Ohio Commercial Driver License Manual: Q&A
from Sect. 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 11 (Class B - School Bus
requirements).
What is the most important reason for doing a vehicle inspection?
Safety - yourself and other road users
What things should you check during a trip?
Instruments, air pressure gauge, temp. gauge, pressure gauge, ammeter/voltmeter, mirrors, tires,
cargo/cargo cover, lights etc. (see, hear, smell or feel anything bad - check it out!)
Name some key steering system parts.
Steering wheel, steering shaft, gear box, hydraulic fluid reservoir, pitman arm, power steering cylinder,
drag link, steering knuckle, spindle, steering arm, tie rod
Name some suspension system defects.
- spring hangers that allow movement of the axle from proper position
-cracked or missing hangers
-missing or broken leaves in leaf spring (1/4 missing = out of service)
-broken leaves in multi-leaf spring or leaves that have shifted so they might hit tire or other parts
-Leaking shock absorbers
-Torque rod or arm, u-bolts, spring hangers, or other axle positioning parts that are cracked, damaged or
missing
-air suspension systems that are damaged and/or leaking
What three kinds of emergency equipment must you have?
-Fire extinguishers.
-spare electrical fuses
-warning devices for parked vehicles
What is the minimum tread depth for front tires? For other tires?
4/32" on front
2/32" on all others
Name some things you should check on the front of your vehicle during the walk around inspection?
-Front axle
-steering system
-no loose, worn, bent, damaged or missing parts
-windshield
, -windshield wiper arms/blades
-lights and reflectors
-parking, clearance and identification lights: clean, operating and proper color (amber)
-reflectors: clean and proper color (amber)
-right front turn signal: clean, operating and proper color (amber and white on signals facing forward)
What should wheel bearing seals be checked for?
leaks
How many red reflective triangles should you carry?
3
How do you test hydraulic brakes for leaks?
Pump brakes 3 times; apply firm pressure for 5 seconds. Pedal should not move (if it does check for
leaks)
Why put the starter switch key in your pocket during the vehicle inspection?
For personal protection
Why should you back towards the driver's side?
You can see better
If stopped on a hill, how can you start moving without rolling back?
Parking brake! Engage parking brake, partially engage clutch, then release parking brake.
When backing, why is it important to use a helper?
Blind spots
What's the most important hand signal that you and the helper should agree on?
Stop!
What are the two special conditions where you should downshift?
-Before starting downhill
-Before entering a curve
When should you downshift automatic transmissions?
-Before going down hill
-Before going into a curve
-Icy road conditions?
Retarders keep you from skidding when the road is slippery. True or False?
False. May cause skidding in poor conditions
What are two ways to know when to shift?
from Sect. 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 11 (Class B - School Bus
requirements).
What is the most important reason for doing a vehicle inspection?
Safety - yourself and other road users
What things should you check during a trip?
Instruments, air pressure gauge, temp. gauge, pressure gauge, ammeter/voltmeter, mirrors, tires,
cargo/cargo cover, lights etc. (see, hear, smell or feel anything bad - check it out!)
Name some key steering system parts.
Steering wheel, steering shaft, gear box, hydraulic fluid reservoir, pitman arm, power steering cylinder,
drag link, steering knuckle, spindle, steering arm, tie rod
Name some suspension system defects.
- spring hangers that allow movement of the axle from proper position
-cracked or missing hangers
-missing or broken leaves in leaf spring (1/4 missing = out of service)
-broken leaves in multi-leaf spring or leaves that have shifted so they might hit tire or other parts
-Leaking shock absorbers
-Torque rod or arm, u-bolts, spring hangers, or other axle positioning parts that are cracked, damaged or
missing
-air suspension systems that are damaged and/or leaking
What three kinds of emergency equipment must you have?
-Fire extinguishers.
-spare electrical fuses
-warning devices for parked vehicles
What is the minimum tread depth for front tires? For other tires?
4/32" on front
2/32" on all others
Name some things you should check on the front of your vehicle during the walk around inspection?
-Front axle
-steering system
-no loose, worn, bent, damaged or missing parts
-windshield
, -windshield wiper arms/blades
-lights and reflectors
-parking, clearance and identification lights: clean, operating and proper color (amber)
-reflectors: clean and proper color (amber)
-right front turn signal: clean, operating and proper color (amber and white on signals facing forward)
What should wheel bearing seals be checked for?
leaks
How many red reflective triangles should you carry?
3
How do you test hydraulic brakes for leaks?
Pump brakes 3 times; apply firm pressure for 5 seconds. Pedal should not move (if it does check for
leaks)
Why put the starter switch key in your pocket during the vehicle inspection?
For personal protection
Why should you back towards the driver's side?
You can see better
If stopped on a hill, how can you start moving without rolling back?
Parking brake! Engage parking brake, partially engage clutch, then release parking brake.
When backing, why is it important to use a helper?
Blind spots
What's the most important hand signal that you and the helper should agree on?
Stop!
What are the two special conditions where you should downshift?
-Before starting downhill
-Before entering a curve
When should you downshift automatic transmissions?
-Before going down hill
-Before going into a curve
-Icy road conditions?
Retarders keep you from skidding when the road is slippery. True or False?
False. May cause skidding in poor conditions
What are two ways to know when to shift?
