Arkansas CDL Air Brakes Practice Test (AR) 2

4.9 out of 5 (52 votes)
80% Passing score
20 Questions
4 Mistakes allowed
Preparing for your commercial driver's license in Arkansas involves more than just hitting the books. Our Arkansas CDL air brakes practice test is tailored to help you ace the air brakes section of the CDL test. With 20 multiple-choice questions, this Arkansas DMV practice test covers critical areas such as air brake components, operation, safety inspections, and stopping distance calculations. You'll also learn about dual air brake systems, essential for ensuring safety on Arkansas roads, especially in the varied terrain of the Ozarks or during the heavy rainfall in the Delta. To successfully pass this CDL air brake test, you need to answer at least 16 questions correctly. This Arkansas CDL air brake practice test mimics the real permit test closely, both in format and content, helping you get accustomed to the types of questions you will face on the actual test day. It's a comprehensive way to make sure you've covered all necessary topics in one session. In Arkansas, where driving conditions can vary greatly from the busy interstates near Little Rock to the scenic byways through the Ouachita Mountains, having a thorough understanding of your vehicle's air brake system is crucial. The Arkansas DMV air brake test not only prepares you for the CDL test but also equips you with knowledge that enhances your safety and that of others on the road. To maximize your preparation, supplement the Arkansas CDL air brake practice test with additional study materials. Utilize the Arkansas driver's handbook, take a state-certified driver's education course, and use flashcards and road sign charts to ensure you target all areas of the CDL permit test. Unlike unreliable cheat sheets, our Arkansas DMV practice test is a proven and lawful tool to help you succeed.
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Sample Arkansas Air Brakes Test Questions

Question 1

A vehicle has manually operated air-tank drains. When must the driver drain the tanks?

  1. A At the end of each day of driving
  2. B After every four hours of operation
  3. C Once each week
  4. D Every two weeks

Correct answer: A – At the end of each day of driving

Compressed air normally contains moisture and compressor oil, which collect in the storage tanks. With manually operated drain valves, each tank must be drained completely at the end of each day of driving. The Arkansas CDL manual warns that accumulated water can freeze in cold weather and cause brake failure.

Source: Arkansas Commercial Driver’s License Manual — § 5.1.4, “Air Tank Drains”

Question 2

Which driving practice can cause the brakes to overheat and fade?

  1. A Operating in heavy rain
  2. B Overusing the service brakes instead of using available engine braking
  3. C Reducing speed in dense traffic
  4. D Checking the parking brakes before a trip

Correct answer: B – Overusing the service brakes instead of using available engine braking

Service braking creates heat. Repeated or excessive service-brake use, especially without using the engine’s braking effect on a downgrade, can overheat the linings and drums and reduce braking friction. Continued overheating may increase brake fade until the vehicle cannot be slowed or stopped.

Source: Arkansas Commercial Driver’s License Manual — § 5.4.5, “Brake Fading or Failure”

Question 3

Which foundation-brake design is most common on heavy commercial vehicles?

  1. A S-cam drum brake
  2. B Wedge drum brake
  3. C Air-operated disc brake
  4. D Hydraulic band brake

Correct answer: A – S-cam drum brake

Foundation brakes are installed at the wheels. The S-cam drum brake is the most common design on heavy commercial vehicles, while wedge and air-operated disc brakes are less common. In an S-cam brake, the rotating cam forces the brake shoes against the inside of the drum.

Source: Arkansas Commercial Driver’s License Manual — § 5.1.8, “Foundation Brakes”

Question 4

Which procedure checks whether the spring brakes apply automatically as air pressure falls?

  1. A Secure the vehicle, release the parking brakes, and repeatedly apply and release the foot brake with the engine off
  2. B Apply the parking brakes and hold the foot brake while the engine builds pressure
  3. C Drive at 20 mph and make a hard service-brake application
  4. D Repeatedly cycle the parking-brake control at normal air pressure

Correct answer: A – Secure the vehicle, release the parking brakes, and repeatedly apply and release the foot brake with the engine off

The Arkansas inspection procedure begins with a charged system and secured wheels. With the engine off, electrical power on, and parking brakes released, repeatedly apply and release the foot brake to lower tank pressure. Continue until the parking or emergency brake valve closes or pops out at the manufacturer’s specification, normally within 20–45 psi.

Source: Arkansas Commercial Driver’s License Manual Supplement for Modernized Version — § 11M.1.2, “Air Brake or Hydraulic Brake Check (Based on Type of Brake System)”

Question 5

At 55 mph on dry pavement, an air-brake vehicle’s total stopping distance under good conditions is only about 100 feet.

  1. A True
  2. B False

Correct answer: B – False

Air brakes add a delay between pressing the pedal and the brakes taking effect. At 55 mph on dry pavement, brake lag alone adds approximately 32 feet. For an average driver under good traction and brake conditions, the manual gives a total stopping distance of more than 450 feet—not approximately 100 feet.

Source: Arkansas Commercial Driver’s License Manual — § 5.4.4, “Stopping Distance”

Question 6

During an applied air-leakage test on a single vehicle, what is the maximum acceptable pressure loss?

  1. A 3 psi in one minute
  2. B 2 psi in 45 seconds
  3. C 1 psi in one minute
  4. D 1 psi in 30 seconds

Correct answer: A – 3 psi in one minute

Arkansas’s modernized inspection procedure requires the engine to be off, the parking brake released, and the foot brake fully applied. After the gauge stabilizes, a single vehicle must not lose more than 3 psi during a one-minute test. The corresponding limit for a combination vehicle is 4 psi in one minute.

Source: Arkansas Commercial Driver’s License Manual Supplement for Modernized Version — § 11M.1.2, “Air Brake or Hydraulic Brake Check (Based on Type of Brake System)”

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