after setting wheel chocks and disengaging the parking brake. Pull the slack adjusters to make sure they do not move more than about one inch from where the push rod is attached. If they move more than one inch, they may be out of adjustment and will need to be fixed.

3. What kind of force must emergency brakes use?

Explanation
Because air pressure can eventually leak away, the emergency brakes in an air brake system must be held on by mechanical force.

4. During a static leakage test, the maximum leakage rate for a single vehicle with air brakes is ____ in one minute.

Explanation
When performing a static leakage test on a single vehicle with air brakes, the leakage rate should be no more than 2 psi in a minute. If air leaks from the air brake system at a quicker rate, the vehicle should not be driven because something likely needs to be repaired.

5. Applying the brake pedal causes air pressure to activate an electric switch and:

Explanation
In a vehicle with air brakes, the brake lights are activated when the brake pedal is pushed and air pressure moves an electric switch. With the application of air pressure, the switch will then turn on the brake lights.

6. Foundation brakes are used:

Explanation
Foundation brakes are used at each wheel. The most common type is the S-cam drum brake.
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