CDL general knowledge practice test 12

D: To show some part of your own vehicle as a reference point. Adjust each mirror to show some part of the vehicle, giving you a reference point for judging other images. Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (BDS356), based on the AAMVA 2025 CDL Manual: 2.4.2 Seeing to the sides and rear, page 47.

C: Tires (to spot a tire fire) and open cargo. Mirrors let you watch your tires, which is one way to spot a tire fire, and check open cargo for loose straps or a flapping tarp. Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (BDS356), based on the AAMVA 2025 CDL Manual: 2.4.2 Seeing to the sides and rear, page 47.

B: Before changing lanes, after signaling, right after starting the change, and after completing it. Check mirrors before the change, after signaling, right after starting the change and after completing it. Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (BDS356), based on the AAMVA 2025 CDL Manual: 2.4.2 Seeing to the sides and rear, page 47.

A: Smaller and farther away than they really are. Convex mirrors show a wider area, but everything appears smaller and farther away than it really is. Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (BDS356), based on the AAMVA 2025 CDL Manual: 2.4.2 Seeing to the sides and rear, page 48.

D: You will travel quite a distance without knowing what is happening ahead. Look back and forth between mirrors and the road ahead; focusing on mirrors too long means traveling a long way without seeing ahead. Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (BDS356), based on the AAMVA 2025 CDL Manual: 2.4.2 Seeing to the sides and rear, page 48.

C: Signal early and keep signaling until the turn is complete. Signal early, signal continuously until the turn is completed, and cancel the signal afterward. Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (BDS356), based on the AAMVA 2025 CDL Manual: 2.5.1 Signal your intentions, page 48.

B: A few light taps on the brake pedal to flash the brake lights. Lightly tapping the brake pedal a few times flashes the brake lights and warns the drivers behind you. Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (BDS356), based on the AAMVA 2025 CDL Manual: 2.5.1 Signal your intentions, page 48.

B: No, you could cause a crash and be blamed. Don't direct traffic. Signaling others to pass could cause a crash, and you could be blamed and pay many thousands of dollars. Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (BDS356), based on the AAMVA 2025 CDL Manual: 2.5.1 Signal your intentions, page 49.

D: Low-beam headlights. Turn on your headlights, not just identification or clearance lights, and use low beams; high beams can bother others in the daytime too. Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (BDS356), based on the AAMVA 2025 CDL Manual: 2.5.2 Communicating your presence, page 49.

C: They don't see you and could move in front of you. Assume anyone you are about to pass, whether a driver, a pedestrian or a bicyclist, has not seen you and may move into your path. Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (BDS356), based on the AAMVA 2025 CDL Manual: 2.5.2 Communicating your presence, page 49.

D: Re-paving or packed snow may have reduced the clearance since it was posted. Re-paving or packed snow may have reduced clearance since the heights were posted. Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (BDS356), based on the AAMVA 2025 CDL Manual: 2.7.4 Space overhead, page 56.

B: No, an empty van rides higher than a loaded one. Cargo weight changes a van's height, and an empty van rides higher than a loaded one, so clearing a bridge loaded doesn't mean you will clear it empty. Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (BDS356), based on the AAMVA 2025 CDL Manual: 2.7.4 Space overhead, page 56.

B: Drive a little closer to the center of the road. Where roadside objects are a problem because the road tilts the vehicle, drive a little closer to the center of the road. Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (BDS356), based on the AAMVA 2025 CDL Manual: 2.7.4 Space overhead, page 56.

A: Railroad tracks, drainage channels, dirt roads and unpaved yards. Space below can be very small when heavily loaded; dirt roads, unpaved yards, drainage channels and railroad tracks can cause the vehicle to drag or get hung up. Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (BDS356), based on the AAMVA 2025 CDL Manual: 2.7.5 Space below, page 56.

B: 8 percent. The LTCCS reported 8 percent of large-truck crashes with external distraction and 2 percent with internal distraction. Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (BDS356), based on the AAMVA 2025 CDL Manual: 2.9.1 The distracted driving crash problem, page 66.

B: Physical distraction. Physical distractions take your hands off the wheel or your eyes off the road, for example reaching for something. Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (BDS356), based on the AAMVA 2025 CDL Manual: 2.9.3 Types of distractions, page 66.

C: Both physical and mental. Talking on a cell phone or sending or reading texts combines physical and mental distraction, so crash risk is even greater. Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (BDS356), based on the AAMVA 2025 CDL Manual: 2.9.3 Types of distractions, page 66.

D: 23.2 times. Research cited in the manual shows texting CMV drivers have 23.2 times greater odds of a crash, near-crash or lane deviation; dialing raises the odds 6 times. Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (BDS356), based on the AAMVA 2025 CDL Manual: 2.9.5 Texting, page 68.

D: 4.6 seconds. Texting takes your eyes off the road for an average of 4.6 seconds, about 371 feet at 55 mph. Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (BDS356), based on the AAMVA 2025 CDL Manual: 2.9.5 Texting, page 68.

B: Keep it close enough to operate while belted in, using an earpiece, speaker or voice dialing. Keep the phone within close reach while restrained and use hands-free features; reaching for a phone is not compliant even if you plan to use hands-free. Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (BDS356), based on the AAMVA 2025 CDL Manual: 2.9.6 Don't drive distracted, page 68.

A: Crashes double. Being distracted enough to react just half a second later doubles the number of crashes. Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (BDS356), based on the AAMVA 2025 CDL Manual: 2.9.6 Don't drive distracted, page 68.

D: Before you begin driving. Do your route planning, map review and GPS programming before the vehicle is moving. Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (BDS356), based on the AAMVA 2025 CDL Manual: 2.9.6 Don't drive distracted, page 69.

B: Aggressive driving is selfish, pushy driving; road rage is driving with intent to harm others or assault a driver or vehicle. Aggressive driving is driving in a selfish, bold or pushy manner without regard for others; road rage is operating a vehicle with intent to harm or physically assault someone. Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (BDS356), based on the AAMVA 2025 CDL Manual: 2.10.1 What is it?, page 69.

A: Be realistic about travel time and expect delays. Expect delays and make allowances; also avoid gestures, don't drive slowly in the left lane and give others the benefit of the doubt. Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (BDS356), based on the AAMVA 2025 CDL Manual: 2.10.2 Don't be an aggressive driver, page 70.

D: Make every attempt to get out of their way. First, try to get out of their way. Don't challenge them, avoid eye contact and ignore gestures. Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (BDS356), based on the AAMVA 2025 CDL Manual: 2.10.3 What you should do when confronted by an aggressive driver, page 70.