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.. 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's 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. A loss of air pressure in the emergency line will cause:

The suspension springs to extend.

The tractor protection valve to open.

The rear trailer to detach from the combination.

The emergency brakes to activate.

The emergency air line controls the emergency brakes on a combination vehicle. A loss of air pressure in the emergency line will cause the emergency trailer brakes to activate.

2. An Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS):

Allows wheels to lock up.

Prevents wheels from locking up.

Makes it easier to turn a large vehicle.

Assists with the operation of brake lights.

The function of an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) is to prevent a vehicle's wheels from locking up during hard braking.

3. When coupling a trailer:

Make sure to couple matching glad hands.

Any glad hand can be connected to any other glad hand.

It is best to leave one glad hand unattached.

Only one set of glad hands should be connected.

When coupling, make sure you couple matching glad hands. They are often color-coded to help drivers avoid mistakes. Typically, blue is used for service lines and red is used for emergency lines.

4. In a vehicle equipped with an automatic tractor protection valve, the valve will pop out when:

Air pressure drops to a level between 20 and 45 psi.

You are experiencing a trailer jackknife.

Wheels have regained traction after a skid.

Air pressure is above 45 psi.

In vehicles equipped with an automatic tractor protection valve, the valve will pop out if air pressure drops to a level between 20 and 45 psi. When the valve pops out, the protection valve will close, stopping the flow of air.

5. Failure to keep the fifth wheel plate properly greased could:

Cause the trailer to disconnect.

Cause steering problems.

Cause braking problems.

Affect the lights.

Failure to keep the fifth wheel plate properly lubricated can create friction between the tractor and trailer, causing steering problems.

6. Fully-loaded rigs:

Are less likely to roll over than empty rigs.

Are more likely to roll over than empty rigs.

Are just as likely to roll over as empty rigs.

Should not be driven.

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.

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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