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 70-question test. Test questions come from the New York State Commercial Motor Vehicle Drivers Handbook. Each question has four answer choices. To pass, applicants must answer 56 questions correctly. Questions come from chapters covering: Introduction, Driving Safely, Transporting Cargo Safely, Air Brakes (if applicable), Combination Vehicles, Pre-Trip Vehicle Inspection Test, Basic Vehicle Control Skills Test and On-Road Driving. Endorsements that may be used with a Class A CDL are: Hazardous materials, Tank, Passenger, Doubles/Triples, HazMat, Tank, Air Brakes and School bus.
8. If your truck or trailer catches fire, you should:
If there is a fire in your vehicle, the first thing you need to do is leave the road and stop. Park in an open area away from anything that could catch fire, such as plants or other vehicles. Do not pull into a service station.
9. While driving, if it is discovered a vehicle's ABS is not working, the driver should:
If an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) is not working, the vehicle's basic braking functions are still intact. The driver should continue to drive and brake in a normal fashion.
10. An air compressor governor will stop the compressor from pumping air once the air tanks have an air pressure level of:
An air compressor governor will stop the compressor from pumping air once the air tanks are at an air pressure level of 125 psi. This air pressure level is referred to as the "cut-out" level.
11. When preparing to enter traffic, you should do all of the following, except:
When crossing or entering traffic, bear in mind the size of your vehicle and the distance it will need to accelerate. Wait for a gap in traffic that is large enough to accommodate your vehicle before you begin to accelerate. Remember that you will need more room to accelerate if your vehicle is heavily loaded. Before crossing a road, be sure that you can get all the way across without interfering with traffic.
12. If you must drive in reverse, it is helpful to:
If you must drive in reverse, you should first walk around the vehicle to check for hazards in your path of travel. Make frequent use of the mirrors on both sides of your vehicle while backing. Always back up as slowly as possible.
13. Looking far ahead of your vehicle while driving is:
Good drivers look down the road at least 12 to 15 seconds ahead of their vehicles. This makes it possible to identify hazards early, when drivers are more likely to have time to respond appropriately.
14. When stopping:
Press the brake pedal down smoothly and gradually every time you slow or stop. The amount of brake pressure you need to apply depends on the speed of your vehicle and how quickly you need to stop.
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Frequently Asked Questions
To obtain a Class A CDL in New York, drivers must pass a written knowledge test, a pre-trip inspection test, and a skills test that includes an on-road driving portion. Additionally, applicants must meet certain medical and residency requirements and provide proof of their identity and Social Security number.
1. Combination vehicles with a total weight of 26,001 pounds or more, provided the vehicle being towed weighs more than 10,000 pounds.
2. Tractor-trailers: A combination of a tractor unit and one or more semi-trailers.
3. Livestock carriers: Vehicles designed and used for transporting livestock.
4. Tanker trucks: Vehicles designed and used for transporting liquids or gases in bulk.
5. Flatbeds: Vehicles with an open flatbed that can be used to transport various types of cargo.
6. Dump trucks: Vehicles designed and used for transporting loose materials, such as sand or gravel.
It's important to note that additional endorsements may be required to operate certain types of vehicles, such as Hazmat (H) or Tank (T) endorsements for tanker trucks carrying hazardous materials.
1. Age: You must be at least 18 years old to operate a commercial vehicle within New York State and at least 21 years old to operate a commercial vehicle outside of New York State.
2. Medical Fitness: You must be medically fit to drive a commercial vehicle. This involves passing a medical examination and obtaining a medical examiner’s certificate.
3. Knowledge Test: You must pass a written knowledge test that covers topics such as vehicle inspection, driving safety, and transporting cargo.
4. Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP): You must obtain a CLP by passing a written test and a pre-trip inspection test before you can take the skills test.
5. Skills Test: You must pass a skills test that includes an on-road driving portion and covers various aspects of commercial driving, such as backing up, turning, and shifting gears.
6. Residency: You must be a resident of New York State or have proof of legal presence in the U.S.
7. Identification: You must provide proof of your identity, Social Security number, and residency or legal presence.
It's important to note that additional endorsements may be required for certain types of vehicles or cargo, such as Hazmat (H) or Tank (T) endorsements for tanker trucks carrying hazardous materials.
