During a parked inspection, you find that the sidewalls of a truck's dual tires are rubbing each other. Which conclusion is safest?
Correct answer: The contact is a tire defect that needs correction before the trip
Dual tires should not rub each other or vehicle parts. Treat the contact as a defect; visible tread and apparently normal handling do not make it safe.
Source: Georgia DDS Commercial Driver's Study Guide, 2023–2024 cover, current linked PDF modified June 16, 2025; Section 2 Driving Safety, printed/physical 17; 2.1.3 What to Look For — Tire Problems; also p20 Right Rear. ↗
Fresh rust streaks extend from several wheel nuts after a wheel was serviced. What should you arrange before taking the truck out?
Correct answer: A check of wheel-nut tightness using the proper vehicle procedure
Rust around wheel nuts can indicate looseness. The fastening needs to be checked; the fact that the nuts are present is not enough. Use the proper procedure rather than guessing a tightening force.
Source: Georgia DDS Commercial Driver's Study Guide, 2023–2024 cover, current linked PDF modified June 16, 2025; Section 2 Driving Safety, printed/physical 17; 2.1.3 Wheel and Rim Problems, continuing p18; p19 Left Front Side. ↗
A leaf in a truck's multi-leaf spring has shifted sideways and could touch a tire. The truck still sits level. How should you treat this finding?
Correct answer: As a dangerous suspension defect even though the truck is level
A shifted spring leaf that could strike a tire or another part is a listed suspension defect. A level-looking vehicle does not establish that the suspension is safe.
Source: Georgia DDS Commercial Driver's Study Guide, 2023–2024 cover, current linked PDF modified June 16, 2025; Section 2 Driving Safety, printed/physical 18; 2.1.3 Suspension System Defects; Figures 2.2–2.3. ↗
An inspection finds oil on a brake's friction lining, although the lining is not worn thin. Which response is appropriate?
Correct answer: Have the contamination and its cause corrected before operation
Oil, grease or brake fluid on brake shoes or pads is a defect. Sufficient lining thickness does not cancel contamination, and driving to burn it away is not a safe repair.
Source: Georgia DDS Commercial Driver's Study Guide, 2023–2024 cover, current linked PDF modified June 16, 2025; Section 2 Driving Safety, printed/physical 18; 2.1.3 Bad Brake Drums or Shoes. ↗
Why is a leaking exhaust connection near the cab more than a noise problem?
Correct answer: It may let poisonous exhaust gases enter the cab or sleeper
A damaged or leaking exhaust system can let poisonous fumes into occupied areas. Treat the leak as a safety problem; opening a window is not a substitute for correcting it.
Source: Georgia DDS Commercial Driver's Study Guide, 2023–2024 cover, current linked PDF modified June 16, 2025; Section 2 Driving Safety, printed/physical 18; 2.1.3 Exhaust System Defects; also p32 2.13.1 Exhaust System Defects. ↗
Your pre-trip check was satisfactory, but a new unusual vibration and smell develop while driving. What is the best response?
Correct answer: Find a safe place to stop and investigate the signs of trouble
Inspection continues during a trip. Unusual sights, sounds, smells or feel can warn of a developing problem even when there is no dashboard warning.
Source: Georgia DDS Commercial Driver's Study Guide, 2023–2024 cover, current linked PDF modified June 16, 2025; Section 2 Driving Safety, printed/physical 21; 2.1.6 Inspection During a Trip — Check Vehicle Operation Regularly. ↗
In a mirror you see the cargo tarp ballooning and intermittently blocking your rearward view. What should you do?
Correct answer: Stop in a safe place and have the cover secured properly
Mirrors can reveal a loose or ballooning tarp. A cargo cover must be secured so it does not billow or obstruct mirrors; changing mirror use does not fix the cover.
Source: Georgia DDS Commercial Driver's Study Guide, 2023–2024 cover, current linked PDF modified June 16, 2025; Section 2 Driving Safety, printed/physical 23; 2.4.2 Seeing to the Sides and Rear — Check Your Vehicle; also p20 Cargo securement. ↗
Before departure, you notice a heavy drink container and tools loose near the driver's footwell. What is the main reason to stow them securely?
Correct answer: They can interfere with the controls or strike someone in a crash
Loose cab items can reach the controls and can become injury hazards in a crash. Secure them before moving, even if you are the only occupant.
Source: Georgia DDS Commercial Driver's Study Guide, 2023–2024 cover, current linked PDF modified June 16, 2025; Section 2 Driving Safety, printed/physical 20; 2.1.5 Step 6 — Get In Vehicle, secure loose articles. ↗
Inside a long construction zone, your truck's speed gradually rises while your attention is on lane shifts. What habit helps prevent this?
Correct answer: Check the speedometer and keep adjusting speed to the work-zone conditions
In a long work zone, speed can creep up unnoticed. Monitor the speedometer as well as the road, and keep speed appropriate to posted restrictions, surfaces, weather and nearby workers.
Source: Georgia DDS Commercial Driver's Study Guide, 2023–2024 cover, current linked PDF modified June 16, 2025; Section 2 Driving Safety, printed/physical 26; 2.6.7 Roadway Work Zones. ↗
Before entering traffic, a low-speed service-brake check makes the truck pull sharply to one side on a level, straight surface. What should you conclude?
Correct answer: The vehicle may have brake trouble that needs correction before the trip
Pulling to one side, an unusual pedal feel or delayed stopping can signal brake trouble. Investigate and correct an unsafe condition before driving; compensating with the steering wheel is not a repair.
Source: Georgia DDS Commercial Driver's Study Guide, 2023–2024 cover, current linked PDF modified June 16, 2025; Section 2 Driving Safety, printed/physical 20; 2.1.5 Step 7 — Test Service Brake Stopping Action; p21 unsafe-defect conclusion. ↗
A driver repeatedly jerks a truck forward when starting with a trailer attached. Why should the driver use smoother acceleration?
