CDL General Knowledge (Secs. 1, 2, 3,
12, 13)
Who must have a CDL? –
1. Operate a vehicle with a GVWR more than 26,000lbs
2. Trailers with a GVWR more than 10,000lbs if the gross comb weight rating is
more than 26,000lbs
3. More than 15 persons including driver
4. Vehicles with hazardous materials placards
Can you have more than one license? –
No. You can be fined up to $5,000 or put in jail.
How long do you have to notify employer of conviction of a traffic violation? –
30 days (except parking).
How long do you have to notify your vehicle licensing agency of convictions in another
jurisdiction? –
30 days (except parking)
How much driving history must you give your employer? –
All driving jobs held for the past 10 years. Do this when you apply.
What is the fine for driving without a CDL? –
Up to $5,000 or jail
How first-time offenses will cause the loss of CDL? –
All one year
- Driving a CMV under the influence
- Leaving the scene of an accident of your CMV
- Using your CMV to commit a felony
- Refusing sobriety test while driving CMV
- Causing death of other negligent or criminal operation of CMV
- Driving a CMV while CDL is revoked, suspended, canceled or disqualified
- If offense occurs while driving placarded for hazard material it is 3 years
When will you lose CDL for life? –
Second offense
Using CMV to commit a felony involving controlled substances
What offenses result in 60-day loss of CDL? –
- 2 serious traffic violations or 1 violation of a law regulating rr crossing within a
3-year period involving a CMV
, What offenses result in a 120-day loss of CDL? –
3 serious traffic violations or 2 violations at rr crossing within a 3-year period
What results in 1-year loss of CDL? –
3 violations of a law at rr crossing within a 3-year period
What are considered serious traffic violations? –
excessive speeding (+15mph), reckless driving, improper or erratic lane changes,
following too closely, fatal traffic accidents, driving CMV without a CDL, driving
CMV without CDL in possession.
When is it illegal to drive a CMV? –
When BAC is .04% or more. You lose CDL for one year on first offense, life on
second. If less than .04% and detectable then out of service for 24 hours.
How much tread depth is needed? –
4/32" on front tires, 2/32" on other tires.
Can radial and bias-ply tires be used together? –
No.
Can regrooved, recapped, or retreaded tires be used on the front wheels of a bus? –
No.
What are the signs of a damaged rim? –
Rust around wheel nuts may mean looseness.
Missing clamps, spacers, studs, or lugs
Mismatched, bent, or cracked lock rings
Wheels or rims with welding reparis.
What are the signs of bad brake drums or shoes? –
Cracked drums
Shoes with grease or oil
Shoes worn thin, broken, missing
What are the signs of a steering system defect? –
Steering wheel play of more than 10 degrees.
What are signs of suspension system defects? –
Spring hangers, leaves, shock absorbers, torque rod or arm, u-bolts
What are signs of exhaust system defects? –
exhaust pipes, mufflers, tailpipes, vertical stacks,
What is your responsibility if cargo contains hazardous materials? –
12, 13)
Who must have a CDL? –
1. Operate a vehicle with a GVWR more than 26,000lbs
2. Trailers with a GVWR more than 10,000lbs if the gross comb weight rating is
more than 26,000lbs
3. More than 15 persons including driver
4. Vehicles with hazardous materials placards
Can you have more than one license? –
No. You can be fined up to $5,000 or put in jail.
How long do you have to notify employer of conviction of a traffic violation? –
30 days (except parking).
How long do you have to notify your vehicle licensing agency of convictions in another
jurisdiction? –
30 days (except parking)
How much driving history must you give your employer? –
All driving jobs held for the past 10 years. Do this when you apply.
What is the fine for driving without a CDL? –
Up to $5,000 or jail
How first-time offenses will cause the loss of CDL? –
All one year
- Driving a CMV under the influence
- Leaving the scene of an accident of your CMV
- Using your CMV to commit a felony
- Refusing sobriety test while driving CMV
- Causing death of other negligent or criminal operation of CMV
- Driving a CMV while CDL is revoked, suspended, canceled or disqualified
- If offense occurs while driving placarded for hazard material it is 3 years
When will you lose CDL for life? –
Second offense
Using CMV to commit a felony involving controlled substances
What offenses result in 60-day loss of CDL? –
- 2 serious traffic violations or 1 violation of a law regulating rr crossing within a
3-year period involving a CMV
, What offenses result in a 120-day loss of CDL? –
3 serious traffic violations or 2 violations at rr crossing within a 3-year period
What results in 1-year loss of CDL? –
3 violations of a law at rr crossing within a 3-year period
What are considered serious traffic violations? –
excessive speeding (+15mph), reckless driving, improper or erratic lane changes,
following too closely, fatal traffic accidents, driving CMV without a CDL, driving
CMV without CDL in possession.
When is it illegal to drive a CMV? –
When BAC is .04% or more. You lose CDL for one year on first offense, life on
second. If less than .04% and detectable then out of service for 24 hours.
How much tread depth is needed? –
4/32" on front tires, 2/32" on other tires.
Can radial and bias-ply tires be used together? –
No.
Can regrooved, recapped, or retreaded tires be used on the front wheels of a bus? –
No.
What are the signs of a damaged rim? –
Rust around wheel nuts may mean looseness.
Missing clamps, spacers, studs, or lugs
Mismatched, bent, or cracked lock rings
Wheels or rims with welding reparis.
What are the signs of bad brake drums or shoes? –
Cracked drums
Shoes with grease or oil
Shoes worn thin, broken, missing
What are the signs of a steering system defect? –
Steering wheel play of more than 10 degrees.
What are signs of suspension system defects? –
Spring hangers, leaves, shock absorbers, torque rod or arm, u-bolts
What are signs of exhaust system defects? –
exhaust pipes, mufflers, tailpipes, vertical stacks,
What is your responsibility if cargo contains hazardous materials? –
