CDL Cargo Securement

Weight limits, load distribution, tiedowns and covering cargo. The driver is responsible for the load even when someone else loaded it.

87 practice questions with answers. These rules are the same in every state.

Cargo on a flatbed trailer secured with straps and chains

CDL Cargo Securement quiz

Answer at your own pace. After each question you see the correct answer and why, and at the end a review of what you missed.

  • Quick quiz: 10 random questions on cdl cargo securement; pass with 8 correct.

CDL Cargo Securement questions with answers

  1. After starting a trip, when must a driver first re-inspect the cargo and the devices holding it?

    1. Within the first 50 miles
    2. After the first 100 miles
    3. At the end of the first driving day
    4. Only if the load feels unstable
    Show answer

    Answer A: Within the first 50 miles

    Federal rules require a check of the load and its securement within the first 50 miles, because settling and vibration loosen straps and chains early in a trip.

    Source: fmcsa.dot.gov

  2. After the first inspection of a trip, how often must cargo securement be checked again?

    1. Every 8 hours of driving
    2. Every 500 miles
    3. Once each calendar day
    4. Every 3 hours or 150 miles or at each change of duty status, whichever happens first
    Show answer

    Answer D: Every 3 hours or 150 miles or at each change of duty status, whichever happens first

    The load must be re-checked at whichever of those points arrives first, so a loosening tiedown is found long before it fails.

    Source: fmcsa.dot.gov

  3. The combined working load limit of the tiedowns on a load must equal at least what share of the cargo weight?

    1. One quarter of the cargo weight
    2. The full cargo weight
    3. One half of the cargo weight
    4. Twice the cargo weight
    Show answer

    Answer C: One half of the cargo weight

    Federal securement rules set the aggregate working load limit at no less than half the weight of the article or group of articles being held.

    Source: fmcsa.dot.gov

  4. What does the working load limit stamped on a chain or strap describe?

    1. The force at which the device will break under a straight pull
    2. The maximum load the device is rated to hold in normal use
    3. The weight of the device itself
    4. The tension needed to keep the strap from vibrating at highway speed
    Show answer

    Answer B: The maximum load the device is rated to hold in normal use

    The working load limit is the rated safe capacity for everyday use, deliberately set well below the force that would break the device.

    Source: fmcsa.dot.gov

  5. An unblocked crate 4 feet long and weighing 900 pounds needs at least how many tiedowns?

    1. Four
    2. Three
    3. Two
    4. One
    Show answer

    Answer D: One

    An article 5 feet or less in length and 1,100 pounds or less in weight is covered by a minimum of one tiedown.

    Source: fmcsa.dot.gov

  6. An unblocked crate 4 feet long and weighing 1,500 pounds needs at least how many tiedowns?

    1. Two
    2. One
    3. Three
    4. Four
    Show answer

    Answer A: Two

    A short article that weighs more than 1,100 pounds requires at least two tiedowns even though it is under 5 feet long.

    Source: fmcsa.dot.gov

  7. For an unblocked article longer than 10 feet, the minimum is two tiedowns plus how many more?

    1. One more for every additional 5 feet of length
    2. One more for every additional 10 feet of length or any part of 10 feet
    3. Two more for every additional 10 feet of length
    4. None, because two tiedowns are always the maximum
    Show answer

    Answer B: One more for every additional 10 feet of length or any part of 10 feet

    Past the first 10 feet, one more tiedown is added for each additional 10 feet of length or any fraction of that distance.

    Source: fmcsa.dot.gov

  8. Loading heavy freight on top of lighter freight has what effect on the vehicle?

    1. It lowers the center of gravity and improves stability in a curve
    2. It raises the center of gravity and makes a rollover more likely
    3. It has no effect as long as the total weight stays inside the legal limit
    4. It improves traction on the steering axle
    Show answer

    Answer B: It raises the center of gravity and makes a rollover more likely

    A high center of gravity lets the vehicle tip more easily in curves or during a sudden swerve.

  9. What does a front-end header board on a van or flatbed protect against?

    1. Cargo moving forward toward the cab in a crash or hard stop
    2. Wind resistance at highway speed and the fuel it costs the carrier
    3. Rain and road spray reaching the front of the load
    4. Theft of the cargo
    Show answer

    Answer A: Cargo moving forward toward the cab in a crash or hard stop

    The header board, often called a headache rack, blocks forward movement of the load toward the driver.

  10. What is the purpose of blocking placed against cargo on a trailer deck?

    1. To lift the cargo off the deck
    2. To fill the space around the cargo so it cannot slide
    3. To mark the cargo for the receiver
    4. To spread the weight across more axles
    Show answer

    Answer B: To fill the space around the cargo so it cannot slide

    Blocking is shaped to fit snugly against the cargo and fastened to the deck, removing the room the load would need in order to move.

  11. A driver hauling a sealed trailer that cannot be opened is still responsible for what?

    1. Counting the cartons inside
    2. Repacking any damaged goods
    3. Nothing, because the seal removes all responsibility
    4. Making sure the rig is not over the gross or axle weight limits
    Show answer

    Answer D: Making sure the rig is not over the gross or axle weight limits

    A seal prevents inspecting the contents, but the driver must still confirm the vehicle is not overloaded.

  12. Dry bulk tanks call for extra caution mainly because of what?

    1. A very low center of gravity that makes the trailer hard to steer
    2. A load that cannot be secured at all
    3. A high center of gravity combined with a load that can shift
    4. The absence of brakes on the trailer axles of a dry bulk tank
    Show answer

    Answer C: A high center of gravity combined with a load that can shift

    Dry bulk loads ride high and can move inside the tank, which makes the vehicle easier to tip in a curve.

  13. What is normally required in order to move an over-width or over-length load?

    1. Only a written note from the shipper
    2. A special permit along with warning devices such as flags and signs
    3. Travel restricted to nighttime in every case
    4. Nothing extra, as long as the load is under the weight limit
    Show answer

    Answer B: A special permit along with warning devices such as flags and signs

    Oversize movements need a permit plus marking devices, and travel is often limited to certain hours or routes.

