Knowledge Test Class B
This license is required for driving a single vehicle with a GVWR of more than 26,001 pounds, and a trailer not to exceed 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating, or a vehicle designed to transport 24 or more people (including the driver). To receive this license, applicants must pass a 50-question test. To pass, applicants must answer 40 questions correctly. Each question has three possible answer choices. Test questions come from the Kentucky 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 B CDL are: Hazardous materials, Tank, Passenger, HazMat and Tank, Air Brakes and School bus.
15. Watching the road ahead of you:
Always watch for hazards on the road ahead. Doing this will allow you time to react to hazards before meeting them.
16. When should mirrors be adjusted?
The adjustment of your mirrors should be checked prior to the start of all trips. Adjust your mirrors as needed.
17. Cargo with a high center of gravity:
Cargo with a high center of gravity makes a vehicle more likely to tip over than cargo with a low center of gravity. For this reason, it is important that the weight of cargo be distributed as low as possible.
18. When you must travel down a hill, when should you switch into a lower gear?
You should always slow down and shift into a lower gear before starting down a hill. If you do not begin to drive down a hill at a low enough speed, you risk overusing your brakes, causing them to overheat and fade.
19. During the vehicle inspection test, you must be able to adequately check all of the following, except:
During the pre-trip vehicle inspection test, you will be asked to check the power steering, water pump, alternator, and air compressor belts, if the vehicle is equipped.
20. In a leaf spring:
When inspecting your vehicle's suspension, verify that leaf springs do not have missing or broken leaves. If at least one-fourth of the leaves in a leaf spring are missing, the vehicle will be put out-of-service until the defect is fixed.
21. When parked on a flat surface, you should:
When parking on a level surface, you should use wheel chocks. If the vehicle is not equipped with spring brakes, this is essential to prevent the trailer from moving.
Frequently Asked Questions
To obtain a Class B CDL in Kentucky, you must:
1. Be at least 18 years old (21 years old if you plan to operate across state lines or transport hazardous materials).
2. Hold a valid Kentucky driver's license.
3. Pass a vision test.
4. Obtain a medical certificate from a certified medical examiner.
5. Pass the written knowledge test for a Class B CDL.
6. Obtain a learner's permit and practice driving with someone who holds a valid Class B CDL.
7. Pass the skills test (pre-trip inspection, basic vehicle control, and road test) in the class of vehicle you plan to drive.
It is important to note that additional endorsements may be required for certain types of vehicles or cargo, such as passenger transport or hazardous materials.
Some examples of vehicles you can operate with a Class B CDL include:
- Straight trucks such as delivery trucks, dump trucks, and beverage trucks
- Large buses such as school buses and city transit buses
- Tractor-trailers or "semi-trucks" where the trailer weighs less than 10,000 pounds
- Box trucks with attached trailers
It is important to note that if you plan to operate vehicles that transport hazardous materials or passengers, you may need additional endorsements on your CDL. Additionally, certain types of vehicles may require specialized training or certifications beyond the standard Class B CDL requirements.
1. Be at least 18 years old. (However, you must be 21 years old if you plan to operate across state lines or transport hazardous materials.)
2. Have a valid Kentucky driver's license.
3. Pass a vision test.
4. Obtain a medical certificate from a certified medical examiner indicating that you are physically fit to operate a commercial motor vehicle.
5. Pass the written knowledge test for a Class B CDL.
6. Obtain a learner's permit and practice driving with someone who holds a valid Class B CDL.
7. Pass the skills test, which includes three parts: pre-trip inspection, basic vehicle control, and road test.
It's important to note that additional endorsements may be required for certain types of vehicles or cargo, such as passenger transport or hazardous materials. Also, if you have any prior driving violations or criminal convictions, they may impact your ability to obtain a CDL license.
If you plan to operate a commercial motor vehicle across state lines or transport hazardous materials, you must be at least 21 years old to obtain a Class B CDL license in Kentucky.
