Nevada CDL — General Knowledge practice
Nevada CDL — General Knowledge: Signals & Pavement Markings practice test
How to read traffic signals, lane lines, and pavement markings — including yellow and white lines, arrows, and flashing lights.
Content reviewed against official driver handbooks · August 12, 2026
14 questions · pass with 11 correct. You get instant feedback and an explanation after every answer.
Study questions with answers
12 sample Signals & Pavement Markings questions with the correct answer, a short explanation, and the official handbook reference. Read through them, then take the quiz above.
Show all 12 questions with answers
1. During the seven-step inspection, how can you get the brake lights on so you can check them from outside?
Correct answer: Apply the trailer hand brake or have a helper press the brake pedal
In Step 6 you turn all lights off, then light the stop lights by setting the trailer hand brake or having a helper hold the pedal, and switch on the left turn signal before walking out to look.
Source: Nevada Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 2.1.5, Seven-step Inspection Method
2. Some air brake vehicles use a 'wig wag' as a low air pressure warning. How does it work?
Correct answer: A mechanical arm drops into the driver's view when system pressure falls below 55 psi
A wig wag swings an arm into view once pressure falls below 55 psi. The automatic kind rises back out of view above 55 psi; the manual-reset kind must be moved out of view by hand.
Source: Nevada Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 5.1.11, Low Air Pressure Warning
3. A school bus is about to pull over at a stop along its route. About how far ahead should the driver turn on the right turn signal?
Correct answer: About 100 to 300 feet, or 3 to 5 seconds, before pulling over
The manual suggests signaling right roughly 100-300 feet (about 3-5 seconds) before pulling over, while watching the mirrors and moving as far right as possible.
Source: Nevada Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 10.2.1, Approaching the Stop
4. You are loading students onto a school bus before sunrise. Which light should be on inside the bus?
Correct answer: The dome light
When loading in the dark, keep the dome light on, and have students board slowly in single file using the handrail.
Source: Nevada Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 10.2.2, Loading Procedures
5. On newer vehicles, what does the trailer air supply control look like?
Correct answer: A red, eight-sided knob
Newer rigs use a red eight-sided knob. Pushing it in sends air to the trailer; pulling it out cuts the air and sets the trailer emergency brakes.
Source: Nevada Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 6.2.3, Trailer Air Supply Control
6. While holding a steady speed on a downgrade, you notice the application pressure gauge climbing. What does that indicate?
Correct answer: The brakes are fading, so slow down and use a lower gear
If it takes more and more application pressure to keep a steady speed, your brakes are fading; slow down and shift to a lower gear. Poorly adjusted brakes, leaking air, or mechanical faults can produce the same sign.
Source: Nevada Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 5.1.10, Application Pressure Gauge
7. Your school bus has roof-mounted white strobe lights. When should they be used?
Correct answer: When visibility around the bus is limited
Overhead white strobes are for times when you can't easily see around the bus, whether visibility is only slightly reduced or nearly gone. Follow state or local rules on their use.
Source: Nevada Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 10.7.1, Strobe Lights
8. A bus has a red emergency door light. When must it be turned on?
Correct answer: At night or any other time the outside lights are on
The Emergency Exit sign on the door must be easy to see, and a red emergency door light, if the bus has one, must work and be on at night or whenever the outside lights are used.
Source: Nevada Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 4.1.3, Bus Interior
9. In Nevada's suggested air brake check, as you pump the foot brake to lower the pressure, at about what range should you listen for the low air warning?
Correct answer: 60 to 80 psi
The Nevada sequence has you pump the pedal down to roughly 60-80 psi and listen for the warning (and watch for a light if equipped), then keep pumping to about 20-40 psi to watch the valves pop out.
Source: Nevada Commercial Driver's License Manual — Nevada Information, Air Brakes and Hydraulic Brake Check
10. A school bus has finished loading students along the route. After closing the door, engaging the transmission, and releasing the parking brake, which signal steps come next?
Correct answer: Turn off the alternating flashing red lights, then turn on the left turn signal
The leaving sequence is: close the door, engage the transmission, release the parking brake, switch off the alternating red lights, switch on the left turn signal, check every mirror, and let congested traffic clear.
Source: Nevada Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 10.2.2, Loading Procedures
11. On newer air brake vehicles, what does the parking brake control look like, and how do you set the brakes?
Correct answer: A yellow, diamond-shaped knob that you pull out
Newer vehicles use a yellow, diamond-shaped push-pull knob. Pulling it out applies the parking (spring) brakes, and pushing it in releases them.
Source: Nevada Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 5.1.15, Parking Brake Controls
12. On many combination vehicles, the trailer air lines are color-coded. Which colors are used?
Correct answer: Blue for the service line, red for the emergency line
Colors help keep the lines straight: blue for service and red for emergency (supply). Some lines also carry metal tags stamped 'service' and 'emergency.'
Source: Nevada Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 6.2.5, Hose Couplers (Glad Hands)
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