  14. Besides staying secure, cargo carried inside a vehicle must not do what?

    1. Weigh more than the empty trailer and its running gear put together
    2. Be stacked in more than one row along the length of the deck
    3. Block the driver view or access to emergency equipment and exits
    4. Touch the trailer walls
    Show answer

    Answer C: Block the driver view or access to emergency equipment and exits

    Cargo may not obstruct the view to the front or sides or prevent the driver from reaching emergency equipment and exits.

  15. A dock crew loads and straps the freight. Who is responsible for the load being legal and secure on the road?

    1. The dock crew alone
    2. The shipper alone
    3. The receiver
    4. The driver
    Show answer

    Answer D: The driver

    Even when someone else loads and secures the freight, the driver must inspect it and remains responsible for it while driving.

  16. What does the gross vehicle weight rating of a vehicle describe?

    1. The maximum loaded weight of that single vehicle, as specified by the manufacturer
    2. The weight of the vehicle as it left the factory, with no load and no fuel or driver
    3. The heaviest load the vehicle has ever carried
    4. The weight limit posted for the highway or the bridge being used
    Show answer

    Answer A: The maximum loaded weight of that single vehicle, as specified by the manufacturer

    The rating is the manufacturer figure for the loaded weight of one vehicle, so it is a limit fixed in advance rather than a measurement of the load on board today.

    Source: oregon.gov

  17. What does the gross combination weight rating cover?

    1. The rating of the trailer by itself
    2. The maximum loaded weight of the power unit together with the trailer or trailers it tows
    3. The weight of the tractor with no cargo and no trailer attached
    4. The total weight of every vehicle the carrier operates on that route in a single working day
    Show answer

    Answer B: The maximum loaded weight of the power unit together with the trailer or trailers it tows

    The combination rating takes in the power unit and everything behind it, loaded, as specified by the manufacturer.

    Source: oregon.gov

  18. What is axle weight?

    1. The weight of the axle assembly by itself
    2. The share of the load that sits directly above the fifth wheel plate
    3. The weight carried to the ground by one axle or one set of axles
    4. The rating stamped on the suspension springs by the axle maker
    Show answer

    Answer C: The weight carried to the ground by one axle or one set of axles

    Axle weight describes how the load is shared among the axles that carry it to the road, not how much the whole vehicle weighs.

    Source: oregon.gov

  19. Where do you find the maximum weight a tire can safely carry?

    1. On the manufacturer plate in the door frame
    2. On the shipping papers for the load
    3. On the suspension rating tag
    4. Stamped on the sidewall of the tire itself
    Show answer

    Answer D: Stamped on the sidewall of the tire itself

    Each tire is marked with the greatest weight it can carry at a stated inflation pressure, and the load on an axle must stay within the total for its tires.

    Source: oregon.gov

  20. On the Interstate System, what is the federal maximum weight allowed on a single axle?

    1. 20,000 pounds
    2. 12,000 pounds
    3. 34,000 pounds
    4. 80,000 pounds
    Show answer

    Answer A: 20,000 pounds

    Federal limits for the Interstate System cap one single axle at 20,000 pounds.

    Source: ops.fhwa.dot.gov

  21. On the Interstate System, what are the federal maximums for a tandem axle group and for gross vehicle weight?

    1. 20,000 pounds and 60,000 pounds
    2. 34,000 pounds and 80,000 pounds
    3. 40,000 pounds and 100,000 pounds
    4. 26,000 pounds and 70,000 pounds
    Show answer

    Answer B: 34,000 pounds and 80,000 pounds

    The federal Interstate limits allow 34,000 pounds on a tandem axle group and 80,000 pounds gross.

    Source: ops.fhwa.dot.gov

  22. What does the federal bridge formula do?

    1. It sets the maximum length of a trailer and of the whole combination on the Interstate
    2. It converts axle weight into the tire pressure each position needs
    3. It reduces the weight allowed on a group of axles as those axles get closer together
    4. It fixes the number of tiedowns a load needs
    Show answer

    Answer C: It reduces the weight allowed on a group of axles as those axles get closer together

    Axles bunched together concentrate the load on a short span of a bridge, so the formula lowers the allowable weight as the spacing shrinks.

    Source: ops.fhwa.dot.gov

  23. What happens when too much of the load sits over the steering axle?

    1. The drive wheels lose all traction and the vehicle will not pull away at all
    2. The trailer brakes apply on their own
    3. The vehicle accelerates faster than normal because the front end is planted
    4. The vehicle becomes hard to steer and the axle and its tires can be damaged
    Show answer

    Answer D: The vehicle becomes hard to steer and the axle and its tires can be damaged

    Weight beyond the front axle rating makes the steering heavy and can overload the axle and the tires carrying it.

    Source: oregon.gov

  24. What is the risk when too little weight rests on the drive axles?

    1. Poor traction, so the drive wheels spin easily on wet or slippery surfaces
    2. The steering axle tires wear out much faster than the tires on the drive axles
    3. The parking brake will not release
    4. The trailer rides higher at the front than the tractor does
    Show answer

    Answer A: Poor traction, so the drive wheels spin easily on wet or slippery surfaces

    Traction depends on weight pressing the driving tires onto the road, so a light drive axle spins on wet, snowy or loose surfaces.

    Source: oregon.gov

  25. Why does a load need to be balanced from side to side?

    1. Because the tachometer and the speedometer read incorrectly otherwise
    2. Because a heavy side raises the rollover risk and can overload the tires and springs on that side
    3. Because the fuel gauge and the axle scales are both calibrated for an evenly spread load across the deck
    4. Because the trailer doors will not close otherwise
    Show answer

    Answer B: Because a heavy side raises the rollover risk and can overload the tires and springs on that side

    An uneven load tips the balance of the vehicle in curves and pushes the tires and suspension on the loaded side past their rating.

  26. What is the driver responsible for when a load is covered with a tarp?

    1. Keeping the tarp loose so that air can circulate under it and dry the load out
    2. Removing the tarp at every rest stop
    3. Fastening it so it cannot flap free, block a mirror, or come off in the wind
    4. Marking the tarp with the weight and the description of the load
    Show answer

    Answer C: Fastening it so it cannot flap free, block a mirror, or come off in the wind

    A tarp that works loose can tear away, block the driver view or the view of others, and become a hazard for the traffic behind.

