A crumpled carton lies ahead in your lane. Why should you avoid assuming it is harmless?
Correct answer: It may hide material that can damage the truck
A box or sack can conceal heavy or solid contents. Spot debris early so you can avoid it without an abrupt, unsafe maneuver.
Source: New Jersey CDL Manual, March 2025 cover; Section 2, July 2017 footer; printed 2-19, 2-20 (physical 37, 38); 2.8.2 Hazardous Roads, Foreign Objects. ↗
Only the rear of a van is visible beyond an alley wall; you cannot see its driver. What is the safer expectation as your truck approaches?
Correct answer: The van may enter before its driver sees you
A driver whose view is blocked may enter or reverse into your path. Anticipate the possible movement and be ready to stop.
Source: New Jersey CDL Manual, March 2025 cover; Section 2, July 2017 footer; printed 2-20 (physical 38); 2.8.3 Drivers Who Are Hazards, Blocked Vision. ↗
A car ahead wanders within its lane and repeatedly speeds up and slows down. What is a prudent response?
Correct answer: Leave more room and watch for an unexpected move
These are possible distraction clues. Maintain a safe gap and be cautious about passing because the driver may not notice your presence.
Source: New Jersey CDL Manual, March 2025 cover; Section 2, July 2017 footer; printed 2-24 (physical 42); 2.9.7 Watch Out for Other Distracted Drivers. ↗
Your delivery destination has changed while the truck is safely parked. When should you enter the new route?
Correct answer: While parked, before you start moving
Plan the route and program navigation before moving. A slow or straight section of road still requires attention to driving.
Source: New Jersey CDL Manual, March 2025 cover; Section 2, July 2017 footer; printed 2-24 (physical 42); 2.9.6 Don't Drive Distracted, continued pre-trip map/GPS bullet. ↗
At night, oncoming lights scatter across a windshield that looked clear in daylight. What preparation helps address this?
Correct answer: Clean both sides of the windshield
Dirt on either surface can create glare and obstruct the view. Clean the windshield inside and outside; dark glasses are not an appropriate night-driving fix.
Source: New Jersey CDL Manual, March 2025 cover; Section 2, July 2017 footer; printed 2-27 (physical 45); 2.11.4 Vehicle Factors, Windshield and Mirrors; 2.11.5 Vehicle Procedures. ↗
The cab's interior light makes the road outside harder to see. What adjustment is appropriate?
Correct answer: Keep the cab dark; leave gauges readable
Excess cab light interferes with the outside view. Keep the interior light off and reduce instrument brightness only as far as you can still read the gauges.
Source: New Jersey CDL Manual, March 2025 cover; Section 2, July 2017 footer; printed 2-28 (physical 46); 2.11.5 Night Driving Procedures, Use High Beams When You Can / cab-light paragraph. ↗
In fog, you see taillights ahead but cannot see the roadway clearly. Why should you not use those lights alone to guide your truck?
Correct answer: They may belong to a vehicle off the roadway
A vehicle's lights may be on the shoulder or otherwise off the road. Do not mistake them for a reliable guide to the road's path; the manual recommends waiting at a safe off-road location when visibility is poor.
Source: New Jersey CDL Manual, March 2025 cover; Section 2, July 2017 footer; printed 2-28 (physical 46); 2.12 Driving in Fog, parked-vehicle/light warning. ↗
Before climbing into the truck after a snowfall, what should you do about ice on the steps and handholds?
Correct answer: Clear the steps and handholds before climbing
Clear access surfaces as part of winter preparation. Ice on steps and handholds creates a slipping hazard independent of road visibility.
Source: New Jersey CDL Manual, March 2025 cover; Section 2, July 2017 footer; printed 2-29 (physical 47); 2.13.1 Vehicle Checks, Hand Holds, Steps, and Deck Plates. ↗
After driving on a hot day, tire pressure has risen above the earlier cold reading. Should you bleed air merely to restore that cold reading?
Correct answer: No; it may leave the cooled tire underinflated
Tire pressure normally rises as temperature rises. Releasing air to match the cold reading can leave inadequate pressure after cooling; an excessively hot tire requires stopping and cooling, not that shortcut.
Source: New Jersey CDL Manual, March 2025 cover; Section 2, July 2017 footer; printed 2-29 (physical 47); 2.14.1 Vehicle Checks, Tires. ↗
A clear escape path lets you steer around an immediate obstacle. What steering approach helps avoid creating a second emergency?
Correct answer: Steer only enough to clear it, then counter-steer
Excessive steering increases skid and rollover risk. Clearing the obstacle and promptly steering back to control the path are parts of the same maneuver; this skill needs practice.
