Rhode Island CDL — General Knowledge: Handling Emergencies Practice Test

Question 1

When fighting a vehicle fire with an extinguisher, how should you position yourself relative to the wind?

Accepted Answer

Upwind, letting the wind carry the extinguishing agent to the fire — Position yourself upwind and let the wind carry the agent to the fire. Stay as far away as you can and aim at the base.

Answer

Downwind, so the smoke blows past you

Answer

As close to the flames as possible

Answer

Directly above the fire

Question 2

Turning to miss an obstacle is usually quicker than stopping. Which vehicles does the manual warn may flip over in a quick turn?

Accepted Answer

Top-heavy vehicles and tractors pulling multiple trailers — You can almost always turn out of the way faster than you can stop. The exception noted is that top-heavy rigs and tractors with multiple trailers may roll over.

Answer

Empty straight trucks with ABS

Answer

Any vehicle with an automatic transmission

Answer

Buses carrying fewer than 16 passengers

Question 3

A rear tire failure can make a vehicle slide back and forth, or fishtail. What usually prevents this?

Accepted Answer

Dual rear tires — Rear tire failure can cause fishtailing, but dual rear tires usually prevent it. Heavy steering usually means a front tire has failed.

Answer

Antilock brakes

Answer

A retarder

Answer

A sliding fifth wheel

Question 4

How does the manual tell you to stop heavy bleeding at a crash scene?

Accepted Answer

Apply direct pressure to the wound — Simple first-aid steps include not moving a badly hurt person unless fire or traffic makes it necessary, using direct pressure on heavy bleeding, and keeping the person warm.

Answer

Raise the person to a sitting position

Answer

Give the person water

Answer

Apply ice to the wound

Question 5

Besides driving too fast for conditions, what can cause a front-wheel skid?

Accepted Answer

Little tread on the front tires, or too little cargo weight on the front axle — Speed causes most front-wheel skids. Worn front tread and cargo loaded so the front axle carries too little weight can also cause them.

Answer

Too much weight on the front axle

Answer

Using the retarder on dry pavement

Answer

Overinflated rear tires

Question 6

Your hydraulic brake pedal goes to the floor. Which of these is NOT one of the manual's suggested actions?

Accepted Answer

Shift into neutral to coast more freely — With lost hydraulic pressure, downshift, try pumping the pedal to build pressure, use the parking brake while working its release, and look for an escape route. Neutral would remove engine braking.

Answer

Downshift to a lower gear

Answer

Pump the brake pedal

Answer

Use the parking brake while holding the release

Question 7

Where does the manual say the best place to practice skid recovery is?

Accepted Answer

A large driving range or skid pad — Staying off the brake, steering quickly, using the clutch and counter-steering in a skid all take a lot of practice, ideally at a skid pad or a big driving range.

Answer

An icy public road at night

Answer

A mountain downgrade

Answer

A crowded parking lot

Question 8

The flames and smoke are gone after you use the extinguisher. What should you keep in mind?

Accepted Answer

The fire can still restart, so keep going until everything that burned has cooled — Keep applying the agent until whatever was burning has cooled. No visible smoke or flames doesn't prove the fire is out for good.

Answer

The fire is fully out once you see no smoke

Answer

You should open the cargo doors to check right away

Answer

You can drive away immediately

Question 9

You stop at a crash and find a qualified person already helping the injured. What should you do?

Accepted Answer

Stay out of the way unless you are asked to help — If someone qualified is caring for the injured, keep clear unless asked to assist. Otherwise, help as best you can.

Answer

Take over care, since you arrived in a commercial vehicle

Answer

Move the injured into your cab to keep them warm

Answer

Leave right away without setting out warning devices

Question 10

Returning to the pavement from the shoulder in an emergency, at what moment do you counter-steer?

Accepted Answer

As soon as both front tires are on the pavement — Grip the wheel, turn sharply enough to get back on, and counter-steer immediately once both front tires reach the paved surface, as one steer-counter-steer move.

Answer

After the trailer wheels are back on the road

Answer

Only after you have slowed to 20 mph

Answer

Before any tire reaches the pavement

Question 11

With an engine fire, where does the manual suggest aiming foam if you can avoid opening the hood?

Accepted Answer

Through the louvers or radiator, or from under the vehicle — Turn off the engine and avoid opening the hood. Spray foam through the louvers or radiator, or from the vehicle's underside.

Answer

Straight down through the open hood

Answer

Into the exhaust stack

Answer

Into the air intake

Rhode Island CDL — General Knowledge: Handling Emergencies practice test

Study questions with answers

1. When fighting a vehicle fire with an extinguisher, how should you position yourself relative to the wind?

2. Turning to miss an obstacle is usually quicker than stopping. Which vehicles does the manual warn may flip over in a quick turn?

3. A rear tire failure can make a vehicle slide back and forth, or fishtail. What usually prevents this?

4. How does the manual tell you to stop heavy bleeding at a crash scene?

5. Besides driving too fast for conditions, what can cause a front-wheel skid?

6. Your hydraulic brake pedal goes to the floor. Which of these is NOT one of the manual's suggested actions?

7. Where does the manual say the best place to practice skid recovery is?

8. The flames and smoke are gone after you use the extinguisher. What should you keep in mind?

9. You stop at a crash and find a qualified person already helping the injured. What should you do?

10. Returning to the pavement from the shoulder in an emergency, at what moment do you counter-steer?

11. With an engine fire, where does the manual suggest aiming foam if you can avoid opening the hood?

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