CDL Cargo Handling Practice Questions
Cargo Handling makes up 4 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 by the Tigertest team. Covers the CDL general knowledge exam. 80% to pass on the real test.
1. What is the minimum number of tiedowns for an 8-foot article of cargo weighing 5,000 pounds?
- A.One tiedown plus one for every additional 5,000 pounds
- B.Two tiedowns, based on its length and weight
- C.One tiedown, since it is under 10 feet long
- D.At least three tiedowns regardless of weight
Answer: B. Under 49 CFR 393.110, an article 5 to 10 feet long needs at least two tiedowns regardless of weight, and any article over 1,100 pounds needs two even if shorter. The tiedowns' combined working load limit must also be at least half the cargo weight, 2,500 pounds here.
2. How often must cargo securement be inspected during a trip?
- A.Only when stopping for fuel or mandatory rest breaks
- B.Only at the beginning of the trip and destination
- C.Every 100 miles or 2 hours of driving time
- D.Within the first 50 miles, then every 150 miles or 3 hours
Answer: D. Federal regulations require inspection within the first 50 miles, then every 150 miles or 3 hours of driving, whichever comes first.
3. What should you do if you discover loose cargo during your inspection?
- A.Stop immediately and re-secure the cargo before continuing
- B.Continue driving but reduce speed by 10 mph
- C.Note it in your logbook and fix it at the next scheduled stop
- D.Radio dispatch for instructions before taking action
Answer: A. Loose cargo is a serious safety hazard that must be addressed immediately. Federal law requires drivers to stop and re-secure cargo as soon as unsafe conditions are discovered.
4. Under the federal cargo securement rules (49 CFR 393.110), what is the minimum number of tiedowns for a 20-foot article of cargo?
- A.Four tiedowns for any load longer than 15 feet
- B.One tiedown for every 5 feet of the cargo's length
- C.One tiedown for every 10 feet plus one additional
- D.Five, one for every 4 feet of cargo length
Answer: C. Under 49 CFR 393.110, an article longer than 10 feet needs two tiedowns for the first 10 feet plus one for each additional 10 feet or part of it, so a 20-foot article needs 3. The CDL manual's simpler guide, one per 10 feet with a minimum of two, gives a lower number than the federal rule.
5. What is the federal maximum weight on a single axle on the Interstate Highway System?
- A.40,000 pounds on a single axle
- B.12,000 pounds on any single axle
- C.20,000 pounds on a single axle
- D.34,000 pounds on a single axle
Answer: C. Federal limits on the Interstate System are 20,000 pounds on a single axle, 34,000 pounds on a tandem axle and 80,000 pounds gross vehicle weight. Steer axle weight is also limited by tire and axle ratings and by state law.
6. What is the purpose of a header board?
- A.To protect the driver from cargo shifting forward
- B.To provide additional tiedown points for securing cargo
- C.To improve aerodynamics and fuel efficiency
- D.To separate different types of cargo shipments
Answer: A. A header board (headache rack) protects the driver by preventing cargo from shifting forward into the cab during sudden stops or collisions.
7. When should you use blocking and bracing for cargo?
- A.Only for hazardous materials shipments requiring special handling procedures
- B.When traveling over mountain passes or steep grades with elevation changes
- C.Only during winter weather conditions with ice and snow hazards
- D.When cargo cannot be securely tied down with tiedowns alone
Answer: D. Blocking and bracing should be used when tiedowns alone cannot adequately prevent cargo movement, especially for cargo that could roll or slide.
8. What factor most affects a vehicle's center of gravity?
- A.The type of suspension system used
- B.How the cargo is distributed and positioned
- C.The total gross weight of the loaded vehicle
- D.The number of axles on the trailer
Answer: B. The distribution and positioning of cargo has the greatest impact on center of gravity, affecting vehicle stability and handling characteristics.
9. What is the working load limit of a tiedown device?
- A.The weight at which the device will break under stress
- B.The maximum load the device can handle safely during normal use
- C.Half the breaking strength of the device under laboratory conditions
- D.The manufacturer's recommended replacement interval based on usage cycles and wear
Answer: B. The working load limit is the maximum load that should be applied to a tiedown device during normal use, ensuring safety margins are maintained.
10. Which type of cargo requires special blocking to prevent rolling?
- A.Palletized freight on a flatbed trailer
- B.Boxed cargo in a dry van trailer
- C.Refrigerated goods in a reefer unit
- D.Cylindrical objects like pipes or logs
Answer: D. Cylindrical objects like pipes, logs, or coils have a natural tendency to roll and require special blocking methods to prevent movement during transport.
Practice all 50 cargo handling questions, and the rest of the 600-question bank, in the free CDL training sets. Questions you miss come back until you have mastered them.
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