Source: New Jersey CDL Manual, March 2025 cover; Section 2, July 2017 footer; printed 2-34 (physical 52); 2.17.1 Steering to Avoid a Crash, How to Turn Quickly and Safely. ↗
After avoiding a collision, your truck is on a clear shoulder and can safely stop there. What should you do before returning to the road?
Correct answer: Stop there, then signal and check before reentering
When the shoulder is clear, remain there until stopped. Reenter only after signaling and checking mirrors; an unnecessary high-speed return adds risk.
Source: New Jersey CDL Manual, March 2025 cover; Section 2, July 2017 footer; printed 2-34 (physical 52); 2.17.1 Steering to Avoid a Crash, Leaving the Road / Stay on the Shoulder. ↗
Your truck's brakes have failed on a downgrade, and a signed escape ramp is available ahead. What is the safest choice?
Correct answer: Use the escape ramp now
An escape ramp is intended to stop a runaway vehicle. Delay lets speed build and can make the eventual stop much more dangerous.
Source: New Jersey CDL Manual, March 2025 cover; Section 2, July 2017 footer; printed 2-35 (physical 53); 2.17.3 Brake Failure, Brake Failure on Downgrades. ↗
A front tire blows on a clear, straight road. No collision is imminent. What should you do first?
Correct answer: Grip the wheel firmly and let the truck slow
Keep a firm two-handed grip and avoid braking until the truck has slowed, unless needed to avoid an immediate collision. Then brake gently and stop safely.
Source: New Jersey CDL Manual, March 2025 cover; Section 2, July 2017 footer; printed 2-35, 2-36 (physical 53, 54); 2.17.4 Tire Failure, Respond to Tire Failure and Check the Tires. ↗
At dusk in rain, your truck's clearance lights are on but it is still hard for others to see you. What does the manual recommend?
Correct answer: Use low-beam headlights, not clearance lights alone
Headlights make the vehicle easier to see in poor light. The manual recommends low beams rather than relying only on identification or clearance lights.
Source: New Jersey CDL Manual, March 2025 cover; Section 2, July 2017 footer; printed 2-12 (physical 30); 2.5.2 Communicating Your Presence, When It's Hard to See. ↗
A truck's drive wheels spin as you accelerate on an icy patch. What should you do with the accelerator?
Correct answer: Ease off to help the tires regain grip
Reducing power helps stop an acceleration skid. Additional throttle keeps the wheels spinning instead of restoring traction.
Source: New Jersey CDL Manual, March 2025 cover; Section 2, July 2017 footer; printed 2-37 (physical 55); 2.19 Skid Control and Recovery, Over-acceleration; 2.19.1 Drive-wheel Skids. ↗
Smoke from your truck makes an immediate safe stop necessary. Where should you pull off, if available?
Correct answer: An open area away from things that could burn
Stop in an open area separated from buildings, vegetation and other vehicles, then notify emergency services. Do not take a burning vehicle into a service station.
Source: New Jersey CDL Manual, March 2025 cover; Section 2, July 2017 footer; printed 2-39 (physical 57); 2.21.3 Fire Fighting, Pull Off the Road. ↗
You are arranging heavy cases and light cartons in a truck. Which arrangement improves stability?
Correct answer: Heavy cases low, with light cartons above
Keeping heavy cargo low reduces the vehicle's center of gravity and its tendency to roll over in a curve or evasive maneuver.
Source: New Jersey CDL Manual, March 2025 cover; Section 3, July 2017 footer; printed 3-2 (physical 65); 3.2.3 Don't Be Top-heavy; Figure 3.1. ↗
Most of a truck's load has been moved toward the rear, leaving the steering axle unusually light. What is the handling concern?
Correct answer: Too little steering-axle load can impair control
Poor front-to-rear balance can leave too little weight on the steering axle for safe control. Total weight alone does not describe how the load affects handling.
Source: New Jersey CDL Manual, March 2025 cover; Section 3, July 2017 footer; printed 3-2 (physical 65); 3.2.4 Balance the Weight. ↗
A planned load meets the applicable weight limits, but the route has steep grades and bad weather. What should the driver conclude?
Correct answer: Legal weight may still be unsafe for this route
Legal weight compliance is not a guarantee of safe operation. Grade and weather conditions can make operating at the maximum unsafe.
Source: New Jersey CDL Manual, March 2025 cover; Section 3, July 2017 footer; printed 3-1, 3-2 (physical 64, 65); 3.2.2 Legal Weight Limits, continued safety qualification. ↗
You need to keep a rigid load from sliding along a truck's cargo deck. Which setup describes effective blocking?
Correct answer: Snug blocks secured to the deck beside the load
Blocking fits closely against cargo and is secured to the deck so it can resist movement. Loose or misplaced pieces do not provide the described restraint.
Source: New Jersey CDL Manual, March 2025 cover; Section 3, July 2017 footer; printed 3-2 (physical 65); 3.3.1 Blocking and Bracing. ↗
