Pennsylvania CDL General Knowledge cheat sheet

Three required parts: a pre-trip inspection, an en-route inspection (stop within the first 50 miles, then every 150 miles or 3 hours), and a post-trip inspection.

Pre-trip inspection covers six areas: engine compartment, cab interior and controls, lights, walk-around (brakes, tires, coupling), cargo securement, and trailer/brake connections.

At least one brake test is required: test service brakes, parking brake, and (for air brakes) a low-pressure warning and air-loss check.

Tire rule: minimum tread depth 4/32 inch on front steer tires and 2/32 inch on all other tires; check for cuts, bulges, and tread separation.

Air brake check in order: build pressure to governor cut-out, then static leak test (loss of 3 psi/minute single vehicle, 4 psi/minute combination), then compressor build time.

Check all lights with a helper or by reflection: headlights (high and low), turn signals, four-way flashers, brake lights, clearance/marker lights, and trailer lights.

Inspect coupling devices: fifth-wheel jaws locked around the kingpin, locking lever secured, no gap between apron and fifth wheel, and safety latches closed on the release arm.

Note any defect on the inspection report; a defect that affects safe operation must be corrected before driving, and the carrier must certify the report.

Start the engine, release the parking brake fully, and shift into the correct gear; never drive with the parking brake partially engaged.

Steering: hold the wheel with both hands, keep the thumbs outside the rim, and use push-pull (hand-over-hand) steering for sharp turns.

When backing or turning in tight spaces, use a spotter and stop when you lose sight of them; a spotter must be outside the vehicle's path.

Turning radius: a long wheelbase and rear overhang cause off-tracking, so swing wide before the turn and check the rear wheels in the mirrors.

Accelerate and brake smoothly; sudden inputs on a loaded or empty combination vehicle can cause skids and load shift.

When stopping, apply steady pressure to the brake pedal and downshift progressively; do not coast in neutral.

For a loaded vehicle, brake earlier and allow a longer stopping distance; the weight of the load increases stopping distance.

Use the retarder or engine brake on long downgrades to control speed; never ride the service brakes continuously.

Upshift pattern: accelerate in the current gear, press the clutch, move the shift lever to neutral, release the clutch, press the clutch again, and select the next gear (double-clutching).

Downshift before a downgrade or stop, one gear at a time, to keep engine rpm in the operating range and maintain control.

Do not coast in neutral or with the clutch depressed; you lose engine braking and the ability to accelerate out of trouble.

Match engine speed to road speed (rpm matching) when shifting; a tachometer reading that falls too low causes lugging and engine damage.

Automatic transmissions: use the selector for the correct range; do not shift to a lower range at high speed.

When shifting a heavy load uphill, shift before the engine loses power; waiting too long can cause a stall or missed gear.

If you miss a gear, return to neutral, match the engine speed, and select the correct gear; do not force the lever.

Back only when necessary; if you must back, do it slowly and use a spotter whenever possible.

Before backing, walk around the vehicle to check for obstacles, pedestrians, and clearance, then check both mirrors.

Use the mirrors continuously while backing; if you lose sight of the spotter, stop immediately.

Back toward the driver's side (left) when possible, since the driver has a better view on that side.

When backing a trailer, steer the tractor in the direction opposite the desired trailer movement; turn the wheel toward the trailer to straighten it.

Back slowly, using the lowest reverse gear and short steering corrections; oversteering causes jackknife or trailer swing.

Sound the horn before backing if visibility is limited, and watch for overhead clearance and low wires.

Backing with a trailer: use the trailer's rear wheels as a pivot point and check the trailer's rear corners in the mirrors.

Keep the windshield, mirrors, and lights clean; dirt and ice reduce visibility and can cause glare.

Use the mirrors to check both sides and the rear; adjust mirrors before driving so each shows a portion of the vehicle and the road.

Look far ahead (about 12 seconds' travel distance) to spot hazards early; do not stare at the vehicle directly in front.

