NM CDL Air Brakes case studies

NM CDL Air Brakes · Put your knowledge to work in context.

The New Mexico CDL Air Brakes knowledge test is the endorsement exam a commercial driver takes when the vehicle they will operate is equipped with air brakes. In New Mexico, commercial driver licensing is administered by the Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) of the Taxation and Revenue Department, which states that its duties include licensing commercial and non-commercial drivers and assuring compliance with the Motor Vehicle Code. The NM CDL Air Brakes case studies are 5 cases and about 2,307 words.

Gauge Sweep and Frequent Purge on a Loaded Tractor

You are driving a 2019 Freightliner Cascadia pulling a loaded 2018 Great Dane dry van, gross combination weight 62,000 lb, northbound on I-25 near Truth or Consequences. After about 20 minutes at highway speed, you notice the dash air gauge climb to 135 psi, the air dryer purge, and then pressure fall to 82 psi before the compressor cuts back in.

471 words, about 2 min 2

Pre-Trip Leak Test and Pushrod Measurement in Gallup

You are doing a pre-trip inspection on a three-axle tractor with a two-axle semitrailer, GCW 78,000 lb, in the truck stop lot in Gallup before a run to Phoenix. You build system pressure to 100 psi, shut the engine off, release the parking brakes, and wait one minute.

418 words, about 2 min 3

Brake Fade on the I-40 Descent East of Albuquerque

You are driving a 2018 Kenworth T680 with a 53-foot refrigerated trailer, gross weight 79,500 lb, westbound on I-40 approaching the 6-mile, 6% descent east of Albuquerque. You are in 9th gear of a 10-speed manual at 55 mph with the engine brake on high.

409 words, about 2 min 4

Parking a Loaded Rig on an 8% Gravel Pullout

You are parked for the night at a gravel pullout on NM-518 south of Taos. The truck is a 2017 Peterbilt 579 with a 53-foot flatbed loaded with lumber, 68,000 lb GCW, facing downhill toward the two-lane highway.

464 words, about 2 min 5

Service Brake Line Failure on US-54 Near Vaughn

You are driving a 2016 Volvo VNL 300 with a 48-foot flatbed loaded with steel, 76,000 lb GCW, eastbound on US-54 near Vaughn, New Mexico. The road is descending slightly and the steering is still normal.

545 words, about 3 min