CDL general knowledge practice test 14

B: One-half of the cargo's weight. Under federal rules, the working load limits of the tiedowns securing an item must add up to at least half of that item's weight. Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (BDS356), based on the AAMVA 2025 CDL Manual: 3.3.2 Cargo tiedown, page 100.

D: They prevent cargo shifting that can affect how the vehicle handles. In closed vans, tiedowns can be important to prevent cargo shifting that may affect the vehicle's handling. Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (BDS356), based on the AAMVA 2025 CDL Manual: 3.3.2 Cargo tiedown, page 100.

C: To protect you from your cargo in a crash or emergency stop. Header boards protect you from your cargo in a crash or emergency stop by blocking the cargo's forward movement. Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (BDS356), based on the AAMVA 2025 CDL Manual: 3.3.3 Header boards, page 100.

B: To protect people from spilled cargo and to protect the cargo from weather. Cargo is covered to protect people from spilled cargo and to protect the cargo from weather. Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (BDS356), based on the AAMVA 2025 CDL Manual: 3.3.4 Covering cargo, page 101.

A: A flapping cover can tear loose, uncover the cargo and block your view or someone else's. Look at cargo covers in your mirrors from time to time; a flapping cover can tear loose and uncover the cargo or block views. Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (BDS356), based on the AAMVA 2025 CDL Manual: 3.3.4 Covering cargo, page 101.

D: That you don't exceed gross weight and axle weight limits. A sealed load can't be opened for inspection, but you are still responsible for staying within gross and axle weight limits. Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (BDS356), based on the AAMVA 2025 CDL Manual: 3.3.5 Sealed and containerized loads, page 101.

C: They often have a high center of gravity and the load can shift. Dry bulk tanks often have a high center of gravity and a load that can shift, so be extremely cautious on curves and sharp turns. Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (BDS356), based on the AAMVA 2025 CDL Manual: 3.4.1 Dry bulk, page 101.

B: It is very unstable with a high center of gravity. Meat hanging in a refrigerated trailer can sway and has a high center of gravity, so take sharp curves and ramps slowly. Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (BDS356), based on the AAMVA 2025 CDL Manual: 3.4.2 Hanging meat, page 101.

A: False bulkheads to keep the livestock bunched together. False bulkheads keep a partial load of livestock packed together, but animals can still lean in curves and raise the rollover risk. Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (BDS356), based on the AAMVA 2025 CDL Manual: 3.4.3 Livestock, page 101.

D: Special transit permits, often with limited driving times and special equipment. Oversized loads need special transit permits, usually limited driving times, and possibly wide-load signs, lights, flags, escorts or pilot vehicles. Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (BDS356), based on the AAMVA 2025 CDL Manual: 3.4.4 Oversized loads, page 101.

C: Tires, wheels and rims, brakes, lights and reflectors, trailer connections and cargo securement. For safety during a trip, watch the gauges, use your senses, and check tires, wheels, rims, brakes, lights, reflectors, trailer connections and coupling, and cargo securement when you stop. Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (BDS356), based on the AAMVA 2025 CDL Manual: 2.1.2 Types of vehicle inspection, page 32.

B: It helps the motor carrier know when the vehicle needs repairs. The after-trip report lists problems found and helps the motor carrier know when the vehicle needs repairs. Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (BDS356), based on the AAMVA 2025 CDL Manual: 2.1.2 Types of vehicle inspection, page 33.

A: Radial and bias-ply tires used together. Tire problems include mixing radial and bias-ply tires, mismatched sizes, duals touching, cut valve stems, and tread separation. Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (BDS356), based on the AAMVA 2025 CDL Manual: 2.1.3 What to look for, page 33.

D: Shoes or pads with oil, grease or brake fluid on them. Look for cracked drums, and shoes or pads with oil, grease or brake fluid on them, or worn dangerously thin, missing or broken. Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (BDS356), based on the AAMVA 2025 CDL Manual: 2.1.3 What to look for, page 33.

C: Grab the steering mechanism and test it for looseness. At the front, you must grab the steering mechanism to test for looseness and look for loose, worn, bent, damaged or missing parts. Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (BDS356), based on the AAMVA 2025 CDL Manual: 2.1.5 Seven-step inspection method, page 38.

B: Red. Rear clearance and identification lights, reflectors and taillights should be red at the rear. Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (BDS356), based on the AAMVA 2025 CDL Manual: 2.1.5 Seven-step inspection method, page 40.

A: That the left front and left rear turn signals and both stop lights are clean, working and the right color. Get out and check that the left front turn signal and left rear turn signal and both stop lights are clean, operating and the proper color. Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (BDS356), based on the AAMVA 2025 CDL Manual: 2.1.5 Seven-step inspection method, page 41.

D: It is securely mounted with a secure cover, and the batteries are secured, not broken or leaking. Check that the battery box is securely mounted with a secure cover and the batteries are secured against movement and not broken or leaking. Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (BDS356), based on the AAMVA 2025 CDL Manual: 2.1.5 Seven-step inspection method, page 40.

C: To check your clearance to the sides and overhead in and near your path. Look at your path before you begin: get out, walk around, and check side and overhead clearance in and near the path. Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (BDS356), based on the AAMVA 2025 CDL Manual: 2.2.4 Backing safely, page 43.

B: Near the back of the vehicle where you can see them. The helper should stand near the back of the vehicle where you can see them, using hand signals you have both agreed on. Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (BDS356), based on the AAMVA 2025 CDL Manual: 2.2.4 Backing safely, page 44.

A: That the gap in traffic is large enough for you to enter safely. Before merging, use the mirrors to confirm the opening in traffic is big enough for your vehicle. Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (BDS356), based on the AAMVA 2025 CDL Manual: 2.4.2 Seeing to the sides and rear, page 47.

D: A driver you didn't see may have a chance to honk or avoid you. Signal first and change lanes slowly and smoothly so a driver you didn't see has a chance to honk or get out of the way. Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (BDS356), based on the AAMVA 2025 CDL Manual: 2.5.1 Signal your intentions, page 48.