    Source: oregon.gov

  27. Why does a load of live animals need special attention?

    1. Live animals add no weight to the axles
    2. Live animals must always ride over the steering axle
    3. Live animals keep the trailer brakes from working
    4. The animals move and lean, so the center of gravity shifts and the vehicle can be pushed off balance in a turn
    Show answer

    Answer D: The animals move and lean, so the center of gravity shifts and the vehicle can be pushed off balance in a turn

    A live load will not stay where it is put, and that movement changes the balance of the vehicle exactly when a curve is loading it most.

    Source: oregon.gov

  28. How does bracing differ from blocking when securing cargo?

    1. Bracing is used only inside sealed shipping containers, while blocking is used only on open flatbed trailers that have no sides or bulkheads at all
    2. Bracing runs from the upper part of the cargo to the floor or walls to keep it from moving, while blocking fits snugly against the cargo
    3. Bracing replaces tiedowns entirely on a flatbed, while blocking is always used together with tiedowns on a van
    4. Bracing is a type of tarp that covers the top of the load, while blocking is a type of chain that goes under it
    Show answer

    Answer B: Bracing runs from the upper part of the cargo to the floor or walls to keep it from moving, while blocking fits snugly against the cargo

    Blocking is shaped to fit against the front, back or sides of a piece of cargo; bracing supports it from above so it cannot tip or shift.

    Source: oregon.gov

  29. Where is a dunnage bag used and how does it work?

    1. On the roof of a van, where it seals the joints against rain during the trip
    2. Under the trailer frame, where it replaces the air springs of the suspension
    3. Between the tractor and the trailer, where it cushions the fifth wheel coupling
    4. Between pieces of cargo inside a van, where it is inflated to take up the gap
    Show answer

    Answer D: Between pieces of cargo inside a van, where it is inflated to take up the gap

    A dunnage bag is placed in the void between loads and inflated so the cargo is wedged and cannot move as the vehicle rolls and brakes.

    Source: oregon.gov

  30. How is a shipping container normally secured when it is carried on a special container chassis?

    1. With ropes thrown over the top of the container and tied to the bumpers of the truck
    2. With its own locking devices that attach the container directly to the chassis frame
    3. With four chains hooked to the container doors and tightened toward the cab of the tractor
    4. It does not need to be secured because its own weight holds it in place on the chassis
    Show answer

    Answer B: With its own locking devices that attach the container directly to the chassis frame

    Containers built for rail or ship transport have locking corners that fasten to a matching chassis; a container carried on a plain flatbed must be secured like any other cargo.

    Source: oregon.gov

  31. Why does a load of hanging meat in a refrigerated trailer require special care in curves?

    1. The refrigeration unit shuts off in curves and the cargo can spoil very quickly
    2. The meat freezes solid and adds weight to the front axle during every turn
    3. The hooks disconnect automatically if the trailer leans more than a few degrees
    4. The meat swings and has a high center of gravity, which makes the trailer unstable
    Show answer

    Answer D: The meat swings and has a high center of gravity, which makes the trailer unstable

    Hanging meat is heavy, sits high and swings, so the trailer can tip in a curve or on a ramp taken at normal speed.

    Source: oregon.gov

  32. You are moving an oversized load under a permit that requires a pilot vehicle. What is the pilot vehicle there to do?

    1. Carry the permit paperwork so the truck driver does not have to hold it
    2. Warn other traffic and check the route ahead for clearances and hazards
    3. Push the load from behind whenever the truck climbs a steep grade
    4. Take over the driving whenever the load crosses a county boundary
    Show answer

    Answer B: Warn other traffic and check the route ahead for clearances and hazards

    Escort or pilot vehicles warn approaching traffic and scout the route for low bridges, narrow spots and other hazards that a wide or long load cannot pass.

    Source: oregon.gov

  33. When must a driver first inspect the cargo and its securement devices?

    1. Only after the first 50 miles, when the securement devices have settled
    2. Only when a roadside inspector asks to see the load and the tiedowns
    3. Before starting the trip, as part of the pre-trip inspection
    4. At the first fuel stop, once the cargo has had some time to shift
    Show answer

    Answer C: Before starting the trip, as part of the pre-trip inspection

    Cargo is part of the pre-trip inspection; the later checks within 50 miles and every three hours or 150 miles come on top of that first inspection.

    Source: oregon.gov

  34. An article of cargo has been blocked so that it cannot move forward. How many tiedowns does the federal rule call for?

    1. One tiedown for every 10 feet of article length, or any part of that
    2. One tiedown for every 5 feet of article length, plus two more for any remaining part
    3. Two tiedowns for the first 10 feet, plus another two for every 10 feet after that
    4. None at all, because blocking on its own satisfies the securement requirement
    Show answer

    Answer A: One tiedown for every 10 feet of article length, or any part of that

    Blocking against forward movement lowers the requirement to one tiedown per 10 feet of length or fraction of 10 feet.

    Source: ecfr.gov

  35. How does overloading affect the way a vehicle drives?

    1. It improves traction so much that the vehicle stops in a shorter distance on wet and dry roads alike
    2. It only affects fuel economy and has no effect on the handling, steering or braking of the vehicle
    3. It slows the vehicle on upgrades, makes stopping take longer and can overheat the brakes on downgrades
    4. It raises the top speed of the vehicle on downgrades, which makes passing on hills much easier
    Show answer

    Answer C: It slows the vehicle on upgrades, makes stopping take longer and can overheat the brakes on downgrades

    Extra weight demands more from the engine and the brakes, so the vehicle climbs slowly and needs much more distance to stop.

    Source: oregon.gov

  36. What does the suspension system weight rating tell the driver?

    1. The maximum weight that the manufacturer says the suspension can carry
    2. The lowest weight needed before the springs will support the vehicle properly
    3. The weight of the suspension parts that must be subtracted from the axle weight
    4. The amount of weight that can be shifted between axles by sliding the fifth wheel
    Show answer

    Answer A: The maximum weight that the manufacturer says the suspension can carry

    Like tires and axles, suspensions have a manufacturer capacity, and loading beyond it can damage springs and air bags.

