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Colorado CDL General Knowledge Practice Questions - Colorado Commercial Driver License General Knowledge Test Exam
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Question
1
of 25
QUESTION 1 / 25
On the Colorado CDL General Knowledge test, what is the first step in the seven-step pre-trip inspection method?
Choose one answer below.
A
Approach the vehicle and check its general condition
✓
B
Check under the hood
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C
Start the engine and inspect inside the cab
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D
Walk around and inspect the entire vehicle
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QUESTION 2 / 25
On the Colorado CDL General Knowledge test, during a pre-trip inspection, what should you check in the engine compartment?
Choose one answer below.
A
Only the oil level
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B
Oil level, coolant level, power steering fluid, belts, and hoses
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C
Only the coolant level and belts
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D
Only items visible without opening any caps
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QUESTION 3 / 25
On the Colorado CDL General Knowledge test, when performing a pre-trip inspection, the driver should ensure that the steering wheel free play (lash) does not exceed what limit?
Choose one answer below.
A
5 degrees in either direction
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B
10 degrees in either direction (approximately 2 inches on a 20-inch wheel)
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C
15 degrees in either direction
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D
20 degrees in either direction
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QUESTION 4 / 25
On the Colorado CDL General Knowledge test, during the cab check portion of a pre-trip inspection, you should test the parking brake by:
Choose one answer below.
A
Driving forward slowly and applying the parking brake
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B
Putting the vehicle in gear with the parking brake set and gently pressing the accelerator to see if the vehicle holds
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C
Visually checking that the parking brake handle is in the correct position
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D
Checking the parking brake cable under the vehicle
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QUESTION 5 / 25
On the Colorado CDL General Knowledge test, which emergency equipment is required to be on a commercial motor vehicle?
Choose one answer below.
A
Fire extinguisher, spare fuses, and three red reflective triangles
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B
First aid kit, fire extinguisher, and flares only
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C
Fire extinguisher and road flares only
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D
Spare tire, jack, and reflective vest
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QUESTION 6 / 25
On the Colorado CDL General Knowledge test, a post-trip inspection report is important because:
Choose one answer below.
A
It is only required for vehicles carrying hazardous materials
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B
It alerts the carrier to vehicle defects that may need repair before the vehicle is driven again
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C
It replaces the need for the next driver to do a pre-trip inspection
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D
It is optional but recommended by the FMCSA
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QUESTION 7 / 25
On the Colorado CDL General Knowledge test, during a pre-trip inspection, the driver notices a coolant leak near the water pump. What should the driver do?
Choose one answer below.
A
Note it on the report and drive carefully to the next service stop
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B
Add more coolant and continue the trip
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C
Do not drive the vehicle until the leak is repaired
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D
Drive only short distances and monitor the temperature gauge
✓
QUESTION 8 / 25
On the Colorado CDL General Knowledge test, which of the following is an out-of-service condition that would prevent a vehicle from being driven?
Choose one answer below.
A
A small crack in the windshield that does not obstruct the driver's view
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B
A missing mud flap on a rear wheel
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C
Brake lining thickness below the minimum allowed by regulations
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D
A broken antenna on the CB radio
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QUESTION 9 / 25
On the Colorado CDL General Knowledge test, during the pre-trip inspection, which of the following should a driver check regarding the exhaust system?
Choose one answer below.
A
Only that the muffler is present
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B
That the exhaust system is secure, not leaking, and not in contact with fuel lines, wiring, or air lines
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C
Only that exhaust fumes are not entering the cab
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D
That the catalytic converter is functioning properly by checking emissions color
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QUESTION 10 / 25
On the Colorado CDL General Knowledge test, what is the minimum tread depth required for steer axle tires on a commercial motor vehicle?
Choose one answer below.
A
2/32 of an inch
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B
4/32 of an inch
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C
6/32 of an inch
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D
1/32 of an inch
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QUESTION 11 / 25
On the Colorado CDL General Knowledge test, what is the minimum tread depth required for tires on drive and trailer axle positions?
Choose one answer below.
A
4/32 of an inch
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B
2/32 of an inch
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C
6/32 of an inch
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D
1/32 of an inch
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QUESTION 12 / 25
On the Colorado CDL General Knowledge test, when inspecting slack adjusters on an S-cam brake system, the pushrod stroke at the brake chamber should not exceed what general limit?
Choose one answer below.
A
1/2 inch
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B
1 inch
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C
The adjustment limit varies by chamber size, but generally should not exceed about 2 inches
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D
4 inches
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QUESTION 13 / 25
On the Colorado CDL General Knowledge test, during a tire inspection, you notice a bulge on the sidewall of one of the steer tires. What should you do?
Choose one answer below.
