Combination
All applicants who are applying for a Class A CDL should be prepared to take the Combination test. This test covers information found in Section 6 of the Commercial Driver License Manual. Section 6 provides the information needed to safely operate tractor-trailers, doubles, triples, and straight trucks with trailers. The test is made up of 20 multiple-choice questions, and applicants will need to correctly answer a minimum of 16 questions to pass. The Combination test is not a replacement for the Double/Triple endorsement test.
Number of Question
Passing Score
1. Large combination vehicles take the longest amount of time to stop:
Explanation
Large combination vehicles take longer to stop when they are empty than when they are loaded. The decreased weight causes a vehicle's wheels to have decreased traction on the surface of the road.
2. If you are operating a vehicle built before 1998 and are unsure if the trailer has an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), you can:
Explanation
If you are operating a vehicle built before 1998 and are unsure if the trailer has an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), you can check under the trailer for wheel speed sensors coming from the back of the brakes.
3. Look for matching colors when coupling glad hands. Service lines are often:
Explanation
When coupling glad hands, make sure to couple together matching glad hands. To help drivers avoid mistakes, color coding is sometimes used. Service lines are often coded with the color blue and emergency lines are often coded with the color red.
4. To help prevent rollovers, you should:
Explanation
To lower the risk of a rollover, load your cargo as closely to the ground as possible. To further reduce this risk, take curves and corners slowly.
5. After coupling, there should be ____ between the upper and lower fifth wheel.
Explanation
Before a trip, be sure to inspect all couplings. There should be no space between the upper and lower fifth wheel.
6. If unsure if a trailer is equipped with ABS, you can:
Explanation
Trailers and converter dollies built on or after March 1, 1998 are required to have Anti-Lock Braking Systems (ABS). This will be indicated by the presence of a yellow malfunction lamp. You can determine if older trailers have ABS by checking under the trailers for ECU and wheel speed sensor wires coming from the back of the brakes.
7. After connecting the air lines to the trailer while coupling, you should:
Explanation