    Source: oregon.gov

  37. Why is cargo often covered with a tarp?

    1. To hide the cargo from thieves, which is required on all interstate routes
    2. To hold the cargo down in place of tiedowns, which are then not needed
    3. To protect people from spilled cargo and to protect the cargo from weather
    4. To reduce wind resistance, which is required for any load over 40 feet long
    Show answer

    Answer C: To protect people from spilled cargo and to protect the cargo from weather

    A cover keeps material from blowing or spilling onto the road and shields the load from rain and sun; it does not replace securement.

    Source: oregon.gov

  38. You are given a ratchet strap with a deep cut along one edge. What should you do?

    1. Use it anyway, because the working load limit already includes a margin for damage
    2. Use it only on the lightest piece of cargo and place it near the front of the deck
    3. Do not use it; a damaged tiedown cannot be relied on to hold its rated load
    4. Tie a knot across the cut so the strap regains its full working load limit
    Show answer

    Answer C: Do not use it; a damaged tiedown cannot be relied on to hold its rated load

    Cuts, burns, knots and broken stitching weaken a strap far below its marked working load limit, so it must be taken out of service.

    Source: ecfr.gov

  39. What is required of the hooks, rails, rings and anchor points that tiedowns attach to?

    1. They must be part of the vehicle and strong enough for the load being secured
    2. They must be painted a bright color so that inspectors can find them quickly
    3. They must be attached to the cargo itself rather than to any part of the vehicle
    4. They may be any convenient part of the body, including mirror brackets and lights
    Show answer

    Answer A: They must be part of the vehicle and strong enough for the load being secured

    A tiedown is only as strong as what it is hooked to, so anchor points must be proper vehicle fittings rated for the job.

    Source: oregon.gov

  40. A vehicle carries placards on its front, rear and both sides. What is the main purpose of those placards?

    1. To show that the driver holds a tanker endorsement in addition to the basic license
    2. To record the weight of the cargo for the officers at the next weigh station
    3. To tell emergency responders and other people what hazard the cargo presents
    4. To indicate that the vehicle is exempt from the normal cargo securement rules
    Show answer

    Answer C: To tell emergency responders and other people what hazard the cargo presents

    Placards warn everyone around the vehicle, especially emergency responders, about the kind of hazard the cargo presents.

    Source: oregon.gov

  41. You are asked to drive a truck loaded with enough hazardous materials to require placards. What must you have?

    1. Only a valid commercial driver license of the proper class, with no endorsement
    2. A tanker endorsement, because all hazardous materials are treated as liquids
    3. A hazardous materials endorsement on your commercial driver license
    4. A written note from the shipper allowing you to drive the placarded load
    Show answer

    Answer C: A hazardous materials endorsement on your commercial driver license

    Driving a vehicle that must be placarded requires the H endorsement, which involves a separate knowledge test and a security background check.

    Source: ecfr.gov

  42. On a scale, your loaded truck is well under the gross weight limit, but one axle is above the limit for that axle. What does this mean?

    1. The vehicle is legal, because only the gross weight matters when a truck is on a scale
    2. The vehicle is legal as long as the tires on that axle are inflated to their maximum pressure
    3. The vehicle is legal if you drive slower than 45 mph until you reach the next delivery
    4. The vehicle is overloaded and the load must be shifted or reduced before you drive on
    Show answer

    Answer D: The vehicle is overloaded and the load must be shifted or reduced before you drive on

    Each axle and axle group has its own limit and each must be respected; being under the gross limit does not excuse an overloaded axle.

    Source: oregon.gov

  43. Why must tiedowns be rechecked during a trip even when they were tight at the start?

    1. The working load limit of a tiedown drops by half after every hour of driving
    2. Federal rules require replacing every tiedown with a new one at each stop
    3. Road vibration and cargo movement can loosen them as the miles go by
    4. Heat from the exhaust pipe stretches the straps within the first few miles
    Show answer

    Answer C: Road vibration and cargo movement can loosen them as the miles go by

    Straps and chains settle and loosen as the vehicle bounces and the cargo shifts slightly, so the load must be rechecked at the required intervals.

    Source: oregon.gov

  44. You are strapping down a load with sharp metal edges on a flatbed. What should you use?

    1. A thinner strap that fits more easily around the sharp corners of the load
    2. Two extra chains instead of straps, so that edge protection is not needed
    3. A loose strap that does not touch the edges, tightened only at the first stop
    4. Edge protection between the strap and the sharp edges so the tiedown is not cut
    Show answer

    Answer D: Edge protection between the strap and the sharp edges so the tiedown is not cut

    Sharp edges cut or wear through a strap under tension, so edge protectors are required wherever a tiedown could be damaged.

    Source: ecfr.gov

  45. You are hauling livestock and the trailer is only partly full. What should be done?

    1. Use false bulkheads or partitions to keep the animals bunched together
    2. Spread the animals evenly through the whole trailer so that no area is crowded
    3. Leave the animals loose so they can settle wherever they feel most comfortable
    4. Place all the animals at the very rear of the trailer to lighten the steering axle
    Show answer

    Answer A: Use false bulkheads or partitions to keep the animals bunched together

    Animals that can move around shift the center of gravity, so a partial load is bunched together with partitions to limit how far the weight can move.

    Source: oregon.gov

  46. Your load projects more than 4 feet beyond the rear of the vehicle. How must the projecting end be marked?

    1. With a red or orange flag by day and a red lamp after dark
    2. With a white flag by day and a white lamp after dark, on the left side only
    3. With an amber reflector on each rear corner and nothing further after dark
    4. With the four way flashers alone, which serve as the marking at any hour
    Show answer

    Answer A: With a red or orange flag by day and a red lamp after dark

    Federal rules require a warning flag on a rear projecting load in daylight and a red lamp on the end of it when lights are required.

