CDL knowledge test
General Knowledge practice test
Every CDL applicant takes this one, whatever the class. It covers vehicle inspection, safe driving, space and speed management, cargo weight, hours of service, and emergencies.
376 questions available. A study sitting draws 50, and the App practice target: 80%; this is not an official test score. Your state sets the real test length.
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Every question below carries the answer, the reason, and the section of the FMCSA CDL Manual or 49 CFR it comes from. Nothing here is a recalled exam question.
At what blood alcohol concentration does the federal CDL disqualification threshold begin for a driver operating a commercial motor vehicle that requires a CDL?
The federal CDL disqualification threshold begins at 0.04% BAC when operating a commercial motor vehicle that requires a CDL. This is not permission to drive with a lower BAC. Separate on-duty alcohol prohibitions apply. Do not confuse the disqualification threshold with an amount that is safe or allowed before driving.
49 CFR § 383.51 · Table 1, item (3): alcohol concentration of 0.04 or greater while operating a CMV · verified 2026-09-08
When should you downshift to control speed on a long downgrade?
Select a lower gear before starting down a long downgrade to use engine braking effectively and preserve your service brakes.
FMCSA Commercial Driver's License Manual · Section 2.16 — Mountain Driving: select a lower gear before starting down a long downgrade · verified 2026-09-08
What is the minimum tread depth in a major groove for a front tire on a bus, truck, or truck tractor?
Federal rules require at least 4/32 inch tread depth in a major groove on the front tires of a bus, truck, or truck tractor. Other tires need at least 2/32 inch. This is a federal operating minimum; a state, carrier, or vehicle rule may be stricter.
eCFR 49 CFR 393.75 — Tires · 393.75(b) — Tread groove depth · verified 2026-09-07
The purpose of a pre-trip inspection is to:
Before driving, the driver must be satisfied that the vehicle is in safe operating condition. Inspecting equipment helps find defects before they cause a crash or breakdown; it is more than a fuel check or paperwork task.
49 CFR § 396.13 · 396.13(a) safe operating condition before driving · verified 2026-09-07
According to the CDL manual, how often should you check your mirrors while driving?
The manual says to check your mirrors regularly and more often in special situations, to know where other vehicles are and whether they move into your blind spots.
FMCSA Commercial Driver License Manual (July 2014) · Section 2.4.2: Seeing to the Sides and Rear · verified 2026-09-25
If your commercial vehicle is hydroplaning, you should:
When hydroplaning, release the accelerator and push in the clutch if it is safe; do not use the brakes, and keep the steering wheel straight until traction returns.
FMCSA Commercial Driver License Manual · Section 2.6.2: Hydroplaning · verified 2026-09-29
At speeds below 40 mph, what minimum following-distance rule applies to a commercial vehicle?
Follow the formula: one second for each 10 feet of vehicle length at speeds below 40 mph, plus one extra second above 40 mph.
FMCSA Commercial Driver License Manual · Section 2: Driving Safely — Following Distance · verified 2026-09-08
Before driving a commercial motor vehicle, what must the driver be satisfied about the cargo?
Federal rules require the driver to be satisfied that cargo is properly distributed and adequately secured before driving a commercial motor vehicle.
49 CFR § 392.9 · Section 392.9(a): cargo properly distributed and adequately secured · verified 2026-09-08
What can result from too much weight on the steering axle?
Too much weight on the steering axle makes steering difficult and can damage the steering axle.
FMCSA Commercial Driver License Manual · Section 3: Transporting Cargo Safely · verified 2026-09-08
You are driving a 40-foot vehicle at 35 mph. What is the minimum following distance you should maintain?
At speeds below 40 mph, use one second for each 10 feet of vehicle length. A 40-foot vehicle requires at least 4 seconds.
FMCSA Commercial Driver License Manual · Section 2: Driving Safely - Space Management · verified 2026-09-08
Under the FMCSA manual's basic model, before adding air-brake lag, which three distances make up stopping distance?
The basic model adds perception, reaction, and braking distance. For air-brake vehicles, the manual adds brake-lag distance as a fourth component.
FMCSA Commercial Driver's License Manual (July 2014 edition) · Sections 2.6.1 and 5.4.4: basic stopping-distance model and added air-brake lag · verified 2026-09-20
If your CMV stops on the shoulder of a divided or one-way highway, where should you place warning devices?
On a divided or one-way highway, place one warning device at the traffic side within 10 feet of the rear. Place the other two at 100 and 200 feet toward approaching traffic in the lane or shoulder your vehicle occupies.
