Which sequence belongs to the modernized Section 12 basic-control test?
Correct answer: Forward stop, straight backing, forward offset, reverse offset.
Maryland’s Section 12 lists Forward Stop, Straight-Line Backing, Forward Offset Tracking and Reverse Offset Backing, in that order. Follow the examiner’s instructions for each exercise; written practice does not demonstrate the required vehicle-control skills.
Source: Maryland Commercial Driver’s License Manual, DL-151 (02/26), February 2026; Section 12, introduction; physical PDF page 300 (printed 300); public mirror of the Maryland manual; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
In a modernized backing exercise, you open the door for a better view while securely stopped but stay in the seat. Does it count as a look?
Correct answer: Yes; opening the door counts even without climbing out.
Opening the door or leaving the seated position counts as a look; walking to the back of a bus does too. Secure the vehicle before a permitted look and do not open the door while moving.
Source: Maryland Commercial Driver’s License Manual, DL-151 (02/26), February 2026; Section 12.1, Looks; physical PDF page 301 (printed 301); public mirror of the Maryland manual; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
How should you leave a truck cab for a permitted look during the modernized backing test?
Correct answer: Secure it, face the truck and maintain three points of contact.
Apply the parking brakes and select neutral before a permitted look. Truck entry and exit use three points of contact facing the vehicle; the handbook separately describes forward-facing bus exit with a firm handrail grip.
Source: Maryland Commercial Driver’s License Manual, DL-151 (02/26), February 2026; Section 12.1, Looks; physical PDF page 301 (printed 301); public mirror of the Maryland manual; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
While maneuvering in the modernized basic-control test, the examiner raises a hand to stop you. What should you do?
Correct answer: Stop immediately and follow directions to return within the boundaries.
The handbook requires an immediate stop when the examiner signals. Follow the instructions for returning within the exercise boundaries; do not complete a movement against that signal.
Source: Maryland Commercial Driver’s License Manual, DL-151 (02/26), February 2026; Section 12, introduction; examiner hand signal; physical PDF page 300 (printed 300); public mirror of the Maryland manual; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
You stop during a modernized backing exercise, then continue backward without first moving forward. Is the stop itself a pull-up?
Correct answer: No; stopping without changing direction is not a pull-up.
A pull-up is forward movement during a backing exercise to improve position or clear an encroachment. A stop without a direction change is not itself a pull-up.
Source: Maryland Commercial Driver’s License Manual, DL-151 (02/26), February 2026; Section 12.1, Pull-ups; physical PDF page 301 (printed 301); public mirror of the Maryland manual; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
Which contact is counted as an encroachment under Section 12's stated vehicle-part rule?
Correct answer: A low-mounted attachment crossing an exercise boundary.
Maryland’s scoring rule excludes mirrors and unique vehicle parts at door-mirror height or higher. Lower attachments count when they touch or cross a course boundary. This scoring exception does not remove the need to avoid obstacles during real driving.
Source: Maryland Commercial Driver’s License Manual, DL-151 (02/26), February 2026; Section 12.1, Encroachments; physical PDF page 301 (printed 301); public mirror of the Maryland manual; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
In the modernized forward-stop exercise, what should be positioned in the stop box?
Correct answer: The frontmost part identified by the examiner.
Judge the vehicle's frontmost reference point as explained by the examiner, with the stated high-part exceptions. Section 12 allows one stop for this exercise; front-wheel position alone is not the target.
Source: Maryland Commercial Driver’s License Manual, DL-151 (02/26), February 2026; Section 12.2.1, Exercise 1 - Forward Stop; physical PDF page 302 (printed 302); public mirror of the Maryland manual; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
After completing the modernized forward stop, how do you signal that you are ready to be scored?
Correct answer: Set the parking brake, select neutral or park and sound the horn.
The handbook's completion sequence secures the vehicle and uses the horn to notify the examiner. Do not start another movement simply because you believe the position is correct.
Source: Maryland Commercial Driver’s License Manual, DL-151 (02/26), February 2026; Section 12.2.1, Exercise 1 - Forward Stop; physical PDF page 302 (printed 302); public mirror of the Maryland manual; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
How far do you back through the alley in modernized straight-line backing?
Correct answer: Until the front of the vehicle clears the last set of cones.
