NY commercial cdl study set

New York CDL Medical and Licensing Practice Questions

30 New York commercial cdl questions on cdl medical and licensing, each with the correct answer and an explanation from the DMV handbook.

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CDL Medical and Licensing questions

1. What must a commercial driver carry to show medical qualification?
1. A. A valid medical examiner's certificate
2. B. A letter from their employer
3. C. A copy of their birth certificate
Answer: A — A valid medical examiner's certificate

Medical certification must be current and on file for the CDL to remain valid.
2. What is self-certification in the CDL context?
1. A. Certifying your own vehicle inspection
2. B. Certifying your own medical fitness
3. C. Declaring which category you drive in
Answer: C — Declaring which category you drive in

Drivers self-certify their operating category, which determines whether a medical certificate must be filed.
3. Which endorsement is required to carry more than 15 passengers including the driver?
1. A. N
2. B. P
3. C. S
Answer: B — P

The P endorsement covers passenger vehicles carrying more than 15 people including the driver.
4. Which endorsement is required to drive a school bus?
1. A. S
2. B. P only
3. C. T
Answer: A — S

The S endorsement is required for school bus operation, in addition to the passenger endorsement.
5. Which endorsement covers double and triple trailers?
1. A. N
2. B. X
3. C. T
Answer: C — T

The T endorsement authorises operation of double and triple trailer combinations.
6. Which endorsement covers tank vehicles of 1,000 gallons or more?
1. A. P
2. B. N
3. C. H
Answer: B — N

The N endorsement is required for tank vehicles at or above 1,000 gallons.
7. Which endorsement combines tank vehicles and hazardous materials?
1. A. X
2. B. H
3. C. N
Answer: A — X

The X endorsement combines the tank and hazardous materials authorisations.
8. What does this sign warn a commercial driver about?
1. A. Trucks are prohibited beyond this point
2. B. A weigh station is ahead
3. C. The curve can overturn a tall vehicle
Answer: C — The curve can overturn a tall vehicle

Truck rollover signs mark curves where the posted advisory speed is critical for a loaded vehicle.
9. What does this grade sign tell a loaded truck driver to do?
1. A. Stop and inspect the load
2. B. Select a lower gear before descending
3. C. Increase speed to maintain momentum
Answer: B — Select a lower gear before descending

A steep percentage grade requires the gear to be chosen before the descent begins.
10. What does this sign mean for a slow-moving loaded truck on a grade?
1. A. Use the turnout to release following traffic
2. B. Increase speed so as to keep up with traffic
3. C. Move onto the shoulder and continue
Answer: A — Use the turnout to release following traffic

Turnouts let a slow heavy vehicle release a queue without using the shoulder.
11. What must a commercial driver do at this sign?
1. A. Stop only if a bus is following
2. B. Cross without slowing if no gates are present
3. C. Yield, and cross only when the vehicle can clear
Answer: C — Yield, and cross only when the vehicle can clear

A crossbuck requires yielding to trains, and a long vehicle must confirm space beyond the rails first.
12. Why does this sign matter particularly to a combination vehicle?
1. A. Trucks must stop before every bridge
2. B. A narrow bridge leaves little room to offtrack
3. C. Bridges have lower speed limits for trucks
Answer: B — A narrow bridge leaves little room to offtrack

A long vehicle offtracks toward the inside, which matters where lane width is reduced.
13. What does this work zone sign require of a commercial driver?
1. A. Slow and watch for workers
2. B. Maintain speed through the zone
3. C. Stop and wait for an escort
Answer: A — Slow and watch for workers

A heavy vehicle needs much more stopping distance, so speed must come down early in a work zone.
14. What should a commercial driver do well before this closure?
1. A. Continue in the lane until it ends
2. B. Use the shoulder to pass the queue
3. C. Merge out of the closed lane early
Answer: C — Merge out of the closed lane early

A long vehicle needs a large gap and plenty of warning to merge, so it should move over early.
15. What surface hazard does this sign warn a loaded vehicle about?
1. A. Standing water ahead
2. B. Reduced traction when wet
3. C. Loose gravel only
Answer: B — Reduced traction when wet

A heavy vehicle already needs a long stopping distance, which a slippery surface extends further.
16. What happens if a commercial driver's medical certificate expires?
1. A. The CDL can be downgraded
2. B. Nothing changes for 90 days
3. C. Only a fine applies
Answer: A — The CDL can be downgraded

