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

Question 1

After the signal-light check in step 6 of the seven-step inspection, you get back in the cab. What do you do about the lights?

Accepted Answer

Turn off the lights that are not needed for driving — Once the signal lights have been checked, the manual has you turn off any lights you do not need for driving, check for required papers, and secure loose articles in the cab before starting the engine.

Answer

Leave every light on until the first stop

Answer

Turn on the high beams and leave the cab again

Answer

Switch on the interior dome light for the rest of the trip

Question 2

Step 5 of the seven-step inspection starts at the front of the vehicle. What do you confirm there before you push the dimmer switch?

Accepted Answer

That the low beams are on and both four-way flashers are working — Before leaving the cab you switched on the low beams and the four-way flashers. At the front you confirm that those are working, and then you push the dimmer switch to check the high beams.

Answer

That the high beams and fog lights are aimed correctly

Answer

That the brake lights come on when the door opens

Answer

That the clearance lights at the rear are amber

Question 3

You have no choice but to keep driving in fog. Why does the manual tell you to turn on your four-way flashers?

Accepted Answer

So drivers coming up behind you have a better chance of noticing your vehicle sooner — In fog the manual says to use low beams and fog lights and to switch on the four-way flashers. The flashers give drivers closing in from the rear a quicker chance to notice your vehicle.

Answer

Because flashers cut through fog better than headlights and light the road ahead

Answer

To tell oncoming drivers that you plan to stop

Answer

Because flashers are required whenever the headlights are on

Question 4

On the inspection test, light and reflector checks cover more than whether they are clean and working. What else must you verify?

Accepted Answer

That each one is the correct color — The inspection includes verifying color. Clearance lights, for example, are red at the rear and amber elsewhere, and reflectors are red on the rear and amber everywhere else.

Answer

That each one is the same brand

Answer

That each lens carries a date stamp

Answer

That each one is brighter than the headlights

Question 5

The road test scores how you use your turn signals. Which of these is NOT part of that standard?

Accepted Answer

Leave the signal on for a block after a lane change so others know you moved — The standard is to use the signals properly: turn them on when required and at the right time, and cancel them once the turn or lane change is finished. A signal left blinking after the move is over is the opposite of what is asked.

Answer

Activate the signals when they are required

Answer

Activate the signals at appropriate times

Answer

Cancel the signal when the turn or lane change is complete

Question 6

When you set out reflective triangles to protect an accident scene, what does the manual say to make sure of?

Accepted Answer

That approaching traffic will spot them early enough to steer clear of the crash — Protecting the area means putting on your flashers and setting out reflective triangles. The triangles only help if approaching drivers see them soon enough to avoid running into the scene.

Answer

That they are all placed in front of the vehicles involved

Answer

That each one is within arm's reach of your cab

Answer

That they are picked up again within ten minutes

Question 7

On the vehicle inspection test, how must you check the brake lights, turn signals and four-way flashers?

Accepted Answer

Each function has to be checked separately — A note in the inspection section says the brake lights, the turn signals and the four-way flashers each need their own check. Turning everything on at once would not show that each one works.

Answer

All three may be checked at once by turning on the flashers

Answer

Only the brake lights need checking if the dash indicators work

Answer

They are checked by the examiner, not by you

Question 8

Why does the manual say clean, working turn signals and brake lights matter even more at night?

Accepted Answer

At night they become even more important for showing other drivers what you plan to do — In the dark, turn signals and brake lights carry even more of the job of telling other drivers what you are about to do. The manual wants them clean and in working order.

Answer

They are the only lights inspectors check after dark

Answer

They take the place of the headlights when you dim for oncoming traffic

Answer

They keep the battery charging evenly

Question 9

Your truck's turn signals do not cancel by themselves. What does the manual remind you to do after a turn?

Accepted Answer

Switch the signal off yourself once the turn is finished — One of the manual's turn-signal rules is to cancel the signal once you have turned if your signals are not self-canceling. Forgetting leaves a signal flashing that no longer means anything.

Answer

Leave it on until the next intersection so others know where you came from

Answer

Tap the brakes twice to cancel it

Answer

Turn on the four-way flashers to override it

Question 10

How may the area for the basic vehicle control test be marked out?

Accepted Answer

By lane lines, cones, barriers or similar markers — For the basic control test you move the vehicle forward, backward and through turns inside a defined area. That area can be laid out with lane markings, cones, barriers or similar items, and the examiner explains how each exercise is to be done.

Answer

Only by painted curbs

Answer

By flashing lights at each corner

Answer

It is never marked; the examiner describes it from memory

Question 11

You are on a dark rural highway at night, with no vehicle ahead of you or coming toward you within 500 feet. Which headlight setting does the manual recommend?

Accepted Answer

High beams, since it is safe and legal there and they let you see farther — Always using low beams seriously cuts down how far you can see. The manual's advice is high beams whenever that is both safe and legal, meaning no approaching vehicle, and no vehicle you are following, within 500 feet.

Answer

Low beams at all times, to avoid any risk of glare

Answer

Clearance lights only, to save your night vision

Answer

Four-way flashers together with low beams

Question 12

A converter dolly was built in 2005, so it must have an ABS malfunction lamp. Where is that lamp?

Accepted Answer

On the left side of the dolly — Tractors, trucks and buses show ABS problems with a yellow lamp on the instrument panel, and trailers carry one on the left side. A dolly made on March 1, 1998 or later also needs one, mounted on its left side.

Answer

On the right rear corner of the dolly

Answer

Only on the tractor's instrument panel

Answer

Under the dolly, next to the electronic control unit

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

Study questions with answers

1. After the signal-light check in step 6 of the seven-step inspection, you get back in the cab. What do you do about the lights?

2. Step 5 of the seven-step inspection starts at the front of the vehicle. What do you confirm there before you push the dimmer switch?

3. You have no choice but to keep driving in fog. Why does the manual tell you to turn on your four-way flashers?

4. On the inspection test, light and reflector checks cover more than whether they are clean and working. What else must you verify?

5. The road test scores how you use your turn signals. Which of these is NOT part of that standard?

6. When you set out reflective triangles to protect an accident scene, what does the manual say to make sure of?

7. On the vehicle inspection test, how must you check the brake lights, turn signals and four-way flashers?

8. Why does the manual say clean, working turn signals and brake lights matter even more at night?

9. Your truck's turn signals do not cancel by themselves. What does the manual remind you to do after a turn?

10. How may the area for the basic vehicle control test be marked out?

11. You are on a dark rural highway at night, with no vehicle ahead of you or coming toward you within 500 feet. Which headlight setting does the manual recommend?

12. A converter dolly was built in 2005, so it must have an ABS malfunction lamp. Where is that lamp?

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