COMMERCIAL DRIVERS LICENSE

AIR BRAKES

SAMPLE TESTS

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Air Brake Sample Test A

1. What are the three braking systems?

A The parking brake and emergency brake and thermal system
B The service brake and parking brake and emergency system.
C The service brake and emergency and the inverse system.

2. What is used to make the brakes work?

A Compressed Oxygen.
B Compressed Nitrogen.
C Compressed air.

3. What does the air compressor do?

A Pumps air into the air storage tanks.
B Keeps the tires inflated to proper pressure
C Comes on only if you have to make an emergency stop.

4. What does the air compressor governor control?

A It controls emergency warning systems.
B It controls when the compressor will pump air into the air storage tanks.
C It controls how the compressor will pump air into the air lines.

5. How much compressed air must the storage tanks hold?

A At least one hundred and twenty pounds of air.
B A maximum of one atmosphere.
C Enough air to allow brakes to be used when the air compressor stops working.

6. If oil and water collect in the air tanks what can happen to the brakes?
A The brakes can fail.
B Brake linings will automatically slip loose
C The brakes will work better.

7. No automatic tank drains - when should you drain the air tanks?
A Once a week.
B Once a month.
C Every day.

8. Where will you find the drain valve for each air tank?
A In the bottom of the tank.
B At the top of the tank.
C It is usually found above the tank.

9. What are the two types of air tank drains?

A Manually operated. . . Emergency.
B Automatic . . . Emergency
C Manually operated. . . Automatic.

10. What is a purpose of an alcohol evaporator?

A It takes alcohol from the air system.
B It reduces risk of ice in brake valves and other parts in cold weather.
C It is designed to save fuel in warm weather.

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Air Brakes Sample Test B

1. How often should you check the alcohol evaporator in cold weather?
A Check the alcohol container and fill up as necessary once each week.
B Check the alcohol container once each fall before cold weather starts.
C Check the alcohol container and fill up as necessary every day.

2. What is a purpose of the safety release valve in the first tank?

A It protects the tank and the rest of the system from too much pressure
B It protects all of the system from dirt and oil.
C It helps build up air pressure quickly without running the engine.

3. What are two other names for the brake pedal?

A It can be called the foot valve or the relay valve.
B It can be called the foot valve or treadle valve.
C It can be called the relay valve or air compressor valve.

4. What can happen if the brake pedal is pressed and released too often?
A The brakes will be cooled down as soon as all the hot air is removed.
B Air pressure can build up until the brake pressure gauge is broken.
C Air can be let out of the system faster than the compressor can replace.

5. Where are foundation brakes found?

A At each wheel.
B On every other axle.
C On the drive wheels only.

6. Where are brake shoes and linings located?

A Directly beneath the foot valve.
B Inside each brake drum
C On the outside of certain brake drums.

7. What happens when a brake lining is pushed against the inside of the drum?
A The brakes will always squeal.
B This causes friction which slows the vehicle and creates heat.
C This causes heat which automatically causes the brakes to lock up.

8. On S-Cam brakes what happens to the air when you push the brake pedal?
A Air pressure forces out the push rod and moves the slack adjuster.
B Air pressure works only with wedge brakes and not with S-Cam brakes.
C Air pressure is converted into hydraulic pressure.

9. Which direction does the S-Cam force brake shoes when brakes are applied?
A It presses them against the outside of the brake drum.
B It presses them against the inside of the brake drum.
C It presses them around the brake drum.

10. If the air compressor begins to leak what keeps air in the tanks?
A The slack adjusters.
B The alcohol evaporator.
C The one-way check valve.

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Air Brakes Sample Test C

1. What is one kind of gauge that is required for vehicles with air brakes?
A An air temperature gauge.
B An air pressure gauge
C An oil pressure gauge.

2. What kind of warning signal is required on vehicles with air brakes?

A A high air pressure warning signal.
B A low air pressure warning signal.
C A changing air pressure warning signal.

3. What are the three types of low air pressure warning devices?
A A siren . . . or a horn . . . or 4-way flashers.
B A red light . . . or a buzzer . . . or a wigwag.
C An air horn . . . or an amber light . . . or a whistle.

4. What is used to turn on the stop lights in an air brakes system?

A An electric switch that works by air pressure
B A computer.
C A motion sensor in the wheels.

