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CDL · Basic Vehicle Control

When making a right turn at an intersection in a tractor-trailer, 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

Begin the turn slightly later than a car would

  1. A Turn from the curb lane as tightly as possible
  2. B Begin the turn slightly later than a car would
  3. C Drive the tractor into the lane to the left of the turn lane, then turn
  4. D Swing wide to the left before starting the turn

Why this is the answer

When making a right turn in a tractor-trailer, position yourself in the rightmost lane, begin the turn slightly later (further into the intersection) than a car would, and keep the rear of the trailer close to the curb to prevent vehicles from squeezing into the gap on your right. Swinging wide to the left before turning right is one of the most dangerous habits a CDL driver can develop because it invites smaller vehicles to dart into the right-side gap and creates 'right hook' collisions. The correct technique uses the natural off-tracking of the trailer to bring it through the turn smoothly. If you absolutely must occupy two lanes to complete the turn safely on a tight street, signal early and use both lanes from the start so no driver tries to pass on either side.
Source: FMCSA CDL Manual 2.2.2 Turning

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About this topic: Basic Vehicle Control

Basic vehicle control is the foundation: starting, stopping, turning, backing, and judging where the trailer is at every moment. Off-tracking and trailer swing are the biggest sources of city-driving incidents for new CDL holders. This is one of 6 General Knowledge questions on basic vehicle control, each with a full explanation on a single study page.

New to this exam? Our CDL exam guide explains the format, scoring, and how to prepare.

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