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

Question 1

How does the manual define an 'active' railroad crossing?

Accepted Answer

A crossing with a traffic control device installed, such as flashing red lights, bells or gates — Active crossings have a traffic control device that regulates traffic at the crossing. A passive crossing has no such device, so the decision to stop or go is entirely the driver's.

Answer

A crossing used by more than ten trains a day

Answer

Any crossing inside city limits

Answer

A crossing where a flagman works at night

Question 2

For night driving, what does the manual say about lighting inside the cab?

Accepted Answer

Keep the interior light off and turn the instrument lights down as far as you can while still reading the gauges — A bright cab makes it harder to see outside, so the manual says to leave the interior light off and dim the instrument lights to the lowest readable level.

Answer

Keep the interior light on so other drivers can see you

Answer

Turn the instrument lights to full brightness

Answer

Switch the instrument lights off entirely

Question 3

You have stopped at a railroad crossing equipped with gates and flashing red lights. When does the manual say you may proceed?

Accepted Answer

Once the gates are up, the lights have stopped flashing, and it is safe — The manual says to stop when the lights start flashing and before the gate comes down, to remain stopped until the gates rise and the flashing ends, and then to go ahead when it is safe.

Answer

As soon as the last car of the train has passed

Answer

When the gates begin to rise

Answer

After waiting 15 seconds

Question 4

A traffic light ahead of you has been green for a long time. What does the manual tell you to do?

Accepted Answer

Begin to slow and get ready to stop, since it will probably change before you arrive — The manual says a light that has stayed green a long while is likely to change before you reach it, so you should begin to slow and prepare to stop.

Answer

Speed up to get through before it changes

Answer

Hold your speed and sound the horn

Answer

Change lanes so you can pass slower traffic

Question 5

At dawn, at dusk, or in rain or snow, which lights does the manual say to turn on so that other drivers can see you?

Accepted Answer

The headlights, rather than only the identification or clearance lights — The manual says that when you have trouble seeing others they have trouble seeing you, so turn on the headlights rather than only the identification or clearance lights.

Answer

The clearance lights only

Answer

The identification lights only

Answer

The interior cab light

Question 6

On older antilock braking systems, the malfunction lamp may stay lit after start-up until what happens?

Accepted Answer

You are driving faster than five mph — On newer vehicles the lamp comes on briefly for a bulb check and goes out. On older systems it could stay on until the vehicle is moving over five mph. A lamp that remains on after that may mean ABS control has been lost.

Answer

You pump the brake pedal three times

Answer

Air pressure reaches 90 psi

Answer

The engine reaches operating temperature

Question 7

The manual's first rule for turn signals is to signal early. What benefit does it give for signaling well ahead of a turn?

Accepted Answer

It is the best way to discourage others from trying to pass you — Signaling well before you turn is described as the best way of keeping other drivers from attempting to pass.

Answer

It lets you skip the mirror check

Answer

It allows you to turn from any lane

Answer

It gives you the right of way over oncoming traffic

Question 8

During the walk-around inspection, which colors does the manual accept for turn signals that face forward?

Accepted Answer

Amber or white — Front-facing turn signals should be amber or white. Rear turn signals may be red, yellow or amber.

Answer

Red or amber

Answer

White only

Answer

Red, yellow or amber

Question 9

A car is tailgating your truck. Which 'trick' does the manual specifically tell you to avoid?

Accepted Answer

Turning on your taillights or flashing your brake lights — Under dealing with tailgaters, the manual says to avoid tricks such as switching on the taillights or flashing the brake lights, and to follow its other suggestions instead.

Answer

Opening up more room in front of you

Answer

Signaling early before a turn

Answer

Reducing your speed very gradually

Question 10

Most car drivers do not realize how slowly a large vehicle has to take a tight turn. How does the manual say to warn the drivers behind you?

Accepted Answer

Brake early and slow down gradually — For tight turns the manual advises giving following drivers warning by braking early and reducing speed gradually.

Answer

Sound the horn twice before the turn

Answer

Flash your high beams

Answer

Wave them back with a hand signal

Question 11

On the road test's stop/start maneuver you are told to resume driving. After checking traffic and mirrors, what do you do with your lights and signals?

Accepted Answer

Turn off the four-way flashers and activate the left turn signal — When instructed to resume, you switch off the flashers, signal left, let off the parking brake and move straight ahead when traffic allows, then cancel the signal once back in the traffic flow.

Answer

Leave the four-way flashers on until you reach traffic speed

Answer

Turn on the right turn signal

Answer

Pull out without signaling, since you are already in the lane

Question 12

After you signal a lane change, the manual says to move over slowly and smoothly. What reason does it give?

Accepted Answer

A driver you did not see gets a chance to honk or avoid your vehicle — A slow, smooth lane change gives a driver you failed to notice time to sound the horn or steer clear.

Answer

It keeps the turn signal from canceling early

Answer

It saves wear on the steering system

Answer

It lets you watch the mirrors for the whole move

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

Study questions with answers

1. How does the manual define an 'active' railroad crossing?

2. For night driving, what does the manual say about lighting inside the cab?

3. You have stopped at a railroad crossing equipped with gates and flashing red lights. When does the manual say you may proceed?

4. A traffic light ahead of you has been green for a long time. What does the manual tell you to do?

5. At dawn, at dusk, or in rain or snow, which lights does the manual say to turn on so that other drivers can see you?

6. On older antilock braking systems, the malfunction lamp may stay lit after start-up until what happens?

7. The manual's first rule for turn signals is to signal early. What benefit does it give for signaling well ahead of a turn?

8. During the walk-around inspection, which colors does the manual accept for turn signals that face forward?

9. A car is tailgating your truck. Which 'trick' does the manual specifically tell you to avoid?

10. Most car drivers do not realize how slowly a large vehicle has to take a tight turn. How does the manual say to warn the drivers behind you?

11. On the road test's stop/start maneuver you are told to resume driving. After checking traffic and mirrors, what do you do with your lights and signals?

12. After you signal a lane change, the manual says to move over slowly and smoothly. What reason does it give?

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