AK CDL General Knowledge case studies
AK CDL General Knowledge · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The Alaska Commercial Driver License (CDL) General Knowledge test is the core written exam that every applicant for a Class A, Class B, or Class C commercial license in Alaska must pass before moving on to endorsement tests and the skills (road) test. It is not a specialty exam - it checks whether you understand the rules, vehicle systems, and driving practices that apply to any large vehicle on any road, from the Seward Highway to a remote winter haul. The AK CDL General Knowledge case studies are 5 cases and about 3,039 words.
1Cold-Morning Air Build-Up Before a Scheduled Run
It is 0430 in January and the yard thermometer reads -32 °F. You are assigned a tractor with a 53-foot van, scaled at 74,000 lb gross, and a 168-mile delivery due at 0700.
525 words, about 3 min2Four Seconds Behind a Plow on Packed Snow
You are on a two-lane highway at 45 mph on hard-packed snow, driving a 70-foot combination scaled at 62,000 lb. Ahead, a plow truck with a wing runs at 28 mph with amber lights flashing.
450 words, about 2 min3No Brakes Left Two Miles Into a Seven Percent Grade
You are two miles into a four-mile, 7% descent with 82,000 lb of pipe on a flatbed. You entered at 25 mph in 7th gear and have been riding the service brakes lightly to hold speed, because you did not want to over-rev the engine.
671 words, about 3 min4Trailer Swing on a Glare-Ice Downgrade
The downgrade is 1.5 miles of 6% grade, packed snow with sand strips only through the curves. You are at 78,000 lb gross, running 35 mph in 9th of 10 gears with the engine brake on its highest setting.
673 words, about 3 min5The Scale Ticket That Fits Gross But Not the Drives
At a scale on the Richardson Highway the ticket reads: steer 11,600 lb, drive tandem 34,900 lb, trailer tandem 32,400 lb, gross 78,900 lb. Ratings: steer axle 12,000; each drive and trailer axle 20,000; each tandem group 34,000; gross 80,000.
720 words, about 4 min