Parking & Stopping

Study questions with answers

11 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. Why should you never let traffic conditions trap you into stopping on railroad tracks?

   Correct answer: A train could strike you before you can clear the tracks

   Don't let traffic leave you halted over the rails; make certain you can roll completely clear before you start over, because a trapped rig could be struck by a train.

   Source: Massachusetts CDL Manual — Section 2.15: Railroad-Highway Crossings

2. 2. After you pull onto the shoulder and come to a stop, what should you always switch on?

   Correct answer: The four-way emergency flashers

   Turn on the four-way emergency flashers whenever you stop at the side of the road; taillights alone have led following drivers to crash into parked vehicles they thought were moving.

   Source: Massachusetts CDL Manual — Section 2.5: Communicating

3. 3. To fight a vehicle fire safely after pulling off the road, where should you park?

   Correct answer: In an open area away from anything that could catch fire

   Choose an open spot clear of buildings, trees, brush, and other vehicles, never a service station, and then report your location to emergency services.

   Source: Massachusetts CDL Manual — Section 2.21: Fires

4. 4. When you first stop your vehicle after starting a trip with cargo, within how many miles should you inspect the load's securement?

   Correct answer: Within the first 50 miles

   Check the cargo and its securing devices during the first 50 miles after you set out, adjusting anything necessary before you continue.

   Source: Massachusetts CDL Manual — Section 3.1: Inspecting Cargo

5. 5. Why should you avoid backing a commercial vehicle whenever you can?

   Correct answer: You cannot see everything behind the vehicle

   Backing is always dangerous because you cannot see everything behind the vehicle, so avoid it when possible and use a helper and driver-side backing when you must.

   Source: Massachusetts CDL Manual — Section 2.2: Basic Control of Your Vehicle

6. 6. When a required-to-stop vehicle halts at a crossing that has no painted stop line, how close to the nearest rail may it stop?

   Correct answer: Between 15 and 50 feet from the nearest rail

   Where no stop line is painted, a vehicle that must stop should halt between 15 and 50 feet away from the closest rail of the nearest track.

   Source: Massachusetts CDL Manual — Section 2.15: Railroad-Highway Crossings

7. 7. You stop on a two-lane road that carries traffic in both directions. Where do the warning devices go?

   Correct answer: Within 10 feet of the vehicle and about 100 feet ahead and behind it

   On an undivided two-way road, set a triangle within about 10 feet of a front or rear corner to mark the truck, then one roughly 100 feet to the rear and another roughly 100 feet to the front.

   Source: Massachusetts CDL Manual — Section 2.5: Communicating

8. 8. Before leaving your vehicle, what should you always do with the parking brake?

   Correct answer: Apply it

   Apply the parking brake whenever you leave the vehicle, and fasten your seatbelt when you are driving on the road.

   Source: Massachusetts CDL Manual — Section 2.2: Basic Control of Your Vehicle

9. 9. When you must stop at a railroad crossing, what is a safe way to warn drivers behind you?

   Correct answer: Turn on your four-way emergency flashers and stop gradually

   Stop gradually while checking for traffic behind you, use a pullout lane if one is available, and turn on your four-way emergency flashers.

   Source: Massachusetts CDL Manual — Section 2.15: Railroad-Highway Crossings

10. 10. If a hill or curve keeps drivers from seeing your stopped vehicle within 500 feet, what should you do with the rear triangle?

    Correct answer: Move it farther back beyond the hill or curve

    Move the rearmost triangle farther back down the road, beyond the hill or curve, so that approaching drivers get warning before they reach the obstruction.

    Source: Massachusetts CDL Manual — Section 2.5: Communicating

11. 11. When you park a commercial vehicle, how should you try to position it?

    Correct answer: So that you can drive straight out when you leave

    Because backing is always dangerous, park so that you can pull forward when you leave rather than having to back out into traffic.

    Source: Massachusetts CDL Manual — Section 2.2: Basic Control of Your Vehicle