    Source: ecfr.gov

  47. You are loading a flatbed that has no sides or bulkheads. How must the cargo be held?

    1. By its own weight alone, as long as each piece weighs more than 500 pounds and sits flat on the deck
    2. By a tarp pulled tight over the load, which counts as a tiedown on an open deck without sides
    3. By parking the trailer against a wall at each delivery point so the cargo cannot slide off the side
    4. By tiedowns, blocking or bracing, since there are no walls to keep it from shifting or falling off
    Show answer

    Answer D: By tiedowns, blocking or bracing, since there are no walls to keep it from shifting or falling off

    Open decks depend entirely on securement devices; every article must be tied down or otherwise immobilized so it cannot move, spill or fall.

    Source: oregon.gov

  48. Federal rules say a commercial vehicle may not be driven unless what is true of its cargo?

    1. It has been weighed at a certified scale within the last twenty four hours of driving
    2. It is properly distributed and adequately secured
    3. It is listed item by item on a bill of lading signed by the shipper and the driver
    4. It has been loaded by someone who holds a commercial driver license of the same class
    Show answer

    Answer B: It is properly distributed and adequately secured

    The basic federal requirement is that the load be distributed properly and secured well enough that it cannot move, whatever the paperwork says.

    Source: ecfr.gov

  49. You are hauling a sealed trailer and have been told in writing not to open it. How does that affect the en route cargo checks?

    1. You must still open it at every rest stop, since federal rules override any instruction
    2. You must break the seal only at the first stop and reseal it with a company seal
    3. You do not have to inspect the cargo itself, but the vehicle and weight are still yours
    4. You are excused from all inspection duties, including the tires, brakes and lights
    Show answer

    Answer C: You do not have to inspect the cargo itself, but the vehicle and weight are still yours

    The en route cargo inspection rule does not apply to a driver of a sealed vehicle who has been ordered not to open it, but every other responsibility, including legal weight, remains.

    Source: ecfr.gov

  50. Cargo securement must be strong enough to hold the load under which conditions?

    1. Hard braking, hard acceleration and hard turning, as well as the bouncing of the road
    2. Only the forces of a crash, since normal driving cannot move a properly loaded article
    3. Only forward forces, because braking is the only force that moves freight in practice
    4. Only the forces produced at or below the posted speed limit for the road being used
    Show answer

    Answer A: Hard braking, hard acceleration and hard turning, as well as the bouncing of the road

    The securement standard is written around the forces of a hard stop, a hard start, a hard turn and vertical movement on a rough surface, all of which occur in ordinary driving.

    Source: fmcsa.dot.gov

  51. Why must cargo also be held down against vertical movement and not only against sliding?

    1. Because the securement rule counts a load as unsecured unless the deck is fully covered
    2. Because a bouncing load transfers weight from the drive axles to the steering axle
    3. Because vertical loads are the only forces that a tiedown is actually rated to resist
    4. Because a load that bounces can jump the blocking and slacken its own tiedowns
    Show answer

    Answer D: Because a load that bounces can jump the blocking and slacken its own tiedowns

    Rough road makes an unrestrained article lift; every bounce lets it move a little and works the tiedowns loose until nothing is holding it.

    Source: fmcsa.dot.gov

  52. You stop to check the load. Which set of things are you looking at?

    1. Only the tiedowns, since the load itself is the responsibility of the shipping dock
    2. The seal number, the bill of lading and the delivery time agreed with the customer
    3. Tight tiedowns, cargo that has not moved, secure doors and tarps still fastened
    4. The tire pressures, the brake adjustment and the fifth wheel, which shift with the load
    Show answer

    Answer C: Tight tiedowns, cargo that has not moved, secure doors and tarps still fastened

    A cargo check covers the load and everything holding it: whether it has shifted, whether the devices are still tight, and whether doors and covers are still closed and fastened.

    Source: oregon.gov

  53. At a rest area you find that the load has shifted although the straps still feel tight. What should you do?

    1. Continue to the delivery point and report the shift on arrival, since nothing is loose
    2. Add one more strap over the load and carry on without moving any of the freight
    3. Correct the load before driving on, since a shifted load is no longer secure
    4. Reduce your speed by about a third and avoid any route with steep grades or curves
    Show answer

    Answer C: Correct the load before driving on, since a shifted load is no longer secure

    Movement means the securement has already failed once, and a load that has shifted can shift again, so it is put right before the vehicle moves.

    Source: oregon.gov

  54. An unblocked article is 8 feet long and weighs 900 pounds. How many tiedowns does the federal rule require?

    1. One, because the article weighs less than 1,100 pounds
    2. Two
    3. Three, because two are needed for the length and one more for the weight of it
    4. None, provided the article is loaded against the front wall of the trailer body
    Show answer

    Answer B: Two

    Only an article that is 5 feet or shorter and 1,100 pounds or lighter can be held with a single tiedown; anything longer than 5 feet needs at least two whatever it weighs.

    Source: ecfr.gov

  55. An unblocked article is 15 feet long. What is the minimum number of tiedowns?

    1. Two, because the extra 5 feet is less than a further full 10 foot section
    2. Three
    3. Four, since a tiedown is needed at each end and one at every 5 foot interval
    4. Five, one for each 3 feet of length, which is the rule for long articles
    Show answer

    Answer B: Three

    Two tiedowns cover the first 10 feet and one more is added for each further 10 feet or any part of it, so 15 feet needs three.

    Source: ecfr.gov

  56. A strap runs from an anchor point on one side of the trailer, over the load, and down to an anchor point on the opposite side. How much of its working load limit counts toward the total required?

    1. One quarter of it, because the strap is shared between the two sides of the vehicle
    2. One half of it, the same as for any other tiedown fitted on a flatbed trailer
    3. All of it
    4. None of it, unless the strap is also attached to the article of cargo in the middle
    Show answer

    Answer C: All of it

    A tiedown that is anchored on one side, passes over or around the cargo and is anchored on the other side counts its full working load limit toward the aggregate figure.

    Source: ecfr.gov

  57. A chain rated at 6,600 pounds is fitted with a hook rated at 4,700 pounds. What is the working load limit of that assembly?

