CDL Study Guide

Vehicle Inspection is a required knowledge area under 49 CFR 383.111(a)(17). The specific pre-trip, en route, and post-trip duties tested here come from 49 CFR Part 396 (inspection, repair, and maintenance), covering what a driver must check before driving, when a defect takes a vehicle out of service, and what has to go on a driver vehicle inspection report.

Basic Control of Your Vehicle is a required knowledge area under 49 CFR 383.111(a)(4) and (a)(6), which name the maneuvers (starting, stopping, backing, turning) a CDL applicant must know without specifying technique. The specific techniques tested here, such as controlling rollback and backing toward the driver's side, are standard driver-training practice, not federal regulation, and are cited to the manual topic map instead.

Shifting Gears is a required knowledge area under 49 CFR 383.111(a)(5), which names double clutching, shift patterns, and the consequences of improper shifting as topics without specifying the technique for any of them. The specific shifting procedures tested here are standard driver-training practice, cited to the manual topic map rather than federal regulation.

Seeing is a required knowledge area under 49 CFR 383.111(a)(7) (visual search methods). One fact here is federally codified regardless of technique: 49 CFR 393.80 requires two rear-vision mirrors on most buses, trucks, and truck tractors, with a narrow exception for a truck built so the driver already has an interior rear view.

Communicating is a required knowledge area under 49 CFR 383.111(a)(8) (signaling, presence, and misuse of communication). Two specific rules tested here are directly codified: 49 CFR 393.81 requires a working horn, and 49 CFR 392.22 sets the exact timing and placement of warning devices after a stop.

Controlling Speed is a required knowledge area under 49 CFR 383.111(a)(9) (the effects of speed on stopping distance, surface conditions, road shape, visibility, and traffic flow). The general duty to reduce speed, and stop if needed, in hazardous conditions is directly codified at 49 CFR 392.14.

Managing Space is a required knowledge area under 49 CFR 383.111(a)(10) (space cushions ahead, behind, to the sides, and for traffic gaps). The turning and off-tracking question in this topic cites 49 CFR 383.111(a)(4)(iv), which names off-tracking directly, since the manual teaches it as a space-management skill rather than a basic-control one.

Seeing Hazards is a required knowledge area under 49 CFR 383.111(a)(13) (recognizing road characteristics and road user activities that signal danger). No codified federal rule states a specific hazard-recognition technique; the clues tested here are standard driver-training content.

Distracted Driving falls under the broad safe-operations umbrella of 49 CFR 383.111(a)(1). Two of its rules are directly codified and carry real penalties: 49 CFR 392.80 bans texting while driving a CMV, and 49 CFR 392.82 bans hand-held phone use, both defined further at 49 CFR 390.5.

Aggressive Driving and Road Rage are not named in any paragraph of 49 CFR 383.111(a); this topic is tested under the general safe-operations knowledge area, 383.111(a)(1)(ii). Tailgating, reckless driving, and improper lane changes are separately codified as serious traffic violations at 49 CFR 383.51, carrying a 60-day CDL disqualification on a second such offense within 3 years (a single offense carries no federal disqualification on its own).

Night Driving and Driver Fatigue are required knowledge areas under 49 CFR 383.111(a)(11) and (a)(20), which name specific driver, roadway, and vehicle factors, and specific fatigue-awareness practices, directly in the regulation’s own text.

Fog is not named anywhere in 49 CFR 383.111(a)(12)’s extreme-conditions list (bad weather, hot weather, mountain driving), so this topic is tested under the general safe-operations knowledge area, 383.111(a)(1)(ii). One rule is directly codified regardless of that gap: 49 CFR 392.14 requires a driver to discontinue operation if conditions, including fog, become too dangerous to continue safely.

Winter Driving is a required knowledge area under 49 CFR 383.111(a)(12)(i), which names snow, ice, sleet, and high wind directly. The tire tread depth figures tested here, 4/32 inch on front wheels and 2/32 inch on all others, are directly codified at 49 CFR 393.75(b) and (c).

Hot Weather Driving is a required knowledge area under 49 CFR 383.111(a)(12)(ii). The tire pressure rule tested here, that a hot tire's measured pressure reads higher than its true cold pressure by a defined correction amount, is directly codified at 49 CFR 393.75(i).

Railroad-Highway Crossings are not named in 49 CFR 383.111(a), but two directly codified rules govern them: 49 CFR 392.10(a) requires buses and hazmat-placarded or cargo-tank vehicles to stop, look, and listen at a crossing (with limited exceptions listed in 392.10(b), such as a flagman or a functioning green signal), and 49 CFR 392.11 requires every other commercial motor vehicle to approach at a speed that allows stopping if needed.

