Maryland CDL Practice Test

A Maryland road tractor pulls two trailers. The listed combination rating is 33,500 pounds, and the trailers together are rated above 10,000 pounds. What class of CDL is called for?

1. AClass A for a combination of at least 26,001 pounds with more than 10,000 pounds of towed GVWRCorrect
2. BClass B because multiple trailers are counted as part of one straight truck
3. CClass C because the combination has three vehicle units
4. DNo CDL because neither trailer individually weighs 26,001 pounds

Why: Class A covers a combination rated at least 26,001 pounds when the towed vehicle or vehicles have a gross vehicle weight rating above 10,000 pounds. In these circumstances, "Class A for a combination of at least 26,001 pounds with more than 10,000 pounds of towed GVWR" is the sound response.

In a convex mirror, a sedan seems distant enough for a lane change. Which perception error should make the truck driver wait and verify?

1. AThe mirror makes the sedan appear smaller and farther away than its actual positionCorrect
2. BThe mirror always makes following traffic appear closer than reality
3. CConvex glass removes every blind area and measures exact speed
4. DThe sedan's image cannot change size while it approaches

Why: Mirror checks should be brief, and convex mirrors require judgment because they make objects appear smaller and farther away than they are. In these circumstances, "The mirror makes the sedan appear smaller and farther away than its actual position" is the sound response.

A loader tells the driver, 'I secured it, so you have nothing to inspect.' Which responsibilities contradict that claim?

1. AThe driver must still address inspection, overload, balance, securement, visibility, and access to emergency equipmentCorrect
2. BThe driver is responsible only for signing the bill of lading
3. CThe loader assumes every safety duty until the cargo is delivered
4. DA sealed door cancels all driver responsibility for load condition

Why: Even when another person loads the vehicle, the driver remains responsible for inspection, overload and balance recognition, securement, clear visibility, and access to emergency equipment. In these circumstances, "The driver must still address inspection, overload, balance, securement, visibility, and access to emergency equipment" is the sound response.

A bus operator receives a prior inspection report marked 'door defect.' Which documentation allows the operator to sign it?

1. AA blank work order with no disposition of the listed defect
2. BThe route schedule alone, because departure time overrides the report
3. CCertification that the defect was repaired or did not require repairCorrect
4. DA passenger's opinion that the door looks acceptable

Why: A bus driver signs the previous driver's inspection report only after listed defects have been certified as repaired or certified as not requiring repair. In these circumstances, "Certification that the defect was repaired or did not require repair" is the sound response.

A combination load is low at the rear but high and offset at the front. What loading objective should guide the correction?

1. AConcentrate everything at one trailer corner for easier unloading
2. BLeave the load and use a faster steering response in curves
3. CKeep cargo low, near the center, and distributed rather than concentratedCorrect
4. DMove the remaining weight high and to the same offset side

Why: Combination cargo should be kept low, centered, and distributed because a high or side-biased center of gravity increases rollover risk. In these circumstances, "Keep cargo low, near the center, and distributed rather than concentrated" is the sound response.

A carrier asks a hazmat driver to take one poorly sealed package and fix it at the destination. What is the driver's proper role at pickup?

1. APlace the package by the driver's seat and remove all placards
2. BCarry it only at night because packaging rules apply in daylight
3. CRefuse the improperly prepared package and verify the shipment's required placards and papers before safe transportCorrect
4. DAccept it, conceal the defect, and discard the shipping paper

Why: The hazardous-material driver rejects leaking or improperly prepared packages, maintains required placards and papers, and transports the shipment safely after shipper and carrier checks. In these circumstances, "Refuse the improperly prepared package and verify the shipment's required placards and papers before safe transport" is the sound response.