The end condition uses the front of the vehicle clearing the final cones at the far end of the alley. Watch the whole vehicle's position rather than stopping as soon as the rear gets through.
Source: Maryland Commercial Driver’s License Manual, DL-151 (02/26), February 2026; Section 12.2.2, Exercise 2 - Straight Line Backing; physical PDF page 303 (printed 303); public mirror of the Maryland manual; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
What allowance does Section 12 give for its straight-line backing exercise?
Correct answer: One free pull-up and one permitted exit to look.
The modernized straight-line exercise allows one free pull-up and one safe exit to check position. These are model-specific test allowances, not a general limit on safety checks during everyday backing.
Source: Maryland Commercial Driver’s License Manual, DL-151 (02/26), February 2026; Section 12.2.2, Exercise 2 - Straight Line Backing; physical PDF page 303 (printed 303); public mirror of the Maryland manual; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
While steering left through the opening in modernized forward-offset tracking, which tire position matters?
Correct answer: The rightmost rear tire must pass between the cone and the line.
The exercise assesses rear-tire tracking clearance while the vehicle moves forward into the opposite lane. Watch the rightmost rear tire's path through the marked opening, not just the front axle.
Source: Maryland Commercial Driver’s License Manual, DL-151 (02/26), February 2026; Section 12.2.3, Exercise 3 - Forward Offset Tracking; physical PDF page 303 (printed 303); public mirror of the Maryland manual; reviewed September 15, 2026. The final-stop instructions continue on page 304. ↗
During Maryland’s forward-offset tracking maneuver, before the instructed final stop, which action follows the February 2026 manual?
Correct answer: Continue without stopping, backing up or exiting.
Maryland’s Section 12.2.3 prohibits stopping, backing up or exiting during forward-offset tracking. An intermediate stop ends the exercise. Make the instructed final stop parallel to the outer boundary at or before the far-end cones. Ask questions before starting if instructions are unclear.
Source: Maryland Commercial Driver’s License Manual, DL-151 (02/26), February 2026; Section 12.2.3, Exercise 3 - Forward Offset Tracking; physical PDF page 303 (printed 303); public mirror of the Maryland manual; reviewed September 15, 2026. The final-stop instructions continue on page 304. ↗
Where should you finish modernized forward-offset tracking?
Correct answer: Parallel to the outer boundary, at or before the far-end cones.
Finish parallel to the outer boundary at or before the far-end cones. Then set the parking brake, select neutral or park and sound the horn. This instructed final stop is different from an intermediate stop during the maneuver.
Source: Maryland Commercial Driver’s License Manual, DL-151 (02/26), February 2026; Section 12.2.3, Exercise 3 - Forward Offset Tracking; physical PDF page 304 (printed 304); public mirror of the Maryland manual; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
At the end of modernized reverse-offset backing, what position is required?
Correct answer: Straight in the alley, with the rearmost point in its three-foot box.
Maryland’s Section 12.2.4 requires the vehicle to finish straight in the alley, with the rearmost reference point in the three-foot box and the vehicle within the exercise boundaries. Follow the examiner’s reference-point instructions and the stated high-part exceptions.
Source: Maryland Commercial Driver’s License Manual, DL-151 (02/26), February 2026; Section 12.2.4, Exercise 4 – Reverse Offset Backing; physical PDF page 304 (printed 304); public mirror of the Maryland manual; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
What allowance is listed for modernized reverse-offset backing?
Correct answer: Two free pull-ups and at most two exits to look.
Section 12 permits two free pull-ups and a maximum of two safe exits to check position for reverse-offset backing. Its allowance differs from straight-line backing, so use the correct exercise instructions.
Source: Maryland Commercial Driver’s License Manual, DL-151 (02/26), February 2026; Section 12.2.4, Exercise 4 - Reverse Offset Backing; physical PDF page 305 (printed 305); public mirror of the Maryland manual; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
After the vehicle inspection, what must be passed before proceeding to the road test described after Section 12?
Correct answer: The basic-control skills test.
The handbook places the basic-control test before the road test. Completing these written practice questions does not pass any hands-on testing stage.
Source: Maryland Commercial Driver’s License Manual, DL-151 (02/26), February 2026; Section 12, Road Test; physical PDF page 305 (printed 305); public mirror of the Maryland manual; reviewed September 15, 2026. ↗