It's important to note that some employers may have their own age requirements that exceed the state's minimum age requirement.
1. Passenger (P) endorsement: required if you plan to transport 16 or more passengers (including the driver) in a commercial vehicle.
2. School Bus (S) endorsement: required if you plan to operate a school bus.
3. Tanker (N) endorsement: required if you plan to transport liquids or gases in bulk containers with a capacity of 1,000 gallons or more.
4. Hazardous Materials (H) endorsement: required if you plan to transport hazardous materials as defined by federal law.
To obtain an endorsement, you will need to pass an additional written test on that specific topic. You may also need to complete additional training and provide additional documentation, such as proof of specialized experience or certification.
1. Pre-trip Inspection: You will be required to conduct a thorough inspection of your vehicle to ensure that it is safe to operate. You will need to identify and explain the parts of the vehicle you are inspecting, and identify any defects or safety hazards.
2. Basic Vehicle Control: You will be required to demonstrate your ability to control the vehicle in a variety of maneuvers, including straight line backing, offset backing, and parallel parking.
3. On-road Test: You will be required to demonstrate your ability to safely operate the vehicle in real-world situations on public roads. The test will evaluate your ability to obey traffic laws, communicate effectively with other drivers, and make safe driving decisions.
During the test, you will be evaluated on your ability to operate the vehicle safely and effectively, as well as your knowledge of the rules of the road and safe driving practices. It's important to practice and prepare for the skills test by studying the Kentucky CDL manual, obtaining proper training, and practicing with a qualified instructor or mentor.
1. Vehicle weight: Drivers with a Class B CDL are restricted from operating vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of more than 26,000 pounds.
2. Number of passengers: Drivers with a Class B CDL are restricted from transporting more than 16 passengers (including the driver) in a commercial vehicle.
3. Type of cargo: Depending on the type of cargo you plan to transport, you may need additional endorsements or certifications to comply with state and federal regulations.
4. Air brakes: If you do not pass the air brakes knowledge test or do not take the skills test in a vehicle equipped with air brakes, you will be restricted from operating vehicles equipped with air brakes.
5. Time of day: If you obtain your Class B CDL at age 18, you will be restricted from driving between the hours of midnight and 4:00 am for the first six months of your license.
It's important to understand and comply with all restrictions and limitations associated with your Class B CDL license to avoid penalties or fines and maintain your driving privileges.
However, if you have difficulty reading or understanding English, you may be able to use an interpreter during the written exam. The interpreter must be fluent in both English and your preferred language and must not have a personal interest in the outcome of the exam. You will be responsible for providing your own interpreter, and you may need to make arrangements with the Kentucky State Police in advance.
It's important to note that even if you use an interpreter during the written exam, you will still need to demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively in English during the skills test and on-road test.
To request accommodations, you will need to complete the Request for Accommodations form and submit it along with appropriate documentation of your disability. The documentation should include a diagnosis of your disability from a qualified professional and a description of how the disability affects your ability to take the test.
The Kentucky State Police will review your request and determine if they can provide reasonable accommodations that do not fundamentally alter the nature of the test or give you an unfair advantage. Some examples of accommodations that may be provided include extended testing time, a separate testing room, or assistive technology.
It's important to note that requests for accommodations should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time for review and implementation.
If you fail the test, you will be given a score report that shows which areas you need to study before retaking the test. It's important to review these areas carefully and take any necessary steps to improve your knowledge before retaking the test.
You may retake the test as many times as necessary to pass, but keep in mind that each attempt may require an additional fee. In addition, if you fail the test three times, you will be required to wait at least 30 days before taking it again.
It's important to prepare thoroughly before taking the Class B CDL written test to maximize your chances of passing on the first attempt. Consider using study materials such as the Kentucky Commercial Driver License Manual and taking practice tests to familiarize yourself with the format and content of the exam.