Medical certification is a condition of holding commercial driving privileges.
17. What must a driver do to add an endorsement to a CDL?
1. A. Notify the carrier only
2. B. Pay a fee only
3. C. Pass the knowledge test for it
Answer: C — Pass the knowledge test for it

Each endorsement covers distinct knowledge and is separately tested.
18. What additional requirement applies to the hazardous materials endorsement?
1. A. Only a road test
2. B. A security threat assessment
3. C. Only a medical examination
Answer: B — A security threat assessment

The hazmat endorsement carries a background screening requirement beyond the knowledge test.
19. May a commercial learner's permit holder drive without supervision?
1. A. No, a CDL holder must be present
2. B. Yes, on non-interstate roads
3. C. Yes, during daylight hours
Answer: A — No, a CDL holder must be present

A CLP is a supervised credential, requiring a qualified CDL holder alongside the driver.
20. What should a commercial driver do at this sign?
1. A. Ignore it if the load is light
2. B. Increase speed to maintain momentum
3. C. Slow for reduced traction on the curve ahead
Answer: C — Slow for reduced traction on the curve ahead

Loose surface material is far more consequential for a heavy vehicle's stopping and steering.
21. Why is this sign important when planning a route with a tall trailer?
1. A. Trucks are always prohibited beyond it
2. B. The road may not take a large vehicle
3. C. It sets a lower speed limit for trucks
Answer: B — The road may not take a large vehicle

Route planning for a large vehicle has to account for width and clearance, not just distance.
22. What does this sign warn a commercial driver to prepare for?
1. A. Merging traffic ahead
2. B. A lane closing ahead
3. C. An exit only lane
Answer: A — Merging traffic ahead

Merging drivers routinely misjudge a truck's speed and the size of its blind spots.
23. What should a driver of a long combination expect at this sign?
1. A. A long straight stretch ahead
2. B. A weigh station just ahead
3. C. Offtracking on a sharp curve
Answer: C — Offtracking on a sharp curve

On a tight curve the trailer cuts inside the tractor's line, which matters where the lane is narrow.
24. What must a commercial driver check before following this route?
1. A. That the route avoids all tolls
2. B. That the route suits the vehicle's size
3. C. That the route has a fuel station on it
Answer: B — That the route suits the vehicle's size

A detour may route a large vehicle onto roads with clearance or weight restrictions.
25. Why does this sign matter to a driver on a long descent?
1. A. It marks a place to pull over
2. B. It marks a mandatory stop
3. C. It marks a weigh station
Answer: A — It marks a place to pull over

A slow, heavy vehicle on a grade should release queued traffic at a designated turnout.
26. How soon must a new New York resident transfer an out-of-state commercial licence?
1. A. Within 10 days
2. B. Within 90 days
3. C. Within 30 days
Answer: C — Within 30 days

New York residency is required for a state CDL, and a new resident has 30 days to transfer.
27. Does a hazardous materials endorsement transfer to New York by reciprocity?
1. A. Yes, with a medical certificate
2. B. No, it must be applied for again
3. C. Yes, automatically
Answer: B — No, it must be applied for again

Every other endorsement may transfer, but hazmat requires a fresh application.
28. What does restriction K mean on a New York commercial licence?
1. A. The licence is valid for intrastate commerce only
2. B. The driver may not carry passengers of any kind
3. C. The driver may not use air brake vehicles
Answer: A — The licence is valid for intrastate commerce only

Restriction K limits operation to commerce within New York State.
29. What is Article 19-A of the New York Vehicle and Traffic Law?
1. A. The state's own air brake standard, which goes well beyond the federal requirement in every case
2. B. The state's hazardous materials placarding rule for commercial vehicles
3. C. New York's own qualification regime for bus and school-car drivers, in addition to the federal rules
Answer: C — New York's own qualification regime for bus and school-car drivers, in addition to the federal rules

Article 19-A adds fingerprint checks and a biennial review, and does not replace the federal Part 391 requirements.
30. How does a New York applicant claim a military skills-test waiver?
1. A. On form DL-389
2. B. On form CDL-102
3. C. On form MV-104
Answer: B — On form CDL-102

Form CDL-102 is New York's military skills-test waiver application.