A
Continue driving but avoid high speeds
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B
Have the tire replaced before driving the vehicle
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C
Rotate the tire to a non-steer position
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D
Reduce air pressure to alleviate the bulge
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QUESTION 14 / 25
On the Colorado CDL General Knowledge test, what is the purpose of the brake drum inspection during a pre-trip?
Choose one answer below.
A
To check if the drums are painted correctly
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B
To look for cracks, broken welds, or holes and to check that the drum is not contaminated with oil or grease
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C
To measure the exact diameter of the drum with calipers
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D
To verify the brand of the brake drum
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QUESTION 15 / 25
On the Colorado CDL General Knowledge test, when checking air brake lines during a pre-trip inspection, the driver should look for:
Choose one answer below.
A
Lines that are properly color-coded only
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B
Cuts, cracks, abrasion damage, and that lines are properly secured and not in contact with hot surfaces
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C
Only whether the lines are connected at both ends
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D
Whether the lines are made of rubber or metal
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QUESTION 16 / 25
On the Colorado CDL General Knowledge test, what is the proper technique for shifting gears in a commercial motor vehicle with a manual transmission (double clutching)?
Choose one answer below.
A
Press the clutch, shift to neutral, release the clutch, press the clutch again, shift to the next gear, release the clutch
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B
Hold the clutch down while moving through each gear
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C
Shift without using the clutch at any time
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D
Press the clutch once and move the shifter directly to the next gear
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QUESTION 17 / 25
On the Colorado CDL General Knowledge test, when driving a commercial motor vehicle with a manual transmission, what is progressive shifting?
Choose one answer below.
A
Shifting through every gear in sequence regardless of speed
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B
Shifting at lower RPMs as road speed increases to improve fuel economy and reduce engine wear
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C
Skipping gears while shifting up
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D
Shifting at the highest RPM in every gear for maximum power
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QUESTION 18 / 25
On the Colorado CDL General Knowledge test, what is "off-tracking" when driving a commercial vehicle through a turn?
Choose one answer below.
A
When the vehicle drifts out of its lane on a straight road
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B
When the rear wheels follow a shorter path (closer to the inside of the curve) than the front wheels
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C
When the trailer fishtails on slippery roads
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D
When the steering wheel locks during a turn
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QUESTION 19 / 25
On the Colorado CDL General Knowledge test, when turning right with a large commercial vehicle, the correct technique is to:
Choose one answer below.
A
Turn tightly to stay as close to the curb as possible
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B
Swing wide to the left before turning right to give the rear wheels room to clear the corner
✓
C
Keep the front wheels close to the right curb and allow the trailer to track over the curb
✓
D
Stop in the intersection and wait for all traffic to clear
✓
QUESTION 20 / 25
On the Colorado CDL General Knowledge test, what does countersteering mean?
Choose one answer below.
A
Turning the steering wheel in the direction opposite to the way you want to go
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B
Turning the steering wheel back toward straight ahead after completing a turn to prevent oversteering
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C
Steering with one hand while braking with the other
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D
Steering the vehicle in reverse
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QUESTION 21 / 25
On the Colorado CDL General Knowledge test, a vehicle with a high center of gravity is more likely to:
Choose one answer below.
A
Have better traction in wet conditions
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B
Roll over when taking curves or making lane changes
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C
Stop more quickly
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D
Be easier to steer
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QUESTION 22 / 25
On the Colorado CDL General Knowledge test, when should a driver downshift?
Choose one answer below.
A
After the vehicle has already slowed down significantly
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B
Before starting down a hill, so the engine can help control speed
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C
Only when the engine stalls
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D
While the vehicle is stopped at a traffic light
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QUESTION 23 / 25
On the Colorado CDL General Knowledge test, when driving a commercial vehicle, the driver should be aware that the vehicle's total stopping distance at highway speed is significantly greater than a passenger car. At 55 mph, the total stopping distance for a fully loaded tractor-trailer on dry pavement is approximately:
Choose one answer below.
A
100 feet
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B
200 feet
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C
300 to 400 feet
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D
600 feet or more
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QUESTION 24 / 25
On the Colorado CDL General Knowledge test, what is the proper RPM range for shifting gears in most commercial diesel engines?
Choose one answer below.
A
500 to 1,000 RPM
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B
1,000 to 1,500 RPM (the "sweet spot" for most diesel engines)
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C
2,500 to 3,500 RPM
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D
4,000 to 5,000 RPM
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QUESTION 25 / 25
On the Colorado CDL General Knowledge test, what is the most important safety rule when backing a commercial vehicle?
Choose one answer below.
A
Back quickly to minimize the time spent in the backing maneuver
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B
Use a spotter (helper) whenever possible and establish clear communication signals beforehand
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C
Only use mirrors; never look out the window
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D
Sound the horn continuously while backing
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