49 CFR § 392.22 · § 392.22(b)(2)(v) — Divided or one-way highway placement · verified 2026-09-19
According to federal regulations, you must inspect your cargo within the first ____ miles of your trip.
Federal rules require cargo securement devices to be reexamined within the first 50 miles. They must then be reexamined and adjusted as needed after 3 hours of driving or 150 miles, whichever occurs first, and after a change of duty status.
49 CFR § 392.9 · Section 392.9(b): reexamination of cargo securement devices · verified 2026-09-08
What does the federal bridge formula allow when a vehicle's axle groups are spaced farther apart?
The bridge formula permits heavier weights when axles are spaced farther apart to distribute weight over more road surface.
FMCSA Commercial Driver License Manual · Section 3: Transporting Cargo Safely - Weight and Balance · verified 2026-09-08
Name two situations where you should downshift:
Downshift before starting down a hill (for engine braking) and before entering a curve (for better control).
FMCSA Commercial Driver License Manual · Section 2: Driving Safely - Shifting Gears · verified 2026-09-08
Retarders help slow the vehicle, but they:
Retarders can cause drive wheels to skid when traction is reduced (wet, icy, or snowy conditions). Turn them off in poor conditions.
FMCSA Commercial Driver License Manual · Section 2: Driving Safely - Retarders · verified 2026-09-08
What is the proper way to make a right turn in a commercial vehicle?
Keep your rear wheels close to the curb during initial turn, then complete the turn by swinging wide to accommodate off-tracking.
FMCSA Commercial Driver License Manual · Section 2: Driving Safely - Turns · verified 2026-09-08
You are driving a 50-foot truck at 50 mph. The safe following distance is at least:
At 50 mph (above 40), add 1 second to base formula: 5 seconds for 50 feet + 1 second for speed = 6 seconds minimum.
FMCSA Commercial Driver License Manual · Section 2: Driving Safely - Space Management · verified 2026-09-08
During a pre-trip, you find a vehicle condition likely to cause an accident or breakdown. What should you do?
A motor vehicle must not be operated in a condition likely to cause an accident or breakdown. The rule has a narrow exception for an unsafe condition discovered while operating on a highway, which does not make a pre-trip departure safe.
eCFR 49 CFR 396.7 · 49 CFR 396.7(a): unsafe operations forbidden · verified 2026-09-08
If you have a tire failure while driving, you should:
Stay off the brakes and accelerator, hold the steering wheel firmly, and let the vehicle slow down on its own before braking gently.
FMCSA Commercial Driver License Manual · Section 2: Emergencies · verified 2026-09-08
What this test is drawn from
- 11.2 External Inspection (Drive Shaft)
- 14-hour limit
- 2.1.3 What to Look For (steering)
- 2.14.2 Driving (hot weather)
- 2.16.2; 2.17.3
- 2.16.4 Proper Braking Technique
- 2.17.2
- 2.20.1 Protect the Area
- 2.4.2 Seeing to the Sides and Rear (Mirror Adjustment)
- 2.6.6; 2.16.2–2.16.4
- 2.7.4 Space Overhead
- 23 CFR § 658.17: Vehicle weight limitations
- 3.2.4 — Balance the Weight
- 30-Minute Driving Break
- 34-hour restart
- 34-hour restart provision
- 383.5 tank vehicle definition; Oregon section 8 introduction
- 392.10(a) listed vehicles and (b) exceptions
- 392.11 slowing and clear-course requirement
- 392.7(a) Equipment, inspection and use
- 392.9(b)(2) first 50 miles; (b)(4) exceptions
- 393.60(c) — Windshield condition
- 393.60(c) — Windshield condition and exceptions
- 393.75(a) — Tire condition
- 393.75(b) — Front-tire tread depth
- 393.75(b) — Tread groove depth
- 393.75(c)
- 393.75(c) — Tread groove depth
- 393.95(a) and (f); paragraph (b) reserved after 91 FR 7877, effective 2026-04-20
- 393.95(a), (f), and (g); paragraph (b) reserved
- 395.2 (Electronic logging device)
- 395.3(a)(1)
- 395.3(a)(2) 14-hour period; (a)(3) driving time
- 395.3(c)
- 395.8(e)(1)
- 396.11(a)(1) minimum parts and accessories
- 396.13(a) safe operating condition before driving
