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CDL general knowledge practice test 7

25 more questions on general knowledge, written from the Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (BDS356), based on the AAMVA 2025 CDL Manual.

25 questions

  1. Question 1Gasoline and acetone belong to which hazard class?

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    B: Class 3, Flammable (liquids). Class 3, Flammable, includes gasoline and acetone. Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (BDS356), based on the AAMVA 2025 CDL Manual: 2.23.1 What are hazardous materials?, page 95.

  2. Question 2Which of these is listed as an optional item rather than required safety equipment?

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    A: Tire chains. Tire chains (where winter conditions require them), tire-changing equipment, emergency phone numbers and an accident kit are listed as optional items. Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (BDS356), based on the AAMVA 2025 CDL Manual: 2.1.5 Seven-step inspection method, page 37.

  3. Question 3After stopping a runaway vehicle by turning uphill, what should you make sure of?

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    B: That it doesn't start rolling backward: use low gear and the parking brake. Make sure the vehicle doesn't roll back: put it in low gear, apply the parking brake and, if needed, roll back into an obstacle that will stop it. Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (BDS356), based on the AAMVA 2025 CDL Manual: 2.17.3 Brake failure, page 86.

  4. Question 4Why should you avoid dark or tinted corrective lenses at night?

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    B: They cut down the light you need to see clearly. Tinted lenses reduce the light you need to see clearly under night driving conditions, even if they seem to help with glare. Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (BDS356), based on the AAMVA 2025 CDL Manual: 2.11.2 Driver factors, page 71.

  5. Question 5Battery fluid and hydrochloric acid are examples of which hazard class?

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    C: Class 8, Corrosives. Class 8, Corrosives, includes hydrochloric acid and battery fluid. Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (BDS356), based on the AAMVA 2025 CDL Manual: 2.23.1 What are hazardous materials?, page 96.

  6. Question 6In Step 4, after setting the parking brake and turning off the engine, why do you take the key with you?

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    B: So nobody can move the vehicle while you are walking around it. You take the key so no one can start and move the vehicle while you are checking around and under it. Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (BDS356), based on the AAMVA 2025 CDL Manual: 2.1.5 Seven-step inspection method, page 38.

  7. Question 7You hear a loud bang like a tire blowout but aren't sure it was yours. What should you assume?

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    A: That it was one of your tires. It can take a few seconds for the vehicle to react, so any time you hear a tire blow, assume it was yours. Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (BDS356), based on the AAMVA 2025 CDL Manual: 2.17.4 Tire failure, page 87.

  8. Question 8An oncoming vehicle has very bright lights. Where should you look?

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    A: At the right side of the road, the right lane or edge marking. Don't look directly at bright lights; watch the right lane or edge marking. Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (BDS356), based on the AAMVA 2025 CDL Manual: 2.11.2 Driver factors, page 71.

  9. Question 9Propane, helium and oxygen belong to which hazard class?

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    B: Class 2, Gases. Class 2, Gases, includes propane, helium and oxygen. Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (BDS356), based on the AAMVA 2025 CDL Manual: 2.23.1 What are hazardous materials?, page 95.

  10. Question 10What color should clearance lights and reflectors be at the front of the vehicle?

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    A: Amber. Parking, clearance and identification lights and reflectors at the front should be amber. Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (BDS356), based on the AAMVA 2025 CDL Manual: 2.1.5 Seven-step inspection method, page 38.

  11. Question 11The steering suddenly feels "heavy." What is this probably a sign of?

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    D: A front tire has failed. If the steering suddenly feels heavy, a front tire has probably failed. Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (BDS356), based on the AAMVA 2025 CDL Manual: 2.17.4 Tire failure, page 87.

  12. Question 12At least what share of all heavy truck crashes involve fatigue, according to the manual?

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    B: 15%. The manual states that at least 15% of all heavy truck crashes involve fatigue. Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (BDS356), based on the AAMVA 2025 CDL Manual: 2.11.2 Driver factors, page 72.

  13. Question 13What are the three intents of the hazardous materials rules?

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    B: Contain the product, communicate the risk, and ensure safe drivers and equipment. The rules are meant to contain the product, communicate the risk, and ensure safe drivers and equipment. Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (BDS356), based on the AAMVA 2025 CDL Manual: 2.23.2 Why are there rules?, page 96.

