Parking & Stopping

Study questions with answers

6 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 should you avoid setting the parking brakes and use wheel chocks instead?

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

   Very hot brakes can be damaged by the heat and very wet brakes can freeze in place, so in those cases let them cool or dry and use wheel chocks on level ground to hold the vehicle.

   Source: Section 5.4.8 - Parking Brakes

2. 2. Even with an alcohol evaporator fitted, what cold-weather chore still has to be done daily unless the drains are automatic?

   Correct answer: Draining water and oil from the air tanks.

   An evaporator does not replace draining; the tanks still need their water and oil drained every day in cold weather unless the system drains on its own.

   Source: Section 5.1.5 - Alcohol Evaporator

3. 3. Why should you avoid pressing the brake pedal while the spring brakes are already applied?

   Correct answer: The combined spring and air forces could damage the brakes.

   With the spring brakes set, adding pedal application stacks the spring force and air pressure together, which can damage the brakes, so it is best not to do it.

   Source: Section 5.1.15 - Parking Brake Controls

4. 4. Why is it important to remove the water and oil that gather in the air tanks?

   Correct answer: Because moisture can freeze in cold weather and knock the brakes out.

   Compressed air carries water and oil that settle in the tanks; in cold weather that trapped water may freeze and lead to brake failure, so the tanks must be emptied.

   Source: Section 5.1.4 - Air Tank Drains

5. 5. A manually operated tank drain valve should be opened how often?

   Correct answer: At the end of each day the vehicle is driven.

   With manual drains you must empty the tanks yourself at the end of every day of driving to clear accumulated water and oil.

   Source: Section 5.1.4 - Air Tank Drains

6. 6. On a newer air brake vehicle, how is the parking brake control usually identified?

   Correct answer: A yellow, diamond-shaped push-pull knob.

   Newer vehicles use a diamond-shaped, yellow, push-pull knob; pull it out to apply the parking (spring) brakes and push it in to release them.

   Source: Section 5.1.15 - Parking Brake Controls