- 396.17(a) — Periodic inspection
- 396.3(a)(1) — Bus emergency exits and marking lights
- 396.9(c) — Out-of-service order
- 396.9(d) — Certification of correction
- 49 CFR 383.51: Disqualification for major offenses
- 49 CFR 383.93(c): Tank vehicle and hazardous materials (X) endorsement
- 49 CFR 393.95(a)(1)-(4)
- 49 CFR 396.13; FMCSA Manual Section 2.1.1: Vehicle inspection before driving
- 49 CFR 396.7(a): unsafe operations forbidden
- 49 CFR 397.67: Motor carrier responsibility for hazardous-material routing
- 49 CFR § 392.5(a)(2), (c) — on-duty alcohol prohibition and 24-hour out-of-service order
- 5.3.3 — Test Low Pressure Warning Signal
- 6.2.4 Air-lines; 6.2.5 Hose Couplers; 6.4.1 Coupling; 6.4.2 Uncoupling
- 6.5.1 Combination walk-around inspection; 6.5.2 brake checks
- 60/70-Hour Limit
- 60/70-hour limit
- Adverse driving conditions
- Assistance in investigations and special studies
- Availability for post-accident testing
- Brake adjustment
- Cargo balance
- Cargo securement - tiedowns
- Cargo securement inspection intervals
- Coercion prohibited
- Commercial Motor Vehicle Requirements
- Commercial learner permit holder supervision requirements
- Commercial motor vehicle groups - Group C
- Complaint of coercion
- Complaint of harassment
- Contents of a coercion complaint
- Controlled substance use
- Definition of coerce or coercion
- Definition of driving
- Definitions — Gross combination weight rating
- Definitions — Gross combination weight rating (GCWR)
- Disqualification - alcohol and controlled substances
- Disqualification - out-of-service order
- Divided or one-way roads
- Driver application and certification procedures - CDL transfer after domicile change
- Driver inspection
- Driver vehicle inspection report(s)
- Driving Safely
- ELD malfunctions and data diagnostic events
- ELD record submissions and certification
- ELD requirement
- ELDT applicability: first H endorsement before knowledge test
- Electronic logging device and hours of service records
- Emergency Maneuvers — Brake Failure
- Emergency Maneuvers — Downgrade Braking
- Emergency Maneuvers — Fire Response
- Emergency Maneuvers — Hydroplaning
- Emergency Maneuvers — Jackknife Prevention
- Emergency Maneuvers — Vehicle Fire
- Emergency signals; stopped commercial motor vehicles
- Employee protections
- Exhaust discharge location
- Exhaust system repairs
- Exhaust systems
- FULL INSPECTION: Level I / North American Standard (NAS)
- Falsifying logs
- General Knowledge — 60-Hour Rule
- General Knowledge — ABS
- General Knowledge — Air Lines
- General Knowledge — Alcohol and Drug Rules
- General Knowledge — Brake Fade
- General Knowledge — Braking Techniques
- General Knowledge — Cargo Securement
- General Knowledge — Crash Avoidance
- General Knowledge — Disqualifying Offenses
- General Knowledge — Distracted Driving
- General Knowledge — Driver Reporting Responsibilities
- General Knowledge — Engine Braking
- General Knowledge — Fire Extinguisher Types
- General Knowledge — Fuel Economy
- General Knowledge — Hours of Service Overview
- General Knowledge — Night Driving
- General Knowledge — No-Zones
- General Knowledge — Physical Qualifications
- General Knowledge — Retarder Cautions
- General Knowledge — Retarders
- General Knowledge — Serious Traffic Violations
- General Knowledge — Speed and Braking
- General Knowledge — Steering Failure
- General Knowledge — Traffic Control Signals
- General Knowledge — Vision Requirements
- General Knowledge — Weather Hazards
- General qualifications of drivers
- Hazardous conditions; extreme caution
- Hearing standards
- Hills, curves, and obstructions
- Hours of Service
- Hours of Service — 14-Hour Rule
- Hours of Service — Adverse Conditions
- Hours of Service — Enforcement
- Hours of Service — Passenger Carrier 70-Hour
- Hours of Service — Passenger Carrier Rules
- Hours of Service — Record Retention
- Hours of Service — Recordkeeping
- Hours of Service — Short-Haul Exemption
- Hours-of-service overview: on-duty limits and rest periods
