New York CDL General Knowledge cheat sheet

CDL classes: Class A covers combination vehicles with GCWR 26,001 lb or more, including a towed unit over 10,000 lb; Class B covers a single vehicle 26,001 lb or more (or such a vehicle towing 10,000 lb or less); Class C covers single vehicles under 26,001 lb designed to carry 16 or more passengers (including the driver) or placarded amounts of hazardous materials.

Endorsements: T = double/triple trailers, P = passengers, N = tank vehicles, H = hazardous materials, X = tank vehicle plus hazardous materials, S = school bus.

The H endorsement requires a TSA threat assessment (fingerprinting and security check) and a knowledge test; a hazardous materials endorsement is required to drive a vehicle placarded for hazardous materials.

Air brake knowledge and inspection tests are required to remove the air brake restriction; driving a vehicle with air brakes without the endorsement is a violation even if the vehicle is otherwise within your class.

A CLP (Commercial Learner's Permit) holder must be accompanied by a CDL holder with the proper class and endorsements, seated in the front seat; a CLP is valid for a limited period and must be held at least 14 days before CDL testing under federal minimum standards.

Serious traffic violations (excessive speeding 15 mph or more over the limit, reckless driving, improper lane change, following too closely, or violating a traffic control law causing a fatality) trigger disqualification: 60 days for a second offense within 3 years, 120 days for a third within 3 years.

Major offenses such as DUI, leaving the scene of an accident, using a vehicle to commit a felony, or refusing a blood alcohol test disqualify a CDL holder for at least one year (three years if carrying placarded hazardous materials); a second major offense is a lifetime disqualification.

A CDL holder convicted of a traffic violation in any state must notify the employer within 30 days; a conviction for a major or serious offense must be reported to the employer by the end of the business day.

Out-of-service orders: driving a CMV while under an out-of-service order carries disqualification of at least 90 days for a first offense and at least one year for a second; violating an out-of-service order while carrying placarded hazmat or 16+ passengers carries a longer minimum.

Pre-trip inspection parts: engine compartment (fluid levels, belts, hoses, steering, exhaust), walk-around (lights, tires, wheels, mud flaps, coupling devices, frame), and in-cab (gauges, horn, wipers, mirrors, seat belt, brake tests).

Air brake check sequence: with engine off and tanks full, release parking brake, apply service brake and hold; the air pressure should not drop more than 3 psi in one minute (single vehicle) or 4 psi (combination); then check the low-air warning activates before 60 psi and the spring brakes apply between 20 and 45 psi.

Tire defects that put a vehicle out of service include tread depth below 4/32 inch on a front tire or 2/32 inch on other tires, plus cuts, bulges, and exposed cords.

Speed and stopping: stopping distance grows with the square of speed, so doubling speed roughly quadruples braking distance; total stopping distance equals perception distance plus reaction distance plus brake lag plus braking distance.

Following distance rule: allow at least one second per 10 feet of vehicle length at speeds under 40 mph, and add one extra second at speeds above 40 mph; a 60-foot combination at highway speed needs about 7 seconds.

Space management: keep a 4-second following gap in ideal conditions, add a second for rain or darkness, and use the 'look 12-15 seconds ahead' rule for scanning; aim high in steering to spot hazards early.

Hazard perception: use the IDPE sequence - Identify the hazard, Decide what to do, Predict the outcome, Execute the maneuver.

Backing: back only when necessary, use a helper or get out and check, back toward the driver's side, and use mirrors to check both sides; if you lose sight of the spotter, stop immediately.

Cargo securement: aggregate working load limit of tiedowns must be at least 50% of the cargo weight, with at least one tiedown per 10 feet of cargo length; the front tiedown must be within 4 feet of the front of the cargo.

Cargo securement standard: cargo must be secured so it cannot shift or fall, and the tiedown system must withstand forces equal to 0.8 g forward, 0.5 g rearward, and 0.5 g sideways of the cargo weight.

Tiedown count: at least one tiedown for articles 5 feet or less and 1,100 lb or less; two tiedowns for articles longer than 5 feet or heavier than 1,100 lb; additional tiedowns every 10 feet beyond the first 5 feet.

Aggregate working load limit rule: the sum of the WLL of all tiedowns must be at least half the total cargo weight (50%), and each tiedown must be attached to the vehicle frame or a rated anchor point.

Front-end structure: cargo must not be loaded against the cab or headboard unless the structure is rated for the load; the front tiedown must be within 4 feet of the front of the cargo to prevent forward shift.

Height and weight limits: federal maximum width is 102 inches (8 feet 6 inches), height 13 feet 6 inches, and gross vehicle weight 80,000 lb; NYS may require permits for oversize or overweight loads.

