Texas CDL — General Knowledge: Signals & Pavement Markings Practice Test

Question 1

A driver behind you wants to pass and the road ahead looks clear to you. What should you do?

Accepted Answer

Keep your hands off the signals and let that driver decide — Never wave or flash another driver through. If your signal turns out to be wrong you could cause a crash, be held responsible for it, and face a very expensive claim. Let the other driver make that judgment.

Answer

Wave the driver past with your arm out the window

Answer

Flash a right turn signal to say the way is clear

Answer

Blink your marker lights three times as a go-ahead

Question 2

A truck at least 80 inches wide or 30 feet long comes to a stop on a Texas roadway or the shoulder beside it. The driver must:

Accepted Answer

Turn on the hazard warning lamps immediately — State law says a rig that large has to switch on the flashing hazard lamps the moment it stops on the roadway or shoulder. A vehicle legally parked inside city limits, or one halted to pick up or drop off passengers, is excused.

Answer

Sound the horn twice before shutting the engine down

Answer

Raise the hood as a signal of distress

Answer

Leave the headlights burning on high beam

Question 3

You have just finished a turn in a truck whose signals do not shut off by themselves. You should:

Accepted Answer

Reach over and switch the signal off yourself — Leaving a signal blinking after the move is done tells other drivers something that is no longer true. If your signals do not cancel on their own, switch them off yourself once the turn or lane change is complete.

Answer

Leave it blinking until you reach the next intersection

Answer

Turn on the four-way flashers in its place

Answer

Tap the brakes twice to confirm the move is over

Question 4

On a two-lane road, the pavement painted ahead of a railroad crossing carries:

Accepted Answer

A large X with the letters RR, along with a no-passing marking — The paint ahead of a crossing says the same thing the advance warning sign does. It shows a large X together with the letters RR, and on a two-lane road a no-passing marking goes with it.

Answer

A solid blue stripe running across both lanes

Answer

A yellow diamond outline painted in the lane

Answer

The word STOP repeated three times

Question 5

You should turn on your four-way emergency flashers when:

Accepted Answer

When you are stopped at the roadside or must drive unusually slowly — Use your four-way flashers when you are stopped or parked at the roadside, and whenever you must drive so slowly that you become a hazard to others.

Answer

While driving at normal highway speed

Answer

Whenever you pass another vehicle

Answer

To thank a driver who let you merge

Question 6

When you plan to turn, you should signal:

Accepted Answer

Early, well before you begin the turn — Signal early, well before the turn, so other drivers know your plans in time. Keep signaling through the turn and make sure the signal cancels afterward.

Answer

Only as you begin to turn the wheel

Answer

After you have finished the turn

Answer

Only if a vehicle is close behind you

Question 7

Texas equipment rules permit flashing lights on:

Accepted Answer

Emergency vehicles, snow removal machinery, and school buses loading children — Flashing lamps belong on emergency vehicles, on snow removal machinery, and on school buses while children are getting on or off. Tow trucks may also use them at a wreck when an officer directs, or while hooking a disabled vehicle out of the roadway.

Answer

Any truck carrying a load longer than 40 feet

Answer

Passenger cars that are towing a trailer

Answer

Every vehicle operating under a special permit

Question 8

To warn drivers behind you that you are about to slow down, you can:

Accepted Answer

Tap the brake pedal to flash your brake lights — Tap the brake pedal a few times to flash your brake lights before slowing. This warns following drivers, who may not expect a heavy vehicle to slow so gradually.

Answer

Speed up so they do not notice

Answer

Switch off all of your lights

Answer

Only wave your arm out the window

Question 9

How often should you check your mirrors while driving?

Accepted Answer

Regularly, and always before you change lanes, turn, or merge — Check your mirrors regularly, and always before you change lanes, turn, merge, or slow down, so you know what is happening around your vehicle.

Answer

Only once, when you start the trip

Answer

Never, so you can watch only the road ahead

Answer

Only when you hear another vehicle

Question 10

Compared with the flat mirrors, the convex or 'spot' mirrors on a truck show:

Accepted Answer

A wider area, but objects look smaller and farther away than they are — Convex mirrors give a wider view, but they make everything look smaller and farther away than it really is. Keep that in mind when judging distances behind you.

Answer

A narrower area with objects that look larger

Answer

Exactly the same view as a flat mirror

Answer

Only what is directly in front of the vehicle

Question 11

When you meet an oncoming vehicle at night, you should:

Accepted Answer

Switch to low beams before you come within 500 feet of the oncoming vehicle — Switch to low beams before an oncoming vehicle is within 500 feet of you. Do the same when you follow another vehicle within 500 feet, so your lights do not blind other drivers.

Answer

Keep your high beams on so you can see better

Answer

Turn your headlights off completely

Answer

Flash your high beams over and over

Texas CDL — General Knowledge: Signals & Pavement Markings practice test

Study questions with answers

1. A driver behind you wants to pass and the road ahead looks clear to you. What should you do?

2. A truck at least 80 inches wide or 30 feet long comes to a stop on a Texas roadway or the shoulder beside it. The driver must:

3. You have just finished a turn in a truck whose signals do not shut off by themselves. You should:

4. On a two-lane road, the pavement painted ahead of a railroad crossing carries:

5. You should turn on your four-way emergency flashers when:

6. When you plan to turn, you should signal:

7. Texas equipment rules permit flashing lights on:

8. To warn drivers behind you that you are about to slow down, you can:

9. How often should you check your mirrors while driving?

10. Compared with the flat mirrors, the convex or 'spot' mirrors on a truck show:

11. When you meet an oncoming vehicle at night, you should:

More CDL — General Knowledge topics

Practice Signals & Pavement Markings in another state