CDL cargo securement practice questions
20 free practice questions from 49 CFR Part 393 Subpart I. Each answer is explained and linked to the rule it comes from.
CDL Cargo securement
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Scope and general rules
1. Under 393.100(a), to which vehicles do the cargo securement rules of Subpart I apply?
- A. Trucks, truck tractors, semitrailers, full trailers, and pole trailers
- B. Only vehicles placarded for hazardous materials
- C. Only flatbed trailers and pole trailers
- D. Only vehicles that require a Class A CDL
Show answer
Answer: A. Trucks, truck tractors, semitrailers, full trailers, and pole trailers
393.100(a) states: "The rules in this subpart are applicable to trucks, truck tractors, semitrailers, full trailers, and pole trailers."
2. When a commercial motor vehicle transports cargo on public roads, what must its loading, equipment and cargo securement prevent under 393.100(b)?
- A. Only cargo falling off the rear of the vehicle
- B. Only damage to the cargo itself
- C. The cargo leaking, spilling, blowing or falling from the motor vehicle
- D. Only the vehicle going over its axle weight limits
Show answer
Answer: C. The cargo leaking, spilling, blowing or falling from the motor vehicle
The vehicle must be loaded and equipped, and the cargo secured, "to prevent the cargo from leaking, spilling, blowing or falling from the motor vehicle."
3. Which cargo does 393.106(a) leave out of the general requirements for securing articles of cargo?
- A. Any cargo weighing less than 500 pounds
- B. Commodities in bulk that lack structure or fixed shape, such as grain or sand, transported in a tank, hopper, box or similar device that forms part of the vehicle's structure
- C. Logs and metal coils, which follow only their own commodity rules
- D. Palletized freight carried in an enclosed van
Show answer
Answer: B. Commodities in bulk that lack structure or fixed shape, such as grain or sand, transported in a tank, hopper, box or similar device that forms part of the vehicle's structure
The section applies to all cargo "except commodities in bulk that lack structure or fixed shape (e.g., liquids, gases, grain, liquid concrete, sand, gravel, aggregates) and are transported in a tank, hopper, box, or similar device that forms part of the structure of a commercial motor vehicle." It also applies to the commodity-specific cargo types.
Source: eCFR: 49 CFR 393.106, General requirements for securing articles of cargo (as of Nov 3, 2026)
Performance criteria
4. 393.102(a)(1) lists forward, rearward and lateral conditions under which the forces on tiedown assemblies must not exceed the manufacturer's breaking strength rating. How does the rule say those conditions are applied?
- A. All three at the same time, with the forces added together
- B. Only the forward condition, for flatbed vehicles
- C. Averaged over the length of the trip
- D. Separately
Show answer
Answer: D. Separately
Tiedown assemblies must be maintained so "the maximum forces acting on the devices or systems do not exceed the manufacturer's breaking strength rating under the following conditions, applied separately".
5. For the working load limit criterion in 393.102(a)(2), what acceleration in a lateral direction does the rule set?
- A. 0.05 g
- B. 0.25 g
- C. 0.1 g
- D. 0.15 g
Show answer
Answer: B. 0.25 g
Forces must not exceed the working load limit under conditions applied separately, including "0.25 g acceleration in a lateral direction."
6. Under 393.102(b), how may an article of cargo that is fully contained within the structure of the vehicle be secured?
- A. In accordance with 393.106(b): by structures of adequate strength, dunnage or dunnage bags, shoring bars, tiedowns, or a combination of these
- B. Only with tiedowns that provide a downward force of at least 20 percent of its weight
- C. Only with friction mats placed under the article
- D. Only by blocking it against the front end structure
Show answer
Answer: A. In accordance with 393.106(b): by structures of adequate strength, dunnage or dunnage bags, shoring bars, tiedowns, or a combination of these
393.102(b) states: "If the article is fully contained within the structure of the vehicle, it may be secured in accordance with § 393.106(b)." That paragraph says cargo "must be firmly immobilized or secured on or within a vehicle by structures of adequate strength, dunnage or dunnage bags, shoring bars, tiedowns or a combination of these." The 20 percent downward force applies when the article is not fully contained.
7. Which is one of the options 393.102(c) lists for cargo to be considered to meet the performance requirements of that section?
