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General Knowledge Practice Question 51

RequiredGeneral Knowledge · Question 51

Off-tracking refers to:

• ATrailer wheels following a longer path than tractor wheels
• BTrailer wheels following a shorter path than tractor wheels through turns
• CLoss of traction on dirt
• DDriving off the marked roadway

Correct answer: B. Trailer wheels following a shorter path than tractor wheels through turns

Why: Off-tracking causes the trailer's rear wheels to cut a tighter path than the tractor's front wheels, which is why CDL drivers must swing wide on right turns.

How this question fits the General test

FMCSA requires General Knowledge competency under 49 CFR 383.111 because every CDL holder operates a heavy vehicle in mixed traffic where situational judgment, pre-trip discipline, and emergency response routinely separate a safe trip from a fatal one.

Study technique for this topic

Read the FMCSA Model CDL Manual Section 2 cover to cover, then re-read it focused on numbers — speeds, distances, weights, and pressures. Use the practice questions in this category to drill those numeric thresholds until you can answer without hesitation.

Related General practice questions

• Q54. On a divided highway, the rear-most reflective triangle should be placed:
• Q2. A complete pre-trip inspection of a commercial vehicle should take approximately how long?
• Q15. At 55 mph, the average reaction distance is approximately:
• Q28. The general rule for cargo tiedowns is at least one tiedown per:
• Q41. Convex (curved) mirrors:

Continue your CDL preparation

The General Knowledge portion of the CDL knowledge exam covers more than this single question. Use this site's full General Knowledge bank to drill every topic, then test yourself with one of our state-specific practice sets to confirm you are ready for the actual DMV exam in your state. Always check your state's CDL handbook for any local addenda before the test day.

If you are still building your overall CDL foundation, start with the General Knowledge bank — every CDL applicant must pass it — and then work outward to the endorsements you plan to add.