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CDL · Pulling Doubles and Triples

When changing lanes in a doubles combination, you should:

Reviewed by Jordan Morley, Editorial Lead at 247SimpleTests. Written by the 247SimpleTests Editorial Team from the official source material cited on every question.

Correct answer

Signal early, check all mirrors, and steer smoothly and gradually to minimize rearward amplification

  1. A Change lanes only on highways
  2. B Avoid signaling so other drivers do not anticipate
  3. C Signal early, check all mirrors, and steer smoothly and gradually to minimize rearward amplification
  4. D Change lanes quickly to clear the gap

Why this is the answer

Lane changes in doubles and triples require special care because of rearward amplification. Signal well in advance (at least 5-6 seconds at highway speed), check all mirrors carefully (the rear trailer has the largest blind spots in the combination), and steer smoothly and gradually rather than crisply. A lane change that takes 4-5 seconds is appropriate; a 2-second lane change is dangerous. Avoid double lane changes (moving across two lanes in one maneuver) because the steering inputs are amplified by both trailers in sequence. Avoid lane changes in turbulent crosswind conditions, on icy roads, and when speed differential to other traffic is high.
Source: FMCSA CDL Manual 7.1.3 Lane Changes

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About this topic: Pulling Doubles and Triples

Pulling doubles and triples means managing the most unstable combination on the road: the rear trailer whips, rolls and jackknifes more easily, following distance must grow, and the sequence of air-line and brake checks is longer. These questions cover the handling rules specific to multiple trailers. This is one of 29 Doubles and Triples questions on pulling doubles and triples, each with a full explanation on a single study page.

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