Hawaii CDL General Knowledge flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Pre-trip inspection

A required walk-around examination of the vehicle before each trip, covering lights, engine compartment, coupling system, brakes, tires, and cargo, to catch defects before they cause a breakdown or crash.

Minimum steer tire tread

Front steer tires must have at least 4/32 inch of tread depth; all other tires require at least 2/32 inch. Check for cuts, bulges, and exposed cord.

Air brake leak test

With the engine off and brakes released, pressure loss must not exceed 3 psi per minute for a single vehicle or 4 psi per minute for a combination vehicle.

Slack adjuster free play

Pull each slack adjuster with a lever when the brakes are released; more than about 1 inch of free play at the push rod indicates adjustment is needed.

Total stopping distance

The sum of perception distance, reaction distance, brake lag distance, and braking distance. At 55 mph it is roughly 419 feet for a loaded tractor-trailer.

Brake lag distance

The distance traveled during the roughly 3/4 second it takes air pressure to reach the brakes, about 60 feet at 55 mph, before braking actually begins.

Stab braking

A technique for vehicles without ABS: apply the brakes fully, release when wheels lock, and reapply when wheels roll again, keeping the vehicle straight.

GOAL when backing

Get Out And Look. When no helper is available, stop, exit the vehicle, and inspect the area behind before continuing to back toward the driver's side.

Double-clutching

A shifting technique for non-synchronized transmissions: press the clutch, shift to neutral, release the clutch, press the clutch again, then shift to the next gear.

Progressive shifting

Shifting at progressively lower rpm as you accelerate through the gears, which saves fuel and reduces engine wear on modern manual transmissions.

Coasting prohibition

Driving with the clutch depressed or the transmission in neutral is prohibited because it eliminates engine braking and reduces control of the vehicle.

Four-second following rule

At highway speeds, maintain at least a 4-second gap behind the vehicle ahead; at 55 mph this equals about 323 feet of space.

No-Zone

The large blind spots around a tractor-trailer: on both sides, directly behind, and in front of the cab. If you cannot see the driver's mirror, they cannot see you.

Signal distance

Signal your intention to turn or change lanes at least 100 feet before the maneuver, and cancel the signal after completing it.

Night high-beam rules

Dim high beams within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle and within 200 feet when following another vehicle, to avoid blinding other drivers.

Following distance formula

One second for each 10 feet of vehicle length at speeds under 40 mph; add one second above 40 mph. A 60-foot vehicle at 55 mph needs 7 seconds.

Off-tracking

The tendency of a vehicle's rear wheels to follow a tighter path than the front wheels in a turn, which can be 4-8 feet for a tractor-trailer.

Stop position behind vehicle

When stopped in traffic, leave at least one car length ahead; behind a large vehicle, stop where you can see its rear tires touching the road.

Tire blowout response

Hold the steering wheel firmly, keep the vehicle straight, and gradually slow down. Do not brake hard, which can cause loss of control.

Brake failure response

Downshift through the gears, apply the parking brake gradually, and look for an escape ramp or safe runoff area to stop the vehicle.

Hydroplaning

Loss of traction when water on the road is deeper than the tire tread. Slow down, do not brake hard, and steer straight until traction returns.

Fog driving rules

Reduce speed, use low beams rather than high beams, and turn on four-way flashers if visibility drops below 100 feet.

Rear-wheel skid recovery

Steer in the direction the rear of the vehicle is sliding (steer into the skid), and ease off the accelerator. Do not brake hard during the slide.

Front-wheel skid recovery

Release the brake and steer in the direction of the skid. Do not accelerate; wait for the front tires to regain traction before steering further.

ABS during emergency braking

Maintain firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal and steer where you want to go; ABS prevents wheel lockup but does not shorten stopping distance on all surfaces.

Low-air warning

The warning buzzer must sound before air pressure drops below 60 psi; spring brakes apply automatically at about 20-45 psi.

Air compressor governor

The governor cuts the compressor in at about 100 psi and out at about 125 psi, maintaining operating pressure in the air tanks.

Safety valve setting

The safety valve on the air tank releases at about 150 psi to prevent tank rupture if the governor fails to cut out the compressor.

Aggregate working load limit

For cargo up to 10,000 lbs, tiedowns must have an aggregate WLL of at least 50% of the cargo weight; heavier loads use a different formula.

Cargo re-inspection

Inspect cargo and tiedowns after the first 50 miles and every 150 miles or 3 hours thereafter, and after any emergency stop.

School bus railroad stop

Stop at least 10 feet from the nearest rail, open the door, turn off noisy devices, and listen before proceeding across the tracks.

Hawaii CDL BAC limit

The legal BAC limit is 0.08% for drivers 21 and older and 0.02% for drivers under 21 (zero tolerance). Commercial drivers face stricter rules.