Pennsylvania CDL General Knowledge study plan

Read the full Pennsylvania CDL General Knowledge manual section on vehicle inspection and write a one-page checklist of every item checked during a pre-trip inspection, grouped by engine compartment, cab, and trailer.

Recite the seven-step inspection method from memory and label which steps happen before, during, and after the walk-around.

Explain in writing why each inspection item matters (for example, why brake slack adjusters and tire tread depth are checked) rather than just naming the part.

Complete 40 practice questions on vehicle inspection and log every miss with the correct fact beside it.

Describe the correct procedure for straight-line backing, alley docking, and offset backing, including when to use a spotter and when to stop and re-check.

List the four shifting rules for a manual transmission (RPM ranges, double clutching, progressive shifting, and not coasting) and explain each in your own words.

Diagram the proper hand position and mirror use for a 90-degree turn, and identify the off-tracking path of the rear wheels.

Answer 30 practice questions on basic control and shifting, and re-explain any missed concept aloud without notes.

Map out the four sight distances (ahead, to the sides, behind, and above) and state how many seconds of following distance you need at speeds under and over 40 mph.

Write the communication rules for signaling lane changes, using hazard lights, and flashing headlights, and note when each is appropriate or prohibited.

Calculate stopping distance at 30, 55, and 65 mph using the perception, reaction, and braking components, and show your work.

Complete 40 practice questions on seeing, communication, and speed management, and record your score.

Explain space management rules for lane position, following distance, and passing, including when to drop back or change lanes to avoid a tailgater.

Identify the hazards that require slowing down (curves, work zones, school buses, bridges, and intersections) and write the correct response for each.

Describe the correct actions for a tire blowout, brake failure, hydroplaning, and a skid, and state what not to do in each case.

Answer 50 mixed practice questions covering weeks 1-4 and review every wrong answer until you can explain it.

List the steps for crossing railroad tracks safely, including when to stop, how to check for a second train, and what to do if the gate comes down after you start across.

Explain the rules for night driving, including headlight use, glare recovery, and reduced speed in the dark.

Describe the required actions for extreme conditions: rain, snow, ice, fog, high wind, and hot weather, including when to pull off the road.

Complete 30 practice questions on railroad crossings and extreme driving conditions and log your score.

Describe the function of the air brake system, including the compressor, governor, reservoirs, and the low-pressure warning device, and state the pressure at which the warning must activate.

Explain the air brake leak-down test and the static and applied leakage limits, and write the steps in order.

List the causes of brake fade and the correct downhill braking technique for a heavy vehicle.

Answer 40 practice questions on vehicle systems and air brakes, and re-test any topic you missed.

Explain cargo securement rules, weight limits, and the effect of a shifting load on steering and braking, and identify the tie-down requirements for common cargo types.

Describe the correct steps after a crash: protect the scene, check for injuries, notify authorities, and exchange information.

List the documents a driver must carry and the inspection and reporting duties required after a crash.

Complete 50 mixed practice questions across all domains and review every miss.

Take at least three full-length timed practice exams under test conditions and record each score.

Review every missed question from all prior weeks and rewrite the correct fact in your own words.

Recite the pre-trip inspection, air brake test, and railroad-crossing procedures from memory without notes.

Identify your three weakest topics and drill 20 questions on each before exam day.