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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 Pennsylvania 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. During the skills test, if you must stop before making the turn, you should:
let your vehicle roll.
make sure the turn signal is off.
keep the front wheel aimed straight ahead.
come to a complete stop after the line to get a better view.
2. During the external inspection, check that all lug nuts:
are free of cracks.
show no signs of looseness.
are present.
All of the above.
3. When conducting the vehicle inspection test:
you may be asked to check that the steering box is not leaking.
applicants will not have to see that the brake chambers are not leaking.
you may have to check that the minimum tread depth is 2/32 on steering axle tires.
the air ride suspension should not be checked for leaks.
4. If you find anything unsafe during the pre-trip inspection, you are required to:
write it in your inspection report.
get it fixed before driving.
drive cautiously until it is fixed.
inform your motor carrier after the trip.
5. You are checking the tractor-trailer connection to make sure it is safe and secure. The landing gear should be:
fully lowered.
raised slightly off the ground.
fully raised.
None of the above.
6. When starting your vehicle, oil pressure should come up to normal:
in about two minutes.
in about a minute.
within 5 minutes of driving.
within seconds.
7. During the basic control skills test you may be asked to perform any of the following, except:
Straight line backing
Trailer jackknife
Parallel park
Offset back/right
8. During the vehicle inspection test, you may be asked to:
check the engine oil level.
remove a spare electrical fuse.
replace the electrical and brake lines.
change the coolant.
9. Which gauge show that the alternator and/or generator is charging?
Engine oil temperature
Ammeter/voltmeter
Oil pressure
All of the above
10. When checking tires as part of the pre-trip inspection, you should check for all of the following except:
minimum tread depth.
that all tires come from the same manufacturer.
cracked valve stems.
tread separation.
 
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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 Inspection Test

Number of questions: 20
Correct answers to pass:16
Passing score:80%
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