California CDL General Knowledge Test case studies
California CDL General Knowledge Test · Put your knowledge to work in context.
A California commercial driver's license (CDL) is the credential that lets you legally operate a commercial motor vehicle - generally a single vehicle rated 26,001 pounds or more, a combination rated 26,001 pounds or more, a vehicle built for more than ten passengers including the driver, a vehicle towing a trailer rated 10,001 pounds or more, a placarded hazardous materials vehicle, or a 3-axle vehicle weighing more than 6,000 pounds. Before the skills test, applicants must hold a commercial learner's permit (CLP) for at least 14 days, and the CLP itself is issued only after the required knowledge test or tests are passed. The California CDL General Knowledge Test case studies are 5 cases and about 3,615 words.
1The 6 Percent Grade at 78,400 Pounds
Your tractor-trailer weighs 78,400 lb gross and is about to descend a 6 percent grade that runs 4 miles to a valley floor. The posted limit is 55 mph, and a yellow sign advises trucks to use 35 mph.
727 words, about 4 min2Scale Ticket, Slack Chain, and a Coil That Moved
At a weigh station your 5-axle combination scales: steer axle 11,600 lb; drive tandems 33,900 lb; trailer tandems 32,700 lb; gross 78,200 lb. Your company enforces the legal limits of 12,000 / 34,000 / 34,000 / 80,000.
736 words, about 4 min3Air Brake Pre-Trip: Three Failures and Twenty Minutes
Cold start, 40 degrees F. Your combination air system builds from 85 to 100 psi in 70 seconds.
662 words, about 3 min4Steer Tire Blowout at 60 mph, Night, Guardrail Ahead
You are driving a loaded 5-axle van, 79,000 lb gross, at 60 mph in the right lane of a divided highway at night. Without warning the right front steer tire blows: the truck pulls hard right, the steering wheel kicks, and you hear the flapping.
782 words, about 4 min5The 55-Minute Load With One Hour of Driving Left
Your day so far: on duty at 05:00; pre-trip 05:00 to 05:30; drove 05:30 to 10:00; off duty 10:00 to 10:45; drove 10:45 to 16:15; on duty not driving 16:15 to 16:45 loading. At 16:45 dispatch offers a load that is a 55-minute drive to the receiver, where the dock says unloading will take about 40 minutes.
708 words, about 4 min