How Well Do You Know the Driving Laws for Truckers?
Written by Kendra Whitmire
Last updated · 12 min play time
Can you pass the driving test to become a trucker? Take this quiz to see if you have what it takes to try to get your commercial driver's license (CDL).
Have you always dreamed of hitting the road in a semi-truck or other large vehicle requiring a commercial driver's license? Or are you a professional trucker but it's been awhile since you have taken your written exam? Find out if you have the necessary knowledge to pass a CDL driving test with this 30-question quiz filled with the driving laws for truckers.
Quiz written by
Kendra WhitmireTrucking Laws Quiz Questions
30 Questions · 14.8K Plays · 2 Comments
Question 1
Which of the following tests are NOT required to get your CDL?
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AOral exam
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BVision and medical tests
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CWritten test
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DDriving exam
Oral exam
To get your CDL, you will need to pass a medical and visual test as well as the written and practical exam. The written test goes over the rules of the road while the driving test examines your ability to handle the vehicle.
Question 2
At what frequency should you check your cargo?
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AEvery 5 hours
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BNever
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CWithin the first 50 miles and every 3 hours or 150 miles
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DEvery 300 miles
Within the first 50 miles and every 3 hours or 150 miles
Although many drivers may not be aware of this, the National Safety Code Standard 10, as with the FMCSR 392.9, details that “all drivers shall stop and check their load within the first 80 km and then again every three hours or 240 km (150 miles), whichever comes first.”
Question 3
How often should you complete a pre-trip inspection?
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AAlways before you operate the vehicle
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BIf you suspect something is wrong
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CAt start of a journey
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DWeekly
Always before you operate the vehicle
Every time you go to operate the vehicle, you want to complete a pre-trip inspection to ensure that nothing goes wrong.
Question 4
Which of the following drivers are exempt from holding a CDL?
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ASemi truck
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BDump truck
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CMilitary vehicles
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DSchool bus
Military vehicles
Operators of military vehicles during active military duty are exempt from the requirement to hold a CDL. Other exempt drivers include emergency personnel, farm equipment operators (farm-to-market), and recreational vehicle operation for personal use.
Question 5
In how many states can you hold a CDL at one time?
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A2
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B1
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C3
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D4
1
It is illegal to hold a CDL in more than one state. Most drivers get a CDL in their home state. You can drive across state lines with your CDL as long as you are older than 21.
Question 6
What is the minimum age to drive a truck across state lines?
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A21
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B25
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C16
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D18
21
Although in some states you are able to get your CDL at 18, federal guidelines stipulate that you must be 21 or older to drive a commercial vehicle across state lines.
Question 7
What is the cause of more than half of all truck driver deaths?
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ABack end collisions
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BFront end collisions
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CRollovers
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DBrake failure
Rollovers
There is a significant risk of rollovers in combination vehicles, especially in fully loaded trucks. This may be one of the reasons that rollovers result in more than half of all truck driver deaths.
Question 8
What type of CDL license allows you to drive a vehicle with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 pounds or more?
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AClass A
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BClass C
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CClass B
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DClass D
Class A
There are three categories of CDL licenses: classes A, B and C. Class A allows you to drive a vehicle with a GCWR of 26,001 pounds. With this license, you may also be able to operate some class B and C vehicles depending on your endorsements.
Question 9
A road that falls under the jurisdiction of a government or other public agency and allows public travel is known as what?
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AA private road
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BA public road
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CA freeway
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DA highway
A public road
A public road is considered one that falls under the jurisdiction and care of a public agency, such as a city, county or state government. It is open to any public travel. Roads that are on private property but open to public travel are also considered public roads.
Question 10
You are exempt from needing a CDL for farm vehicle operation except for when?
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AIt is used for other commercial purposes
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BThe vehicle is operated by the farmer, a family member or an employee
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CIt is within 150 air miles from the farm
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DYou are transporting products, equipment or supplies to and from a farm
It is used for other commercial purposes
Farmers, their family members, and employees can drive vehicles without a CDL as long as it is to or from the farm within 150 air miles from the farm. The vehicle cannot be used for any other commercial purposes.
Question 11
If you get a DUI, for how long will your CDL be disqualified?
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A3 years
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B6 months
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C1 year
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D3 months
1 year
On a first offense, your CDL will be disqualified for a period of 12 months or 1 year. Multiple offenses may lead to longer suspensions or a revocation of your license. This holds true even if your DUI occurred in your personal vehicle.
