DL Road Test PA

Commercial Drivers License Manual
SECTION 12
on Road dRIvInG test
tHIs sectIon WIll assIst dRIveRs
In taKInG tHe on Road dRIvInG test
Section-12 On Road Driving Test
sectIon12 - onRoad dRIvInGtest
tHIs sectIon coveRs
How You Will be tested
the on-road driving test is to evaluate your ability to operate a commercial motor vehicle safely in most on-road
conditions and is administered behind the wheel over a predetermined route.
during the driving test, the examiner will be scoring you on specific driving maneuvers as well as on your general
driving behavior. You will follow the directions of the examiner. directions will be given to you so you will have plenty
of time to do what the examiner has asked. You will not be asked to drive in an unsafe manner.
If your test route does not have certain traffic situations, you may be asked to simulate a traffic situation. You will do
this by telling the examiner what you are or would be doing, if you were in that traffic situation.
12.1 HoW YoU WIll be tested

tURns
You have been asked to make a turn:

check traffic in all directions.
use turn signals and safely get into the lane needed for the turn.
As you approach the turn:

use turn signals to warn others of your turn.
Slow down smoothly, change gears as needed to keep power but do not coast unsafely. unsafe coasting
occurs when your vehicle is out of gear (clutch depressed or gearshift in neutral) for more than the length
of your vehicle.
If you must stop before making the turn:

come to a smooth stop without skidding.
come to a complete stop behind the stop line, crosswalk or stop sign.
If stopping behind another vehicle, stop where you can see the rear tires on the vehicle ahead of you (safe gap).
do not let your vehicle roll.
Keep the front wheels aimed straight ahead.
When ready to turn:

Keep both hands on the steering wheel during the turn.
do not change gears during the turn.
Keep checking your mirror to make sure the vehicle does not hit anything on the inside of the turn.
vehicle should not move into oncoming traffic.
vehicle should finish turn in correct lane.
After turn:
make sure turn signal is off.
Get up to speed of traffic, use turn signal and move into right-most lane when safe to do so (if not
already there).
12 - 1
InteRsectIons
As you approach an intersection:

check traffic thoroughly in all directions.
decelerate gently.
Brake smoothly and, if necessary, change gears.
If necessary, come to a complete stop (no coasting) behind any stop signs, signals, sidewalks or stop lines
maintaining a safe gap behind any vehicle in front of you.
Your vehicle must not roll forward or backward.
When driving through an intersection:

decelerate and yield to any pedestrians and traffic in the intersection.
do not change lanes or shift gears while proceeding through the intersection.
Keep your hands on the wheel.
once through the intersection:

continue checking traffic.
Accelerate smoothly and change gears as necessary.
URban/RURal stRaIGHt
during this part of the test, you are expected to make regular traffic checks and maintain a safe following distance.
Your vehicle should be centered in the proper lane (right-most lane) and you should keep up with the flow of traffic
but not exceed the posted speed limit.
URban/RURal lane cHanGes
during the multiple lane portion of the urban and rural sections, you will be asked to change lanes to the left and
then back to the right. You should make the necessary traffic checks first, then use proper signals and smoothly
change lanes when it is safe to do so.
exPRessWaY
Before entering the expressway:

check traffic.
use proper signals.
merge smoothly into the proper lane of traffic.
once on the expressway:

maintain proper lane positioning, vehicle spacing and vehicle speed.
continue to check traffic thoroughly in all directions.
You will be instructed to change lanes:
You must make necessary traffic checks.
use proper signals.
change lanes smoothly when it is safe to do so.
When exiting the expressway:

make necessary traffic checks.
use proper signals.
decelerate smoothly in the exit lane.
once on the exit ramp, you must continue to decelerate within the lane markings and maintain adequate
spacing between your vehicle and other vehicles.
12 - 2
stoP/staRt
For this maneuver, you will be asked to pull your vehicle over to the side of the road and stop as if you were going
to get out and check something on your vehicle. You must check traffic thoroughly in all directions and move to the
right-most lane or shoulder of the road.
As you prepare for the stop:

check traffic.
Activate your right turn signal.
decelerate smoothly, brake evenly and change gears as necessary.
Bring your vehicle to a full stop without coasting.
once stopped:
vehicle must be parallel to the curb or shoulder of the road and safely out of the traffic flow.
vehicle should not be blocking driveways, fire hydrants, intersections, signs, etc.
cancel your turn signal.
Activate your four-way emergency flashers.
Apply the parking brake.
move the gear shift to neutral or park.
remove your feet from the brake and clutch pedals.
When instructed to resume:

check traffic and your mirrors thoroughly in all directions.
turn off your four-way flashers.
Activate the left turn signal.
When traffic permits, you should release the parking brake and pull straight ahead.
do not turn the wheel before your vehicle moves.
check traffic from all directions, especially to the left.
Steer and accelerate smoothly into the proper lane when safe to do so.
once your vehicle is back into the flow of traffic, cancel your left turn signal.
cURve
When approaching a curve:

before entering the curve, reduce speed so further braking or shifting is not required in the curve.
Keep vehicle in the lane.
continue checking traffic in all directions.
UPGRade
As you approach the upgrade:

