DC CDL General Knowledge study plan

Memorize the seven-step pre-trip inspection sequence (approach, engine compartment, cab check, lights, walk-around, brake test, final check) and recite it from memory without notes.

Label every component in the engine compartment check - coolant, oil, power steering fluid, washer fluid, belts, hoses, battery, alternator - and state the accept/reject criterion for each.

Describe the air brake system leak-down test: initial pressure drop limits, applied-pressure drop limits, and the low-air warning threshold, with the exact psi figures.

Perform a verbal cab and light check that names each required light (headlights high/low, turn signals, four-way flashers, brake lights, clearance lights, reflectors) and its inspection point.

List the five basic control skills test exercises and explain what each one measures.

Explain how to check tire condition, tread depth, and inflation, plus the consequences of running underinflated duals.

Trace the path of the braking system from the treadle valve to the slack adjusters and identify the three braking systems on a CDL vehicle (service, parking, emergency).

Describe inspection and use of the coupling system: fifth wheel jaws, kingpin, locking lever, safety latch, and the pull test.

Practice the in-cab inspection routine in the correct order, including gauges, mirrors, horn, wipers, heater/defroster, and seat belt.

Diagnose five common out-of-service defects from memory (brakes, tires, lights, coupling devices, load securement) and state why each is out of service.

Describe the double-clutch procedure step by step and explain why it protects the transmission in a non-synchronized gearbox.

Identify the correct gear for a downgrade and explain the rule that you select a gear before starting down, not during.

Compute stopping distance at 30, 45, and 55 mph using the perception, reaction, and braking phases, and state how speed affects each phase.

Explain the effect of weight, road surface, and brake condition on stopping distance, and define the speed at which brakes fade on a long downgrade.

Describe proper backing procedure: get out and look, use of a spotter, backing to the driver's side, and the pull-up rule for turns.

Explain off-tracking and how to set up a right turn with a long wheelbase or trailer so the rear wheels clear the curb.

Define the four components of total stopping distance and calculate following distance using the one-second-per-10-feet rule at highway speed.

Identify the seven hazard classes on the road (other drivers, pedestrians, weather, road conditions, vehicle defects, load shifts, and your own condition) and give one countermeasure for each.

Explain space cushion management on all six sides of the vehicle and how to create an escape route.

Describe how to scan ahead 12-15 seconds in city driving and at least a quarter mile on the open highway.

Explain the hazards of tailgating, being tailgated, and passing on a two-lane road, including the time and distance needed to complete a pass.

Explain the causes of skids (over-braking, over-steering, over-accelerating, and speed too fast for conditions) and the correct recovery for a drive-wheel skid and a trailer skid.

Describe brake fade and the correct response on a long downgrade, including use of engine braking and escape ramps.

List the emergency procedures for tire failure, brake failure, jammed accelerator, and fire, and state the first action in each.

Explain the rules for sharing the road with pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcycles, and light vehicles, including no-zone awareness around large trucks.

Identify distracted driving behaviors and describe the CDL-specific restrictions on hand-held devices and texting.

Describe the signs and stages of fatigue and the rules for hours of service that limit driving time, plus the required rest break.

Explain how alcohol, prescription drugs, and over-the-counter medications impair driving, and state the CDL blood alcohol limit and the consequences of a first offense.

List the personal wellness factors (sleep, diet, exercise, vision, hearing) that affect driving and one action for each.

Describe the correct procedure at a railroad crossing: stop distance, look and listen, gear selection, and what to do if the vehicle stalls on the tracks.

Explain the school bus stop-arm law in both directions, the rules for passing a stopped school bus, and the special hazards of children near the roadway.

State the federal weight limits for single axles, tandem axles, and gross vehicle weight, and explain bridge formula basics.

Describe the four tie-down requirements: minimum number, working load limit, aggregate WLL, and attachment points, plus the rules for commodity-specific securement.

Explain how to distribute weight to avoid axle overload and how to check load securement before and during the trip.

Identify the nine hazard classes and the placarding rules, including when placards are required and the visibility requirements.

Describe the required markings on a vehicle carrying hazardous materials and the rules for parking, fueling, and routing.

List the steps to take at an accident scene: protect the area, notify authorities, exchange information, and document the scene.

Explain the reporting requirements after a crash, including when a written report is required and to whom it is submitted.

Review the highest-miss domains from earlier weeks and re-drill 40 mixed practice questions until each is answered correctly twice.

Recite the full pre-trip inspection sequence and the emergency-response card from memory in a single timed session.

Complete two full-length practice exams under timed conditions and review every missed question.