Washington CDL Permit Test - Combination

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. Instead, use the parking brake or wheel chocks.

Older trailers do not have spring brakes. This means that if the air supply in an older trailer's air tank has leaked away, there will be no working brakes connected to the trailer and its wheels will turn freely.

The emergency air line (also known as the supply line) has two functions. The first is to supply air to the trailer air tanks, and the second is to control the emergency brakes on combination vehicles.

Tractors without semi-trailers are referred to as "bobtail tractors." Bobtail tractors are difficult to operate and drivers must exercise caution.

Making a sudden lane change can be dangerous while driving a combination vehicle. You can avoid the need to make a sudden lange change by looking down the road for upcoming obstacles that will require you to change lanes.

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.

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.