- Ill or fatigued operator
- In a vehicle during a winter storm (Stay in the vehicle; run the motor)
- Inspection of cargo and securement devices
- Inspection of motor vehicles in operation
- Instructions and documents
- Interruption of driving periods
- Introduction to CDL
- Lifetime CDL disqualification rules
- Maximum driving time for property-carrying vehicles
- Medical examination; certificate of physical examination
- Medical examiner's certificate
- Motor carrier disposition of inspection reports
- No person may have more than one license
- Notification to employers of a violation
- On-duty use
- One driver license and state-issued CDL requirements
- Out-of-service sticker removal
- Periodic inspection of combination vehicles
- Personnel authorized to perform inspections
- Persons who must be medically examined and certified
- Physical qualifications - vision
- Physical qualifications for drivers
- Placement of warning devices
- Post-accident controlled substances testing
- Post-accident testing
- Pre-duty use
- Pre-employment testing
- Protected refusals to operate
- Re-examination after impairment
- Recognising impairment
- Record of duty status
- Record retention
- Reexamination during transportation
- Removal from safety-sensitive function
- Restart provisions
- Retention period for reports
- Road-sharing guidance: commercial vehicle blind spots
- Section 11.2.3 - Brakes (Brake Chambers)
- Section 11.2.4: Tires
- Section 11.5 - Out-Of-Service Defects
- Section 2 - Driving Safely
- Section 2 - Entering and Exiting Highways
- Section 2 - Maneuvering in Restricted Areas
- Section 2 - Multi-Speed Dual-Range Transmissions
- Section 2 - Right Turns
- Section 2 - Selecting a Safe Speed and Gear
- Section 2 - Shifting Gears
- Section 2 - Shifting Patterns and Procedures
- Section 2 - Staying Alert and Fit to Drive
- Section 2 - Turning
- Section 2 - When to Shift
- Section 2 - When to Shift Up
- Section 2.1 - Vehicle Inspection Overview
- Section 2.1 — Vehicle Inspection Guide; brake components
- Section 2.1.2 - Wheels And Rims
- Section 2.1.3 - Tires - Defects
- Section 2.1.4 - Steering System Check
- Section 2.1.5 - Suspension System Check
- Section 2.1.6 - Exhaust System Check
- Section 2.1.6: Suspension system defects
- Section 2.10 - Seeing Hazards - Work Zones
- Section 2.11 - Driving At Night
- Section 2.11.4 — Night Driving; Oregon Manual § 2.11.4 cross-check
- Section 2.13 - Railroad Crossings
- Section 2.14 - Escape Ramps
- Section 2.14 - Mountain Driving - Escape Ramps
- Section 2.14 - Mountain Driving - Selecting A Safe Gear
- Section 2.15 - Railroad-highway Crossings
- Section 2.15 — Railroad-highway Crossings; Oregon Manual § 2.15.5 cross-check
- Section 2.16 - Hydroplaning
- Section 2.16 - Mountain Driving
- Section 2.16 - Wet Roads
- Section 2.16 — Mountain Driving: select a lower gear before starting down a long downgrade
- Section 2.16.2 and 2.16.4 — Select the Right Gear before Starting Down the Grade; Proper Braking Technique
- Section 2.16: Mountain driving
- Section 2.17 - How To Avoid Distractions
- Section 2.17.3: Brake failure (Brake failure on downgrades; escape ramps)
- Section 2.17.4: Tire Failure
- Section 2.18 - Hazardous Materials Awareness
- Section 2.18.6 - Braking with ABS
- Section 2.19 - Brake Failure On A Downgrade
- Section 2.19 - Leaving The Road To Avoid A Crash
- Section 2.19 - Skid Control - Drive-Wheel Skid
- Section 2.19 - Tire Failure - Front
- Section 2.19 - Using A Fire Extinguisher
- Section 2.1: Vehicle Inspection (emergency equipment)
- Section 2.1: Vehicle Inspection (steering)
- Section 2.2 - Backing Safely
- Section 2.2 - Communicating - Signaling
- Section 2.2 - Communicating - Stopping On The Road
- Section 2.2.1: Accelerating without rolling back
- Section 2.21 - Accident Procedures
- Section 2.21.3 - Fire Fighting
- Section 2.3 - Turning - Off-Tracking
- Section 2.3.4: Retarders
- Section 2.4 - Backing Safely
- Section 2.4.2: Seeing to the Sides and Rear
- Section 2.5 - Communicating
- Section 2.5 - Controlling Speed - Hazard Lights
