Washington dc cdl manual

Now, though, things are different. You have a job to think about, so you want to make sure that you pass when you sit for a exam. The test questions are based on the information inside of this handbook. You might think about what you want to do later in the evening or a funny movie you watched the evening before. That is perfectly normal. Take out a pencil and paper and take notes as you go through the manual.

That is the best way to remember everything that you read. Then, you can go back through the notes later when you need to study for your DC test. You can find out if you need to put some extra time into studying for your exam. You might need to spend a few more minutes on a certain topic before you drive to the DMV to take your test.

Quizzes can only assess your ability to answer specific DMV test questions; they cannot provide you with sufficiently detailed information on all the topics you need to learn for your DC DMV test. Also known as the DC DMV knowledge test manual, this study guide represents the most reliable source of information for students wishing to take the CDL general knowledge permit test and gain their learners permit.

It has been written and published by the Department of Motor Vehicles to act as the official study companion for every DMV written test for DC associated with commercial driving.

Keywords: -. Creation Date: -. Modification Date: -. Creator: -. PDF Producer: -. PDF Version: -. Page Count: -. Page Size: -. Fast Web View: -. Preparing document for printing…. Lights and reflectors. Brake and electrical connections to trailer.

Trailer coupling devices. Cargo securement devices. After-trip Inspection and Report. You should do an after-trip inspection at the end of the trip, day, or tour of duty on each vehicle you operated. It may include filling out a vehicle condition report listing any problems you find. The inspection report helps a motor carrier know when the vehicle needs repairs. Bad wear. No fabric should show through the tread or sidewall.

Cuts or other damage. Tread separation. Dual tires that come in contact with each other or parts of the vehicle. Mismatched sizes. Radial and bias-ply tires used together. Cut or cracked valve stems. Regrooved, recapped, or retreaded tires on the front wheels of a bus. These are prohibited. Wheel and Rim Problems Damaged rims. Rust around wheel nuts may mean the nuts are loose--check tightness.

After a tire has been changed, stop a short while later and re-check tightness of nuts. Missing clamps, spacers, studs, or lugs means danger. Mismatched, bent, or cracked lock rings are dangerous. Wheels or rims that have had welding repairs are not safe. Bad Brake Drums or Shoes Cracked drums. Shoes or pads with oil, grease, or brake fluid on them. Shoes worn dangerously thin, missing, or broken.

Steering System Defects Missing nuts, bolts, cotter keys, or other parts. Bent, loose, or broken parts, such as steering column, steering gear box, or tie rods. If power steering equipped, check hoses, pumps, and fluid level; check for leaks. Steering wheel play of more than 10 degrees approximately 2 inches movement at the rim of a inch steering wheel can make it hard to steer. Figure 2.

Suspension System Defects. The suspension system holds up the vehicle and its load. It keeps the axles in place. Therefore, broken suspension parts can be extremely dangerous. Look for: Spring hangers that allow movement of axle from proper position. See Figure 2. Cracked or broken spring hangers. Missing or broken leaves in any leaf spring. If one- fourth or more are missing, it will put the vehicle "out of service", but any defect could be dangerous.

Broken leaves in a multi-leaf spring or leaves that have shifted so they might hit a tire or other part. Leaking shock absorbers. Torque rod or arm, u-bolts, spring hangers, or other axle positioning parts that are cracked, damaged, or missing. Any loose, cracked, broken, or missing frame members. A broken exhaust system can let poison fumes into the cab or sleeper berth.

Look for: Loose, broken, or missing exhaust pipes, mufflers, tailpipes, or vertical stacks. Loose, broken, or missing mounting brackets, clamps, bolts, or nuts. Exhaust system parts rubbing against fuel system parts, tires, or other moving parts of vehicle. Exhaust system parts that are leaking.

Emergency Equipment. Vehicles must be equipped with emergency equipment. Look for: Fire extinguisher s. Spare electrical fuses unless equipped with circuit breakers. Warning devices for parked vehicles for example, three reflective warning triangles. Cargo Trucks. You must make sure the truck is not overloaded and the cargo is balanced and secured before each trip.

If the cargo contains hazardous materials, you must inspect for proper papers and placarding. The following seven-step inspection method should be useful. You should do a pre-trip inspection the same way each time so you will learn all the steps and be less likely to forget something.

Approaching the Vehicle. Notice general condition. Look for damage or vehicle leaning to one side. Look under the vehicle for fresh oil, coolant, grease, or fuel leaks. Check the area around the vehicle for hazards to vehicle movement people, other vehicles, objects, low- hanging wires, limbs, etc.

