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 or four possible answer choices. Test questions come from the Commercial Driver License Manual. Questions come from chapters covering: Introduction, Driving Safely, Transporting Cargo Safely, Air Brakes (if applicable), 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, HazMat and Tank, Air Brakes and School bus.
1. What is reaction distance?
Reaction distance is the distance traveled between the moment you mentally recognize a hazard and when you physically hit the brakes.
2. Anti-Lock Braking Systems (ABS):
If equipped, ABS is in addition to a vehicle's normal braking system and does not increase or decrease the braking power of any other system. ABS only activates when a vehicle's wheels are about to lock.
3. When carrying a wide load, you should:
Loads that are over-length, over-width, and/or overweight may require special permits. Drivers of such loads may be subject to special restrictions, such as only being permitted to drive at certain times.
4. What should a driver do if their vehicle hydroplanes?
If your vehicle begins to hydroplane, you should slow down by releasing the accelerator and pushing in the clutch.
5. Using an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS):
An Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) helps to provide additional control during hard braking, but does not necessarily shorten a vehicle's stopping distance.
6. Which of the following is not a sign of tire failure?
If you experience tire failure, you may hear the loud "bang" sound of a blowout or feel a heavy thumping or vibration in your vehicle. If steering begins to feel heavy, or if the rear of your vehicle begins to fishtail, you should stop to check your tires.
7. If braking at a speed of 55 mph while driving on dry pavement, the brake lag can add ____ to your vehicle's total stopping distance.
The total stopping distance for vehicles equipped with air brakes is made up of four factors: perception distance, reaction distance, brake lag distance, and braking distance. When braking at a speed of 55 mph while driving on dry pavement, the brake lag can add around 32 feet to a vehicle's total stopping distance.
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Frequently Asked Questions
To obtain a Class A CDL in Tennessee, you must:
1. Be at least 18 years old to drive within the state limits or 21 years old to drive interstate or hazardous materials.
2. Possess a valid Tennessee driver's license.
3. Obtain a Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) and hold it for at least 14 days before taking the skills test.
4. Pass a knowledge test that covers general trucking knowledge, air brakes (if applicable), and combination vehicle operation.
5. Pass a skills test that includes a pre-trip inspection, basic vehicle control, and on-road driving.
6. Provide proof of citizenship or legal presence in the United States.
7. Pass a medical exam and obtain a medical certificate from an approved healthcare provider.
It is important to note that there are additional endorsements that may be required for certain types of cargo or specialized equipment, such as hazardous materials or tankers.
1. Tractor-trailers: a combination of a truck tractor and one or more trailers.
2. Truck and trailer combinations: a truck with one or more trailers.
3. Double and triple trailers: two or three trailers connected to one truck tractor.
You may also be required to obtain additional endorsements for certain types of cargo or specialized equipment, such as hazardous materials, tankers, or passenger vehicles. It is important to note that the specific requirements for operating these types of vehicles may vary depending on the state and federal regulations.
1. Be at least 18 years of age to drive within the state limits or 21 years of age to drive interstate or transport hazardous materials.
2. Have a valid Tennessee driver's license.
3. Provide proof of citizenship or legal presence in the United States.
4. Obtain a Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) and hold it for at least 14 days before taking the skills test.
5. Pass a general knowledge test that covers trucking regulations, safe driving practices, and other topics related to commercial driving.
6. Pass a skills test that includes pre-trip inspection, basic vehicle control, and on-road driving.
7. Pass additional tests for any endorsements required for your specific job, such as air brakes, hazardous materials, or tankers.
8. Pass a medical exam and obtain a medical certificate from an approved healthcare provider.
It is also important to note that you must have a good driving record and be able to provide a complete driving history for the past 10 years in order to obtain a CDL license. You may also be required to provide additional documentation or meet other state-specific requirements.
If a driver is 21 years of age or older, they can drive interstate and transport hazardous materials with a Class A CDL license.
It's important to note that some trucking companies may have their own age requirements for hiring drivers, so it's always a good idea to check with the company before pursuing a CDL license.
1. Combination Vehicles (required for all Class A CDL drivers)
2. Double/Triple Trailers
3. Tank Vehicles
4. Hazardous Materials (HazMat)
5. Passenger Transport
If you plan to drive a combination vehicle, you will need to obtain a combination vehicle endorsement (no. 1 above) in addition to your Class A CDL license. If you plan to transport hazardous materials, you will need to obtain a hazardous materials endorsement (no. 4 above) in addition to your Class A CDL license.