Mountain Driving is a required knowledge area under 49 CFR 383.111(a)(19), which names selecting a safe speed, selecting the right gear, and proper braking technique as topics without stating a specific formula or procedure for any of them.

Driving Emergencies is a required knowledge area under 49 CFR 383.111(a)(14), which names evasive steering, emergency stops, off-road recovery, brake failure, and blowouts as topics without stating a specific technique for any of them.

Antilock Braking Systems are not named by that term anywhere in 49 CFR 383.111(a); the closest required-knowledge anchor is (a)(3), which names skids and loss of brakes as an emergency-procedure topic. The actual ABS equipment mandate is directly codified at 49 CFR 393.55, which sets manufacture-date thresholds and a trailer malfunction-lamp requirement.

Skid Control and Recovery is a required knowledge area under 49 CFR 383.111(a)(15) (causes, types, and recovery procedures for skids), named as categories without a codified technique for any of them.

Accident Procedures are not named in 49 CFR 383.111(a). Three directly codified rules apply instead: 49 CFR 390.5 defines what counts as a reportable accident, 49 CFR 390.15(b) requires a motor carrier to keep a 3-year accident register, and 49 CFR 392.22 prohibits certain warning devices near a fuel or flammable-cargo spill.

Fires are addressed through 49 CFR 383.111(a)(3)(i), which specifically names fire extinguishers among the required safety-system knowledge topics. The extinguisher rating requirements tested here, including the higher rating required for hazmat-placarded power units, are directly codified at 49 CFR 393.95.

Alcohol, Other Drugs, and Driving is addressed through 49 CFR 383.111(a)(1)(v) (the effects of alcohol and drug use on safe commercial motor vehicle operations). Two rules tested here are directly codified: 49 CFR 392.5’s 4-hour pre-duty and on-duty zero-tolerance rules, and 49 CFR 392.4’s prohibition on operating under the influence of a controlled substance.

The Hazardous Materials Rule for All Commercial Drivers is tested at an awareness level under 49 CFR 383.111(a)(18). Every question here cites a directly codified rule: the hazmat endorsement trigger (383.93(b)(4), 383.5), the nine hazard classes (173.2), and the placarding requirement (172.504).

Air Brake System Components is a required knowledge area under 49 CFR 383.111(b)(1) and (b)(2), covering air brake system nomenclature and the dangers of a contaminated air supply, required of any driver operating a vehicle equipped with air brakes.

Dual Air Brake Systems is a required knowledge area under 49 CFR 383.111(b)(1) and (b)(4). The minimum pressure build-up requirement tested here is directly codified at FMVSS No. 121, S5.1.1.

Air Brake Warning and Control Devices is a required knowledge area under 49 CFR 383.111(b)(1) and (b)(4). The low air pressure warning signal requirement tested here is directly codified at 49 CFR 393.51(c), which points to FMVSS No. 121 S5.1.4 (gauge) and S5.1.5 (warning signal).

Inspecting Air Brake Systems is a required knowledge area under 49 CFR 383.111(b)(5) (pre-trip) and (b)(6) (en route and post-trip), covering the air brake checks a driver must know how to perform.

Using Air Brakes is a required knowledge area under 49 CFR 383.111(b)(7), covering general air brake operating practices a driver must know.

Inspecting a Combination Vehicle is a required knowledge area under 49 CFR 383.111(c)(2), covering inspection objectives and procedures unique to a combination vehicle's coupling and connections.

Coupling and Uncoupling is a required knowledge area under 49 CFR 383.111(c)(1). The fifth wheel mounting and locking requirements tested here are directly codified at 49 CFR 393.70(b).

Driving Combination Vehicles Safely is a required knowledge area under 49 CFR 383.111(c)(3)(i), covering general safe operating practices required of any driver operating a combination vehicle.

Combination Vehicle Air Brakes is tested under the general operating-practices knowledge area, 49 CFR 383.111(c)(3)(ii), covering how a tractor and trailer's air brake systems interact.

Antilock Brake Systems on combination vehicles fall under the general operating-practices knowledge area, 49 CFR 383.111(c)(3)(ii). The ABS equipment mandate for trailers is directly codified at 49 CFR 393.55(c)(2).

Regulations and Responsibilities covers who the hazardous materials rules apply to and what they require, drawn from 49 CFR 171.1(b), 172.506(a), 177.800(d) and 177.801, and the TSA security threat assessment at 49 CFR 1572.11(b).

