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 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

8. What does an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) do?

It allows a vehicle's wheels to lock up.

It prevents a vehicle's wheels from locking up.

It makes turning a vehicle easier.

An Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) helps prevent wheel lockup during hard braking. If ABS detects impending lockup, it reduces braking pressure to a safe level.

9. If only a trailer is equipped with an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS):

The brakes will likely not work.

The trailer is less likely to swing out.

The tractor brakes should not be used.

If a trailer is equipped with an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) but the tractor is not, the driver will still have increased control while braking. A trailer with ABS is less likely to swing out of its lane than a trailer without ABS.

10. A trailer that is too high:

May not couple correctly.

Will couple securely.

Is not an issue.

Before coupling together a tractor and a trailer, you should make sure the trailer is at the proper height. If the trailer is too low, the trailer nose may be damaged. If the trailer is too high, it may not be able to couple correctly.

11. Before a trip, you can make sure air flows to all trailers by:

Checking for moving air inside of each trailer.

Listening for air at the rear shut-off valve.

Feeling for air at the front shut-off valve.

Before a trip, ensure that air in the air brake system reaches all trailers. Do this by waiting for air pressure to build, then sending air to both the emergency and service lines and opening the shut-off valves on the rear of the last trailer. If air escapes from the shut-off valves in the rear of the combination, the air is being supplied to the entire vehicle.

12. Rearward amplification refers to:

The amount of noise projected to the rear of the vehicle.

The cause of the "crack-the-whip" effect.

The number of trailers that can be pulled by one tractor.

The "crack-the-whip" effect is a result of rearward amplification. If not properly handled, a trailer can tip over due to rearward amplification.

13. If color-coded, which color is used to identify emergency, or supply, lines?

White

Yellow

Red

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.

14. The trailer hand valve should be used:

To test the trailer brakes.

To check the connection between the trailer and tractor.

To accelerate.

The trailer hand valve (also referred to as the "trolley valve" or "Johnson bar") works the trailer brakes and should be used only when testing them. Using the trailer hand valve while driving could result in a skid.

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