Iowa CDL — General Knowledge: Safe Driving Practices Practice Test

Question 1

Your vehicle has rear and side cameras. What must you confirm about them during the inspection test?

Accepted Answer

That they are clean and the in-cab video display works and is adjusted for viewing — Cameras used as traffic monitoring devices must be clean so they can be viewed from inside, and the video display must work and be set up so you can see it.

Answer

That they record to a memory card

Answer

Nothing, since cameras are optional

Answer

That they are covered while parked

Question 2

Your bus has a wheelchair lift. Besides checking it for leaks and damaged or missing parts, what must be true before you drive?

Accepted Answer

It is fully retracted and securely latched — Inspect a passenger lift for leaking, damaged, or missing parts, explain how you'd check that it operates correctly, and make sure it's fully retracted and latched before driving.

Answer

It is lowered halfway for quick boarding

Answer

Its controls are disconnected

Answer

It is left unlatched so it can deploy in an emergency

Question 3

What should you carry along with the right number of tire chains for winter driving?

Accepted Answer

Extra cross-links — Carry enough chains plus extra cross-links, make sure they fit the drive tires, and check them for broken hooks and worn or broken links.

Answer

A spare windshield

Answer

Only bags of rock salt

Answer

Snow tires for the trailer

Question 4

On the CDL inspection test, how many axles will you be required to inspect?

Accepted Answer

Only one, though you should be ready to inspect them all the same way — The test requires you to inspect just one axle, but be ready to inspect every axle the same way.

Answer

Every axle on the vehicle

Answer

Only the drive axles

Answer

None; the examiner checks axles

Question 5

During the CDL inspection test, how must you check tread depth?

Accepted Answer

With a tread depth gauge in the major grooves that have wear bars — Use a tread depth gauge on the major tread grooves with wear bars. Steering axle tires need at least 4/32 inch and all other tires 2/32 inch.

Answer

By looking at the tire from the cab

Answer

By pressing a coin into the tire's shoulder

Answer

By kicking the tire

Question 6

What problem does the manual connect with an overinflated tire?

Accepted Answer

More risk of damage from curbs and potholes, and less traction — Too much air makes a tire easier to damage on curbs and potholes and cuts traction because less tread touches the road. Underinflation is the condition that builds heat from flexing.

Answer

Heat buildup from extra flexing

Answer

Better grip on wet roads

Answer

Shorter stopping distances

Question 7

Your vehicle runs on circuit breakers instead of spare fuses. What must you do when checking emergency equipment on the test?

Accepted Answer

Tell the examiner and point out that the vehicle uses circuit breakers — If the vehicle has no electrical fuses, mention it and identify that it operates on circuit breakers, then check the fire extinguisher and warning devices.

Answer

Nothing; the item doesn't apply

Answer

Bring spare fuses anyway

Answer

Accept an automatic failure on that item

Question 8

Your tires have an automatic inflation system with hoses on the valve stems. How do you handle tire inflation on the inspection test?

Accepted Answer

State that the system monitors and adjusts pressure, and check that it's working — With an automatic inflation or pressure monitoring system attached to the valve stems, you only need to say pressure is monitored and adjusted automatically and confirm the system works.

Answer

Remove the hoses and use a gauge

Answer

Skip inflation entirely

Answer

Kick each tire

Question 9

How should you get off a bus during the inspection or skills test?

Accepted Answer

Face forward and keep a firm grip on the handrail — In a truck you face the vehicle and keep three points of contact. On a bus you face forward and hold the handrail firmly.

Answer

Jump from the bottom step

Answer

Face backward with both hands free

Answer

Hold the edge of the door

Question 10

You're about to start a run on an unfamiliar route. When does the manual say to program the GPS and review the map?

Accepted Answer

Before you begin driving — Preset your stations, review maps, program the GPS, and plan the route before setting out, so you aren't adjusting them while moving.

Answer

At the first red light

Answer

On a straight, empty stretch of road

Answer

Only if you get lost

Question 11

When inspecting the wheels, what are you looking for at the bolt holes?

Accepted Answer

That they haven't stretched out of round (elongated) — Check that the bolt holes aren't elongated, along with looking for cracked or bent rims and any rim that has had welding repairs.

Answer

That they are painted

Answer

That each one has a washer

Answer

That they are packed with grease

Question 12

Besides rust trails, what sign on a lug nut may show that it's working loose?

Accepted Answer

Shiny threads — Rust trails or shiny threads can point to looseness. Also confirm that every lug nut is present and no studs are bent, broken, or missing.

Answer

A light coat of road dust

Answer

A factory paint mark

Answer

A chrome cap

Iowa CDL — General Knowledge: Safe Driving Practices practice test

Study questions with answers

1. Your vehicle has rear and side cameras. What must you confirm about them during the inspection test?

2. Your bus has a wheelchair lift. Besides checking it for leaks and damaged or missing parts, what must be true before you drive?

3. What should you carry along with the right number of tire chains for winter driving?

4. On the CDL inspection test, how many axles will you be required to inspect?

5. During the CDL inspection test, how must you check tread depth?

6. What problem does the manual connect with an overinflated tire?

7. Your vehicle runs on circuit breakers instead of spare fuses. What must you do when checking emergency equipment on the test?

8. Your tires have an automatic inflation system with hoses on the valve stems. How do you handle tire inflation on the inspection test?

9. How should you get off a bus during the inspection or skills test?

10. You're about to start a run on an unfamiliar route. When does the manual say to program the GPS and review the map?

11. When inspecting the wheels, what are you looking for at the bolt holes?

12. Besides rust trails, what sign on a lug nut may show that it's working loose?

More CDL — General Knowledge topics

Practice Safe Driving Practices in another state