New York Commercial Driver’s License (CDL-B)
Practice Exam —Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
|2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. What is the main purpose of a pre-trip inspection?
A. To make the vehicle look clean
B. To ensure the vehicle is safe to operate
C. To warm up the engine
D. To check the driver’s license
Pre-trip inspections confirm the vehicle is in safe working condition before
travel.
2. When driving a commercial vehicle downhill, you should:
A. Shift to a higher gear
B. Shift to a lower gear before descending
C. Coast in neutral
D. Use only the parking brake
Lower gears help control vehicle speed and prevent brake overheating.
3. The “No-zones” around a large truck are:
A. Areas where cars disappear from the driver’s view
B. Areas safe for passing
C. Loading zones
D. Marked with red lines on the road
No-zones are blind spots around trucks where other vehicles cannot be seen.
4. When stopping on a hill, use:
A. Parking brake to hold the vehicle in place
, B. The clutch only
C. The accelerator
D. The emergency flasher
The parking brake prevents rollback when stopped on inclines.
5. What should you do if the air pressure warning light comes on?
A. Continue driving until next stop
B. Stop safely and check for air system leaks
C. Add coolant
D. Pump the brakes repeatedly
Loss of air pressure can lead to brake failure; stop immediately to inspect.
6. A Class B CDL allows you to operate:
A. Combination vehicles over 26,001 lbs
B. Single vehicles over 26,001 lbs with a towed vehicle under 10,000 lbs
C. Passenger cars
D. Motorcycles
Class B covers large single vehicles such as buses and straight trucks.
7. When driving in heavy rain, you should:
A. Increase speed
B. Reduce speed and turn on headlights
C. Turn off wipers
D. Use cruise control
Reduced visibility and traction require slower speeds and lights for safety.
8. What is the most important reason for doing a vehicle inspection?
A. It’s required by law
B. To avoid fines
C. To ensure safety for you and others on the road
D. To reduce fuel costs
Safety is the primary goal of every inspection.
9. If your vehicle starts to hydroplane, you should:
A. Accelerate
, B. Brake hard
C. Release the accelerator and steer straight
D. Turn sharply
Reducing speed gradually helps tires regain traction.
10. Air brakes use:
A. Hydraulic pressure
B. Compressed air to apply pressure to the brake pads
C. Electric signals
D. Steam pressure
Air systems use compressed air instead of hydraulic fluid for braking.
11. What is the minimum tread depth for front tires on a commercial vehicle?
A. 4/32 inch
B. 2/32 inch
C. 6/32 inch
D. 1/16 inch
Front tires must have at least 4/32 inch tread for safe traction and
compliance.
12. If a vehicle’s ABS light stays on after starting, you should:
A. Stop immediately and call a tow truck
B. Drive normally but have the system checked soon
C. Pump the brakes to reset
D. Ignore it
ABS failure doesn’t disable normal brakes but should be serviced promptly.
13. When should you downshift?
A. When driving uphill only
B. When accelerating
C. Before going down steep hills or entering curves
D. Only when stopped
Downshifting before descents or curves helps maintain control.
Practice Exam —Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
|2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. What is the main purpose of a pre-trip inspection?
A. To make the vehicle look clean
B. To ensure the vehicle is safe to operate
C. To warm up the engine
D. To check the driver’s license
Pre-trip inspections confirm the vehicle is in safe working condition before
travel.
2. When driving a commercial vehicle downhill, you should:
A. Shift to a higher gear
B. Shift to a lower gear before descending
C. Coast in neutral
D. Use only the parking brake
Lower gears help control vehicle speed and prevent brake overheating.
3. The “No-zones” around a large truck are:
A. Areas where cars disappear from the driver’s view
B. Areas safe for passing
C. Loading zones
D. Marked with red lines on the road
No-zones are blind spots around trucks where other vehicles cannot be seen.
4. When stopping on a hill, use:
A. Parking brake to hold the vehicle in place
, B. The clutch only
C. The accelerator
D. The emergency flasher
The parking brake prevents rollback when stopped on inclines.
5. What should you do if the air pressure warning light comes on?
A. Continue driving until next stop
B. Stop safely and check for air system leaks
C. Add coolant
D. Pump the brakes repeatedly
Loss of air pressure can lead to brake failure; stop immediately to inspect.
6. A Class B CDL allows you to operate:
A. Combination vehicles over 26,001 lbs
B. Single vehicles over 26,001 lbs with a towed vehicle under 10,000 lbs
C. Passenger cars
D. Motorcycles
Class B covers large single vehicles such as buses and straight trucks.
7. When driving in heavy rain, you should:
A. Increase speed
B. Reduce speed and turn on headlights
C. Turn off wipers
D. Use cruise control
Reduced visibility and traction require slower speeds and lights for safety.
8. What is the most important reason for doing a vehicle inspection?
A. It’s required by law
B. To avoid fines
C. To ensure safety for you and others on the road
D. To reduce fuel costs
Safety is the primary goal of every inspection.
9. If your vehicle starts to hydroplane, you should:
A. Accelerate
, B. Brake hard
C. Release the accelerator and steer straight
D. Turn sharply
Reducing speed gradually helps tires regain traction.
10. Air brakes use:
A. Hydraulic pressure
B. Compressed air to apply pressure to the brake pads
C. Electric signals
D. Steam pressure
Air systems use compressed air instead of hydraulic fluid for braking.
11. What is the minimum tread depth for front tires on a commercial vehicle?
A. 4/32 inch
B. 2/32 inch
C. 6/32 inch
D. 1/16 inch
Front tires must have at least 4/32 inch tread for safe traction and
compliance.
12. If a vehicle’s ABS light stays on after starting, you should:
A. Stop immediately and call a tow truck
B. Drive normally but have the system checked soon
C. Pump the brakes to reset
D. Ignore it
ABS failure doesn’t disable normal brakes but should be serviced promptly.
13. When should you downshift?
A. When driving uphill only
B. When accelerating
C. Before going down steep hills or entering curves
D. Only when stopped
Downshifting before descents or curves helps maintain control.