    1. 4,700 pounds, the rating of the weakest part
    2. 6,600 pounds, because the chain is what carries the load along its whole length
    3. 11,300 pounds, since the ratings of the parts are added together for an assembly
    4. 5,650 pounds, which is the average of the two ratings marked on the components
    Show answer

    Answer A: 4,700 pounds, the rating of the weakest part

    An assembly is only as strong as its weakest component, so hooks, binders and links all count and the lowest rating governs.

    Source: ecfr.gov

  58. How does the working load limit of a tiedown relate to the force that would break it?

    1. They are the same figure, which is why the limit must never be exceeded in service
    2. The working load limit is a fraction of the breaking strength and is the figure you use
    3. The breaking strength is the figure used to work out the aggregate securement total
    4. The working load limit applies to chain only, while webbing is rated by its breaking point
    Show answer

    Answer B: The working load limit is a fraction of the breaking strength and is the figure you use

    The working load limit is set well below the point at which the device would fail, and securement is always calculated from the working load limit, never from breaking strength.

    Source: ecfr.gov

  59. A strap is a little too long, so a driver ties a knot in it to take up the slack. Is that acceptable?

    1. Yes, provided the knot is tied clear of any sharp edge on the article of cargo
    2. Yes, but only on a load that is also blocked against forward movement by a bulkhead
    3. No, tiedowns must not contain knots
    4. No, unless a second strap of the correct length is fitted alongside the knotted one
    Show answer

    Answer C: No, tiedowns must not contain knots

    A knot destroys the rated strength of a tiedown, so the rules do not allow knotted securement devices; the excess is taken up by the winch or ratchet instead.

    Source: ecfr.gov

  60. You are loading lengths of large diameter pipe on a flatbed. What is needed besides the tiedowns?

    1. A tarp over the whole load, because round articles are always classed as loose cargo
    2. Dunnage bags along both sides, inflated until the pipe is lifted clear of the deck
    3. A front end structure rated to hold the full weight of the pipe in a hard stop
    4. Chocks, wedges or cradles that keep the pipe from rolling
    Show answer

    Answer D: Chocks, wedges or cradles that keep the pipe from rolling

    Anything that can roll must be prevented from rolling by chocks, wedges, cradles or a similar device that is itself secured so it cannot come out.

    Source: ecfr.gov

  61. Some commodities have their own detailed securement rules on top of the general ones. Which list is made up of such commodities?

    1. Palletised groceries, bagged cement, drums of paint and boxed electrical appliances
    2. Refrigerated produce, bottled water, furniture, carpet rolls and baled paper waste
    3. Logs, metal coils, paper rolls, concrete pipe and crushed vehicles
    4. Hanging meat, livestock, dry bulk grain, bottled gas and household removals goods
    Show answer

    Answer C: Logs, metal coils, paper rolls, concrete pipe and crushed vehicles

    The cargo securement rules add specific requirements for particular commodities, including logs, dressed lumber, metal coils, paper rolls, concrete pipe, intermodal containers, vehicles, crushed cars, roll on containers and large boulders.

    Source: fmcsa.dot.gov

  62. You are hauling an open box of loose gravel. What does that load require?

    1. A cover, so that material cannot blow off or spill onto the road
    2. A second set of tiedowns running the length of the body from front to rear
    3. A permit, because loose material counts as an oversize commodity in most cases
    4. A front end structure tall enough to reach the top edge of the loaded material
    Show answer

    Answer A: A cover, so that material cannot blow off or spill onto the road

    Loose material that can be blown or spilled has to be covered so it does not come out of the body and strike traffic behind.

    Source: oregon.gov

  63. You pick up a sealed trailer at a shipper. What should you check before leaving the dock?

    1. The temperature of the load, which the shipper must record on the bill of lading
    2. That the seal number matches the paperwork and that the doors are properly closed
    3. That the seal can be broken by hand in case the load has to be inspected en route
    4. That the freight has been photographed by the dock crew before the doors were closed
    Show answer

    Answer B: That the seal number matches the paperwork and that the doors are properly closed

    You cannot look at a sealed load, but you can confirm that the seal is intact, that its number matches the documents and that the doors are secure.

    Source: oregon.gov

  64. An intermodal container is being carried on an ordinary flatbed rather than on a container chassis. What does that mean for securement?

    1. Nothing extra is needed, because the weight of a container holds it on the deck
    2. It must be secured with tiedowns that meet the container securement requirements
    3. It may only be moved within a port area, since flatbeds are not approved for containers
    4. It must be loaded with its doors facing forward, which is what holds it against the deck
    Show answer

    Answer B: It must be secured with tiedowns that meet the container securement requirements

    A container carried on a vehicle that is not fitted with integral locking devices has to be secured to the deck with tiedowns that satisfy the rules for containers.

    Source: fmcsa.dot.gov

  65. You are pulling a loaded pneumatic dry bulk trailer and approach an exit ramp posted at 35 mph. What is the safest approach?

    1. Take the ramp at the posted speed, since posted ramp speeds already allow for trucks
    2. Enter at the posted speed and brake steadily all the way round the curve of the ramp
    3. Slow to well below the posted speed before the ramp begins
    4. Keep speed up on the ramp so the load stays settled and does not begin to move
    Show answer

    Answer C: Slow to well below the posted speed before the ramp begins

    A dry bulk trailer carries its weight high and the load can move, so the ramp speed posted for a car is far too fast and the slowing must be finished before the curve.

    Source: oregon.gov

  66. Why is a quick lane change particularly risky with a load of hanging meat or of livestock?

    1. The load swings or leans and can keep pushing the trailer after you straighten out
    2. The load presses down on one side and lifts the drive axle clear of the road surface
    3. The load blocks the rear view, so you cannot tell whether the lane behind is clear
    4. These loads are legally limited to the right hand lane on any road with three lanes
    Show answer

    Answer A: The load swings or leans and can keep pushing the trailer after you straighten out

    A swinging or leaning load keeps moving after the vehicle has finished the maneuver, so its momentum acts on the trailer at the worst moment.

    Source: oregon.gov

  67. Besides allowing the move at all, what does an oversize load permit usually set out?

    1. The name of the driver, who must hold the permit personally rather than the carrier
    2. The insurance value of the load and the amount payable in the event of any damage
    3. The route to be followed, the hours of travel allowed and the warning equipment needed
    4. The minimum speed to be maintained, so that traffic is not held up on open highways
    Show answer

    Answer C: The route to be followed, the hours of travel allowed and the warning equipment needed

    Permits for oversize movements normally name the roads that may be used, restrict the times of travel, and list the flags, signs and escorts required.

