BRTA Professional Driving Test flashcards
BRTA Professional Driving Test · Build recall with a focused review session.
33 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.
- Flashing red signal
- A flashing red light functions exactly like a stop sign: come to a complete stop, yield to cross traffic and pedestrians, then proceed when safe.
- Solid yellow line
- A solid yellow line on your side of the centerline prohibits passing; broken yellow permits passing when the way ahead is clear and safe.
- Right turn on red
- Permitted after a complete stop and yielding to pedestrians and traffic unless a posted sign prohibits it. Left on red is limited to one-way to one-way turns.
- Four-way stop order
- The first vehicle to arrive proceeds first. If two arrive at the same time, the vehicle on the right goes first; straight-through traffic outranks turning traffic.
- Three-second following rule
- Pick a fixed object ahead; when the vehicle in front passes it, count three seconds before your bumper reaches it. Add a second for rain or darkness.
- Total stopping distance
- The sum of perception distance, reaction distance, and braking distance. Braking distance increases with the square of speed, so doubling speed quadruples it.
- Smith System five keys
- Aim high in steering, get the big picture, keep your eyes moving, leave yourself an out, and make sure they see you.
- Hydroplaning recovery
- Occurs near 35 mph on wet pavement. Ease off the accelerator, hold the wheel straight, and avoid hard braking until tire contact with the road returns.
- Space cushion rule
- Maintain at least one vehicle length of gap per 10 mph of speed. Increase the cushion in rain, at night, or when following large vehicles.
- High beam dimming distances
- Dim high beams within 500 feet of oncoming traffic and within 300 feet when following another vehicle to avoid blinding the other driver.
- Pre-trip inspection order
- Inspect the engine compartment first (fluids, belts, hoses), then walk around the exterior (lights, tires, body), then check in-cab controls and gauges.
- Steer tire tread minimum
- Front steer tires require at least 4/32 inch of tread depth; all other tires require 2/32 inch. Measure with a gauge, not visually.
- Air brake leak test
- With the system charged and engine off, pressure loss should not exceed 3 psi per minute for a single vehicle or 4 psi for a combination.
- ABS braking technique
- Anti-lock brakes prevent wheel lockup to preserve steering control. Apply firm continuous pressure and steer; do not pump the pedal.
- Engine retarder caution
- Jake brakes are banned in many municipalities and should be switched off on wet or icy pavement, where they can cause drive-wheel skid.
- GVWR definition
- Gross Vehicle Weight Rating is the maximum total weight a single vehicle is designed to carry, including cargo, fuel, passengers, and the vehicle itself.
- Payload capacity formula
- Payload capacity equals GVWR minus curb weight. This figure, not the advertised tow rating, determines the legal cargo limit.
- Rear overhang flag rule
- Loads extending more than 4 feet beyond the rear require a red or orange flag by day and a red light at night to warn following traffic.
- Cargo securement standard
- Cargo must be tied down so it cannot shift or fall, typically with one tiedown per 10 feet of length and a working load limit of at least half the cargo weight.
- Passenger cargo area rule
- Passengers may not ride in the cargo area of a truck or trailer, and no one may stand on a moving vehicle's exterior.
- Blowout response
- Grip the wheel firmly, ease off the accelerator, avoid hard braking, and steer gradually to a controlled stop off the roadway.
- Skid recovery technique
- Steer in the direction you want the front of the vehicle to travel, ease off the accelerator, and avoid hard braking until the tires regain grip.
- Accident scene protection
- Stop, turn on hazard lights, place warning triangles at 10, 100, and 200 feet, call emergency services, and render aid within your training.
- Fire extinguisher PASS
- Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle, and Sweep side to side until the fire is out.
- Crash reporting threshold
- Report a crash to law enforcement when there is injury, death, or property damage above the state threshold, commonly $1,000 or more.
- Professional confidentiality
- Passenger names, addresses, itineraries, and payment information must not be disclosed to third parties except as required by law or company policy.
- Refusing an unsafe trip
- A driver must decline to operate an unsafe or impaired vehicle. This duty overrides schedule pressure and customer demands.
- Service animal accommodation
- Under accessibility law, service animals must be permitted to accompany passengers. Ask the passenger before offering assistance.
- Eleven-hour driving limit
- A property-carrying driver may drive at most 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty before a new driving period may begin.
- Fourteen-hour duty window
- Driving is prohibited after the 14th consecutive hour on duty, regardless of how many of the 11 driving hours remain unused.
- Thirty-minute break rule
- A driver must take a 30-minute interruption after 8 cumulative hours of driving without at least a 30-minute break.
- CDL weight threshold
- A Commercial Driver's License is required for vehicles with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more, or when towing a trailer over 10,000 pounds.
- DOT medical certificate
- A DOT medical examiner's certificate is valid for up to 24 months; certain medical conditions require shorter certification intervals.