Texas CDL Commercial Rules Study Guide

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards generated from the Texas CDL Commercial Rules Complete Bilingual Study Guide covering vehicle dimensions, safety equipment, braking regulations, registration, and operating practices.

Registration Papers

Receipts for license plates showing a vehicle's empty weight and registered hauling weight, which must be carried by commercial vehicles on public highways.

Special Permit

A permit required when a load or equipment exceeds legal limits for weight, length, width, or height, granted only if the load cannot reasonably be dismantled.

Disabled Vehicle Night Warning Signals

At least three flares, three red electric lanterns, three portable red emergency reflectors, or U.S. DOT-approved triangular reflectors required outside city limits or on divided highways from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise.

Disabled Vehicle Daytime Warning Signals

Two red flags used when lighted lamps are not required for a disabled commercial vehicle.

Flame Warning Signal Prohibitions

Flame-produced signals (such as flares) are prohibited for vehicles carrying explosives, cargo tanks with flammable liquids/gases, and vehicles using compressed gas fuel.

Hazard Warning Signal Lights Activation

Immediate activation required when a commercial vehicle 80 inches or more wide OR 30 feet or more in overall length is stopped on a roadway or adjacent shoulder.

Passenger-Vehicle Fire Extinguisher Requirement

A chemical-type fire extinguisher of at least one-quart capacity required on school buses, buses, taxis, and other vehicles hauling passengers for hire or lease.

FMCSR Fire Extinguisher Requirement

A properly filled, readily accessible, and securely mounted fire extinguisher meeting standards of 49 CFR 393.95 for commercial vehicles subject to federal regulations.

Reflector Height Range

Mounted not less than 24 inches and not more than 60 inches above the ground on pole trailers and vehicles 80 or more inches wide.

Pre-1960 Truck Taillight Requirement

Trucks manufactured or assembled before model year 1960 are required to have at least one taillight.

Intermediate Side Marker Lamp and Reflector

An amber side marker lamp and reflector required only on trailers 80 inches or more in overall width that measure 30 feet or more in length.

Trailer Brake Exemption

Trailers, semitrailers, and pole trailers with a gross weight of 4,500 pounds or less are exempt from brake requirements.

Surge or Inertia Brake System Limit

Brake systems allowed on trailers and semitrailers with a gross weight of 15,000 pounds or less.

Mud Flap Requirement

Safety guards or mud flaps required behind the rear wheels of trucks and trailers with four or more tires on the rear axle, reaching within 8 inches of the highway surface.

Slow-Moving Vehicle (SMV)

A vehicle, machinery, or animal-drawn vehicle designed to operate at a maximum speed of 25 mph or less.

Maximum Vehicle Height

14 feet from the ground to the top of the load.

General Maximum Vehicle Width

102 inches, including the load, subject to specific legal exceptions.

Maximum Single Motor Vehicle Length

45 feet for a single motor vehicle other than a truck tractor.

Maximum Semitrailer Length

59 feet when operated in a truck tractor and semitrailer combination.

General Maximum Vehicle Weight

80,000 pounds including the load, subject to oversize/overweight permits.

Unloading Tolerance Limit

A 5% tolerance above maximum legal gross weight before a driver can be required to unload cargo.

Front Load Extension Limit

Maximum distance a load may normally extend beyond the front of a vehicle without a special permit: 3 feet.

Rear Load Extension Limit

Maximum distance a load may normally extend beyond the rear of a vehicle without a special permit: 4 feet.

Rear Load Extension Warning Signal

A red flag at least 12 inches square in daylight, or a burning red light visible for 500 feet at night, required when a load extends more than 4 feet beyond the rear.

Maximum Towing Connection Length

15 feet from one vehicle to the other (except pole trailers), requiring a white flag at least 12 inches square when using a chain, rope, or cable.

Cotton Vehicle Width Exception

Up to 120 inches wide for vehicles registered with a 'Cotton Vehicle' plate and used exclusively for cotton or cotton processing equipment.

Cylindrical Hay Bales Width Exception

No more than 144 inches wide for vehicles carrying cylindrically shaped bales of hay.

Railroad Grade Crossing Stopping Rule

Mandatory stopping required for buses, school buses, placarded vehicles, explosive trucks, and super-heavy equipment unless directed by a officer or traffic signal.

Two-Wheeled Vehicle Passing Distance

At least 6 feet of space allowed to the left when a large vehicle passes a motorcycle or bicycle.

Buyer Temporary Cardboard Tags

Temporary vehicle registration tags recognized for 20 days.

Out-of-State Registration Recognition Period

Out-of-state registration plates recognized in Texas for 30 days after establishing residency or entering gainful employment.

Open-Road Following Distance

A recommended gap of 4 seconds for trucks on the open road, increased to 6 to 8 seconds in bad weather.

Speed Doubling Stopping Distance Rule

When vehicle speed is doubled, the stopping distance becomes four times greater.