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 Vermont 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 Vermont 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. What is the tractor protection valve?

A valve that keeps air in the brake system should a bad leak occur

A valve that prevents the trailer from being accidentally released

A valve that prevents the vehicle from going too fast

A tractor protection valve keeps air in a tractor or truck air brake system should the trailer break away or develop a bad leak. The valve will close automatically if the pressure drops to an unsafe level.

2. Bobtail tractors are ____ to stop than tractors attached to full semitrailers.

Quicker

Easier

More difficult

Bobtail tractors are tractors that are not attached to any semitrailers. When operating a bobtail, you should be aware that stopping can be difficult and that it will take a longer distance to come to a complete stop than a tractor attached to a loaded semitrailer.

3. If color-coded, which color is used to identify service lines?

White

Yellow

Blue

Air lines are sometimes color-coded to help drivers avoid mistakes when coupling glad hands. Typically, blue is used for service lines and red is used for emergency lines.

4. When braking with ABS, you should:

Push the brake pedal harder than usual.

Push the brake pedal as you normally would.

Push the brake pedal more lightly than usual.

When operating a vehicle with an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), you should apply your brakes in the same manner as you would if operating a vehicle without ABS.

5. If an air supply control is in its "emergency" position:

The vehicle will increase speed.

The trailer emergency brakes will be applied.

The air supply to the trailer will increase.

Tractor protection controls in older vehicles may be operated by levers instead of knobs. If an air supply control is set in its "emergency" position, the air supply will be stopped and the trailer emergency brakes will be applied.

6. If unsure if a trailer has an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), you can:

Look under the trailer for wheel speed sensors coming from the back of the brakes.

Remove a tire and look for the ABS sensor on the axle.

Assume it does have ABS.

If you do not know whether or not a trailer is equipped with ABS, look under the vehicle for the electronic control unit and wheel speed sensor wires coming from the back of the brakes.

7. A trolley valve:

Should be used while driving.

Should only be used to test trailer brakes.

Should be used when parking uphill.

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.

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