Select the proper gear to maintain speed and not lug the engine.
check traffic thoroughly in all directions and move to the right-most or curb lane.
If legal to do so, use four-way flashers if traveling too slowly for the flow of traffic.
12 - 3
doWnGRade
before starting down the grade:

downshift as needed to help control engine speed
test brakes by gently applying the foot brake to ensure they are functioning properly.
As your vehicle moves down the grade, continue checking traffic in all directions, stay in the right-most or
curb lane; and if legal to do so, use 4-way flashers if your vehicle is moving too slowly for traffic. Increase
following distance and observe the following downhill braking procedures:
Select a "safe" speed, one that is not too fast for the weight of the vehicle, length and steepness of the
grade, weather and road conditions.
Once a "safe" speed has been reached, apply the brake hard enough to feel a definite slowdown.
When speed has been reduced to 5 mph below the "safe" speed, release the brakes (This application
should last for about three (3) seconds.)
Once speed has increased to the "safe" speed, repeat the procedure.
for example: If your "safe" speed is 40 mph, you should apply the brakes once your vehicle speed reaches 40
mph. Your brakes should be applied hard enough to reduce your speed to 35 mph. once your vehicle speed
reaches 35 mph, release your brakes. repeat this procedure as often as necessary until you have reached the
end of the downgrade. this braking technique is called "snubbing."
When operating any commercial vehicle, do not ride the clutch, race the engine, change gears or coast while driving
down the grade. At the bottom of the grade, be sure to cancel your 4-way flashers.
not all test routes will contain an area of sufficient grade to test your skill adequately. therefore, you may be asked
to simulate (verbally) driving up and down a steep hill. You must be familiar with the upgrade/downgrade
procedures so that you can explain and/or demonstrate them to the examiner at any time during the driving test.
RaIlRoad cRossInG
before reaching the crossing, all commercial drivers should:

decelerate, brake smoothly and shift gears as necessary.
Look and listen for the presence of trains.
do not stop, change gears, pass another vehicle or change lanes while any part of your vehicle is in the crossing.
If you are driving a bus, a school bus or a vehicle displaying placards, you should be prepared to observe the
following procedures at every railroad crossing (unless the crossing is exempt):
As the vehicle approaches a railroad crossing, activate the 4-way flashers.
Stop the vehicle within 50 feet but not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail.
Listen and look in both directions along the track for an approaching train and for signals indicating the
approach of a train. If operating a bus, you may also be required to open the window and door prior to
crossing the tracks.
Keep hands on the steering wheel as the vehicle crosses the tracks.
do not stop, change gears or change lanes while any part of your vehicle is proceeding across the tracks.
Four-way flashers should be deactivated after the vehicle crosses the tracks.
not all driving road test routes will have a railroad crossing. You will be asked to explain and demonstrate
the proper railroad crossing procedures to the examiner at a simulated location.
12 - 4
bRIdGe/oveRPass/sIGn
After driving under an overpass, you may be asked to tell the examiner what the posted clearance or height was.
After going over a bridge, you may be asked to tell the examiner what the posted weight limit was. If your test route
does not have a bridge or overpass, you may be asked about another traffic sign. When asked, be prepared to
identify and explain to the examiner any traffic sign which may appear on the route.
dURInG tHe test YoU mUst:
Wear your seat belt.

obey all traffic signs, signals and laws.
complete the test without an accident or moving violation.
You will be scored on your overall performance in the following general driving behavior categories:
clUtcH UsaGe (foR manUal tRansmIssIon)
Always use clutch to shift.
double-clutch if vehicle is equipped with non-synchronized transmission.
do not rev or lug the engine.
do not ride clutch to control speed, coast with the clutch depressed, or "pop" the clutch.
GeaR UsaGe (foR manUal tRansmIssIon)
do not grind or clash gears.
Select gear that does not rev or lug engine.
do not shift in turns and intersections.
bRaKe UsaGe
do not ride or pump brake
do not brake harshly. Brake smoothly using steady pressure.
lane UsaGe
do not put vehicle over curbs, sidewalks or lane markings.
Stop behind stop lines, crosswalks or stop signs.
complete a turn in the proper lane on a multiple lane road (vehicle should finish a left turn in the lane
directly to the right of the center line).
Finish a right turn in the right-most (curb) lane.
move to or remain in right-most lane unless lane is blocked.
12 - 5

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Commercial Drivers License Manual

tHIs sectIon WIll assIst dRIveRs

In taKInG tHe on Road dRIvInG test

Section-12 On Road Driving Test

sectIon12 - onRoad dRIvInGtest

Commercial Drivers License Manual

tHIs sectIon coveRs

How You Will be tested

12.1 HoW YoU WIll be tested

You have been asked to make a turn:

As you approach the turn:

If you must stop before making the turn:

When ready to turn:

Section-12 On Road Driving Test

Commercial Drivers License Manual

As you approach an intersection:

When driving through an intersection:

once through the intersection:

URban/RURal lane cHanGes

Before entering the expressway:

once on the expressway:

When exiting the expressway:

Section-12 On Road Driving Test

Commercial Drivers License Manual

As you prepare for the stop:

When instructed to resume:

When approaching a curve:

As you approach the upgrade:

Section-12 On Road Driving Test

Commercial Drivers License Manual

before starting down the grade:

before reaching the crossing, all commercial drivers should:

Section-12 On Road Driving Test

Commercial Drivers License Manual

dURInG tHe test YoU mUst:

Wear your seat belt.

Section-12 On Road Driving Test

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