Cargo Securement Practice Test
Fifteen original questions on the federal cargo securement rules, with the rule behind every answer. Useful for flatbed, step deck and Conestoga drivers.
Pick an answer for each question. You’ll see right away if it’s correct and why.
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Answer: B. One-half of the article's weight The aggregate working load limit must be at least one-half times the weight of the article or group of articles (393.106(d)).
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Answer: A. 1 An article 5 feet or shorter and 1,100 pounds or less needs at least 1 tiedown (393.110(b)(1)). The working load limit rule still applies.
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Answer: B. 2 An article 5 feet or shorter that weighs more than 1,100 pounds needs at least 2 tiedowns (393.110(b)(2)(i)).
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Answer: C. 4 Over 10 feet: 2 tiedowns for the first 10 feet plus 1 for every 10 feet or fraction beyond. 15 extra feet means 2 more, so 4 (393.110(b)(3)).
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Answer: C. 3 When an article is blocked in front, it needs at least 1 tiedown for every 10 feet of length or fraction: 25 feet means 3 (393.110(c)).
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Answer: B. Within the first 50 miles The driver must inspect the cargo and securement devices within the first 50 miles and adjust or add tiedowns as needed (392.9(b)(2)).
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Answer: C. At each change of duty status, or after 3 hours or 150 miles of driving, whichever comes first Re-examination is required at a change of duty status, or after 3 hours or 150 miles of driving, whichever occurs first (392.9(b)(3)).
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Answer: B. No, the driver is excepted from those inspections The inspection rules in 392.9(b) do not apply to a sealed vehicle the driver was ordered not to open, or one loaded so inspection is impracticable (392.9(b)(4)). The driver still checks doors and whatever can be checked from outside.
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Answer: A. All of it A tiedown that goes over or around the cargo from one side of the vehicle to the other counts its full working load limit. A tiedown from the vehicle to an anchor point on the cargo counts half (393.106(d)).
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Answer: C. 0.8 g The breaking-strength criteria are 0.8 g forward, 0.5 g rearward and 0.5 g lateral, applied separately (393.102(a)(1)).
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Answer: C. The same as grade 30 proof coil chain Unmarked chain is treated as grade 30 proof coil chain, the lowest value in the table (393.108(d)).
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Answer: B. Edge protection that resists abrasion, cutting and crushing Edge protection must be used wherever a tiedown could be abraded or cut where it touches the cargo (393.104(f)(4)).
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Answer: D. A strap with no damage, fastened so it cannot come loose Tiedowns may not contain knots, may not be damaged or weakened, must be repaired only to the standard or the maker's instructions, and must stay fastened in transit (393.104(b) and (f)).
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Answer: A. 4 feet above the floor, or the height that blocks the cargo, whichever is lower The front end structure must reach 4 feet above the floor or the height at which it blocks forward movement of the cargo, whichever is lower (393.114(b)(1)).
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Answer: B. 20% of its weight Securement systems must provide a downward force equal to at least 20 percent of the article's weight when it is not fully contained (393.102(b)).
About this test
The federal cargo securement rules (49 CFR 393.100 to 393.136) say how cargo must be held so it cannot shift, spill or fall off. The driver must check the load before the trip and along the way (49 CFR 392.9). Cargo securement is part of the general knowledge test and of the entry-level driver training theory curriculum, and loose or missing tiedowns are a common out-of-service violation.
These are practice questions, not the official test. Commodity-specific rules (logs, metal coils, concrete pipe, heavy machinery, vehicles and others) can add requirements to the general rules covered here. For the full picture read Flatbed cargo securement, and see Flatbed if you haul open-deck freight.
More CDL practice tests
- General knowledge
- Air brakes
- Combination vehicles
- Pre-trip inspection
- Hazmat
- Tanker
- Doubles & triples
- Hours of service
- ELDT theory study
- eCFR: 49 CFR 392.9 Inspection of cargo and securement devices
- eCFR: 49 CFR 393.102 Minimum performance criteria
- eCFR: 49 CFR 393.104 Standards for securement devices
- eCFR: 49 CFR 393.106 General requirements (aggregate working load limit)
- eCFR: 49 CFR 393.108 Working load limits
- eCFR: 49 CFR 393.110 Minimum number of tiedowns
- eCFR: 49 CFR 393.114 Front end structures
This page is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with FMCSA, the IRS or your state before you file.
Questions carriers ask
How many tiedowns do I need?
For an article not blocked in front: 1 tiedown if it is 5 feet or shorter and 1,100 pounds or less; 2 if it is 5 feet or shorter and heavier, or longer than 5 feet up to 10 feet; and for longer articles, 2 plus 1 for each extra 10 feet or part of it (49 CFR 393.110). The total working load limit must also be at least half the cargo weight (393.106(d)).
When do I have to check my load?
Within the first 50 miles of the trip, then whenever you change duty status, or after 3 hours or 150 miles of driving, whichever comes first (49 CFR 392.9(b)). Drivers of sealed loads they were told not to open are excepted.
Are these the official CDL test questions?
No. They are original practice questions written from the federal rules. Study your state's CDL manual for the real test.