CDL Practice Test

CDL Basic Vehicle Control Practice Questions

Basic Vehicle Control makes up 5 of every 50 questions on a Tigertest CDL practice test. Here are 10 of the 50 questions on it, each with the answer and the reason.

Updated 2026-11-10 by the Tigertest team. Covers the CDL general knowledge exam. 80% to pass on the real test.

1. 1. When backing a commercial vehicle, what is the safest practice?

   • A.Back as quickly as possible to minimize time
   • B.Get out and check your path frequently
   • C.Rely only on mirrors for visibility
   • D.Back without stopping once you start

   Answer: B. Getting out to check your path frequently while backing is the safest practice, as it allows you to identify obstacles and hazards that mirrors cannot show.

2. 2. What causes off-tracking in commercial vehicles?

   • A.Overloaded trailer weight exceeding vehicle design specifications
   • B.Excessive speed on curves and sharp turning maneuvers
   • C.Improper tire pressure and inadequate tire maintenance
   • D.Rear wheels following a shorter path than front wheels

   Answer: D. Off-tracking occurs because the rear wheels of a vehicle follow a shorter path than the front wheels when turning, requiring wider turns.

3. 3. When making a right turn with a tractor-trailer, how should you position your vehicle?

   • A.Keep the rear of the trailer close to the curb
   • B.Turn from the center lane for more room
   • C.Stay in the right lane throughout the turn
   • D.Swing wide to the left before turning

   Answer: A. Keeping the rear of the trailer close to the curb prevents other vehicles from getting trapped between your vehicle and the curb during the turn.

4. 4. What is the proper technique for straight line backing?

   • A.Use only the driver's side mirror for guidance
   • B.Back continuously without stopping to check surroundings
   • C.Back slowly and get out to check frequently
   • D.Rely on backup cameras exclusively for all visibility

   Answer: C. Straight line backing requires slow, controlled movement with frequent stops to get out and check your path and surroundings.

5. 5. When using a spotter while backing, what should you establish first?

   • A.A time limit for the backing operation
   • B.Hand signals for speed only
   • C.Clear communication signals beforehand
   • D.Which radio channel your dispatcher uses

   Answer: C. Before backing with a spotter, you must establish clear, agreed-upon hand signals and communication methods to ensure safe coordination.

6. 6. What is trailer swing in commercial vehicles?

   • A.Outward movement of trailer rear during turns
   • B.Side-to-side movement during braking and deceleration maneuvers
   • C.Forward momentum during acceleration and gear changes
   • D.Vertical bouncing over bumps and uneven road surfaces

   Answer: A. Trailer swing is the tendency of a trailer's rear to swing outward during turns, potentially striking objects or other vehicles.

7. 7. When performing an alley dock backing maneuver, what is most important?

   • A.Using only passenger side mirrors
   • B.Backing in a straight line initially
   • C.Completing the maneuver quickly
   • D.Making small steering corrections

   Answer: D. Small, gradual steering corrections allow for better control and prevent oversteering when performing precision backing maneuvers like alley docking.

8. 8. What should you do if you lose sight of your spotter while backing?

   • A.Continue backing slowly
   • B.Stop immediately and find the spotter
   • C.Use horn signals to locate them
   • D.Complete the backing maneuver alone

   Answer: B. If you lose sight of your spotter, you must stop immediately and reestablish visual contact before continuing any backing movement.

9. 9. When entering a roundabout with a commercial vehicle, what is the key consideration?

   • A.Use the inside lane for all exits
   • B.Account for off-tracking and trailer swing
   • C.Avoid yielding to traffic already in the roundabout
   • D.Maintain highway speed through the roundabout

   Answer: B. Commercial vehicles must account for off-tracking and trailer swing in roundabouts, often requiring use of multiple lanes to navigate safely.

10. 10. What is the most critical factor when parallel parking a commercial vehicle?

    • A.Parking as quickly as possible to clear traffic
    • B.Using only your mirrors for guidance
    • C.Starting from the far lane of traffic
    • D.Having adequate space length and width

    Answer: D. Ensuring adequate space is the most critical factor, as commercial vehicles require significantly more room than passenger vehicles for parallel parking.