To obtain an endorsement, you will need to pass additional knowledge and skills tests specific to that endorsement, in addition to the general knowledge and skills tests required for a Class A CDL license.
It's important to note that some endorsements may require additional background checks or other requirements, such as fingerprinting or security clearances, depending on the type of materials being transported.
1. Pre-Trip Inspection: You will be asked to do a pre-trip inspection of your vehicle to ensure that it is safe for the road. You will need to point out and explain each item you are inspecting, such as the brakes, tires, lights, and coupling devices.
2. Basic Vehicle Control Skills Test: You will be asked to perform a series of maneuvers that demonstrate your ability to control your vehicle in a confined area. These maneuvers may include straight-line backing, offset backing, parallel parking, and alley docking.
3. On-Road Driving Test: You will be asked to demonstrate your ability to safely operate your vehicle on public roads. The driving test will include a variety of driving situations, such as turning, stopping, accelerating, merging onto highways, changing lanes, and backing up.
During the skills test, you will be evaluated on your ability to safely and effectively operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV). You must complete each part of the test successfully in order to obtain your Class A CDL license.
It's important to note that you must provide your own vehicle for the skills test. The vehicle must meet certain requirements set by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security (TDOSHS), including being properly registered and insured.
1. Air Brakes Restriction: If you take your skills test in a vehicle without air brakes, you will receive an "L" restriction on your CDL license. This means you are not authorized to operate a CMV equipped with air brakes.
2. Automatic Transmission Restriction: If you take your skills test in a vehicle with an automatic transmission, you will receive an "E" restriction on your CDL license. This means you are not authorized to operate a CMV with a manual transmission.
3. Intrastate Only Restriction: If you do not meet certain medical or other requirements, you may be restricted to driving within the state of Tennessee only.
4. Passenger Vehicle Restriction: If you do not pass the Passenger Transport endorsement test, you will be restricted from operating a CMV designed to carry more than 15 passengers.
5. HazMat Endorsement Restriction: If you do not pass the Hazardous Materials endorsement test or fail a background check, you will be restricted from transporting hazardous materials.
It's important to note that these restrictions and limitations may vary depending on individual circumstances and may be subject to change based on state or federal regulations.
However, if you need assistance with reading or understanding the questions on the test due to a language barrier, you may be able to bring an interpreter with you to help. The interpreter must be fluent in both English and your native language, and must not be associated with any CDL training or testing facility. The TDOSHS recommends contacting your local testing facility in advance to arrange for an interpreter if needed.
It's also worth noting that all drivers seeking a CDL in Tennessee must be able to read and understand English sufficiently to converse with the general public, understand highway traffic signs and signals, respond to official inquiries, and make entries on reports and records. This is a federal requirement under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) and is necessary for safe operation of a commercial motor vehicle on public roads.
To request accommodations, you will need to fill out and submit an Accommodation Request Form. This form is available on the TDOSHS website or can be obtained from any CDL testing facility in Tennessee. The form must be completed by you and a qualified professional who can verify your disability and describe the specific accommodations needed.
Once your request has been submitted, it will be reviewed by the TDOSHS to determine if the requested accommodations are appropriate and reasonable. You will be notified of the decision in writing within 10 business days of receipt of your request.
It's important to note that accommodations are not guaranteed and may depend on factors such as the specific disability, the type of accommodation requested, and available resources. If you have any questions about requesting accommodations for the Class A CDL written test, you can contact your local testing facility or the TDOSHS directly for assistance.
According to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security (TDOSHS), you must wait at least 1 business day (24 hours) before retaking the test if you fail it. If you fail the test a second time, you must wait at least 7 calendar days before retaking it. If you fail the test a third time, you must wait at least 30 calendar days before retaking it.
In addition, there may be a fee for each attempt at the written test. The fee for the Class A CDL written test in Tennessee is $35 per attempt as of 2021. You will need to pay this fee each time you take the test.
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, which includes a pre-trip inspection, basic vehicle control, and on-road driving portions. You must pass both the written and skills tests in order to obtain a Class A CDL.
If you have failed the Class A CDL written test multiple times or are having difficulty passing, it may be helpful to seek additional training or study resources to improve your knowledge and understanding of the material. Your local CDL training school or testing facility may be able to provide guidance on study materials or additional training options.