Shipping Papers, Markings, and Labels covers what has to be on a hazmat shipping paper and on the package itself, drawn from 49 CFR 172.201, 172.202, 172.204, 172.205, 172.301, and 177.817(e)(2)(i).

Placarding covers when a vehicle carrying hazardous materials must display placards and what they must show, drawn from 49 CFR 172.504, 172.505(a), 172.514(b), and 177.823(a).

Loading, Unloading, and Bulk Packaging covers the handling rules for hazmat cargo and bulk packaging, drawn from 49 CFR 172.302(a), 173.24b(a)(1), and 177.834 and 177.837.

Driving and Parking Rules covers the route, parking, and attendance rules that apply to a hazmat-laden vehicle, drawn from 49 CFR Part 397.

Emergencies covers what a driver must do if a hazmat shipment is involved in an accident or leak, drawn from 49 CFR 171.15 and 172.602, and 177.823(b) and (c).

Inspecting Tank Vehicles covers the tank-specific inspection points for a tank vehicle endorsement, drawn from the general operating-practices topics at 49 CFR 383.119(g) and (i), and the physical tank construction standards at 180.407 and 180.415.

Surge, the shift in a tank's cargo that affects handling, is a required knowledge area under 49 CFR 383.119(a), (e), and (f). Center of gravity and outage are related concepts covered by this same topic, addressed through the manual topic map rather than named directly in 383.119.

Baffled, Un-baffled, and Compartmented Tanks is a required knowledge area under 49 CFR 383.119(c), covering how a tank's internal construction affects cargo surge, cross-checked against the physical tank construction rule at 49 CFR 178.320(a).

Safe Driving Rules for tank vehicles is a required knowledge area under 49 CFR 383.119(b) and (f), covering braking and handling practices specific to hauling liquid cargo.

Pulling Double/Triple Trailers is a required knowledge area under 49 CFR 383.115(b), (c), and (d), covering handling differences such as the crack-the-whip effect and oscillatory sway.

Coupling and Uncoupling for doubles and triples is a required knowledge area under 49 CFR 383.115(a), covering the converter dolly and additional connections unique to pulling more than one trailer, drawn from 49 CFR 393.70(c) and (d).

Inspecting Doubles and Triples covers the assembly and hookup inspection specific to pulling more than one trailer, drawn from 49 CFR 383.115(a), plus the general vehicle-inspection duties at 383.111(a)(17)(iii) and (iv) that apply to any CMV.

Doubles/Triples Air Brake Check covers the additional air brake inspection steps a driver must perform across multiple trailers, drawn from 49 CFR 383.111(b)(3) (severed or disconnected air lines between units) and (b)(5) (pre-trip check).

Inspecting a Passenger Vehicle covers the inspection points specific to a bus, drawn from 49 CFR 383.111(a)(17) and 383.117(a)(2), including the rear-vision mirror rule at 393.80 and bus emergency equipment requirements.

Loading and Trip Start covers the pre-departure checks required before moving a passenger vehicle, drawn from 49 CFR 383.117(a)(1), 392.62(c), and 393.90, the hazmat-carrying-passengers rule at 177.870, and standard driver-training practices such as announcing stops.

On the Road covers the driving practices required of a passenger-carrying CDL holder, drawn from 49 CFR 383.117(a)(3) through (6).

Prohibited Practices and Brake-Door Interlocks covers what a bus driver must never do, and how a brake-door interlock system works, drawn from 49 CFR 383.117(a)(6) and 392.63.

Danger Zones and Use of Mirrors covers the areas around a school bus a driver can't see directly and the mirror systems used to check them, drawn from 49 CFR 383.123(a)(2)(i) and the mirror-label rule at FMVSS No. 111 S9.3(c).

Loading and Unloading covers the stop-signal, mirror, and warning-device procedures required when students board or exit a school bus, drawn from 49 CFR 383.123(a)(2)(i).

Emergency Exit and Evacuation covers how to evacuate a school bus safely, drawn from 49 CFR 383.123(a)(2)(ii).

Railroad-Highway Crossings for a school bus covers the stop, look, and listen procedure required at most crossings (49 CFR 392.10(a), with limited exceptions in 392.10(b)), drawn from the knowledge area at 49 CFR 383.123(a)(2)(iii).

Student Management and Special Safety Considerations covers keeping order and handling safety situations unique to carrying students, drawn from 49 CFR 383.123(a)(2)(iv).