Question 12
What is the legal limit for the weight you can you carry with a 5-axle or more combination vehicle?
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A80,000 pounds
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B50,000 pounds
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C100,000 pounds
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D35,000 pounds
80,000 pounds
Most states place a limit of 80,000 pounds on a five-axle combination vehicle (some states have it listed as a six-axle vehicle).
Question 13
Which of these should you NOT do when you approach an upgrade?
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ACheck all directions for traffic
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BUse the proper gear for maintaining speed
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CUse 4-way flashers if driving too slowly
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DMove to the left-most lane
Move to the left-most lane
When you approach an upgrade, you should move to the right-most or curb lane after checking traffic in all directions. Additionally, you want to use the proper gear so that you maintain the right speed. If you have to go slower than traffic, use your four-way flashers.
Question 14
Per the FMCSA, what is the minimum tread depth for a steer tire?
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A4/32 of an inch
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B7/35 of an inch
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C3/34 of an inch
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D2/32 of an inch
4/32 of an inch
The FMCSA regulates that any steer tire must have a minimum tread depth of 4/32 of an inch. This is for every major tread groove. Any spot with less tread depth will lead to a citation. Drive and trailer tires have a minimum tread depth of 2/32 of an inch. The CVSA has a different regulation.
Question 15
Which of the following is not an endorsement you can have on your CDL?
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AN - tank vehicle
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BH - hazardous materials
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CD - dump truck
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DT - double/triple trailers
D - dump truck
There are six endorsements you can have on your CDL: T - double/triple trailers, N - tank vehicle, H - hazardous materials, X - combination tank vehicle and hazardous materials, S - school bus, and P - passenger.
Question 16
For all of the following situations, your application for Hazardous Materials Endorsement will be denied EXCEPT when?
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AYou are unable to prove legal status
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BYou are wanted or indicted for certain felonies
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CYou are listed as a security threat by the TSA
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DYou have a poor credit history
You have a poor credit history
The TSA has set certain regulations to allow you to get a HAZMAT endorsement. You must be a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident, which includes a refugee or asylum seeker who has a valid and unrestricted employment authorization document. You also must not have a conviction, indictment or warrant for certain felonies. The TSA may also list you as a security threat for other reasons.
Question 17
What is the maximum width allowed for commercial vehicles in normal situations?
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A110 inches or 2.794
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BThere is no limit for width
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C102 inches or 2.6 meters
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D108 inches or 2.74 meters
102 inches or 2.6 meters
The maximum width possible for vehicles is set at 102 inches or 2.6 meters. The width limit in Hawaii is wider at 108 inches. The width limit of 102 inches has been updated to the equivalent of 2.6 meters, which is equal to 102.36 inches, for international standardization purposes.
Question 18
All of the following will help you to avoid rollovers in a combination vehicle EXCEPT:
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AAvoid changing lanes quickly
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BDrive slowly as you drive on and off ramps
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CAvoid driving with a full load
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DDrive slowly as you turn corners
Avoid driving with a full load
Although driving with a full load can increase your risk of rolling over, there are some things you can do so that you can drive with a full load and not roll over. Driving slowly on corners, on ramps and off ramps is one place to start. Additionally, not changing lanes quickly will also reduce your risk.
Question 19
Which three endorsements are you allowed on your commercial learner's permit (CLP)?
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ADouble/Triple trailers, Passenger, School bus (T, P, S)
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BCombination tank and hazardous materials, School bus, Tank vehicle (X,S,H)
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CPassenger, School bus, and Tank (P,S,N)
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DHazardous materials, Tank vehicle, Double/triple trailers (H, N, T)
Passenger, School bus, and Tank (P,S,N)
On your CLP, you are only allowed to have the passenger, school bus, and tank endorsements. There are restrictions on each of these endorsements as well, limiting the work you can do until you have your full CDL.
Question 20
If you have an air brake restriction on your CDL, are you allowed to drive a vehicle that has an air-assisted parking brake release as part of the hydraulic braking system?
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ANo
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BIt depends on the vehicle
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CYes
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DIt depends on the state
Yes
The air brake restriction set in place only applies to the principle braking system, not to any parking brake systems that use an air-assisted mechanism.
