• ASD General Knowledge Study Material

  • This is the study material for the General Knowledge test. Please study it until you are comfortable with the material, and then proceed to the practice tests. 

  • You are checking your steering and exhaust systems in a pretrip inspection. Which of these problems should be fixed before the vehicle is driven?*
  • WHICH PIECE OF EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT SHOULD BE IN YOUR VEHICLE AT ALL TIMES?*
  • WHICH OF THESE IS TRUE ABOUT THE RADIATOR SHUTTERS AND THE WINTER FRONT*
  • WHICH OF THESE ITEMS IS NOT CHECKED IN A PRETRIP INSPECTION?*
  • WHICH OF THESE STATEMENTS IS NOT TRUE ABOUT ENGINE BELTS IN HOT WEATHER?*
  • WHICH OF THESE STATEMENTS IS TRUE ABOUT TIRES?*
  • WHICH OF THESE IS ESPECIALLY TRUE ABOUT YOUR TIRES IN HOT WEATHER?*
  • YOU ARE CHECKING YOUR TIRES IN A PRETRIP INSPECTION. WHICH OF THESE STATEMENTS IS TRUE?*
  • WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT REASON TO INSPECT YOUR TRUCK OR BUS?*
  • WHICH OF THESE STATEMENTS IS TRUE ABOUT COLD WEATHER DRIVING?*
  • WHICH OF THESE IS NOT PART OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT PRE TRIP INSPECTION?*
  • WHICH OF THESE STATEMENTS IS TRUE ABOUT ENGINE OVERHEATING?*
  • WHICH OF THESE STATEMENTS IS TRUE ABOUT TIRE PRESSURE?*
  • WHAT WILL HELP KEEP AN ENGINE COOL IN HOT WEATHER?*
  • CAN FEDERAL INSPECTORS INSPECT YOUR TRUCK?*
  • YOU ARE CHECKING YOUR WHEELS AND RIMS DURING A PRE TRIP INSPECTION. WHICH OF THESE STATEMENTS IS TRUE?*
  • YOU ARE PERFORMING A PRE TRIP INSPECTION ON YOUR BRAKES AND SUSPENSION SYSTEM. WHICH OF THESE STATEMENTS IS TRUE?*
  • WHICH OF THESE STATEMENTS IS TRUE ABOUT BACKING A HEAVY VEHICLE?*
  • You are starting your vehicle in motion from a stop. As you apply power to the driver wheels, they start to spin. You should:*
  • You are driving a heavy vehicle with a manual transmission. You have to stop the vehicle on the shoulder while driving on a uphill grade. Which of these is a good rule to follow when putting the vehicle back in motion?*
  • What is the proper way to hold a steering wheel?*
  • Which of these statements is not true about backing a heavy vehicle?*
  • A helper should be used to help back your vehicle:*
  • When starting to move up a hill from a stop:*
  • Which of the following does not provide extra gears on some trucks?*
  • Which of these is not a danger when an automatic transmission is forced into a lower gear at high speed?*
  • Which of these statements is true about downshifting?*
  • You are driving a new truck with a manual transmission. What gear will you probably have to use to take a long, steep downhill grade?*
  • If you have a heavy load that is slowing you down on an upgrade, you should:*
  • Retarders:*
  • Which of these statements is true about double-clutching and shifting?*
  • Which of the following is not a type of retarder? *
  • It's important to shift gears correctly to keep*
  • The purpose of retarders is to:*
  • The distance that you should look ahead of your vehicle while driving is_______at low speeds.*
  • The distance that you should look ahead of your vehicle while driving is about _______ mile at highway speeds.*
  • In your mirror, you see a car approaching from the rear. The next time you check your mirror, you don't see the car. To change lanes, you should:*
  • How far should a driver look ahead of the vehicle while driving?*
  • You should use your mirrors to check:*
  • Convex (curved) mirrors*
  • You must stop on a hill or curve on a two-lane, two-way road. How far backshould you place your reflective triangles?*
  • Which of these statements is the proper way to signal for a lane change?*
  • For your safety, when you place your reflective triangles you should:*
  • Which of these statements is true about warning other drivers of a stopped vehicle?*
  • When you must stop on a one-way or divided highway, you should place your reflective triangles at which of the following locations?*
  • You should signal continuously while turning because:*
  • You are driving a heavy vehicle that curves downhill. You should:*
  • When driving through roadway work zones, you should:*
  • Which of these statements is true about speed management?*
  • You are driving a vehicle at 55 mph on dry pavement. About how much total stopping distance will you need to bring it to a stop?*
  • What should you do when your vehicle hydroplanes?*
  • Whenever you double your speed, it will take about______ times as much distance to stop:*
  • What three things add up to the total stopping distance for your truck or bus?*
  • Which of these statements is true about speed and distance?*
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  • You wish to turn right from a two-lane, two-way street into another. Your vehicle is so long that you must swing wide to complete the turn. Which of these figures (Images A and B above) show how you should make the turn?*
  • If someone is following you too closely (tailgating), you should*
  • You are driving a 40-foot vehicle at 35 mph. The road is dry and visibility is good. What is the least amount of seconds in space that you should keep in front of your vehicle to be safe?*
  • You are driving a heavy vehicle at 35 mph. The speed limit is 55 mph. What is the safest speed for your vehicle?*
