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 three possible answer choices. Test questions come from the Idaho Commercial Driver’s 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.
8. You should check and adjust your mirrors:
Be sure to check your mirrors before beginning a drive. Your posture may change day to day and your mirrors may need to be adjusted.
9. Escape ramps are ramps that can be used:
Escape ramps are constructed in areas with steep downgrades to allow a means of safely stopping runaway vehicles. They consist of a long bed of loose, soft material, and sometimes an uphill slope.
10. Steering wheel play should be no more than:
A steering wheel should have no more than 10 degrees of play. This is equal to about two inches of movement at the rim of a 20-inch wheel. If there is more play than this, it may be difficult to steer.
11. Lights that indicate that anti-lock brakes are not working are:
Vehicles equipped with Anti-Lock Braking Systems (ABS) have yellow malfunction lights to indicate issues in the braking system.
12. When checking your mirrors:
Regularly check mirrors on both sides of your vehicle while driving. It is important to be aware of what is happening behind and to the sides of your vehicle.
13. If approaching a vehicle with a distracted driver, you should:
If you see a distracted driver, give them plenty of space and maintain a safe following distance.
14. When you must travel down a hill, when should you switch into a lower gear?
You should always slow down and shift into a lower gear before starting down a hill. If you do not begin to drive down a hill at a low enough speed, you risk overusing your brakes, causing them to overheat and fade.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Some examples of combination vehicles that require a Class A CDL in Idaho include:
- Tractor-trailer combinations
- Truck and trailer combinations
- Livestock carriers and other specialized trailers
- Towing double or triple trailers
It's important to note that the specific type of vehicle you can operate with a Class A CDL may depend on any endorsements you hold. For example, if you have a HazMat endorsement, you may be able to operate vehicles carrying hazardous materials.
1. Age: You must be at least 18 years old to obtain a Class A CDL in Idaho. However, if you plan to operate a vehicle across state lines or transport hazardous materials, you must be at least 21 years old.
2. Valid Driver's License: You must have a valid driver's license from Idaho or another state.
3. Medical Qualifications: You must pass a medical exam and obtain a Medical Examiner's Certificate.
4. Knowledge Test: You must pass a written knowledge test that covers general commercial driving knowledge and specific information related to operating a Class A vehicle.
5. Skills Test: You must pass a skills test that includes a pre-trip inspection, basic vehicle control, and an on-road driving test.
6. Background Check: You'll need to undergo a background check that includes your driving record and criminal history.
7. Fees: There are fees associated with obtaining a CDL in Idaho, including application fees and testing fees.
It's important to note that additional endorsements may be required for certain types of specialized vehicles or cargo, such as hazardous materials transportation.
It's important to note that some employers may have their own age requirements for drivers, which may be higher than the state minimum. Additionally, drivers under the age of 21 may face restrictions on the types of cargo they can transport and the type of commercial vehicle they can operate.
1. Hazardous Materials (H): Required for drivers who transport hazardous materials that require placards.
2. Tank Vehicles (N): Required for drivers who will be operating a vehicle that has a tank designed to transport any liquid or gaseous material.
3. Combination of Tank Vehicle and Hazardous Materials (X): Required for drivers who will be transporting both hazardous materials and tank vehicles.
4. Passenger (P): Required for drivers who plan to transport passengers in a commercial vehicle, such as a bus or van.
5. School Bus (S): Required for drivers who plan to operate a school bus.
Endorsements require additional testing beyond the general knowledge and skills tests required for the Class A CDL license, and there may be additional fees associated with obtaining endorsements. It's important to note that employers may require specific endorsements depending on the job requirements, so it's important to research the specific job requirements before applying for endorsements.
1. Pre-trip inspection: You will be asked to demonstrate your knowledge of the vehicle and its components by conducting a pre-trip inspection. You will need to identify and explain the function of various parts of the vehicle, such as the brakes, steering system, and coupling devices.
2. Basic vehicle control: You will be tested on your ability to control the vehicle in a controlled environment, such as a closed course or parking lot. This includes tasks such as straight-line backing, offset backing, and parallel parking.
3. On-road driving: You will be tested on your ability to operate the vehicle safely on public roads. This includes demonstrating your ability to make turns, change lanes, merge onto highways, and navigate various traffic situations.
Each state may have slightly different requirements for the skills test, but all tests are designed to ensure that commercial drivers can safely operate a commercial vehicle in a variety of situations. It's important to practice and prepare for the skills test using the guidelines provided by your state's Department of Transportation or Motor Vehicles agency.
1. Air brakes restriction: If you took your skills test in a vehicle without air brakes, you will be restricted from operating a vehicle with air brakes.
2. Automatic transmission restriction: If you took your skills test in a vehicle with an automatic transmission, you will be restricted from operating a vehicle with a manual transmission.
3. Intrastate only restriction: If you do not meet the federal medical requirements, you may be restricted to only operating commercial vehicles within the state.
4. Passenger endorsement restriction: If you have not passed the passenger endorsement skills test, you will be restricted from operating a vehicle designed to transport passengers.
5. Hazmat endorsement restriction: If you have not passed the hazardous materials endorsement skills test, you will be restricted from transporting hazardous materials.
It's important to understand any restrictions or limitations on your license and adhere to them to avoid any consequences or penalties. You can check your state's Department of Transportation or Motor Vehicles agency for specific information on Class A CDL restrictions and limitations.
Even if the written test is offered in a language other than English, you will still need to be able to understand and communicate in English when it comes to other aspects of the CDL application process, such as the skills test and communicating with law enforcement while driving.
If you are not proficient in English, it is a good idea to contact your state's Department of Transportation or Motor Vehicles agency to ask about language options for the written test and any other language requirements for obtaining a CDL in your state.
To request accommodations for the Class A CDL written test, you will need to contact your state's Department of Transportation or Motor Vehicles agency and follow their specific procedures for requesting accommodations. Typically, you will need to provide documentation of your disability and how it affects your ability to take the test under standard conditions.
Some examples of accommodations that may be available for the written test include extended time, a separate room for testing, a reader or scribe, or access to assistive technology such as screen reading software.
It's important to note that accommodations do not guarantee a passing score on the test but rather provide equal access to the testing process.
In most cases, you will need to wait a certain amount of time before retaking the test. This waiting period can range from a few days to several weeks or even months, depending on the state's regulations. You may also be required to pay a fee to retake the test.
If you fail the written test multiple times, you may be required to complete additional training or education before being allowed to retake it again. This could include attending a CDL school or taking additional courses on specific topics related to commercial driving.
It's important to note that passing the written test is just one step in obtaining a Class A CDL. You will also need to pass a skills test that includes driving maneuvers and a pre-trip inspection before being issued your CDL.