Traffic Laws

Study questions with answers

12 sample Traffic Laws questions with the correct answer, a short explanation, and the official handbook reference. Read through them, then take the quiz above.

1. 1. A driver must hold a CDL to operate a single vehicle whose gross vehicle weight rating is at least how many pounds?

   Correct answer: 26,001 pounds

   Federal standards require a CDL for any single vehicle rated at 26,001 pounds or more, one of the basic thresholds that defines a commercial motor vehicle.

   Source: Massachusetts CDL Manual — Section 1: Introduction

2. 2. A tank-vehicle endorsement is required when hauling liquid or gas in a tank whose aggregate rated capacity is at least how much?

   Correct answer: 1,000 gallons

   The tank endorsement applies to tanks rated above 119 gallons individually whose combined capacity reaches 1,000 gallons or more, whether or not the liquid is hazardous.

   Source: Massachusetts CDL Manual — Section 1: Introduction

3. 3. A driver whose skills test was taken in a truck with an automatic transmission receives which restriction?

   Correct answer: An E restriction — no manual transmission

   Testing in an automatic earns the E restriction, which forbids the driver from operating any CMV that has a manual (clutch-and-shift) transmission.

   Source: Massachusetts CDL Manual — Section 1: Introduction

4. 4. Within how many days of a traffic conviction (other than parking) must a CDL holder notify their employer?

   Correct answer: 30 days

   You must tell your employer within 30 days of any traffic conviction other than parking, whatever kind of vehicle you were driving at the time.

   Source: Massachusetts CDL Manual — Section 1.4: Other CDL Rules

5. 5. Within what time must a driver tell their employer that their license has been suspended, revoked, or canceled?

   Correct answer: Two business days

   A suspension, revocation, cancellation, or disqualification must be reported to the employer within two business days, sooner than the 30-day rule for ordinary convictions.

   Source: Massachusetts CDL Manual — Section 1.4: Other CDL Rules

6. 6. What does federal regulation say about a CMV driver reading or typing text messages while driving?

   Correct answer: It is prohibited while driving

   Texting while driving a commercial vehicle is prohibited because it takes the eyes off the road and combines physical and mental distraction at the same time.

   Source: Massachusetts CDL Manual — Section 2.9: Distracted Driving

7. 7. You may drive a vehicle carrying hazardous materials without a hazmat endorsement only when what is true?

   Correct answer: The load does not require placards

   You can drive a hazmat-carrying vehicle without the endorsement only if the load does not require placards; if placards are required, you must hold the hazmat endorsement.

   Source: Massachusetts CDL Manual — Section 2.23: Hazardous Materials Rules

8. 8. Regardless of its weight, any vehicle designed to carry how many people (including the driver) requires a CDL?

   Correct answer: 16 or more

   A vehicle built to transport 16 or more occupants, counting the driver, falls under the CDL program because of the risk involved in carrying that many passengers.

   Source: Massachusetts CDL Manual — Section 1: Introduction

9. 9. How many tie-downs are required, at minimum, for cargo based on its length?

   Correct answer: One tie-down for every 10 feet of cargo

   Cargo needs at least one tie-down for each 10 feet of length; a 20-foot load, for example, would need at least two tie-downs on that basis.

   Source: Massachusetts CDL Manual — Section 3.3: Securing Cargo

10. 10. A driver testing in a vehicle without air brakes, or who fails the air-brake portion of the knowledge test, receives which restriction?

    Correct answer: An L restriction — no air-brake CMV

    Failing or skipping the air-brake test, or testing in a vehicle without air brakes, results in the L restriction, which bars operating any CMV equipped with air brakes.

    Source: Massachusetts CDL Manual — Section 1: Introduction

11. 11. How many licenses may a CDL holder legally possess at one time?

    Correct answer: Only one

    A commercial driver may hold only a single driver license; keeping more than one can lead to a court fine of up to $5,000 or jail.

    Source: Massachusetts CDL Manual — Section 1.4: Other CDL Rules

12. 12. Federal rules require a CMV driver to be restrained by a safety belt at what times?

    Correct answer: At all times while operating the vehicle

    A commercial driver must wear the safety belt whenever operating the vehicle; a belted driver stays behind the wheel in a crash and is far less likely to be thrown out and killed.

    Source: Massachusetts CDL Manual — Section 1.4: Other CDL Rules