OHIO CDL EXAM EXAM PRACTICE QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
PLUS RATIONALES 2025|2026 Q&A | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD
1. When inspecting your vehicle, which of the following should you check first?
A) Brakes
B) Lights
C) Tires
D) Suspension
You should always start by checking the tires for proper inflation and wear, as
they directly affect safety.
2. What is the main reason to inspect your vehicle before driving?
A) To save fuel
B) To ensure it is safe to operate
C) To follow company policy
D) To check mileage
Federal and state laws require pre-trip inspections to ensure vehicle safety.
3. What should you do if you find a safety defect during your pre-trip inspection?
A) Drive carefully
B) Report it and fix it before driving
C) Note it for later repair
D) Ignore if it seems minor
Defects that affect safety must be repaired before operating the vehicle.
,4. When backing up a large vehicle, it is best to:
A) Rely only on mirrors
B) Use a helper whenever possible
C) Open the door and look back
D) Back up quickly
A helper can guide you safely and prevent accidents.
5. How often should you check your cargo?
A) Only before driving
B) Every 6 hours
C) Before driving, within 50 miles, and periodically thereafter
D) Only after reaching destination
Federal law requires checking cargo before, during, and after trips.
6. Which braking system uses the engine to help slow the vehicle?
A) Service brakes
B) Engine retarders
C) Parking brakes
D) Air brakes
Engine retarders use engine compression to help slow the vehicle.
7. What is “brake fade”?
A) Air brakes releasing slowly
B) Brakes overheating
C) Brakes losing effectiveness due to heat
D) Brakes locking up
Brake fade occurs when brakes overheat and lose stopping power.
8. How can you test your service brakes?
A) Push down hard on the pedal while parked
B) Move slowly and apply brakes firmly
, C) Pull the parking brake
D) Check brake fluid
Testing at low speed ensures brakes work properly before travel.
9. When driving down a steep downgrade, you should:
A) Shift to a higher gear
B) Use brakes continuously
C) Shift to a lower gear before starting down
D) Turn off the engine brake
Lower gears help control speed without overheating the brakes.
10. The maximum legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) for a CDL driver is:
A) 0.08%
B) 0.04%
C) 0.06%
D) 0.02%
CDL drivers are held to stricter alcohol standards than non-commercial drivers.
11. If you are drowsy while driving, the best action is to:
A) Drink coffee
B) Open a window
C) Stop and rest
D) Turn on music
Only rest restores alertness; tricks like coffee or music are temporary.
12. When should you use your low beam headlights?
A) During the day
B) On open highways
C) In fog, rain, or snow
D) When parking
Low beams improve visibility without causing glare in poor weather.
AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
PLUS RATIONALES 2025|2026 Q&A | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD
1. When inspecting your vehicle, which of the following should you check first?
A) Brakes
B) Lights
C) Tires
D) Suspension
You should always start by checking the tires for proper inflation and wear, as
they directly affect safety.
2. What is the main reason to inspect your vehicle before driving?
A) To save fuel
B) To ensure it is safe to operate
C) To follow company policy
D) To check mileage
Federal and state laws require pre-trip inspections to ensure vehicle safety.
3. What should you do if you find a safety defect during your pre-trip inspection?
A) Drive carefully
B) Report it and fix it before driving
C) Note it for later repair
D) Ignore if it seems minor
Defects that affect safety must be repaired before operating the vehicle.
,4. When backing up a large vehicle, it is best to:
A) Rely only on mirrors
B) Use a helper whenever possible
C) Open the door and look back
D) Back up quickly
A helper can guide you safely and prevent accidents.
5. How often should you check your cargo?
A) Only before driving
B) Every 6 hours
C) Before driving, within 50 miles, and periodically thereafter
D) Only after reaching destination
Federal law requires checking cargo before, during, and after trips.
6. Which braking system uses the engine to help slow the vehicle?
A) Service brakes
B) Engine retarders
C) Parking brakes
D) Air brakes
Engine retarders use engine compression to help slow the vehicle.
7. What is “brake fade”?
A) Air brakes releasing slowly
B) Brakes overheating
C) Brakes losing effectiveness due to heat
D) Brakes locking up
Brake fade occurs when brakes overheat and lose stopping power.
8. How can you test your service brakes?
A) Push down hard on the pedal while parked
B) Move slowly and apply brakes firmly
, C) Pull the parking brake
D) Check brake fluid
Testing at low speed ensures brakes work properly before travel.
9. When driving down a steep downgrade, you should:
A) Shift to a higher gear
B) Use brakes continuously
C) Shift to a lower gear before starting down
D) Turn off the engine brake
Lower gears help control speed without overheating the brakes.
10. The maximum legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) for a CDL driver is:
A) 0.08%
B) 0.04%
C) 0.06%
D) 0.02%
CDL drivers are held to stricter alcohol standards than non-commercial drivers.
11. If you are drowsy while driving, the best action is to:
A) Drink coffee
B) Open a window
C) Stop and rest
D) Turn on music
Only rest restores alertness; tricks like coffee or music are temporary.
12. When should you use your low beam headlights?
A) During the day
B) On open highways
C) In fog, rain, or snow
D) When parking
Low beams improve visibility without causing glare in poor weather.
