Air Brakes #2
Air Brakes Endorsement Test | Massachusetts 2025 #2 Page 2 of 4
Train for FREE online with our Massachusetts CDL air brake test. The official exam test consists of several obligatory parts, with all of them checking your knowledge of different blocks of road rules. If you need to obtain a MA Class A/Class B driver license in 2025, practice as much as possible. Free sample tests published on our website will help you check and improve your knowledge and boost your grades. Please bear in mind that the requirements for CDL may vary from state to state.
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7 . Which type of brakes do most heavy-duty vehicles have?
Gravity brakes
For safety, most heavy-duty vehicles are equipped with dual air brake systems.
8 . Air tanks usually hold enough compressed air:
For an unlimited number of stops.
In an air braking system, the air storage tanks can usually hold enough compressed air for the brakes to be used several times.
9 . When you need to stop in an emergency, you should:
Expect your vehicle to slow down more quickly than usual.
If you need to make an emergency stop, you can use either the controlled braking method or the stab braking method. It's important to brake in a way that keeps your vehicle traveling in a straight line while still allowing you to turn, if necessary.
10 . An air brake-equipped vehicle traveling at a speed of 55 mph under ideal driving conditions will need approximately ____ to come to a complete stop.
450 feet
A vehicle's total stopping distance is made up of perception distance, reaction distance, brake lag distance, and braking distance. With all of these factors included, an air brake-equipped vehicle traveling at a speed of 55 mph under ideal driving conditions will need approximately 450 feet to come to a complete stop.
11 . All air tanks must include:
A warning sticker.
Air brake system tanks must contain drain valves. These valves are used to drain accumulated oil and water from the tanks and may be either manually or automatically operated.
12 . If the brake pads rub against the brake drums and create too much heat:
The air compressor will kick on to cool the brakes.
Brakes heat up with use. If they are overused and become too hot, expansion and chemical changes will make them less effective and eventually cause them to stop working altogether. This is known as "brake fade."
2025 Massachusetts | Frequently Asked Questions
In Massachusetts, a CDL Class B license allows the holder to operate any single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more, or any such vehicle towing another not exceeding 10,000 pounds GVWR. This includes buses, farm labor vehicles, and any vehicle designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver.
A Class B CDL license in Massachusetts allows the holder to operate single vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more, or a vehicle towing another not exceeding 10,000 pounds. These vehicles include large buses, segmented buses, box trucks, dump trucks with small trailers, and tractor-trailers.
To acquire a Class B CDL license in Massachusetts, you must be at least 18 years old, possess a valid Massachusetts driver's license, pass a vision test, and complete a CDL application. You'll also need to pass a written knowledge exam and a skills test, which includes a pre-trip vehicle inspection, basic controls test, and on-road driving exam.
In Massachusetts, you must be at least 18 years old to qualify for a Class B Commercial Driver's License (CDL). However, please note that if you want to use your CDL to drive commercial vehicles across state lines (interstate driving), federal regulations require you to be at least 21 years old.
While not always necessary, specific endorsements may be required for certain Class B CDL jobs in Massachusetts. Endorsements certify additional skills like driving a school bus, operating a vehicle with air brakes, or transporting hazardous materials. Each endorsement requires passing a separate knowledge test and sometimes a skills test.
The Class B CDL skills assessment in Massachusetts includes a pre-trip vehicle inspection, a basic controls test, and an on-road driving exam. The pre-trip inspection tests your knowledge on the key parts of the vehicle. The basic controls test assesses your ability to maneuver and control the vehicle, and the on-road test evaluates your driving skills in traffic.
Class B CDL license holders in Massachusetts are restricted to driving single or combination vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more, provided the GVWR of the vehicle(s) towed is not more than 10,000 pounds. They are not allowed to drive a Class A combination vehicle without the appropriate endorsement.
Yes, in Massachusetts, the written Class B CDL test is available in multiple languages, including but not limited to Spanish, Chinese, and Portuguese. However, federal regulations require all CDL holders to read and speak English sufficiently to converse with the general public, understand highway traffic signs and signals, respond to official inquiries, and make entries on reports and records.
Yes, in Massachusetts, accommodations can be made for the Class B CDL written exam if you have a disability. You should contact the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) in advance to discuss your specific needs. Accommodations may include more time, a quiet room, or having the test read aloud, depending on your situation.
Yes, if you don't pass the Class B CDL written test in Massachusetts, you can retake it. However, you must wait a specific period before retaking the test. The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) requires a two-week waiting period between attempts. Be aware that you may be required to pay a retest fee as well.