- A. The cargo is covered with a tarp that is tied down at each corner
- B. The vehicle is driven at reduced speed for the whole trip
- C. The shipper loaded and sealed the trailer
- D. The cargo is transported in a sided vehicle with walls of adequate strength, with each article in contact with, or sufficiently close to, a wall or other articles so that it cannot shift or tip enough to adversely affect stability or maneuverability
Show answer
Answer: D. The cargo is transported in a sided vehicle with walls of adequate strength, with each article in contact with, or sufficiently close to, a wall or other articles so that it cannot shift or tip enough to adversely affect stability or maneuverability
One option is cargo "Transported in a sided vehicle that has walls of adequate strength, such that each article of cargo within the vehicle is in contact with, or sufficiently close to a wall or other articles, so that it cannot shift or tip to the extent that the vehicle's stability or maneuverability is adversely affected".
Securement devices and tiedown use
8. What does 393.104(f) say about knots in tiedowns and securing devices?
- A. Knots are allowed if the working load limit is cut in half
- B. Knots are allowed in synthetic cordage only
- C. Tiedowns and securing devices must not contain knots
- D. Knots are allowed if the driver checks them every 150 miles
Show answer
Answer: C. Tiedowns and securing devices must not contain knots
393.104(f)(1) is direct: "Tiedowns and securing devices must not contain knots."
Source: eCFR: 49 CFR 393.104, Standards for cargo securement devices and systems (as of Nov 3, 2026)
9. Section 393.112 requires each tiedown to be designed, constructed and maintained so the driver of an in-transit vehicle can tighten it. Which material does the rule say this requirement does not apply to?
- A. Steel strapping
- B. Synthetic webbing
- C. Welded steel chain
- D. Wire rope
Show answer
Answer: A. Steel strapping
After the tightening requirement, 393.112 states: "However, this requirement does not apply to the use of steel strapping."
Source: eCFR: 49 CFR 393.112, Adjustability of tiedowns (as of Nov 3, 2026)
Working load limits
10. A 6,000-pound machine is secured by four tiedowns, each with a working load limit of 3,000 pounds, and each running from an anchor point on the vehicle to an anchor point on the machine. What aggregate working load limit do these tiedowns provide under 393.106(d)?
- A. 3,000 pounds
- B. 6,000 pounds
- C. 12,000 pounds
- D. 1,500 pounds
Show answer
Answer: B. 6,000 pounds
The aggregate is the sum of "One-half the working load limit of each tiedown that goes from an anchor point on the vehicle to an anchor point on an article of cargo", so four tiedowns of 3,000 pounds count 1,500 pounds each, or 6,000 pounds. That meets the rule that the aggregate "must be at least one-half times the weight of the article".
Source: eCFR: 49 CFR 393.106, General requirements for securing articles of cargo (as of Nov 3, 2026)
11. A tiedown goes from an anchor point on the vehicle, over the article of cargo, and attaches to an anchor point on the other side of the vehicle. How much of its working load limit counts toward the aggregate under 393.106(d)?
- A. One-tenth of its working load limit
- B. One-quarter of its working load limit
- C. Its working load limit
- D. Twice its working load limit
Show answer
Answer: C. Its working load limit
393.106(d)(3) counts "The working load limit for each tiedown that goes from an anchor point on the vehicle, through, over, or around the article of cargo, and then attaches to another anchor point on the other side of the vehicle."
Source: eCFR: 49 CFR 393.106, General requirements for securing articles of cargo (as of Nov 3, 2026)
12. Under 393.108(a), what is the working load limit of a tiedown?
- A. The highest working load limit of any of its components
- B. The average of the working load limits of its components
- C. The sum of the working load limits of all its components
- D. The lowest working load limit of any of its components (including tensioner), or the working load limit of the anchor points it is attached to, whichever is less
Show answer
Answer: D. The lowest working load limit of any of its components (including tensioner), or the working load limit of the anchor points it is attached to, whichever is less
The WLL "is the lowest working load limit of any of its components (including tensioner), or the working load limit of the anchor points to which it is attached, whichever is less."
13. Welded steel chain is not marked or labeled so its grade or working load limit can be identified. What working load limit does 393.108(d) say it is considered to have?
- A. That for grade 43 high test chain
- B. That for grade 70 transport chain
- C. That for grade 80 alloy chain
- D. That for grade 30 proof coil chain
Show answer
Answer: D. That for grade 30 proof coil chain
Such chain "shall be considered to have a working load limit equal to that for grade 30 proof coil chain."
