Start Your Free CDL Permit Practice Test Questions to Help You Study

This CDL general knowledge practice test covers topics such as the rules of having a CDL, how to drive a commercial vehicle safely, and how to safely transport your cargo. It will help you determine if you are prepared for the general knowledge exam and which parts of the CDL manual you need to review.

practice tests unique questions Hazardous Materials Practice Test

The hazardous material endorsement exam covers more information from your manual than any other CDL test except the general knowledge test. You’ll need to read the HazMat section of the CDL manual carefully and understand everything from special parking rules to the hazardous materials glossary to master the test.

practice tests unique questions Passenger Vehicles Practice Test

You must take your passenger endorsement test if you will be driving a vehicle that is designed to seat 16 people or more, including the vehicle’s driver. Be prepared to answer questions about inspecting your vehicle, how to load it, best practices while on the road, and prohibited practices.

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Unlock Premium School Bus Practice Test

In order to pass your school bus endorsement exam, you’ll need to have a thorough understanding of such topics as danger zones, how to load and unload the school bus, how to manage students, what to do in the event of an emergency, local school bus regulations, and more.

practice tests unique questions Air Brakes Practice Test

You must take this test if your vehicle, or a vehicle you are required to drive for your job, has air brakes. For the exam, you must know the parts of a single and dual air brake system as well as how to inspect and use them. This test can be taken by Class A, B, and C license holders.

practice tests unique questions Combination Practice Test

The combination endorsement covers the information you need for driving all combination vehicles, such as tractor-trailers, straight truck with trailers, doubles, and triples. This combination vehicles practice test covers how to drive combinations safely, handling combination air brakes, and more.

practice tests unique questions Double/Triple Trailers Practice Test

The doubles/triples endorsement is a more specific combination vehicles test for those who will be driving double and triple trailers. To pass the exam, you’ll need to study coupling and uncoupling, how to inspect the trailers, and how to check each trailer’s air brakes.

practice tests unique questions Tanker Vehicles Practice Test

The tanker vehicles test is for individuals who will be hauling liquid or gaseous materials in tanks. Hauling a tank or tanks require a tanker endorsement if a tank has an individual rating of over 119 gallons or a combined capacity of 1,000 or more gallons.

practice tests unique questions Pre-Trip Inspection Practice Test

This pre-trip inspection practice test will prepare you for the internal and external portions of the vehicle inspection exam, where you will be expected to be able to walk around your vehicle, touch items, and explain to an examiner why items must be inspected before a trip.

practice tests unique questions

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10 Things You Should Do Before the Knowledge Exam

Many people arrive at the DMV overconfident and underprepared, neglecting simple steps that would ensure they pass. Here are 10 steps every aspiring commercial driver should take to prepare for the CDL or CLP knowledge exam.

1o things you should do before your CDL exam

Overview (September 2024):

As you earn your Class A, Class B or Class C CDL, you can also earn endorsements. Endorsements allow you to drive certain vehicles or groups of vehicles such as single or combination trucks, tankers, doubles, school buses and passenger vehicles. The more endorsements you hold, the greater your chances to make more money and advance your career. You'll need to pass a separate knowledge exam and/or road exam for each endorsement you want to get. Learn more about CDL endorsements and restrictions.

Type of EndorsementCodeDescriptionRequired test(-s)
CDL General Knowledge Test-Even though technically it's not an endorsement, it's the first of several tests that you will have to complete in order to get your CDL. Includes questions on road signs, traffic laws, safe driving practices, vehicle equipment, and other important topics.Knowledge test
CDL Air Brake TestA (L Restriction Removal)If your CDL application requires an air brake endorsement, you will need to pass an air brakes test. This test will test your knowledge of air brakes and other vehicle components and systems.Knowledge test
CDL Combination TestXThis Combination endorsement covers both Tanker and Hazardous Materials.Knowledge test
CDL Doubles and Triples TestTIf you want to operate a vehicle with more than one trailer attached (doubles or triples), you will need to pass a doubles and triples test.Knowledge test
CDL HazMat TestHThis test covers all you need to know about driving vehicles that can carry hazardous materials, such as poisonous liquids or materials, explosives and radioactive materials.Knowledge test
CDL School Bus TestSThis endorsement allows you to transport students in a full-sized school bus.Prior to obtaining an S endorsement, a P endorsement must be earned.Knowledge test and road test
CDL Tank TestNThis endorsement allows you to aperte a tank vehicle (a vehicle that transports liquids or gasses in bulk.)Knowledge test
CDL Passenger TestPThe P endorsement is needed to operate a vehicle that seats 16 or more people, including the driver.Knowledge test and road test

Practice on the go and offline with our app:

What's a Commercial Driver's License?

