Pass by the Book
English

Commercial driver’s license (CDL) knowledge tests · California DMV

Basic control and shifting gears

Practice this topic47 questions

Questions and answers

  1. What should you do when you leave your vehicle?

    Apply the parking brake

    Apply the parking brake whenever you leave the vehicle.

    Section 2 · 2.2 – Basic Control of Your Vehicle ↗

  2. You start on a hill in a manual transmission vehicle. How do you keep from rolling back?

    Partly engage the clutch before taking your right foot off the brake

    Partly engaging the clutch before you release the brake keeps the vehicle from rolling back.

    Section 2 · 2.2.1 – Accelerating ↗

  3. You used the parking brake to hold the vehicle on a hill. When do you release it?

    Only when you have applied enough engine power to keep from rolling back

    Release the parking brake only once there is enough engine power to hold the vehicle.

    Section 2 · 2.2.1 – Accelerating ↗

  4. Why is rolling back when you start dangerous?

    You may hit someone behind you

    There may be a person or vehicle behind you.

    Section 2 · 2.2.1 – Accelerating ↗

  5. On a tractor-trailer with a trailer brake hand valve, what else can keep you from rolling back?

    Applying the hand valve

    The trailer brake hand valve can be applied to hold the vehicle on a start.

    Section 2 · 2.2.1 – Accelerating ↗

  6. What can rough acceleration do when you are pulling a trailer?

    Damage the coupling

    Rough acceleration causes mechanical damage, and with a trailer it can damage the coupling.

    Section 2 · 2.2.1 – Accelerating ↗

  7. How should you speed up when traction is poor, as in rain or snow?

    Very gradually

    With poor traction, too much power can spin the drive wheels and cost you control.

    Section 2 · 2.2.1 – Accelerating ↗

  8. Your drive wheels begin to spin as you accelerate. What should you do?

    Take your foot off the accelerator

    If the drive wheels start to spin, ease off the accelerator.

    Section 2 · 2.2.1 – Accelerating ↗

  9. How should you hold the steering wheel?

    Firmly, with both hands on opposite sides of the wheel

    A firm two-handed grip on opposite sides keeps the wheel from pulling away.

    Section 2 · 2.2.2 – Steering ↗

  10. Why do you need a firm hold on the steering wheel?

    Hitting a curb or pothole could pull the wheel out of your hands

    A curb or pothole can jerk the wheel away unless your grip is firm.

    Section 2 · 2.2.2 – Steering ↗

  11. How should you press the brake pedal for a normal stop?

    Gradually, controlling the pressure for a smooth stop

    Push the pedal down gradually and control the pressure so the stop is smooth and safe.

    Section 2 · 2.2.3 – Stopping ↗

  12. When stopping with a manual transmission, when do you push the clutch in?

    When the engine is close to idle

    Push the clutch in when the engine speed is close to idle.

    Section 2 · 2.2.3 – Stopping ↗

  13. Why is backing always dangerous?

    You cannot see everything behind your vehicle

    Backing is dangerous because part of the area behind you is always hidden. Avoid it when you can.

    Section 2 · 2.2.4 – Backing Safely ↗

  14. How should you park whenever possible?

    So you can pull forward when you leave

    Parking so you can leave by pulling forward avoids the need to back.

    Section 2 · 2.2.4 – Backing Safely ↗

  15. Before you begin backing, how do you check your path?

    Get out and walk around the vehicle

    Look at your line of travel, get out, walk around, and check clearance to the sides and overhead.

    Section 2 · 2.2.4 – Backing Safely ↗

  16. Which gear should you use for backing?

    The lowest reverse gear

    Backing as slowly as possible in the lowest reverse gear lets you correct errors and stop quickly.

    Section 2 · 2.2.4 – Backing Safely ↗

  17. When you must back and turn, toward which side should you back?

    Toward the driver’s side

    Backing toward the driver’s side lets you see better.

    Section 2 · 2.2.4 – Backing Safely ↗

  18. Why is backing toward the right side very dangerous?

    You cannot see as well on that side

    On the right you cannot watch the rear of the vehicle through the side window.

    Section 2 · 2.2.4 – Backing Safely ↗

  19. To back toward the driver’s side you would have to drive around the block first. What does the handbook advise?

    Go around the block, the added safety is worth it

    Use driver-side backing even if it means going around the block to set up.

    Section 2 · 2.2.4 – Backing Safely ↗

  20. Why is a helper important when backing?

    There are blind spots you cannot see

    A helper covers the blind spots the driver cannot see.

    Section 2 · 2.2.4 – Backing Safely ↗

  21. Where should your helper stand while you back?

    Near the back of the vehicle where you can see them

    The helper stands near the back of the vehicle, in your view.

    Section 2 · 2.2.4 – Backing Safely ↗

  22. Which hand signal is the most important to agree on with your helper?

    The signal for “stop”

    Work out hand signals before backing and agree on a signal for “stop”.

    Section 2 · 2.2.4 – Backing Safely ↗

  23. When backing a straight truck or bus, which way do you turn the steering wheel?

    Toward the direction you want to go

    A car, straight truck, or bus backs in the direction the wheel is turned.

    Section 2 · 2.2.5 – Backing with a Trailer ↗

  24. When you start backing a trailer, which way do you turn the steering wheel?

    In the opposite direction to where you want the trailer to go

    With a trailer you first turn the wheel the opposite way. Once the trailer starts to turn, you turn the other way to follow it.

    Section 2 · 2.2.5 – Backing with a Trailer ↗

  25. While backing, you see the trailer drifting off the proper path. How do you correct it?

    Turn the steering wheel in the direction of the drift, right away

    Correct drift immediately by turning the wheel in the direction of the drift.