At night, dim high beams when meeting or following another vehicle within 500 feet (meeting) or 300 feet (following).

Use low beams in fog, rain, or snow; high beams reflect off precipitation and reduce visibility.

Check blind spots by turning your head, not just by looking in the mirrors; large vehicles have significant blind areas.

When approaching a hill or curve, look ahead and adjust speed so you can see and stop within the visible distance.

Keep the defroster and wipers working; clear ice and snow from the windshield, mirrors, and lights before driving.

Signal your intentions at least 100 feet before a turn (more in some states) and cancel the signal after completing the turn.

Use four-way flashers when stopped on the shoulder, when driving slowly, or to warn others of a hazard.

Flash your brake lights or tap the brakes to warn following drivers that you are slowing or stopping.

Use the horn only to warn others of danger; do not use it to express anger.

At night, flash your headlights to signal your presence; do not use high beams to communicate with oncoming traffic.

Use hand signals when turn signals fail: left arm straight out for left turn, bent up for right turn, bent down for stop.

Make eye contact with other drivers and pedestrians when possible, and watch their wheels for signs of movement.

Position your vehicle so other drivers can see you; avoid driving in others' blind spots.

Stopping distance = perception distance + reaction distance + braking distance; total stopping distance grows with speed and weight.

At 55 mph, a loaded truck needs about the length of a football field (300+ feet) to stop under ideal conditions.

Adjust speed for road conditions: rain, snow, ice, and gravel reduce traction and increase stopping distance.

Follow the 3-second rule (increase to 4+ seconds in poor conditions) to maintain a safe following distance.

Reduce speed before curves and downgrades; enter a curve at a speed that lets you stay in your lane without hard braking.

Never exceed the posted speed limit, and drive slower when conditions require it (basic speed law).

On downgrades, select a gear low enough to control speed without continuous braking; use engine braking.

When approaching a work zone, school zone, or railroad crossing, reduce speed and be ready to stop.

Maintain at least a 3-second following distance in ideal conditions; increase to 4 seconds or more at night or in bad weather.

Keep a space cushion on all sides: avoid driving beside other vehicles, and pass quickly when overtaking.

When following a motorcycle or bicycle, allow extra space; they can stop faster than a truck.

Leave room ahead when stopped in traffic so you can see the rear tires of the vehicle in front and have an escape route.

When passing, check mirrors and blind spots, signal, and return to the lane only when you can see the passed vehicle in your mirror.

At intersections, look left, right, and left again before proceeding; do not enter until you have clear space on the far side.

Increase following distance when carrying a heavy load or pulling a trailer, since stopping distance increases.

Avoid driving in another vehicle's blind spot; if you cannot see the driver's mirror, they cannot see you.

Scan the road ahead and to the sides continuously; identify hazards early and plan an escape route.

Watch for brake lights, turn signals, and front wheels of other vehicles as clues to their next move.

Be alert for distracted drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists; assume they may not see you.

At night, watch for animals and pedestrians; use high beams when safe and slow down in areas where animals are likely.

In construction zones, watch for workers, flaggers, and narrowed lanes; obey posted signs and flagger signals.

When approaching a hill or curve, slow down before you lose sight of the road; be ready for stopped traffic.

Check mirrors frequently and before changing lanes; a vehicle may be in your blind spot.

If a hazard appears, brake smoothly and steer to an escape route; do not swerve sharply, which can cause a rollover.

If a tire blows out, hold the steering wheel firmly, keep the vehicle straight, and slow gradually; do not brake hard.

If the brakes fail, downshift, use the parking brake gradually, and look for an escape route such as a runaway truck ramp.

If you must stop quickly, brake firmly and steer to avoid a collision; do not lock the wheels.

If you begin to skid, steer in the direction you want to go and avoid hard braking; ease off the accelerator.

If a fire starts, stop, shut off the engine, get everyone out, and move away from the vehicle; call emergency services.

If you are involved in a crash, stop, secure the scene, check for injuries, and call for help; do not leave the scene.