    Source: oregon.gov

  68. Where are the OVERSIZE LOAD signs normally carried on a vehicle moving under such a permit?

    1. On the front and the rear of the vehicle
    2. On both sides of the trailer, level with the widest point of the load being carried
    3. On the rear only, because it is following traffic that needs the warning most of all
    4. On the escort vehicles only, since the load itself already carries flags at its corners
    Show answer

    Answer A: On the front and the rear of the vehicle

    The warning signs face the traffic that meets the load and the traffic that comes up behind it, so they go on the front and the rear.

    Source: oregon.gov

  69. How can a driver tell that a shipment includes hazardous materials?

    1. The trailer will have been sealed by the shipper and marked with a numbered tag
    2. The shipping paper describes them and the packages carry hazard warning labels
    3. The load will always be lighter than the legal maximum for the axles carrying it
    4. The consignee will have signed a separate contract that travels with the driver
    Show answer

    Answer B: The shipping paper describes them and the packages carry hazard warning labels

    Hazardous materials are identified on the shipping paper with their shipping name and hazard class, and the packages themselves carry labels showing the hazard.

    Source: fmcsa.dot.gov

  70. The shipper hands you the placards for a load that needs them. Who puts them on the vehicle?

    1. The dock crew, who must fit them before the trailer doors are closed and sealed
    2. Nobody until the first weigh station, where an inspector checks and fits them
    3. The driver, who must also make sure they are the correct ones and are readable
    4. The carrier safety office, which issues a placarding certificate for the trip file
    Show answer

    Answer C: The driver, who must also make sure they are the correct ones and are readable

    The shipper supplies the placards, but it is the driver who must place them on the vehicle and confirm that they match the load and can be read.

    Source: phmsa.dot.gov

  71. During a stop you find a package in the trailer leaking an unknown chemical. What should you do?

    1. Move the package to the rear doors where the air will carry the vapor away
    2. Wrap the package in a tarp and continue to the delivery point at reduced speed
    3. Keep clear, keep others away and get help without touching the package
    4. Wash the spill off the floor with water so it cannot spread to the rest of the load
    Show answer

    Answer C: Keep clear, keep others away and get help without touching the package

    A driver without the training and equipment does not handle a leak; the job is to protect people from the material and get qualified help to the scene.

    Source: phmsa.dot.gov

  72. What does gross vehicle weight mean, as opposed to gross vehicle weight rating?

    1. The weight the manufacturer says the vehicle may reach when it is fully loaded
    2. The actual weight of the single vehicle plus everything it is carrying
    3. The weight of the vehicle when empty, with fuel, oil and coolant but no cargo at all
    4. The weight of the heaviest single axle group measured on a certified platform scale
    Show answer

    Answer B: The actual weight of the single vehicle plus everything it is carrying

    Gross vehicle weight is what the vehicle actually weighs at that moment; the rating is the maximum the manufacturer allows it to weigh.

    Source: oregon.gov

  73. What is the payload of a truck?

    1. The total weight of the vehicle and the cargo together as weighed at a public scale
    2. The maximum weight the manufacturer allows on the rear axle group of the vehicle
    3. The weight of the cargo the vehicle is carrying, that is the loaded weight less the empty weight
    4. The weight of the fuel, tools and equipment carried on board for the driver on a trip
    Show answer

    Answer C: The weight of the cargo the vehicle is carrying, that is the loaded weight less the empty weight

    Payload is what is left of the legal or rated weight once the weight of the empty vehicle is taken off, and it is the weight of cargo that can be carried.

    Source: oregon.gov

  74. Your axle weights are legal, but the tires on that axle are rated below the weight it is carrying. What controls?

    1. The legal axle limit, because it is set by law and the tire rating is only advisory
    2. The lower figure, so the tires may not be loaded beyond their marked rating
    3. Neither, provided the total gross weight of the vehicle is under the legal maximum
    4. The average of the two figures, which is how enforcement officers assess tire loading
    Show answer

    Answer B: The lower figure, so the tires may not be loaded beyond their marked rating

    You may never exceed the rating marked on a tire, even when the axle limit would allow more, because an overloaded tire builds heat and can fail.

    Source: oregon.gov

  75. What is the coupling device weight rating on a vehicle?

    1. The most weight that the coupling on the vehicle is rated to pull
    2. The weight of the fifth wheel and its mounting rails once fitted to the tractor frame
    3. The downward force the kingpin may place on the fifth wheel plate while under way
    4. The combined weight of the tractor and its trailer as approved for interstate use
    Show answer

    Answer A: The most weight that the coupling on the vehicle is rated to pull

    The coupling device rating is a limit on how much weight the coupling may tow, and it is one of the ratings that has to be respected when a combination is loaded.

    Source: oregon.gov

  76. You are told a posted bridge ahead has a weight limit lower than your gross weight. What must you do?

    1. Cross slowly and alone, since a posted limit assumes several vehicles at once
    2. Cross at highway speed so that the load spends the least time on the structure
    3. Take a route that avoids it, because a posted limit is a legal limit
    4. Cross only if the bridge carries an Interstate route, where federal limits apply instead
    Show answer

    Answer C: Take a route that avoids it, because a posted limit is a legal limit

    A posted structure limit must be obeyed exactly as any other weight limit, so a heavier vehicle has to be routed around it.

    Source: ops.fhwa.dot.gov

  77. At the scale your tractor drive axles are overweight while the trailer axles have room. Sliding the trailer tandems forward will do what?

    1. Add weight to both the drive axles and the trailer axles at the same time
    2. Take weight off the trailer axles and put more of it onto the drive axles
    3. Move weight off the drive axles and onto the trailer axles
    4. Change nothing, since the tandems only affect the length of the combination
    Show answer

    Answer C: Move weight off the drive axles and onto the trailer axles

    Sliding the trailer tandems forward brings the rear support closer to the load, so the trailer axles pick up more weight and the drive axles carry less; sliding them rearward does the opposite.