  • Which of these statements is true about overhead clearance?*
  • When making a left hand turn with multiple left turning lanes, which lane should you use?*
  • If you must cross into the oncoming lane as you make a turn, you should*
  • When looking ahead of your vehicle, you should look:*
  • Which of these is a good thing to remember when crossing or entering traffic with a heavy vehicle?*
  • Which of these is not something you should do if your headlights are not working properly?*
  • Which of these is a good thing to do when driving at night?*
  • What should you do if a car coming toward you at night keeps its high beams on?*
  • When driving at night, you should*
  • If you cannot see well with your headlights when driving in an area with few streetlights on a clear night, you should*
  • When driving at night, use your low beams when an oncoming vehicle is within*
  • You are driving on a two-lane road. An oncoming driver drifts into your lane and is headed straight for you. Which of these is the best action to take?*
  • Which of these is not a proper use of vehicle lights?*
  • What is the best advice for drivers to follow when a heavy fog occurs?*
  • When the roads are slippery, you should:*
  • Hydroplaning:*
  • You should avoid driving through deep puddles of flowing water. But, if you cannot, which of these steps can help keep your brakes working?*
  • The road you are driving on becomes very slippery due to ice. Which of these is a good thing to do?*
  • Which of these statements is true about bad weather driving conditions?*
  • In bad weather, many car drivers tailgate large vehicles. You should:*
  • If you brakes get wet while driving on a rainy day, what can happen when you apply the brakes?*
  • Which of these is a good thing to remember about drinking alcohol?*
  • To help you stay alert while driving, you should*
  • The best time to take a short break is:*
  • Which of the following is true about preventing fatigue on a long trip?*
  • Which of these statements is true about medicines used to treat the common cold?*
  • If you have been drinking alcohol, before you drive, you should*
  • Which of these statements is true regarding the use of drugs while driving?*
  • Which of these statements is true about staying alert to drive?*
  • You will be placed out-of-service for 24 hours if your Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) is*
  • As the Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) goes up, what happens?*
  • Which of the following best describes how "sleep debt" can be paid off?*
  • After driving for several hours on a long trip, you are feeling sleepy. What is the best thing to do?*
  • Which of these statements is true about drugs?*
  • When a doctor prescribes medication for you and you know you will be driving, you should*
  • For a first offense of driving a commercial vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs, you will lose your CDL for at least*
  • You should schedule your driving:*
  • To determine a person's blood alcohol concentration, you must know how*
  • Which of these statements is not true?*
  • Brake "fade" can be*
  • Your vehicle has hydraulic brakes. While traveling on a level road, you press the brake pedal and find that it goes to the floor. Which of these statements is true?*
  • Which of these statements is true about brakes?*
  • Most serious skids result from*
  • Which of these is important to remember about emergency braking?*
  • To correct a drive-wheel braking skid, you should:*
  • If a straight vehicle (no trailer or articulation) goes into a front-wheel skid, it will*
  • What should you do when you see a hazard in the roadway?*
  • Which of these statements is a good rule to remember when your vehicle is in a traffic emergency and may collide with another vehicle?*
  • A car suddenly "cuts" in front of you creating a hazard. Which of these actions should you not take?*
  • Which of these is a good thing to do when you steer to avoid a crash?*
  • Which of these happens when a tire blows out at Highway speeds*
  • To prevent brake "fade", you should:*
  • When you must leave the road to avoid a hazard or emergency, you should keep in mind that:*
  • To avoid a crash, you had to drive onto the right shoulder. You are now driving at 40 mph on the shoulder. How should you move back onto the pavement?*
  • The best drivers are those who watch and prepare for hazards. This is called being:*
  • If you need to leave the road in a traffic emergency, you should*
  • You are driving on a straight, level highway at 50 mph with no vehicles in front of you. Suddenly, a tire blows out on your vehicle. What should you do first?*
  • Which of these is not a good rule to follow when caring for an injured person at a collision?*
  • Which of these statements is true about causes of vehicle fires?*
  • Which of these statements is true about vehicle fires?*
  • On which fires can you use water?*
  • Which of these statements is true about cargo loading?*
  • The total weight of a powered unit, the trailer, and the cargo is called*
  • Where or how is cargo blocking used?*
  • Which of these statements is true about cargo types?*
  • A key principle to remember about loading cargo is to keep the load*
  • Containerized loads*