5. In normal driving parking and emergency brakes are usually held back by?
A Electric relay switches.
B Wheel chocks.
C Air pressure.

6. The effectiveness of the spring brakes depends on the adjustment of?

A Emergency brakes.
B Service brakes.
C Front wheel brakes.

7. Why do some buses have a separate air tank to release spring brakes?
A So you can move the vehicle in an emergency.
B To simplify servicing the air brake system.
C So that the brakes will release quicker.

8. What is a dual air brake system?

A Two separate air brake systems with a single set of brake controls.
B One air brake system with two sets of brake controls.
C Two separate air brake systems with two sets of brake controls.

9. What should you look for in checking an air compressor belt?

A Check for belts that are the wrong color.
B Check for belts that are not made of rubber.
C Check belts for excessive wear and cracks and tightness.

10. What should you do before checking free play in manual slack adjusters?
A Park in a secure location and remove all wheel chocks.
B Park on level ground so that the wheels will not have to be chocked.
C Park on level ground and chock the wheels and release parking brakes.

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Air Brake Sample Test D

1. Combination vehicle: brakes released. The maximum air released?

A One pound per square inch.
B Less than two pounds per square inch
C Less than three pounds per square inch.

2. Single vehicle: brakes released. Maximum air leakage in one minute?

A One pound per square inch.
B Less than two pounds per square inch.
C Less than three pounds per square inch.

3. After applying brakes fully, maximum air loss in one minute - single vehicles?
A Two pounds per square inch.
B Three pounds per square inch.
C Four pounds per square inch.

4. After applying brakes fully max. air loss in one minute - combination vehicles?
A Two pounds per square inch.
B Three pounds per square inch.
C Four pounds per square inch.

5. When should the air governor cut out the air compressor?
A At about the manufacturer specified air pressure.
B At about ten pounds per square inch.
C At about one hundred and ten pounds per square inch.

6. When making a normal stop when should you push in the clutch?
A Experienced drivers do not use the clutch.
B Do not push in the clutch until there is vibration.
C Do not push the clutch in until the engine R.P.M.'s are down close to idle.

7. When making a very quick stop you should brake so that you?
A Can turn quickly to get out the way of hazards.
B Skid to maximize stopping distance.
C Stay in a straight line and can steer.

8. What is another name for controlled braking?

A Steady braking.
B Hard braking.
C Squeeze braking.

9. What is stab braking?

A Putting the brakes on hard without locking the wheels or turning
B Pressing the brake pedal hard and releasing brakes when wheels lock up.
C Applying a constant pressure to the brakes.

10. Why does air braking take more time than hydraulic braking?
A Because air brakes are generally used on longer vehicles
B Because it takes time for air to flow through the lines to the brakes.
C Because air moves through the lines much slower than oil does.

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Air Brakes Sample Test E

1. With dual air systems, the air pressure should build:

A From 85 to 100 psi in 45 seconds
B From 70 to 100 psi in 60 seconds
C From 85 to 150 psi in 45 seconds
D From 70 to 150 psi in 60 seconds

2. A fully charged air system typically has ____ psi:

A 100
B 125
C 150
D 175

3. To test air leakage rate you should:

A Leave the engine running and release the service brake
B Turn off the engine and release the service brake
C Charge the air system and leave the engine running
D Depress the brake pedal and monitor the air pressure gauge

4. A combination vehicle air brake system should not lose air faster than:
A 2 psi per minute
B 3 psi per 30 seconds
C 3 psi per minute
D 4 psi per minute

5. To check the air compressor governor "cut in" and "cut out" pressures:
A Run the engine at a fast idle
B Step on and off the brake to reduce tank pressure
C Monitor the air pressure gauge
D All of the above

6. To test your service brakes you should:

A Stop the vehicle and put the parking brake on
B Release the parking brake, move forward slowly and depress brakes
C Put parking brake on and release air pressure
D Depress brakes when traveling at highway speeds

7. Stab braking occurs when you:

A Press on the brake pedal as hard as you can
B Release the brakes when the wheels lock up
C Apply the brakes when the wheels start rolling
D All of the above

8. Air brakes take longer to stop than hydraulic brakes because:

A The reaction time is longer for the driver
B It takes longer for the air to flow through the lines
C The linings get hotter more quickly
D None of the above

9. The proper way to go down long grades is to:

A Use a low gear and push hard on the brakes
B Let up on the brakes from time to time to cool them
C Use a low gear and apply light pressure on the brakes
D Brake on and off down the hill