    Section 2 · 2.2.5 – Backing with a Trailer ↗

  26. How should you try to position your vehicle whenever you back with a trailer?

    So you can back in a straight line

    Try to set up for a straight-line back. If the path must curve, back toward the driver’s side.

    Section 2 · 2.2.5 – Backing with a Trailer ↗

  27. While backing you end up poorly positioned. What should you do?

    Pull forward to reposition the vehicle

    Make pull-ups to reposition your vehicle when needed.

    Section 2 · 2.2.5 – Backing with a Trailer ↗

  28. Which heavy vehicles need double clutching to change gears?

    Most with an unsynchronized manual transmission

    Double clutching is needed with most unsynchronized manual transmissions and not with synchronized ones.

    Section 2 · 2.3.1 – Manual Transmissions ↗

  29. What is the first step in shifting up with double clutching?

    Release the accelerator, push in the clutch, and shift to Neutral at the same time

    The shift begins by releasing the accelerator, pushing in the clutch, and moving to Neutral together.

    Section 2 · 2.3.1 – Manual Transmissions ↗

  30. When shifting up, what do you wait for while the transmission is in Neutral with the clutch released?

    The engine and gears slowing to the rpm needed for the next gear

    On an upshift you let the engine and gears slow to the rpm required for the next gear.

    Section 2 · 2.3.1 – Manual Transmissions ↗

  31. You stayed too long in Neutral and the next gear will not go in. What should you do?

    Return to Neutral, release the clutch, raise engine speed to match road speed, and try again

    Do not force it. Go back to Neutral, release the clutch, match engine speed to road speed, and try again.

    Section 2 · 2.3.1 – Manual Transmissions ↗

  32. What are the two ways of knowing when to shift up?

    Engine speed (rpm) and road speed (mph)

    You can shift by the tachometer or by the speedometer. With either, engine sound can also guide you.

    Section 2 · 2.3.1 – Manual Transmissions ↗

  33. If you shift by engine speed, when do you shift up?

    When the engine reaches the top of its operating rpm range

    Learn the operating rpm range from the driver’s manual and shift up at the top of it.

    Section 2 · 2.3.1 – Manual Transmissions ↗

  34. What is “progressive” shifting?

    The rpm at which you shift gets higher as you move up through the gears

    Some newer vehicles use progressive shifting, where the shift rpm rises with each higher gear.

    Section 2 · 2.3.1 – Manual Transmissions ↗

  35. When shifting down with double clutching, what do you do while in Neutral with the clutch released?

    Press the accelerator to raise engine and gear speed to the rpm needed in the lower gear

    On a downshift you increase engine and gear speed to match the lower gear.

    Section 2 · 2.3.1 – Manual Transmissions ↗

  36. What are the two special conditions where you should downshift?

    Before starting down a hill and before entering a curve

    Downshift before a downgrade and before a curve.

    Section 2 · 2.3.1 – Manual Transmissions ↗

  37. Why slow down and shift down before starting down a hill?

    Otherwise the brakes can overheat and lose their braking power

    Choose a speed you can control without hard braking, or the brakes may overheat and fade.

    Section 2 · 2.3.1 – Manual Transmissions ↗

  38. Compared with the gear needed to climb a hill, which gear is usually right for going down it?

    A lower gear

    The right gear for a descent is usually lower than the gear required to climb the same hill.

    Section 2 · 2.3.1 – Manual Transmissions ↗

  39. What is the benefit of downshifting before you enter a curve?

    You can use some power through the curve, which keeps the vehicle more stable

    Being in the right gear lets you apply power in the curve for stability and speed up as soon as you are out.

    Section 2 · 2.3.1 – Manual Transmissions ↗

  40. How are multi-speed rear axles and auxiliary transmissions usually controlled?

    By a selector knob or switch on the gearshift lever

    They add extra gears and are usually worked from a knob or switch on the main gearshift lever.

    Section 2 · 2.3.2 – Multi-Speed Rear Axles and Auxiliary Transmissions ↗

  41. With an automatic transmission, why select a low range when going down a grade?

    To get greater engine braking

    A low range gives more engine braking and stops the transmission shifting up beyond the selected gear.

    Section 2 · 2.3.3 – Automatic Transmissions ↗

  42. What do retarders do?

    Help slow the vehicle and reduce the need for the brakes

    Retarders help slow the vehicle, cut brake wear, and give another way to slow down.

    Section 2 · 2.3.4 – Retarders ↗

  43. What are the four basic types of retarders?

    Exhaust, engine, hydraulic, and electric

    The four basic types are exhaust, engine, hydraulic, and electric. All can be turned on or off by the driver.

    Section 2 · 2.3.4 – Retarders ↗

  44. With a retarder switched on, when does it apply its braking power?

    Whenever you let up on the accelerator pedal all the way

    A retarder acts on the drive wheels each time you fully release the accelerator.

    Section 2 · 2.3.4 – Retarders ↗

  45. To which wheels do retarders apply their braking power?

    The drive wheels only

    Retarders work on the drive wheels only, which is why they can cause a skid on a slippery road.

    Section 2 · 2.3.4 – Retarders ↗

  46. The road is wet, icy, or snow covered. What should you do with the retarder?

    Turn it off

    With poor traction a retarder may make the drive wheels skid, so turn it off.

    Section 2 · 2.3.4 – Retarders ↗

  47. Why should you know where retarder use is permitted?

    Because the devices can be noisy

    Retarders can be noisy, so their use is not allowed everywhere.

    Section 2 · 2.3.4 – Retarders ↗

Questions and answers by topic