  14. Question 14What color should side-marker lights and reflectors be at the rear of the vehicle?

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    D: Red. Side-marker lights and reflectors are red at the rear; the others are amber. Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (BDS356), based on the AAMVA 2025 CDL Manual: 2.1.5 Seven-step inspection method, page 40.

  15. Question 15A tire fails while you are driving. What should you do?

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    C: Hold the steering wheel firmly and stay off the brake until the vehicle slows down. Hold the wheel firmly and stay off the brake unless you're about to hit something, since braking can cause loss of control. Then brake gently, pull off and stop. Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (BDS356), based on the AAMVA 2025 CDL Manual: 2.17.4 Tire failure, page 87.

  16. Question 16Which is a warning sign that you should stop and rest?

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    C: Trouble remembering the last few miles driven. Warning signs include trouble remembering recent miles, missing exits, heavy eyelids, yawning, drifting from your lane and hitting rumble strips. Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (BDS356), based on the AAMVA 2025 CDL Manual: 2.11.2 Driver factors, page 72.

  17. Question 17Where must you keep hazardous materials shipping papers while driving?

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    A: In a pouch on the driver's door or in clear view within reach. While driving, keep the papers in the driver's door pouch or in plain view within reach; when you leave the vehicle, put them on the driver's seat. Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (BDS356), based on the AAMVA 2025 CDL Manual: 2.23.2 Why are there rules?, page 96.

  18. Question 18How do you test a vehicle with hydraulic brakes for leaks during the pre-trip inspection?

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    C: Pump the pedal three times, then hold firm pressure for five seconds; the pedal should not move. Pump the brake pedal three times, then apply firm pressure for five seconds. If the pedal moves, there may be a leak or other problem. Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (BDS356), based on the AAMVA 2025 CDL Manual: 2.1.5 Seven-step inspection method, page 41.

  19. Question 19After stopping because of a tire failure, why should you check all the tires even if the vehicle handled well?

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    B: If one of your dual tires goes, looking at it may be the only way to know. Get out and check all the tires; a failed dual tire may not be noticeable any other way. Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (BDS356), based on the AAMVA 2025 CDL Manual: 2.17.4 Tire failure, page 87.

  20. Question 20If you notice signs of fatigue, what does the manual recommend?

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    B: Stop driving and sleep for the night, or take a 15–20 minute nap. Once you notice fatigue, stop: either sleep for the night or take a nap of 15 to 20 minutes. Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (BDS356), based on the AAMVA 2025 CDL Manual: 2.11.2 Driver factors, page 72.

  21. Question 21Where should hazardous materials shipping papers be when you are out of the vehicle?

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    D: On the driver's seat. When you are out of the vehicle, the shipping papers go on the driver's seat so emergency responders can find them. Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (BDS356), based on the AAMVA 2025 CDL Manual: 2.23.2 Why are there rules?, page 96.

  22. Question 22At about what speed should you test the service brake's stopping action?

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    A: 5 mph. Go about five miles per hour and push the brake pedal firmly to test stopping action. Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (BDS356), based on the AAMVA 2025 CDL Manual: 2.1.5 Seven-step inspection method, page 41.

  23. Question 23What causes most serious skids?

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    D: Driving too fast for road conditions. Skids come from over-braking, over-steering, over-accelerating or driving too fast, and most serious skids result from driving too fast for conditions. Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (BDS356), based on the AAMVA 2025 CDL Manual: 2.19 Skid control and recovery, page 90.

  24. Question 24Getting 6 hours of sleep or less does what to your crash risk?

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    C: Triples it. Being sleep-deprived, with 6 hours of sleep or less, triples your risk. Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (BDS356), based on the AAMVA 2025 CDL Manual: 2.11.2 Driver factors, page 72.

  25. Question 25Why must hazardous materials shipping papers be easy to find?

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    C: After a crash you may be unable to communicate, and responders need to know what is being carried. If you are injured, firefighters and police can limit damage only if they know what hazardous materials are aboard, so the papers must be quickly located. Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (BDS356), based on the AAMVA 2025 CDL Manual: 2.23.2 Why are there rules?, page 96.

Answer every question to see your score.

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Our own questions, written from the Wisconsin Commercial Driver's Manual (BDS356), based on the AAMVA 2025 CDL Manual (May 2026), official manual, and checked against it.