- Section 2.5 - Seeing - Use Of Mirrors
- Section 2.5.1 - Signal Your Intentions (warning devices, two-lane road)
- Section 2.5.1: Signal Your Intentions
- Section 2.6 - Controlling Speed
- Section 2.6 - Seeing Hazards
- Section 2.6 - Standing Water And Hydroplaning
- Section 2.6 - Stopping Distance
- Section 2.6.1: Stopping Distance
- Section 2.6.2: Hydroplaning
- Section 2.7 - Managing Space
- Section 2.7 - Matching Speed To Traction
- Section 2.7 - Speed And Distance Ahead
- Section 2.7 - Speed On Downgrades
- Section 2.7.1: Space Ahead
- Section 2.7.3: Space to the sides (Traveling next to others)
- Section 2.7.6: Space for Turns
- Section 2.7.6: Space for Turns / Strong Winds (Section 2 Driving Safely)
- Section 2.8 - Seeing - Looking Ahead
- Section 2.8 - Seeing Hazards
- Section 2.9 - Managing Space - Behind
- Section 2.9 - Managing Space - Overhead
- Section 2.9 - Managing Space - Space Ahead
- Section 2.9 - Managing Space - To The Sides
- Section 2: Driving Safely
- Section 2: Driving Safely - Retarders
- Section 2: Driving Safely - Shifting Gears
- Section 2: Driving Safely - Space Management
- Section 2: Driving Safely - Turns
- Section 2: Driving Safely — Following Distance
- Section 2: Emergencies
- Section 3 - Transporting Cargo Safely
- Section 3.1 - Axle Weight And Balance
- Section 3.1 - Balancing The Load Side To Side
- Section 3.1 - Center Of Gravity
- Section 3.1 - Legal Weight Limits
- Section 3.1 - Weight And Balance Definitions
- Section 3.2 - Inspecting Cargo En Route
- Section 3.2 - Securing Cargo - Blocking And Bracing
- Section 383.91(a): Group A
- Section 383.91(b): Group B
- Section 383.93(b): Passenger endorsement
- Section 383.93(c): Hazardous materials endorsement
- Section 383.93(e): Double/triple trailers endorsement
- Section 390.15: Assistance in investigations and special reports
- Section 392.9(a): cargo properly distributed and adequately secured
- Section 392.9(b): reexamination of cargo securement devices
- Section 393.100: Which types of cargo must be immobilized or secured
- Section 3: Transporting Cargo Safely
- Section 3: Transporting Cargo Safely - Weight and Balance
- Section 5.1.2 and 5.3.3 — Compressor buildup and final air-brake check
- Section 5.1.2 — Air Compressor; typical dual-air system buildup
- Section 5.3.2: Check Slack Adjusters on S-cam Brakes
- Section 5.4.4: air-brake lag and total stopping distance
- Section 6.1.5: Prevent trailer skids
- Section 6.5.1: Coupling system inspection
- Sections 2.19.1 Drive-wheel skids and 2.19.2 Correcting a drive-wheel braking skid
- Sections 2.6.1 and 5.4.4: basic stopping-distance model and added air-brake lag
- Serious traffic violations
- Sleeper Berth Provision
- Sleeper berth provision
- Slow Down; Keep Your Distance; Pay Attention
- State and local laws, ordinances, and regulations
- Suspension systems
- TIP #2: Enter a Curve Slowly; TIP #3: Reduce Your Speed Before Entering an Exit/Entrance Ramp
- Table 1, item (3): alcohol concentration of 0.04 or greater while operating a CMV
- Timing of post-accident tests
- Unsafe operations forbidden
- Use following an accident
- Use of seat belts
- Using a hand-held mobile telephone
- Vehicle Inspection — Landing Gear
- Vehicles declared out-of-service
- Vision standards
- Weekly on-duty limits
- Weight Distribution
- Weight Distribution — Shifting Loads
- Weight — Axle Limits
- Weight — Bridge Formula
- Weight — Cargo Securement
- Weight — Tandem Axle Limits
- § 383.51: CMV alcohol-related disqualification standards
- § 391.11(b)(1): General qualifications of drivers
- § 392.22(b)(2)(v) — Divided or one-way highway placement
- § 393.70(b)(1)–(2) — Mounting and locking; Oregon Manual § 7.3.1 visual inspection
- § 395.3(a)(1)–(3) — 10-hour rest, 14-hour period, and 11-hour driving limit
- § 396.11(a)(2) — Report required when a defect or deficiency is found or reported
- § 396.11(a)(2)(i) — No-defect exception
- § 396.11(a)(2)(i)–(ii) — Report content and signature
- §393.47(e)(1): Brake adjustment limits
