Indiana CDL General Knowledge flashcards
Indiana CDL General Knowledge · Build recall with a focused review session.
32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.
- Pre-trip inspection steps
- Seven steps: vehicle overview, engine compartment, cab checks, walk-around inspection, brake check, light check, and final review of paperwork and load.
- Air brake static leak test
- With engine off and brakes released, pressure loss must not exceed 3 psi in one minute for a single vehicle.
- Low air warning threshold
- The warning must activate before pressure drops below 60 psi, and the spring brake must apply automatically between 20 and 45 psi.
- Minimum front tire tread
- Front tires must have at least 4/32 inch of tread depth; other tires require at least 2/32 inch.
- Total stopping distance formula
- Perception distance plus reaction distance plus brake lag distance plus braking distance equals total stopping distance.
- Air brake lag distance
- About 32 feet at 55 mph, because air must travel through the lines before the brakes apply.
- Backing rule
- Back only when necessary, use a helper or get out to check, and back toward the driver's side when possible.
- Double clutching
- Clutch in, shift to neutral, clutch out, match engine speed, clutch in, then shift into the desired gear.
- Progressive shifting
- Shift points are raised in lower gears and lowered in higher gears to save fuel and reduce engine wear.
- Lugging the engine
- Running the engine below its power band causes overheating and drivetrain damage; downshift as soon as it labors.
- Visual search pattern
- Look 12-15 seconds ahead of the vehicle and check mirrors every 5-8 seconds.
- Following distance rule
- At speeds under 40 mph, allow one second per 10 feet of vehicle length plus one second.
- Night high beam dimming
- Dim high beams within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle and within 200 feet when following another vehicle.
- Space cushion
- Keep at least one lane's width on both sides when possible, and a 7-second following distance for a 60-foot rig.
- Hazard perception first action
- Slow down and increase following distance; do not swerve unless stopping distance is insufficient.
- Tire blowout response
- Hold the steering wheel firmly, keep the vehicle straight, ease off the accelerator, and brake gently once control is regained.
- Rear-wheel skid recovery
- Steer in the direction you want the front of the vehicle to go, and do not apply the brakes.
- Front-wheel skid recovery
- Ease off the accelerator and steer straight ahead until traction returns to the front tires.
- Hydroplaning response
- Ease off the accelerator and avoid braking until the tires regain contact with the road surface.
- Low oil pressure warning
- Stop the engine immediately; continued operation with low oil pressure can destroy the engine.
- ABS warning lamp
- The lamp means ABS is disabled but normal brakes still work; the vehicle can be driven but should be inspected.
- Federal axle weight limits
- 20,000 lb per single axle, 34,000 lb per tandem axle group, and 80,000 lb gross vehicle weight on the Interstate System.
- Bridge formula
- W = 500 x (LN/(N-1) + 12N + 36), where L is length in feet and N is the number of axles.
- Rear overhang flag rule
- Loads extending 4 feet or more beyond the rear require a flag or reflector; at night a red light is required.
- Hazmat shipping papers
- Must be within reach of the driver and include the proper shipping name, hazard class, ID number, and packing group.
- Placard threshold
- Placards are required for shipments of 1,001 pounds or more of a hazard class, and for any amount of certain high-hazard materials.
- 11-hour driving limit
- Property-carrying drivers may drive up to 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty, within a 14-hour on-duty window.
- 34-hour reset
- Thirty-four consecutive hours off duty resets the 60-hour/7-day or 70-hour/8-day cycle.
- Reflective triangle placement
- Place triangles at 10, 100, and 200 feet, or at 100, 500, and 1,000 feet on a divided highway.
- Railroad crossing stop distance
- Stop no closer than 15 feet and no farther than 50 feet from the nearest rail when a stop is required.
- Stalled on railroad tracks
- Get everyone out and away from the tracks, then call the number on the crossing signal or 911.
- CDL alcohol disqualification
- A first offense for driving a CMV with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.04% or higher results in a one-year disqualification.