Knowledge Test Class A
This license is required for driving any legal combination of vehicles, with a gross combination weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more, provided the GVWR of a trailer exceeds 10,000 pounds To receive this license, applicants must pass a 50-question test. To pass, applicants must answer 40 questions correctly. Each question has four possible answer choices. Test questions come from the Colorado Commercial Driver License Manual. Questions come from chapters covering: Introduction, Driving Safely, Transporting Cargo Safely, Air Brakes (if applicable), Combination, Doubles and Hazardous Materials. Endorsements that may be used with a Class A CDL are: Hazardous materials, Tank, Passenger, HazMat and Tank, Air Brakes and School bus.
1. What is Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)?
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) is the total weight of a single vehicle and its load of cargo.
2. If a tire fails while you are driving, you should:
In the event of tire failure, hold the steering wheel firmly. Stay off the brakes and let the vehicle slow down on its own. Once the vehicle has slowed considerably, you should brake very gently, pull off the road, and stop.
3. When preparing to drive in the winter, be sure to check:
Before driving during the winter, make sure to check your defrosting and heating equipment, coolant and antifreeze levels, wipers and washers, tire tread, tire chains, lights, reflectors, and exhaust system. Clear ice and snow from all windows, mirrors, hand holds, steps, deck plates, and radiator shutters. Make sure the winterfront is not closed too tightly.
4. If the low pressure warning light comes on while you are driving:
If the low air pressure warning light turns on, you should stop and safely park your vehicle as soon as possible. Controlled braking will be possible only as long as enough air remains in the tanks.
5. When driving in fog, you should:
If you must drive in fog, you should use your low beam headlights and fog lights, even during the daytime.
6. If you identify a distracted driver on the road, you should:
If you encounter a distracted driver, make sure to give them plenty of room. Be very careful if you pass their vehicle because the driver may be unaware of your presence and drift into your lane.
7. Federal and state laws require:
Commercial drivers are required by federal and state laws to inspect their vehicles before every trip. Regular inspections can help drivers identify issues before they become dangerous and costly.
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Frequently Asked Questions
To obtain a Class A CDL in Colorado, you must meet certain requirements, including being at least 18 years old and having a valid Colorado driver's license. You must also pass a written knowledge test and a skills test that includes pre-trip inspection, basic vehicle control, and on-road driving. Additionally, you must pass a medical exam and provide proof of citizenship or legal presence in the United States.
Examples of combination vehicles that you can operate with a Class A CDL in Colorado include:
- Tractor-trailers
- Tanker trucks
- Livestock carriers
- Flatbed trucks hauling heavy equipment or machinery
- Double and triple trailers
It's important to note that while you may be licensed to operate these types of vehicles with a Class A CDL, you may need additional endorsements or certifications to transport certain types of cargo, such as hazardous materials or passengers.
1. Age: You must be at least 18 years old to apply for a Class A CDL. However, if you will be transporting hazardous materials or operating across state lines, you must be at least 21 years old.
2. Valid driver's license: You must have a valid Colorado driver's license.
3. Medical certification: You must pass a medical exam and obtain a medical certificate from a licensed medical examiner.
4. Knowledge tests: You must pass the written knowledge tests for the general knowledge and combination vehicle sections of the CDL exam.
5. Skills tests: You must pass a three-part skills test that includes pre-trip inspection, basic vehicle control, and on-road driving.
6. Background check: You will need to provide proof of citizenship or legal presence in the United States and pass a background check.
7. Fees: There are fees associated with obtaining a CDL in Colorado, including application and testing fees.
It's important to note that additional endorsements or certifications may be required depending on the type of cargo you will be transporting or the type of vehicle you will be operating.
