Parking & Stopping

Study questions with answers

12 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. How can you avoid the danger of being stopped on railroad tracks?

   Correct answer: Confirm you can clear the tracks before starting across

   Never let traffic trap you on the rails; make sure you can clear the whole crossing before you start across.

   Source: Wisconsin CDL Manual, Section 2.15.5 — Crossing the Tracks

2. 2. How should you position your vehicle when you park, if you can?

   Correct answer: So you can pull forward when leaving

   Choose a spot that lets you drive out forward later, sparing you a risky reverse when it is time to go.

   Source: Wisconsin CDL Manual, Section 2.2.4 — Backing Safely

3. 3. After stopping on the shoulder, within how many minutes must the warning devices be placed out?

   Correct answer: Within 10 minutes

   The emergency warning devices must be set out within 10 minutes of stopping on a road or shoulder.

   Source: Wisconsin CDL Manual, Section 2.5.2 — Communicating Your Presence

4. 4. Why should you cross drainage dips and railroad tracks carefully in a low-clearance rig?

   Correct answer: They can cause the vehicle to drag or get hung up

   Depressions in the road and raised tracks can cause the underside or end of a long trailer to drag or hang up.

   Source: Wisconsin CDL Manual, Section 2.7.5 — Space Below

5. 5. Why shouldn't you rely on your taillights to warn traffic when you are parked at the roadside?

   Correct answer: Drivers may think you are still moving normally

   Drivers have rear-ended parked vehicles because steady taillights made them think the vehicle was still moving.

   Source: Wisconsin CDL Manual, Section 2.5.2 — Communicating Your Presence

6. 6. When you stop at a railroad crossing, what should you turn on to alert traffic behind you?

   Correct answer: Your four-way emergency flashers

   Activate your four-way emergency flashers and check for following traffic as you slow to the crossing.

   Source: Wisconsin CDL Manual, Section 2.15.4 — Stopping Safely at Crossings

7. 7. What should you do with the parking brake whenever you leave your vehicle?

   Correct answer: Set the parking brake

   Set the parking brake any time you step away from the vehicle to keep it from moving.

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

8. 8. When starting on an upgrade with a manual transmission, how do you keep from rolling back?

   Correct answer: Partly engage the clutch before releasing the brake

   Partly engage the clutch before releasing the brake, and use the parking brake as needed until power holds you.

   Source: Wisconsin CDL Manual, Section 2.2.1 — Accelerating

9. 9. When is the space beneath a vehicle especially small?

   Correct answer: When the vehicle is heavily loaded

   Clearance underneath can be very small when the vehicle is heavily loaded, a concern on dirt roads and unpaved yards.

   Source: Wisconsin CDL Manual, Section 2.7.5 — Space Below

10. 10. If a truck must stop briefly in the travel lane to unload, how should the driver protect against a rear-end crash?

    Correct answer: Flash the brake lights and avoid a sudden stop

    Flash the brake lights to warn following drivers and avoid stopping suddenly.

    Source: Wisconsin CDL Manual, Section 2.5.1 — Signal Your Intentions

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

    Correct answer: Gently pull forward against it in low gear

    With the parking brake set and the vehicle in low gear, gently pull forward to confirm the brake holds.

    Source: Wisconsin CDL Manual, Section 2.1.5 — Test Parking Brakes

12. 12. After pulling off the road and stopping, what should you turn on, especially at night?

    Correct answer: The four-way emergency flashers

    Switch on the four-way emergency flashers so approaching drivers do not mistake you for a moving vehicle.

    Source: Wisconsin CDL Manual, Section 2.5.2 — Communicating Your Presence