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These 10 free MD-CDL questions are organized by exam domain, so you can see how each part of the Maryland CDL Permit Test (MD-CDL) blueprint is tested. Reveal the answer and explanation under each question.
A combination vehicle has a power-unit GVWR of 18,000 pounds and a trailer GVWR of 12,500 pounds, for a GCWR of 30,500 pounds. It carries no passengers or hazardous material. Which CDL class applies?
Correct answer: C - Class A, because both combination thresholds are met
After 10 consecutive hours off duty, a property-carrying driver comes on duty at 6:00 a.m. The driver takes an ordinary off-duty break from noon to 2:00 p.m., does not use a qualifying sleeper-berth split, and has driven fewer than 11 hours. No exception applies. At 8:30 p.m., dispatch asks for another 30 minutes of driving. May the driver accept?
Correct answer: A - No; the driving window ended at 8:00 p.m. despite the break
On dry, level pavement, a 73-foot tractor-trailer is traveling at 48 mph. Under the standard CDL following-distance rule, what minimum interval should the driver maintain before adding extra space for traffic or weather?
Correct answer: D - 9 seconds
At highway speed, a steering-axle tire blows and the truck pulls sharply toward that side. Which response gives the driver the best chance of maintaining control?
Correct answer: B - Hold the wheel firmly, avoid braking at first, and slow gradually
A 16-foot, 10,000-pound machine is secured with four tiedowns, each contributing 1,200 pounds to the aggregate working load limit. No commodity-specific rule requires additional securement. How should this arrangement be judged?
Correct answer: C - The aggregate working load limit is short, but the tiedown count is sufficient
During a pre-trip inspection, which finding fails a numerical CDL inspection threshold?
Correct answer: A - A steering-axle tire with 3/32-inch tread in every major groove
A driver selects 40 mph as the safe speed and chooses a low gear before a long downgrade. When speed builds back to 40 mph, which action matches the snub-braking method?
Correct answer: D - Brake firmly to about 35 mph, then release fully as speed builds
Before sunrise, the pavement looks wet, yet the tires produce little spray. Ice has formed on the mirrors, and the steering suddenly feels unusually light. Which diagnosis and response best fit these clues?
Correct answer: B - Black ice; ease off power and use gentle control inputs
During an applied air-leak test on a combination vehicle, the engine is off, the parking brakes are released, and the initial pressure drop has stabilized. With the service brake held for one minute, system pressure falls 3 psi. How should the driver interpret this result?
Correct answer: D - Pass; the applied combination limit is 4 psi per minute
Reservoir pressure reaches 140 psi, but the compressor continues building pressure until the safety valve opens near 150 psi. Which control component should normally have signaled the compressor to unload before the safety valve opened?
Correct answer: B - Governor
The MD-CDL exam also covers these domains. Drill them in the full free practice test:
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