1. Hazmat (H): This endorsement is required if you plan to transport hazardous materials.
2. Tank (T): This endorsement is required if you plan to transport liquid or gaseous materials in a tank vehicle.
3. Double/Triple (T): This endorsement is required if you plan to operate a double or triple trailer combination.
4. Passenger (P): This endorsement is required if you plan to transport passengers, such as in a bus or van.
5. School Bus (S): This endorsement is required if you plan to drive a school bus.
6. Air Brakes (A): This endorsement is required if the vehicle you plan to drive has air brakes.
To obtain an endorsement, you must pass an additional knowledge test and, in some cases, a skills test. It's important to note that some endorsements require additional background checks or security clearances, such as the Hazmat endorsement.
1. Pre-trip inspection: This is a thorough inspection of the vehicle to ensure that it is safe to operate. You will be asked to explain and demonstrate how to inspect various parts of the vehicle, including the engine compartment, air brakes, steering mechanism, and trailer coupling.
2. Basic vehicle control skills test: This test assesses your ability to control the vehicle in various maneuvers such as backing up, turning, and parking. You will be asked to complete exercises such as straight line backing, offset backing, parallel parking, and alley docking.
3. On-road driving test: This test evaluates your ability to safely operate the vehicle on public roads and highways. You will be asked to drive a predetermined route while following all traffic laws and signals, changing lanes, merging onto highways, and making turns.
To pass the Class A CDL skills test in New York State, you must successfully complete all three parts with a score of at least 80%. It's important to note that you must have a valid commercial learner's permit (CLP) and have held it for at least 14 days before taking the skills test.
1. Weight restrictions: Drivers with a Class A CDL license may be restricted from operating vehicles over a certain weight limit, depending on their endorsement and the type of vehicle they are driving.
2. Passenger restrictions: Drivers with a Class A CDL license may be restricted from transporting passengers, depending on their endorsement and the type of vehicle they are driving.
3. Time restrictions: Drivers with a Class A CDL license may be subject to time restrictions, such as limits on how many hours they can drive in a day or week. These restrictions are designed to prevent fatigue and ensure that drivers are operating vehicles safely.
4. Equipment restrictions: Drivers with a Class A CDL license may be restricted from operating vehicles with certain types of equipment, depending on their endorsement and the type of cargo they are transporting.
It's important to note that these restrictions and limitations vary depending on the driver's specific situation and endorsements. It's crucial for drivers to understand their limitations and remain in compliance with all relevant rules and regulations to ensure safe operation of their vehicles.
To take the written test in a language other than English, you must make an appointment at a DMV office that offers the test in your preferred language. You will need to provide identification and proof of your ability to read and understand the language you are requesting. The DMV will provide an interpreter to assist you during the test if necessary.
It's important to note that even if you take the written test in a language other than English, you will still need to have a basic understanding of English in order to operate a commercial vehicle safely on public roads.
To request accommodations for the written test, you will need to fill out a Request for Reasonable Accommodations form and submit it to the DMV. The form can be obtained online or at a DMV office. You will need to provide documentation of your disability and describe the specific accommodations you need.
Common accommodations that may be provided include extra time to complete the test, a separate testing room, or assistance from a reader or scribe. The DMV will review your request and determine what accommodations can be provided based on your specific needs and the requirements of the test.
It's important to note that you must request accommodations in advance and provide documentation of your disability. Accommodations cannot be provided on the day of the test without prior approval from the DMV.
It's important to note that if you fail the test three times, you will need to wait at least 90 days before you can retake it. Additionally, if your learner's permit expires before you pass the written and road tests, you may need to start the application process over and reapply for a new permit.
To prepare for the written test, it's recommended that you study the New York State Commercial Driver's Manual and take practice tests. The DMV website provides free practice tests that can help you prepare for the written exam.
If you continue to have difficulty passing the written test after multiple attempts, consider seeking additional resources such as a commercial driving school or a tutor to help improve your understanding of the materials.