General Knowledge · Section 2.7

Managing space: CDL practice questions

Section 2.7 covers the space around your vehicle: ahead, behind, to the sides, overhead and below, and the space you need to turn and cross traffic. These questions are part of the General Knowledge test.

Examlane has 32 questions on this chapter. Ten are below; open one to see the answer and why. The rest are in the practice tests.

Practice this chapter

1. You drive a 60-foot rig at less than 40 mph. How many seconds should you leave between you and the vehicle ahead?
1. 5 seconds
2. 6 seconds
3. 7 seconds
4. 8 seconds
Answer: B. 6 seconds
Following distance is one second per 10 feet of length below 40 mph, so a 60-foot rig needs 6 seconds.
Based on: CDL manual, Section 2.7.1 (Georgia edition of the national model manual, read 2026-10-24). Question in our own words.
2. You drive a 40-foot truck at 55 mph. What gap, in seconds, should you keep behind the vehicle ahead?
1. 2 seconds
2. 3 seconds
3. 6 seconds
4. 5 seconds
Answer: D. 5 seconds
Over 40 mph you add one second to the length rule, so a 40-foot vehicle needs 5 seconds.
Based on: CDL manual, Section 2.7.1 (Georgia edition of the national model manual, read 2026-10-24). Question in our own words.
3. What is the most common reason a truck or bus hits the vehicle ahead of it?
1. Following too closely
2. Brake failure on a steep grade
3. Tire blowouts at highway speed
4. Driver sleepiness
Answer: A. Following too closely
The most common cause of these crashes is following too closely.
Based on: CDL manual, Section 2.7.1 (Georgia edition of the national model manual, read 2026-10-24). Question in our own words.
4. A car is tailgating your truck. Which action reduces the chance of a crash?
1. Speed up to pull away
2. Brake hard so the driver backs off
3. Increase your following distance
4. Flash your brake lights over and over
Answer: C. Increase your following distance
More room in front of you means you avoid sudden speed or direction changes, and it gives the tailgater room to pass.
Based on: CDL manual, Section 2.7.2 (Georgia edition of the national model manual, read 2026-10-24). Question in our own words.
5. A heavy load is slowing your truck on an uphill road. Which lane should you use if you can?
1. The left lane
2. The right lane
3. The center of the road
4. The lane beside the fastest traffic
Answer: B. The right lane
A heavy load that slows you on a grade invites tailgating, so use the right-hand lane when possible.
Based on: CDL manual, Section 2.7.2 (Georgia edition of the national model manual, read 2026-10-24). Question in our own words.
6. Traffic is heavy and you must travel near other vehicles. What should you do?
1. Stay in the other driver's blind spot to hold your place
2. Match the other vehicle's speed to stay side by side
3. Move close to the lane line to save room on your other side
4. Leave as big a gap as you can between your vehicle and theirs
Answer: D. Leave as big a gap as you can between your vehicle and theirs
A wide gap beside nearby vehicles protects you if another driver swerves into your lane without warning.
Based on: CDL manual, Section 2.7.3 (Georgia edition of the national model manual, read 2026-10-24). Question in our own words.
7. A loaded cargo van fit under a bridge earlier. What should you expect when the van is empty?
1. It may not fit, because an empty van sits higher
2. It will fit, because an empty van sits lower
3. It will fit, because posted heights are always exact
4. It will fit, because you already made it under once
Answer: A. It may not fit, because an empty van sits higher
An empty van rides higher than a loaded one, so a bridge you cleared when loaded may be too low now.
Based on: CDL manual, Section 2.7.4 (Georgia edition of the national model manual, read 2026-10-24). Question in our own words.
8. When is the clearance beneath a vehicle smallest?
1. When it is empty
2. When it is heavily loaded
3. When its tires are overinflated
4. When its fuel tanks are nearly empty
Answer: B. When it is heavily loaded
A heavy load squeezes the space under a vehicle, which causes trouble on dirt roads, unpaved yards and rough crossings.
Based on: CDL manual, Section 2.7.5 (Georgia edition of the national model manual, read 2026-10-24). Question in our own words.
9. When should a large vehicle start a left turn at an intersection?
1. As soon as you reach the intersection
2. Once your front wheels are past the crosswalk
3. When the rear wheels reach the intersection
4. After you reach the center of the intersection
Answer: D. After you reach the center of the intersection
Waiting until the center of the intersection keeps the left side of your vehicle from hitting another vehicle because of offtracking.
Based on: CDL manual, Section 2.7.6 (Georgia edition of the national model manual, read 2026-10-24). Question in our own words.
10. A truck has to swing wide to finish a right turn. Where should the rear of the vehicle stay?
1. Out toward the center of the road to protect the trailer
2. A few feet from the curb so other vehicles can slip by
3. Close to the curb
4. Wherever feels easiest at the time
Answer: C. Close to the curb
Keeping the rear near the curb leaves no gap for other vehicles to squeeze by on your right during the turn.
Based on: CDL manual, Section 2.7.6 (Georgia edition of the national model manual, read 2026-10-24). Question in our own words.

Read the chapter itself in your state's CDL manual, Section 2.7. Your state's manual is free: find it in the state table.

More General Knowledge chapters: Railroad crossings, Vehicle inspection, Speed and stopping distance, Driving emergencies, Cargo weight and securement.