Practice question

During a parking brake check, what must you do to confirm that the parking brake holds the vehicle?

  1. Shift into a higher gear and honk the horn
  2. Shift into a lower gear and gently pull against the brake
  3. Accelerate and then come to a quick stop
  4. Press the brake pedal and observe the brake lights

Answer: B — Shift into a lower gear and gently pull against the brake

To confirm that the parking brake holds the vehicle, the test involves shifting into a lower gear and gently pulling against the brake. This procedure allows you to test the effectiveness of the parking brake while engaging the vehicle's weight. When you shift into a lower gear, the engine will be in a position to provide resistance which helps confirm whether the parking brake is functioning properly. If the vehicle moves or rolls when you pull against the brake, it indicates that the parking brake is not sufficiently holding the vehicle in place, suggesting a need for maintenance or adjustment. Other options do not provide the appropriate assessment for checking the parking brake. Shifting into a higher gear and honking the horn does not evaluate the effectiveness of the brake system. Accelerating and coming to a quick stop does not pertain to the functionality of the parking brake since this action focuses on the service brakes, not the parking system. Pressing the brake pedal and observing the brake lights checks the service brakes’ functionality rather than the parking brake.

Practice more: Illinois Pre-Trip Vehicle Inspection CDL Practice Test →