The following are the common endorsements for a Class A CDL in Colorado:
1. T - Double/Triple Trailers: This endorsement is required if you will be operating double or triple trailers.
2. P - Passenger: This endorsement is required if you will be transporting passengers, such as a bus or shuttle.
3. N - Tank: This endorsement is required if you will be transporting liquids or gases in tanks.
4. H - Hazardous Materials: This endorsement is required if you will be transporting hazardous materials.
5. X - Combination of Tank Vehicle and Hazardous Materials: This endorsement is required if you will be transporting both hazardous materials and liquids or gases in tanks.
To obtain an endorsement, you must pass additional written knowledge tests specific to the type of endorsement you are seeking. You may also need to complete additional training and provide additional documentation, such as a TSA background check for the Hazardous Materials endorsement.
1. Pre-trip Inspection: You will be required to perform a thorough inspection of your vehicle and explain to the examiner what you are checking for and why. This includes checking the brakes, tires, lights, coupling devices, and other important parts of the vehicle.
2. Basic Vehicle Control: You will be asked to demonstrate your ability to control the vehicle in various situations, such as straight-line backing, offset backing, parallel parking, and alley docking.
3. Road Test: During the road test, you will be evaluated on your ability to operate the vehicle safely and efficiently in traffic. The examiner will give you directions and observe how you handle different situations, such as intersections, lane changes, turns, and merging onto highways.
To pass the skills test, you must complete each section without making any major errors or safety violations. The examiner will provide you with feedback after each section of the test so you can improve your performance if needed.
1. Age: You must be at least 18 years old to obtain a Class A CDL, but you will be restricted to driving within the state of Colorado only until you turn 21.
2. Endorsements: As mentioned earlier, you may need to obtain endorsements depending on the type of cargo or vehicle you will be operating.
3. Medical Certification: You must pass a medical examination and carry a valid medical certificate with you at all times to show that you are physically qualified to operate a commercial motor vehicle.
4. Alcohol and Drug Use: You are subject to strict alcohol and drug use regulations, including pre-employment testing, random testing, post-accident testing, and reasonable suspicion testing.
5. Hours of Service: You must comply with federal regulations regarding the number of hours you can drive each day and each week. These rules are designed to prevent fatigue-related accidents and ensure that drivers get enough rest.
6. Vehicle Size and Weight: There may be restrictions on the size and weight of the vehicle you can operate with a Class A CDL, depending on the type of license and endorsements you have obtained.
It is important to understand these restrictions and limitations to ensure that you are operating your commercial motor vehicle safely and in compliance with all rules and regulations.
However, it's important to note that the skills test is only available in English, so you must have a good understanding of the English language to pass the road test. Additionally, if you plan to operate a commercial vehicle that requires a hazardous materials endorsement, you must take the hazmat written test in English.
If you need to take the Class A CDL written test in a language other than English, you should contact your local DMV office to confirm which languages are available and make arrangements for testing.
To request accommodations for the Class A CDL written test in Colorado, you will need to submit documentation of your disability and a request for accommodations to the DMV. The documentation should include information about your disability and how it affects your ability to take the test. Additionally, you should include specific requests for accommodations, such as extra time, a separate testing room, or a reader.
The DMV will review your request and documentation and determine what accommodations can be made. They may also require additional information or documentation before granting your request. It's important to submit your request for accommodations well in advance of your scheduled test date to allow time for review and processing.
Remember that the purpose of accommodations is to ensure that individuals with disabilities have an equal opportunity to pass the test, not to provide an unfair advantage over other test takers.
It's important to note that passing the written test is one of the requirements for obtaining a commercial driver's license, but it's not the only requirement. You must also pass a skills test, which includes a pre-trip inspection, basic vehicle control, and on-road driving. So even if you pass the written test on your first attempt, you will still need to complete the skills test before obtaining your CDL.
If you fail the written test multiple times, it may be helpful to study more and take practice tests before attempting the test again. The Colorado DMV provides study materials and practice tests on their website to help you prepare for the test. Additionally, you may consider taking a CDL training course to improve your knowledge and skills.