  • Which of these statements is true about shipping hazardous materials?*
  • One can recognize hazardous materials by looking at the container's*
  • Where must you keep shipping papers when transporting hazardous materials?*
  • You do not have a HazMat endorsement on your commercial driver license. You drive a vehicle transporting hazardous materials when*
  • If you do not have a HazMat endorsement on your commercial driver license and you are asked to deliver hazardous materials in a placarded vehicle, you should*
  • Which of these is not required knowledge for drivers needing HazMat endorsement?*
  • Bridge formulas permit*
  • Truck escape ramps*
  • Use your vehicle's horn when*
  • Which of these is true about hours of service?*
  • The Commercial Driver Handbook suggests several things to do when you pass a vehicle. Which of these is not one of them?*
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  • You can see this sign (above) on a vehicle ahead of you. What does the sign mean?*
  • According to the commercial Driver Handbook, why should you limit the use of your horn?*
  • Which of these statements is true about other drivers?*
  • When driving on grades, which of these is the best choice for a safe speed?*
  • Which of these is a danger of crossing railroad tracks on dirt roads?*
  • "Implied consent" means when you sign the driver license application form, you*
  • When approaching a traffic light that has been green for a long time, you should*
  • What is the term for a commercial vehicles habit of swinging wide on turns?*
  • What happens to tar in road pavement during hot weather?*
  • Trucks and buses are subject to certain laws, regulations, and restrictions. Which of these statements is true?*
  • What is countersteering?*
  • The braking effect of the engine is greatest when the engine is _________ the governed RPMs and the transmission is in the __________ gears.*
  • After starting the engine, the:*
  • Which of these lights cannot be checked at the same time?*
  • Tire chains should:*
  • When driving in cold weather, your tire tread should:*
  • Which of these items should be tested while the vehicle is stopped?*
  • If you are unsure of your position while backing your vehicle, you should:*
  • When starting a bus on a level surface with good traction, there is often no need for:*
  • When should you wear a seat belt in a moving vehicle?*
  • Which of these statements is true about acceleration?*
  • Backing a commercial vehicle is:*
  • Which statement is true about using engine braking?*
  • Retarders can be used:*
  • Adjust your vehicle's outside mirrors so that:*
  • When it is hard to see and be seen, you can let others know you are there by:*
  • You should always turn on your 4-way emergency flashers when you:*
  • You should lightly apply your brakes to flash the brake lights if:*
  • Why will your vehicle's speed naturally increase on downgrades?*
  • You are driving a heavy vehicle. You must exit a highway using an off ramp that curves downhill. You should:*
  • You are driving in a steady rain. A good indication that hydroplaning can occur is when:*
  • Whenever you double your speed, your vehicle has about ______ times the destructive power if it crashes*
  • The speed at which you drive should be determined by your:*
  • Which of these actions is NOT recommended for a left turn?*
  • Take extra care to keep your vehicle centered in your lane because commercial vehicles:*
  • You are driving a long vehicle that makes wide turns. You want to make a left turn from Elm Street onto Oak Street. There are two left turn lanes (marked "A" is the inside lane and marked "B" is the outside lane) which lane should you turn from?*
  • When do strong winds affect driving the most:*
  • Why can tourists be hazards?*
  • How can you identify an impaired driver?*
  • Which of the following can keep you from being distracted while you drive?*
  • If you must use a cell phone while driving, you should:*
  • Which of the following is a good way to react to an aggressive driver?*
  • Which of the following statements about driving in fog is true?*
  • When hydraulic brakes fail, the system won't build up pressure and the brake pedal will feel spongy or go to the floor. What action should you take?*
  • Which of the following is NOT characteristic of a front tire failure?*
  • Should brake adjustment be checked often?*
  • In rear tire failure, dual rear tires will:*
  • Which of these statements is true about rear drive wheel braking skids?*
  • Antilock braking systems:*
  • When braking for an emergency stop with a vehicle that has antilock brakes on all axles, you should:*
  • If you do not have a CB radio, what is the first thing you should do at a collision scene?*
  • What does emergency braking mean?*
  • If you are not sure how to put out a hazardous materials fire, you should:*
  • When should you learn how a fire extinguisher works?*
  • Which of these is true about hazardous materials?*
  • Placards must be:*
  • Over-length, over-width, or over-weight loads:*
  • One reason that dry bulk tans require special care:*

  • This is the study material for the General Knowledge test. Please study it until you are comfortable with the material, and then proceed to the practice tests. 

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