Nevada CDL — General Knowledge: Handling Emergencies Practice Test

Question 1

Your school bus stalls on the railroad tracks. After getting everyone off, which direction should they move?

Accepted Answer

Far from the bus, at an angle away from the tracks and toward the oncoming train — Get everyone out and off the tracks at once, then move them far from the bus at an angle that leads away from the tracks and toward the approaching train.

Answer

Straight down the tracks, away from the train

Answer

Back onto the bus once the gates come down

Answer

Away from the tracks in the same direction the train is traveling

Question 2

After evacuating a school bus because another vehicle might hit it, where is a safe place for students to wait?

Accepted Answer

100 feet or more from the road, toward oncoming traffic — A safe place is at least 100 feet off the road toward oncoming traffic, which keeps students from being struck by debris if another vehicle hits the bus.

Answer

Directly behind the bus

Answer

In the highway median

Answer

On the shoulder just ahead of the bus

Question 3

A front tire blows out. What is the only way to keep the steering wheel from being twisted out of your hands?

Accepted Answer

Keep a firm grip on the wheel with both hands at all times — A failed front tire can wrench the wheel out of your hand. The only defense is a firm, two-handed grip at all times.

Answer

Brake hard immediately

Answer

Steer sharply toward the shoulder

Answer

Shift into neutral

Question 4

You drive a straight truck with working ABS on all axles and must make an emergency stop. How may you brake?

Accepted Answer

You may fully apply the brakes — With ABS you normally brake as you always have. The one exception: with working ABS on all axles of a straight truck or combination, you can apply the brakes fully in an emergency stop.

Answer

You must pump the brakes

Answer

You must use only the parking brake

Answer

You must use stab braking

Question 5

After coupling, the trailer's spring brakes won't release when you push in the trailer air supply control. What should you check?

Accepted Answer

The air line connections, which may be crossed — Crossed air lines send supply air into the service line instead of charging the trailer tanks, so the spring brakes can't release. Check the air line hookups.

Answer

The grease on the fifth wheel

Answer

The trailer's tire pressure

Answer

The headlight switch

Question 6

You suspect a fire in the cargo area of a trailer hauling hazardous materials. What should you do before opening the doors?

Accepted Answer

Feel the doors for heat; if they are hot, leave them closed — Check trailer doors for heat before opening them. Hot doors may mean a cargo fire, and opening them lets in air that can make it flare up.

Answer

Open the doors quickly to let the smoke out

Answer

Spray water through a crack in the doors

Answer

Drive faster to cool the trailer

Question 7

A tornado is headed straight for your school bus, evacuation is ordered, and no building shelter is close. What should students do?

Accepted Answer

Go to a nearby ditch or culvert and lie face down with hands over their heads — Take students to a nearby ditch or culvert, far enough away that the bus can't topple onto them, and have them lie face down covering their heads. Avoid areas prone to flash floods.

Answer

Stay seated on the bus with the windows open

Answer

Stand behind the bus to block the wind

Answer

Run across the tornado's path to get past it

Question 8

You need to steer quickly around an obstacle. Why should you turn no more than needed to clear it?

Accepted Answer

The sharper the turn, the greater the chance of a skid or rollover — Turn only as much as you must. Sharper turns raise the odds of a skid or rollover, and top-heavy vehicles and rigs with multiple trailers may flip.

Answer

Sharp turns damage the power steering

Answer

Other drivers expect wide turns

Answer

Sharp turns set the parking brake

Question 9

A school bus is evacuated because of a hazardous materials spill. Where should students be led?

Accepted Answer

At least 300 feet away, on the upwind side of the bus — If spilled hazardous materials pose a risk, lead students upwind of the bus and at least 300 feet away. With fire present, also move them upwind.

Answer

Downwind, at least 50 feet away

Answer

Into the nearest ditch beside the bus

Answer

Back toward the spill to help

Question 10

A package of hazardous materials is leaking in your trailer. How should you identify the material?

Accepted Answer

Use the shipping papers, labels, or package location, never your sense of smell — Identify a leaking material from the shipping papers, labels, or where the package sits. Don't touch it or try to smell it: poisonous gases can ruin your sense of smell and can hurt you even when they have no odor.

Answer

Sniff carefully to judge the odor

Answer

Touch it with a gloved hand

Answer

Open nearby packages to compare

Question 11

What is the earliest and best way to tell that your trailer has started to skid?

Accepted Answer

Seeing it in your mirrors — Check the mirrors any time you brake hard. Spotting the trailer out of position in a mirror is the earliest warning; once it swings out of your lane, a jackknife is very hard to prevent.

Answer

Feeling the steering wheel shake

Answer

Hearing the tires squeal

Answer

Noticing the air gauge drop

Question 12

You are involved in a crash while hauling hazardous materials with a co-driver. What is the first item on the manual's checklist?

Accepted Answer

Check that your driving partner is OK — The crash checklist starts with checking on your driving partner, then keeping the shipping papers with you, keeping people far away and upwind, warning others, calling for help, and following your employer's instructions.

Answer

Move the truck to the nearest service station

Answer

Clean up any spilled material yourself

Answer

Leave the shipping papers in the cab

Nevada CDL — General Knowledge: Handling Emergencies practice test

Study questions with answers

1. Your school bus stalls on the railroad tracks. After getting everyone off, which direction should they move?

2. After evacuating a school bus because another vehicle might hit it, where is a safe place for students to wait?

3. A front tire blows out. What is the only way to keep the steering wheel from being twisted out of your hands?

4. You drive a straight truck with working ABS on all axles and must make an emergency stop. How may you brake?

5. After coupling, the trailer's spring brakes won't release when you push in the trailer air supply control. What should you check?

6. You suspect a fire in the cargo area of a trailer hauling hazardous materials. What should you do before opening the doors?

7. A tornado is headed straight for your school bus, evacuation is ordered, and no building shelter is close. What should students do?

8. You need to steer quickly around an obstacle. Why should you turn no more than needed to clear it?

9. A school bus is evacuated because of a hazardous materials spill. Where should students be led?

10. A package of hazardous materials is leaking in your trailer. How should you identify the material?

11. What is the earliest and best way to tell that your trailer has started to skid?

12. You are involved in a crash while hauling hazardous materials with a co-driver. What is the first item on the manual's checklist?

More CDL — General Knowledge topics

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