    Source: oregon.gov

  78. On a tractor with a sliding fifth wheel, what does moving the fifth wheel forward do?

    1. Puts more of the trailer weight onto the steering axle
    2. Takes weight off both tractor axles and places it on the trailer axles instead
    3. Reduces the total gross weight of the combination as measured at a platform scale
    4. Shortens the trailer overhang, which lowers the weight on the trailer tandem group
    Show answer

    Answer A: Puts more of the trailer weight onto the steering axle

    Moving the coupling point forward transfers weight from the drive axles to the steering axle, which is how a driver corrects a drive axle that is over the limit.

    Source: oregon.gov

  79. The scale shows that your combination is over the legal gross weight. Why will sliding the tandems not fix it?

    1. Because the tandems can only be moved with the trailer brakes released and rolling
    2. Because sliding the axles changes where the weight sits, not how much there is
    3. Because the gross figure is taken from the registration and not from the scale itself
    4. Because a sliding tandem trailer is exempt from the gross weight limits in any case
    Show answer

    Answer B: Because sliding the axles changes where the weight sits, not how much there is

    Repositioning axles redistributes weight between axle groups; when the total is too high, freight has to come off the vehicle.

    Source: ops.fhwa.dot.gov

  80. A dock crew loads all of the freight at the very back of a 48 foot van trailer. What are the two consequences?

    1. The steering axle is relieved of weight and steering becomes light, and the trailer axles may go over the limit
    2. The drive axles carry more weight than usual, so the trailer axles will weigh light
    3. The center of gravity moves lower, which makes the trailer far more stable in curves
    4. The load will press against the front end structure whenever the vehicle brakes hard
    Show answer

    Answer A: The steering axle is relieved of weight and steering becomes light, and the trailer axles may go over the limit

    Weight placed far to the rear lifts weight off the front of the combination, so the steering goes light while the trailer axles take too much of the load.

    Source: oregon.gov

  81. You have a part load that fills only a third of a long trailer. How should it be placed?

    1. Stacked against the rear doors so nothing can move backward while under way
    2. Piled as high as the roof allows, which uses the least floor area of the trailer
    3. Spread out and centerd side to side, so the weight sits over the axles
    4. Split into two equal piles, one at each end, so the axles are loaded equally
    Show answer

    Answer C: Spread out and centerd side to side, so the weight sits over the axles

    A part load is spread over as much of the floor as possible and kept centerd, so no axle is overloaded and the vehicle stays balanced from side to side.

    Source: oregon.gov

  82. What is a bulkhead in a cargo body used for?

    1. To carry the roof of the body, which is why it must never be leaned against
    2. To hold the tiedown anchor points, which are mounted along its lower edge
    3. To seal the body against weather, which is required for all refrigerated freight
    4. To divide the space and stop cargo from moving into another part of the body
    Show answer

    Answer D: To divide the space and stop cargo from moving into another part of the body

    A bulkhead is a solid partition that separates one part of the load space from another and blocks the cargo from moving past it.

    Source: oregon.gov

  83. Part of your load stands high enough to hide a rear lamp or a reflector. What must be done?

    1. Nothing, provided the lamp is still visible from directly behind the vehicle at night
    2. The load must be moved or extra lamps fitted so the required lights can be seen
    3. The vehicle may be driven only in daylight until the load has been delivered
    4. The four-way flashers must be left on for as long as the lamp is obstructed
    Show answer

    Answer B: The load must be moved or extra lamps fitted so the required lights can be seen

    Required lamps and reflectors must remain visible; if the cargo blocks them, the load is rearranged or additional lamps are fitted so the vehicle can still be seen.

    Source: ecfr.gov

  84. The paperwork shows a weight, but the load looks heavier than you expected. What should you do?

    1. Accept the figure on the paperwork, which the shipper is legally responsible for
    2. Estimate the weight from the number of pallets and drive if the estimate is legal
    3. Weigh the vehicle, since you are the one answerable for driving it overweight
    4. Drive to the delivery point by secondary roads, where scales are not usually found
    Show answer

    Answer C: Weigh the vehicle, since you are the one answerable for driving it overweight

    The driver is the one who can be cited for an overweight vehicle, so a doubtful weight is settled on a scale before the trip continues.

    Source: oregon.gov

  85. Cargo falls from your trailer and causes a crash behind you. Who is likely to answer for it?

    1. The consignee, who accepted the shipment when the trailer was loaded and closed
    2. The shipper alone, because the load was made up and secured at their own dock
    3. The driver and the carrier, since securing the load on the road is their duty
    4. The manufacturer of the tiedowns, if their working load limit was correctly marked
    Show answer

    Answer C: The driver and the carrier, since securing the load on the road is their duty

    Whoever loaded the vehicle, the driver and the carrier are responsible for the load being secure while it is on the road.

    Source: ecfr.gov

  86. A dispatcher tells you to take a trailer you believe is loaded badly enough to be unsafe. What should you do?

    1. Take it but drive slowly, since a reduced speed offsets a poorly secured load
    2. Take it as far as the nearest scale and let an inspector decide the question
    3. Refuse to move it until the load has been made safe
    4. Take it and note your concerns on the bill of lading so the shipper carries the risk
    Show answer

    Answer C: Refuse to move it until the load has been made safe

    The driver may not operate a vehicle whose cargo is not properly distributed and secured, and an instruction from an employer does not change that.

    Source: ecfr.gov

  87. You are hauling a load of steel plate that is well within every weight limit but is stacked five feet high on a flatbed. What is the main concern?

    1. The center of gravity is high, so the rig will roll more easily in a curve
    2. The tires will run hot, because a tall load takes more power to push through the air
    3. The load will be hidden from the mirrors, so shifting cannot be seen from the cab
    4. The trailer will exceed the legal height limit and require an oversize permit to move
    Show answer

    Answer A: The center of gravity is high, so the rig will roll more easily in a curve

    Legal weight does not make a load safe; height raises the center of gravity and it is height, not weight alone, that decides how readily the vehicle rolls over.

    Source: oregon.gov