California Road Test for Commercial Driver
License (CDL) Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A |
Instant Download Pdf
1. During the pre-trip inspection, you should check the oil level using:
h h h h h h h h h h
A. The engine light
h h
B. The engine oil dipstick
h h h
C. The coolant level indicator
h h h
D. The transmission fluid stick
h h h
The dipstick allows you to accurately measure the engine oil level
h h h h h h h h h h
before starting the vehicle.
h h h h
2. What is the proper hand position on the steering wheel during
h h h h h h h h h h
driving?
h
A. One hand on top, one at the bottom
h h h h h h h
B. 3 and 6 o'clock
h h h
C. 9 and 3 o'clock or 10 and 2 o'clock
h h h h h h h h
D. Both hands low at 5 and 7 o'clock
h h h h h h h
These positions provide maximum control and leverage for safe
h h h h h h h h
maneuvering.
h
,3. When making a lane change, you must:
h h h h h h
A. Signal only h
B. Signal, check mirrors, and check blind spots
h h h h h h
C. Honk your horn h h
D. Speed up to avoid traffic h h h h
Proper lane changes require multiple checks to ensure it is safe.
h h h h h h h h h h
4. What is the minimum following distance you should maintain behind
h h h h h h h h h
hanother vehicle? h
A. 1 second per 10 feet of vehicle
h h h h h h
B. 1 second per 10 feet of vehicle, plus 1 extra second over 40 mph
h h h h h h h h h h h h h
C. 5 seconds always
h h
D. 2 seconds
h
This rule accounts for the increased stopping distance needed for
h h h h h h h h h
hlarge vehicles.
h
5. When stopping at a railroad crossing, stop:
h h h h h h
A. Right on the tracks h h h
B. No closer than 15 feet and no farther than 50 feet from the tracks
h h h h h h h h h h h h h
C. 5 feet before the track
h h h h
D. Wherever the road sign indicates h h h h
This range ensures safety while allowing enough clearance from the
h h h h h h h h h
htracks.
6. When driving a combination vehicle, you must ensure:
h h h h h h h
A. Trailer brakes are disconnected
h h h
B. The cab windows are open
h h h h
C. The glad hands are securely connected and not leaking
h h h h h h h h
D. The trailer doors are locked shut
h h h h h
Glad hands connect the air brake systems and must be secure and
h h h h h h h h h h h
hleak-free.
, 7. Before descending a steep grade, you should:
h h h h h h
A. Use the brakes heavily
h h h
B. Downshift to a lower gear h h h h
C. Coast in neutral h h
D. Speed up h
Downshifting helps control speed using engine braking, reducing
h h h h h h h
hbrake wear. h
8. What is the purpose of the air governor in an air brake system?
h h h h h h h h h h h h
A. Measures pressure h
B. Controls when the compressor pumps air h h h h h
C. Acts as a warning buzzer
h h h h
D. Applies emergency brakes h h
The air governor regulates compressor cycles to maintain air
h h h h h h h h
hpressure.
9. During the road test, examiners are observing:
h h h h h h
A. Your sense of direction
h h h
B. Control of the vehicle and adherence to traffic laws
h h h h h h h h
C. How fast you can drive
h h h h
D. Your reaction time only
h h h
The examiner evaluates safe and lawful vehicle operation.
h h h h h h h
10. If the low air pressure warning activates:
h h h h h h
A. Keep driving to the nearest station
h h h h h
B. Stop immediately and check the system
h h h h h
C. Shift to a higher gear
h h h h
D. Honk the horn h h
Loss of air pressure may lead to brake failure. Immediate action is
h h h h h h h h h h h
h required.
11. When backing, you should: h h h
A. Use mirrors only
h h
License (CDL) Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A |
Instant Download Pdf
1. During the pre-trip inspection, you should check the oil level using:
h h h h h h h h h h
A. The engine light
h h
B. The engine oil dipstick
h h h
C. The coolant level indicator
h h h
D. The transmission fluid stick
h h h
The dipstick allows you to accurately measure the engine oil level
h h h h h h h h h h
before starting the vehicle.
h h h h
2. What is the proper hand position on the steering wheel during
h h h h h h h h h h
driving?
h
A. One hand on top, one at the bottom
h h h h h h h
B. 3 and 6 o'clock
h h h
C. 9 and 3 o'clock or 10 and 2 o'clock
h h h h h h h h
D. Both hands low at 5 and 7 o'clock
h h h h h h h
These positions provide maximum control and leverage for safe
h h h h h h h h
maneuvering.
h
,3. When making a lane change, you must:
h h h h h h
A. Signal only h
B. Signal, check mirrors, and check blind spots
h h h h h h
C. Honk your horn h h
D. Speed up to avoid traffic h h h h
Proper lane changes require multiple checks to ensure it is safe.
h h h h h h h h h h
4. What is the minimum following distance you should maintain behind
h h h h h h h h h
hanother vehicle? h
A. 1 second per 10 feet of vehicle
h h h h h h
B. 1 second per 10 feet of vehicle, plus 1 extra second over 40 mph
h h h h h h h h h h h h h
C. 5 seconds always
h h
D. 2 seconds
h
This rule accounts for the increased stopping distance needed for
h h h h h h h h h
hlarge vehicles.
h
5. When stopping at a railroad crossing, stop:
h h h h h h
A. Right on the tracks h h h
B. No closer than 15 feet and no farther than 50 feet from the tracks
h h h h h h h h h h h h h
C. 5 feet before the track
h h h h
D. Wherever the road sign indicates h h h h
This range ensures safety while allowing enough clearance from the
h h h h h h h h h
htracks.
6. When driving a combination vehicle, you must ensure:
h h h h h h h
A. Trailer brakes are disconnected
h h h
B. The cab windows are open
h h h h
C. The glad hands are securely connected and not leaking
h h h h h h h h
D. The trailer doors are locked shut
h h h h h
Glad hands connect the air brake systems and must be secure and
h h h h h h h h h h h
hleak-free.
, 7. Before descending a steep grade, you should:
h h h h h h
A. Use the brakes heavily
h h h
B. Downshift to a lower gear h h h h
C. Coast in neutral h h
D. Speed up h
Downshifting helps control speed using engine braking, reducing
h h h h h h h
hbrake wear. h
8. What is the purpose of the air governor in an air brake system?
h h h h h h h h h h h h
A. Measures pressure h
B. Controls when the compressor pumps air h h h h h
C. Acts as a warning buzzer
h h h h
D. Applies emergency brakes h h
The air governor regulates compressor cycles to maintain air
h h h h h h h h
hpressure.
9. During the road test, examiners are observing:
h h h h h h
A. Your sense of direction
h h h
B. Control of the vehicle and adherence to traffic laws
h h h h h h h h
C. How fast you can drive
h h h h
D. Your reaction time only
h h h
The examiner evaluates safe and lawful vehicle operation.
h h h h h h h
10. If the low air pressure warning activates:
h h h h h h
A. Keep driving to the nearest station
h h h h h
B. Stop immediately and check the system
h h h h h
C. Shift to a higher gear
h h h h
D. Honk the horn h h
Loss of air pressure may lead to brake failure. Immediate action is
h h h h h h h h h h h
h required.
11. When backing, you should: h h h
A. Use mirrors only
h h
