Study for the Texas CDL General Knowledge Exam. Prepare with comprehensive questions and detailed explanations, empowering you to ace the test with confidence!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.


The purpose of retarders is to

  1. Help accelerate the vehicle

  2. Help steer the vehicle

  3. Help maintain speed

  4. Help slow the vehicle while driving to reduce brake wear

The correct answer is: Help slow the vehicle while driving to reduce brake wear

Retarders are systems designed to assist in slowing the vehicle down while driving. They help reduce the wear on the brakes by providing additional braking power, especially when going downhill or needing to slow down without relying solely on the brakes. Retarders are particularly useful for heavy vehicles, such as trucks and buses, to enhance braking performance and safety on the road. Therefore, the correct answer is D. Options A, B, and C are incorrect because retarders are not intended to help accelerate the vehicle, steer the vehicle, or maintain speed. Their primary purpose is to aid in slowing down the vehicle to reduce brake wear and enhance overall braking efficiency.