Maryland General Knowledge CDL Prep Test (MD) 4

5 out of 5 (70 votes)
80% Passing score
20 Questions
4 Mistakes allowed
Embark on your path to mastering the CDL with our comprehensive fourth Maryland CDL practice test. Meticulously crafted by expert driving instructors, this test mirrors the real CDL permit test, ensuring you receive the most relevant and effective preparation. Each MVA question stems from the official CDL driver's manual, the cornerstone of CDL testing in Maryland. This alignment guarantees that our general knowledge practice test not only challenges but also educates you on the essentials. Our 20-question MVA practice test is a robust tool for assessing your readiness. Achieving a score of 16 or more correct answers signifies a strong grasp of the material, an essential step towards your success. The constant format of the Maryland CDL general knowledge practice test provides a reliable measure of your progress. Every attempt offers the same set of questions, enabling you to focus on areas needing improvement without the unpredictability of changing content. In today's fast-paced world, accessibility is key. Our CDL practice tests are designed for modern learners, available on various platforms including mobile, desktop, and mobile apps. This flexibility allows you to engage with the material whenever and wherever suits you best, making your preparation journey as convenient as it is effective. Our DMV practice tests are more than just a series of permit test questions; they are a culmination of decades of teaching experience. Our team of professionals has aided thousands in achieving their driving goals. This depth of experience is reflected in the quality and relevance of our questions, making our DMV practice tests a trusted tool in your learning arsenal. As you delve into this Maryland CDL practice test, remember it is a stepping stone towards your ultimate goal: obtaining a CDL in 2026. Each sample permit test question is an opportunity to deepen your understanding and edge closer to success. Let this test be your guide, illuminating the path towards achieving your driving aspirations!
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Sample Maryland CDL Test Questions - General Knowledge

Question 1

A STOP sign with an ALL WAY plaque means:

This sign tells the driver they are entering __________.
  1. A The intersection has no traffic controls
  2. B Only traffic on the side road must stop
  3. C A school zone begins at the intersection
  4. D Every approach to the intersection is controlled by a STOP sign

Correct answer: D – Every approach to the intersection is controlled by a STOP sign

At a Maryland intersection, an ALL WAY plaque identifies an all-way stop. A STOP sign is installed on every approach, and each approaching driver must make the stop required by the sign. The plaque does not eliminate the need to watch for vehicles, pedestrians, or other road users before proceeding.

Source: Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, 11th ed. — § 2B.04, “STOP Sign (R1-1) and ALL-WAY Plaque (R1-3P)”, Md. Code, Transp. § 21-403 — Stop Signs and Yield Signs

Question 2

What should you do before beginning a steep downgrade in a modern truck?

  1. A Wait until the truck gains speed before downshifting
  2. B Select a low gear first, recognizing that it may be lower than the climbing gear
  3. C Shift into neutral and depend on heavy brake pressure
  4. D Use the climbing gear in every truck without considering its design

Correct answer: B – Select a low gear first, recognizing that it may be lower than the climbing gear

Select the appropriate low gear before the truck starts down the grade. Attempting to downshift after speed builds may leave the transmission between gears and eliminate engine braking. Because modern trucks may climb efficiently in higher gears and have less drag downhill, the correct descending gear can be lower than the gear needed for the climb.

Source: Maryland Commercial Driver’s License Manual — § 2.16.2, “Select the Right Gear Before Starting Down the Grade”

Question 3

During a Maryland CDL pre-trip inspection, which wheel or rim condition may indicate loose wheel nuts?

  1. A Rust streaks around the wheel nuts
  2. B A rim that has been repaired by welding
  3. C One or more missing or broken studs
  4. D Bent or mismatched lock rings

Correct answer: A – Rust streaks around the wheel nuts

Rust around wheel nuts may indicate that the nuts are loose and need to be checked for tightness. Missing studs or lugs and bent, cracked, or mismatched lock rings are dangerous defects, not acceptable conditions. Wheels or rims repaired by welding are also considered unsafe. Wheel fasteners should be rechecked shortly after a tire change.

Source: Maryland Commercial Driver’s License Manual — § 2.1.3, “What Should You Look For?”

Question 4

Which statement is correct about using the trailer hand valve during normal driving?

  1. A It should not be used for normal braking
  2. B It reduces the chance of a trailer skid
  3. C It provides the best straight-line braking
  4. D It should be applied before the foot brake

Correct answer: A – It should not be used for normal braking

Use the trailer hand valve only to test the trailer brakes. Applying it while driving can lock or skid the trailer wheels and contribute to a jackknife. The foot brake applies the brakes throughout the combination vehicle, including the trailer, and creates much less danger of causing a trailer skid during normal braking.

Source: Maryland Commercial Driver’s License Manual — § 6.2.1, “Trailer Hand Valve”

Question 5

Which is the safest compliant way to handle a necessary phone call while operating a CMV?

  1. A Send a text only when traveling below 35 mph
  2. B Pull safely off the road and stop when possible; otherwise use only a compliant hands-free device
  3. C Hold the phone in your left hand to keep the right hand near the controls
  4. D Use a hand-held phone while temporarily stopped in traffic

Correct answer: B – Pull safely off the road and stop when possible; otherwise use only a compliant hands-free device

A CMV driver may not text or use a hand-held mobile telephone while driving, including while temporarily stopped by traffic. If a call is necessary, the manual recommends pulling safely off the road and stopping first. A permitted hands-free device must be within easy reach and operable without the driver pressing more than one button.

Source: Maryland Commercial Driver’s License Manual — § 2.9.4, “Cell/Mobile Phones”, 49 CFR § 392.80 — Prohibition Against Texting; 49 CFR § 392.82 — Using a Hand-Held Mobile Telephone

Question 6

Beginning a right turn by swinging left may cause a following driver to attempt to pass on your right. True or false?

  1. A True
  2. B False

Correct answer: A – True

A following motorist may interpret an initial swing to the left as a left turn and try to pass on the right. The commercial vehicle could then strike that vehicle while completing the right turn. Keep the rear of the commercial vehicle close to the curb and make any necessary wide movement as the turn is completed, not before it begins.

Source: Maryland Commercial Driver’s License Manual — § 2.7.6, “Space for Turns”

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