Parking & Stopping

Study questions with answers

5 sample Parking & Stopping questions with the correct answer, a short explanation, and the official handbook reference. Read through them, then take the quiz above.

1. 1. When road-testing the service brakes at the end of your inspection, you move forward slowly and apply them firmly at about what speed?

   Correct answer: About 5 mph

   Roll ahead at around five mph and press the brakes firmly, watching for pulling to one side, an odd feel, or a slow response.

   Source: Arizona CDL Manual — Section 5.3: Inspecting Air Brake Systems

2. 2. How do you test that the parking brake will actually hold?

   Correct answer: Set the parking brake and, in a low gear, ease the vehicle gently against it

   With the parking brake set, ease against it in a low gear; if it holds the vehicle in place, it passes.

   Source: Arizona CDL Manual — Section 5.3: Inspecting Air Brake Systems

3. 3. On a newer air-braked vehicle, how do you usually apply the parking (spring) brakes?

   Correct answer: Pull out a yellow, diamond-shaped push-pull knob

   Newer vehicles use a yellow, diamond-shaped push-pull knob: pull it out to set the parking brakes and push it in to release them.

   Source: Arizona CDL Manual — Section 5.1.15: Parking Brake Controls

4. 4. When should you avoid setting the spring parking brakes and use wheel chocks instead?

   Correct answer: When the brakes are very hot from a steep grade, or very wet in freezing weather

   Very hot brakes can be damaged by the parking-brake heat, and wet brakes can freeze in place; in those cases let them cool or dry and chock the wheels on a level surface.

   Source: Arizona CDL Manual — Section 5.4.8: Parking Brakes

5. 5. Why should you avoid pressing the brake pedal while the spring (parking) brakes are already applied?

   Correct answer: The combined force of the springs and the air pressure could damage the brakes

   Stacking service-brake air pressure on top of the spring force can harm the brakes; some systems guard against it, but not all, so make a habit of not doing it.

   Source: Arizona CDL Manual — Section 5.1.15: Parking Brake Controls