Drivers may have to make a vehicle inspection report in writing each day. The motor carrier must repair any items in the report that affect safety and certify on the report that repairs were made or were unnecessary. You must sign the report only if defects were noted and certified to be repaired or not needed to be repaired. You may have to raise the hood, tilt the cab secure loose things so they don't fall and break something , or open the engine compartment door.

Check the following: Engine oil level. Coolant level in radiator; condition of hoses. Power steering fluid level; hose condition if so equipped. Windshield washer fluid level. Battery fluid level, connections, and tie downs battery may be located elsewhere. Automatic transmission fluid level may require engine to be running.

Check belts for tightness and excessive wear alternator, water pump, air compressor --learn how much "give" the belts should have when adjusted right, and check each one. Leaks in the engine compartment fuel, coolant, oil, power steering fluid, hydraulic fluid, battery fluid.

Cracked, worn electrical wiring insulation. Lower and secure hood, cab, or engine compartment door. Put gearshift in neutral or "park" if automatic. Start engine; listen for unusual noises. Light on dash should come on and then turn off.

If it stays on the ABS is not working properly. For trailers only, if the yellow light on the left rear of the trailer stays on, the ABS is not working properly. Look at the Gauges Oil pressure. Should come up to normal within seconds after engine is started.

Pressure should build from 50 to 90 psi within 3 minutes. Build air pressure to governor cut-out usually around — psi. Know your vehicles requirements. Should be in normal range s.

Coolant temperature. Should begin gradual rise to normal operating range. Engine oil temperature. Warning lights and buzzers. Oil, coolant, charging circuit warning, and antilock brake system lights should go out right away.

Check Condition of Controls. Check all of the following for looseness, sticking, damage, or improper setting: Steering wheel. Accelerator "gas pedal". Brake controls. Foot brake. Trailer brake if vehicle has one. Parking brake. Retarder controls if vehicle has them. Transmission controls. Interaxle differential lock if vehicle has one. Horn s. Dimmer switch.

Turn signal. Four-way flashers. Parking, clearance, identification, marker switch es. Inspect mirrors and windshield for cracks, dirt, illegal stickers, or other obstructions to seeing clearly. Clean and adjust as necessary. Check Emergency Equipment Check for safety equipment: Spare electrical fuses unless vehicle has circuit breakers. Three red reflective triangles.

Properly charged and rated fire extinguisher. Check for optional items such as: Chains where winter conditions require. Tire changing equipment. Check Safety Belt. Check that the safety belt is securely mounted, adjusts, latches properly and is not ripped or frayed. List of emergency phone numbers. Accident reporting kit packet. Step 4: Turn Off Engine and Check Lights Make sure the parking brake is set, turn off the engine, and take the key with you.

Turn on headlights low beams and four-way emergency flashers, and get out of the vehicle. Step 5: Do Walkaround Inspection Go to front of vehicle and check that low beams are on and both of the four-way flashers are working.

Push dimmer switch and check that high beams work. Turn off headlights and four-way emergency flashers. Turn on parking, clearance, side-marker, and identification lights.

Turn on right turn signal, and start walk-around inspection. General Walkaround and inspect. Clean all lights, reflectors, and glass as you go along.

Left Front Side Driver's door glass should be clean. Door latches or locks should work properly. Left front wheel.

Condition of wheel and rim--missing, bent, broken studs, clamps, lugs, or any signs of misalignment. Condition of tires--properly inflated, valve stem and cap OK, no serious cuts, bulges, or tread wear. Use wrench to test rust-streaked lug nuts, indicating looseness. Hub oil level OK, no leaks. Left front suspension. Condition of spring, spring hangers, shackles, u-bolts. Shock absorber condition. Left front brake. Condition of brake drum or disc. Condition of hoses.

Condition of steering system. No loose, worn, bent, damaged or missing parts. Must grab steering mechanism to test for looseness. Condition of windshield. Check for damage and clean if dirty. Check windshield wiper arms for proper spring tension. Check wiper blades for damage, "stiff" rubber, and securement. Parking, clearance, and identification lights clean, operating, and proper color amber at front. Reflectors clean and proper color amber at front.

Right front turn signal light clean, operating, and proper color amber or white on signals facing forward. Right Side Right front: check all items as done on left front. Primary and secondary safety cab locks engaged if cab-over-engine design.

Right fuel tank s. Securely mounted, not damaged, or leaking. Fuel crossover line secure. Tank s contain enough fuel. Cap s on and secure. Condition of visible parts. Rear of engine--not leaking. Transmission--not leaking.