Covering loads: loads that could blow off or spill (gravel, sand, mulch, trash) must be covered or secured so no part can escape; loose material must be tarped in most states.

Cargo inspection: check the load and tiedowns within the first 50 miles of a trip, then every 150 miles or 3 hours, whichever comes first, and after any stop.

Hazmat cargo: placards are required for 1,001 lb or more of a hazard class, and the placard must match the hazard class on the shipping papers; never load incompatible materials together.

Weight distribution: keep the center of gravity low and centered; too much weight on the rear axle can lift the front wheels and reduce steering control, and overloading an axle can cause tire failure.

Coupling order: secure the tractor, back under the trailer slowly, check the fifth wheel jaws are closed around the kingpin, then connect the air lines and electrical cord, raise the landing gear, and do a pull test.

Pull test: after coupling, apply the trailer brakes and try to pull forward gently; the tractor should not move if the coupling is secure.

Converter dolly: a dolly has its own fifth wheel and a drawbar; the front of the rear trailer rides on the dolly, and the dolly's air lines and electrical cord must be connected to the tractor's rear supply.

Air line color coding: blue is the service line, red is the emergency (supply) line, and black is the electrical cord; the service line carries air to apply the trailer brakes and the emergency line supplies air to the trailer tanks.

Double/triple handling: rearward amplification means the last trailer swings wider and faster than the tractor; steer smoothly and avoid abrupt lane changes, especially at highway speed.

Off-tracking: in a turn, the rear trailer cuts the corner more sharply than the tractor; swing wide before the turn and watch the rear trailer in the mirrors.

Brake check for doubles: with a full air system, the combination must be able to hold on a grade and the low-air warning must sound before 60 psi; check that the dolly brakes work.

Backing: doubles and triples should be backed only when necessary and only in a straight line; a dolly makes backing difficult and unsafe, so plan the route to avoid it.

Coupling defects: check that the kingpin is not worn, the fifth wheel jaws are locked, the safety latch is engaged, and the dolly's pintle hook is secure.

Tank vehicle definition: a vehicle designed to carry liquid or gas in a permanently mounted tank with a capacity of 119 gallons or more, or a portable tank of 1,000 gallons or more; a tank endorsement (N) is required.

Surge and slosh: liquid loads shift when the vehicle accelerates, brakes, or turns, raising the center of gravity and increasing rollover risk; baffles reduce but do not eliminate surge.

High center of gravity: a loaded tank has a higher center of gravity than a dry van, so slow down before curves and avoid abrupt steering; rollover is the leading cause of tanker fatalities.

Outage: tanks are not filled to the top; the empty space (outage) allows for expansion of the liquid as temperature rises, and overfilling can cause the tank to rupture or overflow.

Baffles: bulkheads inside the tank slow the movement of liquid; a smooth-bore tank without baffles has the most severe surge and requires the greatest following distance and the slowest speeds.

Braking: because of surge, tank vehicles need longer stopping distances; increase following distance and brake gradually, avoiding hard stops that push the liquid forward.

Hazmat placards: a tank carrying hazardous materials must be placarded on all four sides; the placard must match the material and remain visible.

Unloading: before unloading, set the parking brake, chock the wheels, ground the tank if flammable, and check that the valves and hoses are properly connected.

Tank inspection: check the tank shell, baffles, valves, vents, and grounding straps during the pre-trip; a leaking tank or faulty valve is an out-of-service defect.

School bus endorsement (S): required to drive a school bus carrying students; the driver must also hold a P (passenger) endorsement and meet the CDL class for the vehicle.

Loading and unloading: stop the bus, set the parking brake, place the transmission in neutral or park, and activate the flashing red lights and stop arm before students cross the road.

Danger zones: the area within 10 feet around the bus is the most dangerous; students should be visible to the driver at all times, and the driver must account for every student before moving.

Railroad crossings: stop at all railroad crossings, open the door or window to listen, and cross only when the track is clear; school buses must stop at crossings regardless of signals.

Student management: students must remain seated while the bus is moving, and the driver must not allow students to stand in the aisle or distract the driver.

Emergency evacuation: know the location of the emergency exits (rear door, side door, roof hatch, windows), and practice evacuation drills so students know the procedures.

Post-trip inspection: after every route, walk to the back of the bus and check under and between seats for sleeping or left-behind students; this is required by federal and state rules.

Lights and signals: use flashing amber lights to warn of an approaching stop and flashing red lights when stopped; the stop arm extends when the red lights are on.

Speed and following: school buses must obey posted speed limits and maintain a safe following distance; they must not exceed the posted limit even when empty.