Doubles & Triples Test
Doubles & Triples Test – 20 Questions with Answers
20 questions · 15 min · Medium
Alabama CDL General Knowledge Test – 20 Questions with Answers
Test your knowledge of general commercial driving rules and safety practices with this Alabama CDL General Knowledge Test. The 20 questions cover vehicle inspection, safe driving, braking, shifting, visibility, cargo, emergencies, and other essential CDL topics.
- 20
- Questions
- 15 min
- Time limit
- Medium
- Difficulty
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All 20 questions and answers Spoilers: this shows the questions and answers. Try the quiz first! Open
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1. What is the primary purpose of a pre-trip inspection?
- A. To improve fuel economy
- B. To identify safety defects before operating the vehicle
- C. To increase the vehicle's top speed
- D. To reduce cargo weight
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B. To identify safety defects before operating the vehicle
A pre-trip inspection helps identify defective or unsafe equipment before the vehicle is operated.
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2. Why should a commercial driver maintain a safe following distance?
- A. To prevent other vehicles from passing
- B. To provide more time and space to react
- C. To increase engine power
- D. To eliminate the need for braking
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B. To provide more time and space to react
Commercial vehicles may require considerable stopping distance, so adequate following space provides more time to respond to hazards.
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3. What can increase the stopping distance of a commercial vehicle?
- A. A heavier load
- B. A clean windshield
- C. Properly adjusted mirrors
- D. A properly inflated spare tire
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A. A heavier load
A heavier vehicle has greater momentum and generally requires more distance to stop.
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4. What should you do before changing lanes?
- A. Check mirrors and blind spots and signal
- B. Only check the rearview mirror
- C. Change lanes immediately if traffic appears light
- D. Accelerate without signaling
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A. Check mirrors and blind spots and signal
Checking mirrors and blind spots and signaling helps ensure that a lane change can be completed safely.
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5. Why are blind spots especially important for commercial vehicle drivers?
- A. Commercial vehicles have areas that may not be visible to the driver
- B. Commercial vehicles have no mirrors
- C. Blind spots only occur at night
- D. Blind spots increase engine temperature
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A. Commercial vehicles have areas that may not be visible to the driver
Large commercial vehicles have significant areas around the vehicle that may not be visible through the mirrors.
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6. What should you do when driving through heavy rain?
- A. Increase speed
- B. Reduce speed and increase following distance
- C. Follow the vehicle ahead closely
- D. Turn off your headlights
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B. Reduce speed and increase following distance
Heavy rain can reduce visibility and traction. Slowing down and increasing following distance provides additional safety.
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7. What should you do if your vehicle begins to hydroplane?
- A. Brake hard immediately
- B. Turn sharply
- C. Ease off the accelerator and avoid sudden movements
- D. Accelerate rapidly
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C. Ease off the accelerator and avoid sudden movements
Sudden steering, braking, or acceleration can cause loss of control. Gradually easing off the accelerator can help restore traction.
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8. Why should you select an appropriate lower gear before descending a long, steep grade?
- A. To increase downhill speed
- B. To help control speed and reduce reliance on service brakes
- C. To disable the brakes
- D. To increase the vehicle's center of gravity
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B. To help control speed and reduce reliance on service brakes
A lower gear provides engine braking and helps control speed while reducing excessive use of the service brakes.
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9. What is brake fade?
- A. A loss of braking effectiveness caused by overheated brakes
- B. A reduction in engine power
- C. A loss of tire pressure
- D. A delay in starting the engine
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A. A loss of braking effectiveness caused by overheated brakes
Excessive braking can generate heat and reduce braking effectiveness, a condition known as brake fade.
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10. What does the low-air-pressure warning indicate on a vehicle equipped with air brakes?
- A. The fuel tank is empty
- B. Air pressure has fallen to a dangerously low level
- C. The engine oil is too cold
- D. The tires are overinflated
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B. Air pressure has fallen to a dangerously low level
A low-air warning alerts the driver to potentially unsafe air pressure in the braking system.
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11. What should you do if the low-air-pressure warning activates while driving?
- A. Ignore it if the vehicle is still moving
- B. Accelerate to build pressure faster
- C. Safely stop and address the problem
- D. Turn off the warning device
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C. Safely stop and address the problem
A low-air warning can indicate a serious brake-system problem and should not be ignored.
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12. What is the purpose of cargo securement?
- A. To prevent cargo from shifting or falling
- B. To increase the vehicle's maximum speed
- C. To eliminate the need for inspections
- D. To reduce the vehicle's braking distance
Show answer
A. To prevent cargo from shifting or falling
Proper cargo securement prevents cargo from moving, falling, or creating a hazard for the driver and other road users.
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13. What can happen if cargo is loaded too high on a commercial vehicle?
- A. The center of gravity becomes higher
- B. The vehicle becomes more stable
- C. The stopping distance becomes shorter
- D. The brakes become stronger
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A. The center of gravity becomes higher
A higher center of gravity can make a vehicle less stable and increase the risk of rollover.
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14. What should you do when an emergency vehicle approaches with flashing lights and a siren?
- A. Speed up
- B. Move to the right and stop when safe
- C. Stop immediately in the center of the road
- D. Continue at the same speed
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B. Move to the right and stop when safe
Drivers should yield to emergency vehicles using audible and visual warning signals and move to the right and stop when safe.
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15. What should you do if you miss your intended highway exit?
- A. Reverse on the highway
- B. Make a sudden U-turn
- C. Continue to the next exit and safely reroute
- D. Use the shoulder to return to the exit
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C. Continue to the next exit and safely reroute
Missing an exit does not justify a dangerous maneuver. Continue safely and use another exit or route.
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16. What should you do at a railroad crossing if there is not enough room beyond the tracks for your entire vehicle?
- A. Enter the crossing and wait
- B. Stop before the tracks
- C. Cross quickly
- D. Drive onto the shoulder
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B. Stop before the tracks
Never enter a railroad crossing unless there is enough space for the entire vehicle to completely clear the tracks.
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17. What is a good practice when backing a commercial vehicle?
- A. Back as quickly as possible
- B. Check the area and use a spotter when appropriate
- C. Rely only on the backup alarm
- D. Back without using mirrors
Show answer
B. Check the area and use a spotter when appropriate
Backing creates significant collision risks. Checking the area and using a spotter when appropriate can help prevent accidents.
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18. What should a driver do when becoming fatigued during a trip?
- A. Increase speed to reach the destination sooner
- B. Turn up the radio
- C. Stop at a safe location and rest
- D. Open a window and continue driving
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C. Stop at a safe location and rest
Fatigue reduces alertness and reaction time. Stopping and resting is safer than continuing to drive while tired.
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19. What should you do if an aggressive driver is attempting to provoke you?
- A. Challenge the driver
- B. Follow the driver closely
- C. Avoid confrontation and create additional space
- D. Use your horn continuously
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C. Avoid confrontation and create additional space
Avoiding confrontation and increasing distance can reduce the risk of an aggressive driving situation escalating.
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20. What is the most important general principle for operating a commercial motor vehicle?
- A. Always drive at the maximum posted speed
- B. Maintain control, anticipate hazards, and comply with safety requirements
- C. Follow other commercial vehicles closely
- D. Avoid stopping whenever possible
Show answer
B. Maintain control, anticipate hazards, and comply with safety requirements
Safe commercial driving requires maintaining vehicle control, anticipating hazards, following traffic laws, and completing required inspections.