Exhaust system--secure, not leaking, not touching wires, fuel, or air lines. Frame and cross members--no bends or cracks. Air lines and electrical wiring--secured against snagging, rubbing, wearing. Spare tire carrier or rack not damaged if so equipped. Spare tire and wheel adequate proper size, properly inflated. Cargo securement trucks. Cargo properly blocked, braced, tied, chained, etc.

Header board adequate, secure if required. Side boards, stakes strong enough, free of damage, properly set in place if so equipped. Canvas or tarp if required properly secured to prevent tearing, billowing, or blocking of mirrors. If oversize, all required signs flags, lamps, and reflectors safely and properly mounted and all required permits in driver's possession.

Right Rear Condition of wheels and rims--no missing, bent, or broken spacers, studs, clamps, or lugs. Condition of tires--properly inflated, valve stems and caps OK, no serious cuts, bulges, tread wear, tires not rubbing each other, and nothing stuck between them. Tires same type, e. Tires evenly matched same sizes.

Condition of spring s , spring hangers, shackles, and u-bolts. Axle secure. Powered axle s not leaking lube gear oil. Condition of torque rod arms, bushings. Condition of shock absorber s. If retractable axle equipped, check condition of lift mechanism. If air powered, check for leaks.

Condition of air ride components. Brake adjustment. Condition of brake drum s or discs. Condition of hoses--look for any wear due to rubbing. Side-marker lights clean, operating, and proper color red at rear, others amber. Side-marker reflectors clean and proper color red at rear, others amber. Rear clearance and identification lights clean, operating, and proper color red at rear.

Reflectors clean and proper color red at rear. Taillights clean, operating, and proper color red at rear. Right rear turn signal operating, and proper color red, yellow, or amber at rear. License plate s present, clean, and secured. Splash guards present, not damaged, properly fastened, not dragging on ground, or rubbing tires. Cargo secure trucks. Tailboards up and properly secured. End gates free of damage, properly secured in stake sockets. Canvas or tarp if required properly secured to prevent tearing, billowing, or blocking of either the rearview mirrors or rear lights.

Left Side Check all items as done on right side, plus: Battery ies if not mounted in engine compartment. Battery box es securely mounted to vehicle. Box has secure cover. Battery ies secured against movement. Battery ies not broken or leaking.

Fluid in battery ies at proper level except maintenance-free type. Cell caps present and securely tightened except maintenance-free type. Vents in cell caps free of foreign material except maintenance-free type.

Turn on stop lights apply trailer hand brake or have a helper put on the brake pedal. Turn on left turn signal lights. Get Out and Check Lights Left front turn signal light clean, operating and proper color amber or white on signals facing the front.

Left rear turn signal light and both stop lights clean, operating, and proper color red, yellow, or amber. Get In Vehicle Turn off lights not needed for driving. Check for all required papers, trip manifests, permits, etc.

Secure all loose articles in cab they might interfere with operation of the controls or hit you in a crash. Start the engine. If the vehicle has hydraulic brakes, pump the brake pedal three times. Then apply firm pressure to the pedal and hold for five seconds.

The pedal should not move. If it does, there may be a leak or other problem. Get it fixed before driving. If the vehicle has air brakes, do the checks described in Sections 5 and 6 of this manual. Release trailer parking brake if applicable. Place vehicle into a low gear. Gently pull forward against parking brake to make sure the parking brake holds. Repeat the same steps for the trailer with trailer parking brake set and power unit parking brakes released if applicable.

If it doesn't hold vehicle, it is faulty; get it fixed. Push brake pedal firmly "Pulling" to one side or the other can mean brake trouble. Any unusual brake pedal "feel" or delayed stopping action can mean trouble. If you find anything unsafe during the pre-trip inspection, get it fixed. Federal and state laws forbid operating an unsafe vehicle.

Air pressure gauge if you have air brakes. Temperature gauges. Pressure gauges. Cargo, cargo covers. If you see, hear, smell, or feel anything that might mean trouble, check it out. Safety Inspection. Drivers of trucks and truck tractors when transporting cargo must inspect the securement of the cargo within the first 50 miles of a trip and every miles or every three hours whichever comes first after. Report anything affecting safety or possibly leading to mechanical breakdown.

Subsection 2. Keep a copy of your report in the vehicle for one day. That way, the next driver can learn about any problems you have found. What is the most important reason for doing a vehicle inspection? What things should you check during a trip? Name some key steering system parts. Name some suspension system defects. What three kinds of emergency equipment must you have? What is the minimum tread depth for front tires? For other tires?