Minimum number of tiedowns
14. An article 8 feet long that weighs 600 pounds is not blocked or positioned to prevent forward movement. What minimum number of tiedowns does 393.110(b) set for it?
- A. Two
- B. One, because it weighs 1,100 pounds or less
- C. Three
- D. None, as long as the aggregate working load limit is met
Show answer
Answer: A. Two
An article "Longer than 5 feet (1.52 meters) but less than or equal to 10 feet (3.04 meters) in length, irrespective of the weight" needs two tiedowns. The one-tiedown rule covers only "articles 5 feet (1.52 meters) or less in length, and 1,100 pounds (500 kg) or less in weight".
15. An article 25 feet long is not blocked or positioned to prevent forward movement. What minimum number of tiedowns does 393.110(b)(3) set for it?
- A. One
- B. Four
- C. Two
- D. Three
Show answer
Answer: B. Four
393.110(b)(3) requires "Two tiedowns if the article is longer than 10 feet (3.04 meters), and one additional tiedown for every 10 feet (3.04 meters) of article length, or fraction thereof, beyond the first 10 feet (3.04 meters) of length." The 15 feet beyond the first 10 feet add two more, for four.
16. An individual article 15 feet long is blocked against forward movement by a headerboard. What minimum number of tiedowns does 393.110(c) set for it?
- A. None, because the headerboard blocks it
- B. One
- C. Two
- D. One, if it weighs 1,100 pounds or less
Show answer
Answer: C. Two
A blocked article "must be secured by at least one tiedown for every 3.04 meters (10 feet) of article length, or fraction thereof." Fifteen feet is one 10-foot length plus a fraction, so two.
Front end structures
17. What height does 393.114(b)(1) set for a front end structure?
- A. 4 feet above the floor of the vehicle or the height at which it blocks forward movement of any article of cargo, whichever is lower
- B. 2 feet above the floor of the vehicle in all cases
- C. The height of the cab roof in all cases
- D. 1 foot above the floor of the vehicle or the height of the cargo, whichever is lower
Show answer
Answer: A. 4 feet above the floor of the vehicle or the height at which it blocks forward movement of any article of cargo, whichever is lower
"The front end structure must extend either to a height of 4 feet above the floor of the vehicle or to a height at which it blocks forward movement of any item or article of cargo being carried on the vehicle, whichever is lower."
18. Under 393.114(c)(2), what horizontal forward static load must a front end structure 6 feet in height or higher be capable of withstanding?
- A. One-tenth (0.1) of the weight of the cargo
- B. Two-tenths (0.2) of the weight of the cargo
- C. One-quarter (0.25) of the weight of the cargo
- D. Four-tenths (0.4) of the weight of the cargo, uniformly distributed over the entire front end structure
Show answer
Answer: D. Four-tenths (0.4) of the weight of the cargo, uniformly distributed over the entire front end structure
For a structure "6 feet in height or higher", the load is "equal to four-tenths (0.4) of the weight of the articles of cargo being transported on the vehicle uniformly distributed over the entire front end structure."
Commodity-specific rules
19. What minimum aggregate working load limit does 393.116(b)(4) set for tiedowns securing a stack of logs on a frame vehicle, or a flatbed equipped with bunks, bolsters or stakes?
- A. One-twelfth the weight of the stack
- B. One-sixth the weight of the stack
- C. One-tenth the weight of the stack
- D. One-eighth the weight of the stack
Show answer
Answer: B. One-sixth the weight of the stack
The aggregate working load limit for those tiedowns "must be at least one-sixth the weight of the stack of logs."
Source: eCFR: 49 CFR 393.116, Specific securement requirements for logs (as of Nov 3, 2026)
20. What weight threshold does 393.120(a) set for the metal coil securement rules to apply?
- A. Coils that individually weigh 20,000 pounds or more
- B. Coils that individually weigh 10,000 pounds or more
- C. One or more coils that, individually or grouped together, weigh 5,000 pounds (2268 kg) or more
- D. Coils that individually weigh 1,100 pounds or more
Show answer
Answer: C. One or more coils that, individually or grouped together, weigh 5,000 pounds (2268 kg) or more
The section applies to "one or more metal coils which, individually or grouped together, weigh 2268 kg (5000 pounds) or more." Lighter shipments may be secured under 393.100 through 393.114.
Source: eCFR: 49 CFR 393.120, Specific securement requirements for metal coils (as of Nov 3, 2026)