Question 21
If you drive your empty truck to another state solely for the purposes of repair, does it fall under the category of interstate commerce?
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ANo
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BYes
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CDepends on the state
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DDepends on the repairs
Yes
Yes. The rules and regulations for interstate transport apply to anytime when you drive CMVs that transport property. The CMV itself is considered property, even if it is empty.
Question 22
Can you drive a commercial vehicle after removing a defective tire so that you have three tires on an axle rather than four?
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AIt depends on the state
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BNo
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CYes, if the weather conditions are good
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DYes, as long as the weight does not exceed the limit
Yes, as long as the weight does not exceed the limit
If you experience a problem with your tire, you can remove it and drive with three tires on the axle instead of four. However, this can only be done if the weight does not exceed the maximum limit allowed.
Question 23
If you commute across state lines in your CMV, is that considered interstate commerce?
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AYes
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BDepends on if it is for personal transportation
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CDepends on the state
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DNo
Yes
The federal laws regulate that if you are allowed to use your vehicle for private personal transportation, during these times it is not subject to the interstate commerce regulations in the FMCSRs. However, if you are using it to drive to the motor carrier, even if empty, it is considered commerce and thereby subject to the regulations.
Question 24
How much more likely is it that a fully loaded rig will turn over compared to an empty one?
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A5 times
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BNo difference
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C7 times
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D10 times
10 times
As you load your cargo, the center of gravity changes and increases the risk of rolling over. Therefore, fully loaded rigs are 10 times more likely to roll over than empty ones.
Question 25
Do you need to test on an airbrake-equipped vehicle to upgrade to a group A CDL if you already have a group B or C CDL valid for airbrake-equipped vehicles?
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AYes
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BIt depends on the state
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CNo, because the air-braking systems are similar
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DIt depends on the vehicle
No, because the air-braking systems are similar
The air-braking systems on combination vehicles are not that different from single vehicles. Therefore, if you already have a valid CDL for air-braking vehicles and choose to upgrade to group A, you do not have to test on a vehicle with air brakes.
Question 26
What is the maximum amount of time you can drive a property-carrying commercial vehicle after a 10-hour break?
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A13 hours
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B14 hours
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C11 hours
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D10 hours
11 hours
Although individual companies may have guidelines, the federal law dictates that the maximum driving limit after a 10-hour break is 11 hours for driving a property-carrying vehicle. The maximum for passengers is 10 hours. Drivers cannot drive past the 14th hour after they have come on duty.
Question 27
If you experience a breakdown or some other type of emergency, how far from your vehicle should your reflective triangles be?
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A10 feet, 100 feet, and 200 feet
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B20 feet, 100 feet, and 200 feet
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C10 feet, 100 feet, and 100 feet
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D20 feet, 200 feet, and 200 feet
10 feet, 100 feet, and 100 feet
You should place your warning devices at 10 feet from the vehicle in the direction of approaching traffic, another one at 100 feet from the vehicle in the center of the lane or shoulder directed toward the approaching traffic, and the third 100 feet in the center of the lane or shoulder in the direction away from the approaching traffic.
Question 28
What is the minimum allowable length for a truck and tractor-semitrailer combination?
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A45 feet
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B42 feet
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C48 feet
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D50 feet
48 feet
States cannot impose a limit on the overall vehicle length for a truck tractor-semitrailer. However, there is a minimum allowable length limit, which is 48 feet or 14.63 meters. Some states may have a grandfathered limit in place.
Question 29
What is the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating?
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AThe result of adding the weight of the vehicles and the cargo
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BThe manufacturer-set weight limit for a single vehicle or combination of vehicles
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CThe minimum weight capacity of the vehicle
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DThe weight of the vehicle
The manufacturer-set weight limit for a single vehicle or combination of vehicles
The manufacturer will set the GVWR. It determines the maximum weight capacity of the vehicle or combination of vehicles.
Question 30
Obtaining three serious traffic violations in a period of three years will result in a CDL disqualification for how long?
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A90 days
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B180 days
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C30 days
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D120 days
120 days
If you have three serious traffic violations within three years, you will experience a CDL disqualification for a period of 120 days. With two violations, you will still have a disqualification of 60 days.
Comments (2)
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I can't believe I passed I'm not even a big rig driver
This quiz was very inaccurate because at least 40% of y'all's questions wasn't worded right and was wrong on y'all's answer