How to Get One?

What Are All the Truck Parts Called?

Tractor truck parts explained

What To Expect from the Process?

  1. Study your state's CDL handbook. Sometimes it's hard to find the official source, so we've put together a list of the most recent official CDL handbooks for every U.S. state. If you prefer a hard copy, you should be able to pick one up at your local DMV office.
  2. Take a lot of practice tests. Taking practice tests that simulate your state's actual knowledge test will give you confidence and prepare you for the actual thing. Our CDL test questions are based on your state's official manual, so you'll know what to expect. These tests are valid for both commercial driver license and CDL permit (CLP).
  3. Watch CDL videos. YouTube is a fantastic resource, especially for pre-trip inspection.

Applying

A Commercial Driver's License is required to drive commercial vehicles such as tractor trailers, semi-trucks, dump trucks, and passenger buses (including school buses). The minimum age to apply for a CDL is typically 21. To become a truck driver, you can apply for a CDL at a local DMV office. Learn more about the three classes of CDLs that determine the kinds of commercial motor vehicles you’re permitted to drive: Class A, Class B, and Class C. There are strict federal guidelines for obtaining a CDL, and each state has its own requirements that need to be also met. You must pass both a written knowledge exam and a driving skills test, which are designed by your state.

The Written Knowledge Test

Your CDL test is the first step to a professional truck driving career in a trucking company. After you've studied your state's CDL handbook, the best thing you can do is either sign up for a costly CDL training program or take a free CDL practice test that simulates your state's actual knowledge test. Driving-Tests.org provides a general knowledge test, as well as practice tests for specific commercial vehicle endorsements, such as air brakes test, school bus, and hazardous material (HazMat endorsement). There's also a practice test for pre-trip inspection - it will come in handy before your CDL road test. These tests are valid for both commercial driver license and CDL permit (CLP).

Choose your state from the drop-down menu above, and you’ll be provided with a test for all CDL license types that is closely based on your state’s manual, state and federal laws, and practice questions provided by the state if available.

How Is Our Program Structured?

Think of this as your own CDL study guide for each endorsement. Every practice test has multiple-choice questions in the same format you’ll find on your state’s CDL test. These questions are phrased like the ones on your state’s official knowledge test. Most of the questions come with a hint to help you choose the right answer. Each correct answer comes with an explanation that has been carefully written to help you become more familiar with the topic of the question. We want you to be able to answer questions on those topics correctly even if they are worded a bit differently. Please read each explanation; it is based on your state’s CDL manual and DMV/DOT website.

Which Topics Are Covered?

This practice exam covers a wide range of topics that you’ll need to know about to pass your CDL knowledge test and enter the trucking industry. These topics include aggressive drivers, braking techniques, cargo safety, distracted drivers, drunk driving laws, emergency preparedness, road and weather conditions, and safe backing. No, we certainly did not forget about air brakes, combination vehicles, or hazardous materials! These topics are complex enough to deserve separate treatment. Just as states typically require you to pass specialized knowledge tests on those topics, we offer our own specialized practice tests on air brakes, combination vehicles, and hazardous materials. By studying our CDL practice tests, you'll be on your way to obtaining your Class A CDL, Class B CDL, or Class C CDL license. Remember that you'll also need to fill out the Medical History portion of the MER form (MCSA-5875) and also obtain a copy of the Medical Examiner Certificate form (MCSA-5876).

How Many Times Should I Complete the Program?

We recommend that you keep taking the test until you become fully comfortable with the subject matter and receive a score high enough to boost your confidence about your upcoming CDL exam. A high score will bring you closer to passing your CDL knowledge test, so practice as many times as you’d like. There are no fees, and you won’t even have to register. Good luck now and on your CDL test. Drive safely!