10. You should use the parking brake:

A Only on steep hills
B On level surfaces
C Any time you park
D When the brakes are hot

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Air Brakes Sample Test F

1. When you apply pressure to the brake pedal, you are:

A Pushing against a spring and against air pressure to the brakes
B Releasing air pressure to the brakes
C Reducing air in the tanks
D Activating the safety valve

2. Brake drums:
A Are bolted to the wheels
B Are located at each end of the vehicle's axles
C Hold the brake shoes and linings
D All of the above

3. Which type of brake is the most common in commercial vehicles?

A Wedge brakes
B Disk brakes
C S Cam brakes
D Drum brakes

4. An air pressure gauge:

A Shows how much pressure you are applying to the brakes
B Is connected to the generator
C Releases air when you accelerate
D Prevents brake failure

5. All vehicles with air bakes are required to have a low pressure warning signal. This could be:
A A red light
B A wig wag mechanical arm
C A buzzer
D Any one of the above

6. When the low pressure warning is activated, you should:

A Wait for the air brakes to come on automatically
B Bring the vehicle to a safe stop while you still control the brakes
C Monitor your air pressure gauge and maintain highway speeds
D Pump the brake pedal hard to stop

7. A duel air brake system:

A Has two air brake systems and one set of controls
B Takes less time to build air pressure
C Has one set of air tanks and hoses
D Must have two warning alarms

8. An emergency brake:
A Is required on commercial vehicles
B Must be held on by mechanical force
C Could be activated by the loss of air pressure
D All of the above

9. To check the slack adjusters on S Cam brakes, you should:

A Leave the parking brakes on and pull on the slack adjuster
B Wear gloves and pull hard on each slack adjuster
C Make sure the slack adjusters move more than one inch each way
D Drain the air from the system and pull on the slack adjusters

10. To test the low pressure warning signal, you should do all BUT the following:
A Shut the engine off
B Turn the electrical power on
C Ask a friend to listen for the signal
D Step on and off the brake pedal to reduce air pressure

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Air Brakes Sample Test G

1. The air compressor is connected to the engine through:

A Gears
B V Belts
C Hoses
D Both A and B

2. The Air Compressor Governor controls:

A When the brakes should be applied
B When the air compressor pumps air into the storage tanks
C When the warning light is activated
D When the air is released from the tank

3. Compressed air is stored:

A In the hoses
B In the engine compartment
C In the fuel tank
D In the storage tank

4. The Governor stops pumping air when it reaches the "cut out" level, or around:
A 125 psi
B 200 psi
C 225 psi
D 175 psi

5. The Governor allows the air to start pumping again when it reaches the cut in level, or around:
A 200 psi
B 100 psi
C 150 psi
D 125 psi

6. An air tank is equipped with a drain valve to remove:

A Air and water
B Oil and air
C Water and oil
D Dirt and oil

7. Some air brake systems have an alcohol evaporator which helps:

A Reduce the risk of ice in the air brake valves during cold weather
B Remove oil from the air lines
C Reduce the risk of water in the air brake valves in warm weather
D Remove fuel from the air lines

8. The air tank should be drained how often?

A Once a week
B Once a day
C Every four hours
D Every two or three days

9. The safety valve in the air compressor tank is set to open at:
A 150 psi
B 200 psi
C 100 psi
D 175 psi

10. When the safety valve releases air it means that:

A The pressure has exceeded 150 psi
B Too much air is in the air compressor
C Something is wrong, and you should have it checked by a mechanic
D All of the above

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Air Brakes Test Answer Key

A 1. B B 1. C C 1. B D 1. C E 1. A F 1. A G 1. D
2. C 2. A 2. B 2. B 2. B 2. D 2. B
3. A 3. B 3. B 3. B 3. B 3. C 3. D
4. B 4. C 4. A 4. C 4. C 4. A 4. A
5. C 5. A 5. C 5. A 5. D 5. D 5. B
6. A 6. B 6. B 6. C 6. B 6. B 6. C
7. C 7. B 7. A 7. C 7. D 7. A 7. A
8. A 8. A 8. A 8. C 8. B 8. D 8. B
9. C 9. B 9. C 9. B 9. C 9. B 9. A
10. B 10. C 10. C 10. B 10. C 10. C 10. D

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