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To obtain a CDL, you will be required to pass a vehicle inspection test. The vehicle inspection test, formerly known as pre-trip, is a skills test to see if you identify which features and equipment on the test vehicle should be inspected before driving. During the test, you will be asked to do an inspection of your vehicle. You will be expected to show your knowledge of the inspection process and you will be tested to see if you know whether your vehicle is safe to drive. During the CDL inspection test, DMV does not allow the use of testing aids, other than the vehicle inspection guide in the Massachusetts CDL Manual. To prepare for the test, study the following sections of the CDL manual: Driving Safely and the Vehicle Inspection Test. If you do not pass the CDL inspection test, the other skills tests will be postponed.
1.
Checking your vehicle's suspension system includes checking:
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the tires.
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the mounting brackets.
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the air suspension systems.
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All of the above.
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2.
You should check that the _____ is solid, clear of objects, and securely bolted to the tractor frame.
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sliding pintle
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apron
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catwalk
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kingpin
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3.
Exhaust system parts should NOT:
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rub against fuel system parts.
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be loose.
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rub against tires.
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All of the above.
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4.
Which of the following is NOT checked in a pre-trip inspection?
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The amount of fuel in the vehicle
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Brake controls
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Safety equipment
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Cargo securement
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5.
Rust around wheel nuts may mean:
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the weather is wet.
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the nuts are loose.
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the wheels or rims have had welding repairs.
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the nuts are too tight.
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6.
When checking the engine compartment in a vehicle inspection, you should check all of the following except:
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Engine oil level
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Shock absorbers
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Coolant level in radiator
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Windshield washer fluid level
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7.
Which of the following is NOT a tire problem to look for during the vehicle inspection?
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Recapped tires on the front of a school bus
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Radial and bias-ply tires used together
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Cracked valve stems
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All the tires are made by the same manufacturer
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8.
During the external inspection, check that all lug nuts:
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show no signs of looseness.
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are free of cracks.
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are present.
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All of the above.
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9.
During the pre-trip inspection test, you will be expected to:
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watch the examiner inspect the bus for safety.
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show that you can identify the bus operating systems, and that you know how to inspect them for safety.
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pass three basic control tests.
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All of the above.
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10.
During the pre-trip inspection, belts should:
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checked for leaks.
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checked for oil pressure.
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be checked for tightness and excessive wear.
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not be inspected.
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Frequently Asked Questions
To obtain a learner’s permit, you must be at least 16 years old. After holding your permit for six months with a clean driving record and completing a driver education program, you can apply for a junior operator license. Your class D driver’s license will be restricted until you reach 18 years old.
You can start your application online and you will receive an email to schedule an appointment at the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) office you selected. If you prefer to complete the test at home, you are required to apply and visit a Service Center to provide identification documentation. Once the documentation has been verified, you'll receive login instructions to complete the test at home.
You are required to provide specific documents:
- Proof of identity.
- Proof of Social Security Status.
- Proof of Massachusetts residency.
- Written consent from a parent/legal guardian (for applicants under 18).
Use this checklist and view the acceptable documents.
The RMV written test is provided in Albanian, Arabic, Armenian, Burmese, Cape Verdean Creole, English, Farsi, French, German, Greek, Gujarati, Haitian Creole, Hindi, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Khmer/Cambodian, Kiswahili, Korean, Laotian, Mandarin (Simplified), Mandarin (Traditional), Pashto, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Serbo-Croatian, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, Thai, Turkish, Ukrainian, Urdu, and Vietnamese. Audio exams are also available in these languages. If you need an oral exam, call 857-368-8105.
You need to read the Massachusetts Driver's Handbook. The exam covers various topics, including road signs, safe driving practices, and road rules. Remember that you cannot use driver's manuals or personal notes, so study the manual carefully and take our free practice tests to verify your preparation.
The RMV written test consists of 25 multiple-choice questions. To pass, you must complete the test within 25 minutes. You have approximately one minute for each question, so carefully read each sentence before selecting your answer and moving on to the next question.
To pass the Massachusetts RMV written test, you need to reach a score of 72%. This means that you must correctly answer 18 questions and can miss a maximum of 7 questions. Sign up for DMV Premium to test your preparation and check if you are ready for the real exam.
All drivers under 18 are not permitted to use any mobile electronic device except for emergency calls. There are also other specific restrictions:
- With a learner’s permit, you are allowed to drive only under the supervision of a licensed adult who is at least 21 years old, has held a driver's license for at least one year, and is seated beside you.
- After obtaining a junior operator license, driving alone is permitted only between 12:30 a.m. and 5 a.m. Furthermore, you cannot transport passengers under 18 unless accompanied by a driver who is at least 21 years old and has held a driver's license for at least one year (except when transporting siblings).
A learner’s permit in Massachusetts is valid for 2 years. If it expires, you'll have to apply again and retake the exam. After holding the permit for 6 consecutive months, you can get a junior operator license. If there's any suspension during this period, you'll need to wait another 6 months after the suspension ends.
Instructions will be provided at the end of the RMV written test on how to retake it. Keep in mind that a new fee must be paid. It's important to note that cheating during the exam will result in failure. Additionally, if you are taking the test online, you'll automatically fail if you leave the browser, if you have not clicked a button for more than 2 minutes, or if you exceed the 25 minutes available to complete the exam.