In Partnership with Doug Truscott Driving School

View instructions
The air brakes endorsement applies to applicants who wish to drive a vehicle with air brakes in Class A, B, or C CDL. To drive a vehicle with air brakes, you must pass the air brake component of the Pennsylvania CDL knowledge test. The PA CDL air brakes test consists of 25 questions, and you'll need at least 20 correct answers to pass (80%). The test covers the information found in the air brakes section of the Pennsylvania CDL Manual. Take this PA CDL practice test now to prepare for the actual air brakes test!
1. When the spring brakes are on, you should:
press the accelerator.
pump the brakes.
exceed the posted speed limit.
not push the brake pedal down.
2. With brake drums, if brakes become too hot:
the air compressor will kick on to cool the brakes.
the brakes will supply too much power to the drive wheels.
your ABS will malfunction.
the brakes may stop working.
3. Passive railroad crossings:
should never be crossed using a CMV.
usually have a person directing traffic.
do not have traffic control devices.
have at least one traffic control device.
4. To check the slack adjusters:
check the air hoses connected to the brake chambers to make sure they aren't cut or worn.
Park on level ground and chock the wheels, release the parking brakes and pull hard on each slack adjuster. The slack adjuster shouldn't move more than one inch.
park downhill and see if the vehicle rolls.
None of the above.
5. Most heavy duty vehicles use ___ air brake systems for safety.
single
dual
reduced
triple
6. Pressing and releasing the brake pedal unnecessarily can:
let air out faster than the compressor can replace it.
causes all the air to be lost.
causes friction, which slows the vehicle.
apply more air pressure.
7. The air compressor stops pumping air into the air storage tanks when air tank pressure rises to around:
125 psi.
250 psi.
100 psi.
450 psi.
8. Why should you check your mirrors regularly to know where other vehicles are around you?
To know whether you can make a quick lane change in an emergency.
To flash the brake lights if you are being tailgated.
To move out of their way if they want to get past.
To better assess your own speed.
9. The one-way check valve:
keeps your wheels from locking up when you brake hard.
supplies air to the trailer air tanks.
keeps the axles in place.
keeps air from going out if the air compressor develops a leak.
10. You can be sure that your vehicle is equipped with ABS:
if the vehicle was manufactured after 2010.
if the vehicle was manufactured after 2000.
if your company requires the use of antilock brakes in its policies.
if the vehicle was manufactured after 1998.
 
Page 1 of 3
Next page

Frequently Asked Questions

You are eligible to obtain a learner's permit in Pennsylvania when you reach the age of 16. After 65 hours of supervised driving and the road test, you can apply for a junior license. An unrestricted license (class C) is issued at the age of 18, or for individuals under 18 with a junior license, provided they have maintained a clean record for one year and have completed an approved driver's education course.

Visit one of the Pennsylvania driver license centers to take your DMV written test.

You'll need to bring the following documents:

The DMV written test in Pennsylvania is available in both written and audio formats. It is provided in Arabic, Albanian, Burmese, Chinese (Mandarin), Dari, English, Farsi, French, Greek, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandingo, Nepali, Pashto, Polish, Punjabi, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Swahili, Ukrainian, Urdu, and Vietnamese. Additionally, if you are deaf or hearing impaired, you have the option to request an interpreter at least two weeks in advance.
To prepare for the DMV written test, read the Pennsylvania Driver's Handbook or use the audio version. Verify your knowledge with the free tests at the end of chapters 2, 3, 4, and sign up for DMV Premium to access all our practice tests. Once your scores are good, you are ready for the real exam.

The DMV written test in Pennsylvania consists of 18 questions covering topics such as road signs, parallel parking, turning, passing a vehicle, yielding the right of way, etc. If you have carefully read the manual and taken various practice tests, you should be able to answer each question without any problem.
You can make up to 3 mistakes on the Pennsylvania DMV written test. To pass, you need to answer at least 15 questions correctly, achieving an 83% accuracy rate. Take your time to read each question accurately.

If you have a learner's permit and are under 18, you are permitted to drive only under the supervision of a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old or a parent/guardian/spouse who is at least 18 with a license. The supervisor must be seated in the front seat. Upon obtaining a junior driver's license:
  • You may not drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., unless accompanied by a parent/guardian or your spouse who is at least 18 years of age. Exceptions apply for volunteering or work activities, but you must present a certificate of authorization.
  • During the first six months, you may transport only one non-sibling passenger under 18, unless supervised by a parent/guardian/spouse who is at least 18 with a license. After six months, unless you have been convicted after a crash, you may drive with a maximum of three passengers under 18 (except for siblings), unless accompanied by a parent/guardian/spouse who is at least 18 with a license. 

A learner's permit in Pennsylvania is valid for one year. If it expires, the renewal cannot be completed online and you are required to complete the Form DL-31 at a Pennsylvania DMV Office. It's important to note that if you haven't taken or successfully completed the road test within three years of your physical examination, you must submit a new permit application and retake the DMV written test.
If you do not pass your DMV written test in Pennsylvania, you must wait until the next business day to make another attempt. Focus on the sections of the manual you have overlooked to have a deep understanding of the road rules.

PA CDL Air Brakes Test

Number of questions: 25
Correct answers to pass:20
Passing score:80%
Share This Online CDL Test
Rate this CDL Air Brakes Test
4.7 out of 5
based on 354 votes