Correct answer: Rough acceleration can damage the vehicle or trailer coupling
Build speed smoothly and gradually. Rough starts can cause mechanical damage, and when towing they can also damage the coupling. Secured cargo does not remove those risks.
Source: Georgia DDS Commercial Driver's Study Guide, 2023–2024 cover, current linked PDF modified June 16, 2025; Section 2 Driving Safety, printed/physical 21; 2.2.1 Accelerating. ↗
At a delivery yard, two suitable legal parking spaces are available. One lets your truck pull forward when leaving; the other will require backing into a busy aisle. Which is the safer plan?
Correct answer: Choose the space that permits a forward departure
Avoid unnecessary backing. When possible, park so you can pull forward on departure; mirrors do not let you see everything behind a large vehicle.
Source: Georgia DDS Commercial Driver's Study Guide, 2023–2024 cover, current linked PDF modified June 16, 2025; Section 2 Driving Safety, printed/physical 21; 2.2.4 Backing Safely — opening paragraph. ↗
You are assigned a manual-transmission truck with a different engine from the one you usually drive. How should you establish its proper shift points?
Correct answer: Learn this vehicle's operating range and gear speeds from its instructions
Learn the operating rpm range and road speeds appropriate to each gear for the vehicle you will drive. Engines and shift strategies differ; familiar numbers from another truck are not a universal rule.
Source: Georgia DDS Commercial Driver's Study Guide, 2023–2024 cover, current linked PDF modified June 16, 2025; Section 2 Driving Safety, printed/physical 22; 2.3.1 Manual Transmissions — Knowing When to Shift Up. ↗
Before a long, steep descent in a loaded truck, which plan best preserves speed control?
Correct answer: Select a suitable low gear and safe speed before starting down
Choose the safe speed and suitable low gear before the descent, considering the truck, load, grade and conditions. Waiting until speed builds can leave you unable to obtain the needed gear and engine braking.
Source: Georgia DDS Commercial Driver's Study Guide, 2023–2024 cover, current linked PDF modified June 16, 2025; Section 2 Driving Safety, printed/physical 34; 2.16.1 Select a Safe Speed; 2.16.2 Select the Right Gear Before Starting Down the Grade. ↗
Your truck has a driver-controlled retarder that slows the drive wheels. The road ahead is icy. What should you do with the retarder?
Correct answer: Turn it off to avoid adding a drive-wheel skid risk
The DDS guide cautions that a retarder can make drive wheels skid when traction is poor. Turn it off for icy conditions and use speed and control inputs appropriate to the road.
Source: Georgia DDS Commercial Driver's Study Guide, 2023–2024 cover, current linked PDF modified June 16, 2025; Section 2 Driving Safety, printed/physical 22; 2.3.4 Retarders — Caution; also p32 2.13.2 Adjust Turning and Braking to Conditions. ↗
A car looks small and far away in your truck's convex spot mirror. What must you remember before judging clearance?
Correct answer: The mirror can make the car seem farther away than it really is
Convex mirrors show a wider area but make objects look smaller and farther away. Allow for that distortion instead of treating the apparent gap as an accurate distance measurement.
Source: Georgia DDS Commercial Driver's Study Guide, 2023–2024 cover, current linked PDF modified June 16, 2025; Section 2 Driving Safety, printed/physical 23; 2.4.2 How to Use Mirrors; Figure 2.7. ↗
While driving, you want to monitor traffic beside the truck without losing track of the road ahead. Which mirror-check habit is best?
Correct answer: Use brief checks and return your attention to the roadway ahead
Check mirrors regularly but quickly, shifting attention back to the road ahead. Long mirror stares let the vehicle travel a substantial distance without monitoring developing hazards in front.
Source: Georgia DDS Commercial Driver's Study Guide, 2023–2024 cover, current linked PDF modified June 16, 2025; Section 2 Driving Safety, printed/physical 23; 2.4.2 How to Use Mirrors. ↗
You finish a right turn in a truck whose turn signals do not cancel automatically. What should you do before continuing past the next driveway?
Correct answer: Cancel the right signal once the turn is complete
Signal through the turn, then cancel it after completion. A signal left on can mislead another road user about what you intend to do next.
Source: Georgia DDS Commercial Driver's Study Guide, 2023–2024 cover, current linked PDF modified June 16, 2025; Section 2 Driving Safety, printed/physical 23; 2.5.1 Signal Your Intentions — Turns. ↗
Your truck will need to slow greatly for a tight driveway turn, and a car is following. How should you help that driver anticipate your slowdown?
Correct answer: Signal early and brake early enough to slow gradually
Car drivers may not realize how slowly a large vehicle must turn. Give advance warning of your intention and reduce speed gradually, rather than surprising following traffic with a sudden slowdown.
Source: Georgia DDS Commercial Driver's Study Guide, 2023–2024 cover, current linked PDF modified June 16, 2025; Section 2 Driving Safety, printed/physical 23; 2.5.1 Signal Your Intentions — Slowing Down, Tight Turns. ↗
A driver behind your truck appears impatient to pass. You think the opposing lane may be clear. Should you wave the driver around?
Correct answer: No; do not signal that it is safe for someone else to pass
Do not direct another driver to pass. Your signal can be misunderstood or based on incomplete information. Continue predictable, safe driving without authorizing or obstructing the other driver's maneuver.
Source: Georgia DDS Commercial Driver's Study Guide, 2023–2024 cover, current linked PDF modified June 16, 2025; Section 2 Driving Safety, printed/physical 23; 2.5.1 Signal Your Intentions — Don't Direct Traffic. ↗