If your vehicle stalls on railroad tracks, get out and move away immediately; call the railroad or 911.

If you are drowsy, stop and rest; do not rely on caffeine or open windows to stay awake.

Slow down and look both ways before crossing; do not rely on the crossing gate or lights alone.

Never stop on the tracks; wait until you can clear the crossing completely before starting across.

If the gate is down or the lights are flashing, stop and wait; never go around a lowered gate.

If your vehicle stalls on the tracks, get out and move away from the tracks immediately; call 911 or the railroad.

At a passive crossing (no lights or gates), stop, look, and listen; open the window to hear approaching trains.

Do not shift gears while crossing the tracks; cross without stopping if the way is clear.

Be aware that trains cannot stop quickly; a train may take a mile or more to stop.

Watch for a second train after one passes; wait until you can see clearly in both directions.

Use low beams when following within 300 feet or meeting oncoming traffic within 500 feet.

Use high beams on dark roads when no other vehicles are present; dim them for oncoming traffic.

Reduce speed at night so you can stop within the distance illuminated by your headlights.

Do not look directly into oncoming headlights; look toward the right edge of your lane to avoid glare.

Keep the windshield clean and use the defroster to prevent glare and fogging.

Watch for pedestrians, cyclists, and animals at night; they are harder to see.

If you are tired, stop and rest; fatigue is a major cause of night crashes.

Use four-way flashers when stopped on the shoulder at night to increase visibility.

In fog, use low beams and slow down; do not use high beams.

In rain, reduce speed and increase following distance; watch for hydroplaning and standing water.

In snow and ice, accelerate and brake gently; avoid sudden steering inputs.

In high winds, reduce speed and keep a firm grip on the wheel; be alert for gusts when passing or being passed.

In extreme heat, check tire pressure and engine temperature; watch for overheating.

On icy roads, use chains or snow tires as required; follow posted chain-up signs.

When visibility is poor, pull off the road safely and use flashers; do not stop in a travel lane.

In a dust storm or whiteout, slow down, use low beams, and be ready to stop.

Air brake system: compressor builds pressure, governor cuts out at about 120-125 psi and cuts in at about 100 psi.

Low air pressure warning must activate before pressure drops below 60 psi; stop and fix the problem if it does.

Air loss rate: with the engine off and brakes released, loss should not exceed 3 psi/minute (single) or 4 psi/minute (combination).

Parking brake: test by applying it and trying to move the vehicle; it must hold the vehicle on a grade.

Cooling system: check coolant level, belts, and hoses; overheating can damage the engine.

Electrical system: check battery, alternator, and lights; a dead battery or faulty alternator can leave you stranded.

Tires: check pressure when cold, look for cuts and bulges, and ensure tread depth meets the minimum.

Steering: check for excessive play, leaks, and unusual noise; a steering problem is a safety defect.

Cargo must be secured so it cannot shift, fall, or leak; use tiedowns, straps, and blocking.

Check cargo securement before driving and after the first 50 miles, then every 150 miles or 3 hours.

Do not overload the vehicle; know the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) and axle weight limits.

Distribute weight evenly and keep the center of gravity low to reduce rollover risk.

Cover cargo that could blow off or leak; use a tarp or enclosure.

Do not carry passengers in the cargo area unless the vehicle is designed for it.

Check that the tailgate and doors are closed and latched before driving.

For hazardous materials, follow placarding, labeling, and shipping paper requirements.

Stop immediately at the scene; failing to stop is a crime.

Secure the scene: turn off the engine, set the parking brake, and use flashers and reflective triangles.

Check for injuries and call 911; provide first aid if you are trained.

Do not move an injured person unless there is immediate danger (fire, traffic).

Exchange information with other drivers: name, address, license, insurance, and vehicle registration.

Report the crash to the police and your employer as required; do not leave the scene until it is safe.

Place warning devices: triangles or flares at 10 feet, 100 feet, and 200 feet behind the vehicle (or as required).

Write down details: time, location, weather, road conditions, and names of witnesses.