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The CDL general knowledge test is required to be taken by all CDL applicants. The Massachusetts CDL test consists of 50 questions. To pass, you must correctly answer at least 40 questions (80%). The general knowledge test covers the contents of the Massachusetts CDL Manual. All CDL applicants (Class A, B and C) must study the following sections: Driving Safely, Transporting Cargo Safely, Air Brakes (if you plan to operate vehicles equipped with air brakes), Vehicle Inspection Test, Basic Control Skills Test, Road Test. In addition, the Class A CDL test will include questions based on the Combination Vehicles section. Take this CDL practice test now to prepare for the actual MA general knowledge test! To get your CDL, you must pass both the knowledge and skills tests. CDL knowledge tests include: General Knowledge, Passenger Transport, Air Brakes, Combination Vehicles, Hazardous Materials, Tanker Vehicles, Doubles/Triples, School Bus, Firefighter. Depending on what class of license (A, B or C) and endorsements you need, you must take one or more knowledge tests. A special endorsement is also required to drive certain types of vehicles. The following endorsements may be used with a Class A, B or C CDL: HazMat (H), Tank Vehicles (N), Tank Vehicles Transporting Hazardous Materials (X) and Passenger Transport (P). The School Bus endorsement (S) is only available for Class A or B CDL, and the Doubles/Triples endorsement (T) is only available for Class A driver's licenses.
1. When using double clutching to shift gears, if you are having difficulty putting the vehicle into the next gear you should:
reduce the engine speed to drop back to the previous gear.
force the lever until you put the vehicle into the next gear.
prevent the transmission from shifting up beyond the selected gear.
return to neutral, release the clutch, increase the engine speed to match the road speed, and try again.
2. Strong winds can make it difficult to stay in your lane especially when driving:
vehicles with ABS.
heavier vehicles.
lighter vehicles.
flatbed trailers.
3. Empty trucks have _________ heavily loaded trucks.
half the traction than
the same traction as
more traction than
less traction than
4. In coming down a long, steep downgrade, which of the following is NOT a factor you should consider to select an appropriate safe speed?
Your schedule
Steepness of the grade
Road conditions
Weather
5. If a tire fails while you are driving, you should:
stop on the roadway if possible.
call your supervisor for instructions.
stay off the brake until your vehicle has slowed down.
brake as hard as possible.
6. How should you apply the brakes when going down a steep downgrade?
Apply the brakes when you reach the bottom of the downgrade.
Apply the brakes as hard as you can without locking the wheels.
You should not brake, and only use engine braking to prevent brake failure.
Apply the brakes whenever you reach your safe speed, until your speed has been reduced to 5 mph below your safe speed.
7. When making a turn, you should cancel your turn signal:
once the rear end of your cab has cleared the turn.
once you have completed the turn.
once you have begun the turn.
once more than half of your vehicle is round the turn.
8. It is important to shift gears correctly to keep:
control of the vehicle.
the engine warm.
the engine oil flowing.
the engine cool.
9. In an emergency:
you should never turn to miss an obstacle.
stopping is not always the safest thing to do.
stopping is always the best thing to do.
you should keep one hand on the steering wheel.
10. You should downshift:
before entering a curve and before starting down a hill.
when stopping suddenly and when you are being tailgated.
after starting down a hill and after entering a curve.
before starting up a hill and while going around a curve.
 
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MA CDL Knowledge Test

Number of questions: 50
Correct answers to pass:40
Passing score:80%
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