CDL General Knowledge Practice Test 2026: Practice test 2

1. Question 1 of 25

   For a first Class A or Class B CDL, when must entry-level driver training be finished?

   • ABefore your first renewal
   • BBefore you take the CDL skills test
   • CWithin one year after you get your CDL
   • DBefore you take the knowledge test
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Before you take the CDL skills test

   ELDT must be completed before the skills test for a first Class A or Class B CDL.

2. Question 2 of 25

   A Class B CDL holder wants to upgrade to Class A. Is entry-level driver training needed?

   • AYes
   • BNo, a Class B holder is exempt
   • COnly if they will haul hazmat
   • DOnly if they are under 21
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Yes

   Upgrading from Class B to Class A is one of the cases that requires ELDT.

3. Question 3 of 25

   Under federal rules, how old must you be to drive a commercial motor vehicle in interstate commerce?

   • A18
   • B21
   • C19
   • D25
   Show answer

   Answer: B. 21

   A driver must be at least 21 years old to drive a CMV in interstate commerce.

4. Question 4 of 25

   Who may do your DOT medical exam?

   • AA medical examiner on FMCSA's National Registry
   • BYour company's safety manager or dispatcher
   • CAny licensed nurse at a walk-in clinic
   • DA pharmacist who checks your medicines
   Show answer

   Answer: A. A medical examiner on FMCSA's National Registry

   The physical exam must be done by a medical examiner on the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners.

5. Question 5 of 25

   How often must most CDL drivers pass a DOT medical exam?

   • AEvery 6 months
   • BEvery 5 years
   • COnly once, before the first CDL
   • DAt least every 24 months
   Show answer

   Answer: D. At least every 24 months

   Most drivers must be re-examined if they have not been certified in the last 24 months. Some conditions need a new exam every 12 months.

6. Question 6 of 25

   What distant vision does a CMV driver need in each eye, with or without glasses?

   • AAt least 20/20
   • BAt least 20/100
   • CAt least 20/40
   • DAt least 20/60
   Show answer

   Answer: C. At least 20/40

   The vision standard is at least 20/40 in each eye, with or without corrective lenses.

7. Question 7 of 25

   What field of vision must a CMV driver have in each eye?

   • AAt least 70 degrees side to side
   • BAt least 120 degrees side to side
   • CAt least 30 degrees side to side
   • DAt least 45 degrees side to side
   Show answer

   Answer: A. At least 70 degrees side to side

   Drivers need a field of vision of at least 70 degrees in the horizontal meridian in each eye.

8. Question 8 of 25

   How well must a commercial driver read and speak English?

   • AEnglish is not required for drivers who cross state lines
   • BWell enough to talk with the public, read signs and fill out reports
   • CWell enough to pass a college-level English writing class
   • DOnly well enough to read the CDL manual before the test
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Well enough to talk with the public, read signs and fill out reports

   Federal rules require enough English to converse with the public, understand traffic signs, respond to official questions and make report entries.

9. Question 9 of 25

   You are convicted of a traffic violation (not parking) in any vehicle. How soon must you tell your employer?

   • AWithin 1 year
   • BOnly if it happened in a CMV
   • CAt your next license renewal
   • DWithin 30 days
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Within 30 days

   Commercial drivers must notify their employer within 30 days of a traffic conviction, other than parking, in any type of vehicle.

10. Question 10 of 25

    When you apply for a commercial driving job, how many years of past employment must you list?

    • A2 years
    • B20 years
    • C5 years
    • D10 years
    Show answer

    Answer: D. 10 years

    You must give your employer information about all driving jobs you held in the past 10 years.

11. Question 11 of 25

    How many driver's licenses may a commercial driver hold?

    • AAs many as you need
    • BTwo: one CDL and one regular license
    • COne for each state you drive in
    • DOnly one
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Only one

    You may hold only one license. Having more than one can bring a fine or jail.

12. Question 12 of 25

    What alcohol concentration is the legal limit for driving a commercial motor vehicle?

    • A0.08%
    • B0.10%
    • C0.02%
    • D0.04%
    Show answer

    Answer: D. 0.04%

    Driving a CMV with an alcohol concentration of 0.04% or more is a disqualifying offense.

13. Question 13 of 25

    How long before going on duty or driving a CMV must you stop using alcohol?

    • AAt least 1 hour
    • BAt least 24 hours
    • CAt least 4 hours
    • DAt least 8 hours
    Show answer

    Answer: C. At least 4 hours

    You may not use alcohol within 4 hours before going on duty or driving a CMV.

14. Question 14 of 25

    You are found with any detectable alcohol while on duty, but under 0.04%. What happens?

    • ANothing, because you are under the limit
    • BYou lose your CDL for life
    • CYou get a warning only
    • DYou are put out of service for 24 hours
    Show answer

    Answer: D. You are put out of service for 24 hours

    A driver with any measured alcohol or detected presence of alcohol is placed out of service for 24 hours.

15. Question 15 of 25

    A driver is convicted for the first time of driving a CMV under the influence. The load was not hazmat. What is the disqualification?

    • AAt least 60 days
    • BAt least 3 years
    • CFor life
    • DAt least 1 year
    Show answer

    Answer: D. At least 1 year

    A first conviction for a major offense such as DUI brings a disqualification of 1 year when no hazmat is involved.

16. Question 16 of 25

    What is the disqualification for a first DUI conviction while hauling placarded hazardous materials?

    • AAt least 3 years
    • BAt least 120 days
    • CAt least 6 months
    • DAt least 1 year
    Show answer

    Answer: A. At least 3 years

    First convictions for major offenses while transporting hazardous materials carry a 3-year disqualification.

17. Question 17 of 25

    What is the usual penalty for a second conviction of a major offense, such as DUI, in a CMV?

    • AA fine only
    • BDisqualification for life
    • CDisqualification for 1 year
    • DDisqualification for 120 days
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Disqualification for life

    A second conviction for a major offense generally brings a lifetime disqualification.

18. Question 18 of 25

    While driving a CMV, you refuse a police officer's request to take an alcohol test. How is this treated?

    • AAs a major offense, like DUI
    • BAs a minor warning
    • CAs a parking violation
    • DIt has no effect on your CDL
    Show answer

    Answer: A. As a major offense, like DUI

    Refusing an alcohol test is a major offense, with the same 1-year first-time disqualification as DUI.

19. Question 19 of 25

    You are convicted of two serious traffic violations in a CMV within 3 years. How long is the disqualification?

    • AAt least 30 days
    • BAt least 1 year
    • CAt least 60 days
    • DAt least 120 days
    Show answer

    Answer: C. At least 60 days

    A second serious traffic violation within 3 years brings a 60-day disqualification.

20. Question 20 of 25

    What happens after a third serious traffic violation in a CMV within 3 years?

    • AAt least a 120-day disqualification
    • BA lifetime disqualification
    • CAt least a 60-day disqualification
    • DA warning letter
    Show answer

    Answer: A. At least a 120-day disqualification

    Three or more serious traffic violations within 3 years bring a 120-day disqualification.

21. Question 21 of 25

    Which of these is a serious traffic violation for a CDL holder?

    • AAn expired registration sticker
    • BA parking ticket
    • CDriving 5 mph over the limit
    • DSpeeding 15 mph or more over the limit
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Speeding 15 mph or more over the limit

    Excessive speeding of 15 mph or more over the limit is listed as a serious traffic violation.

22. Question 22 of 25

    How are texting and using a hand-held phone while driving a CMV treated?

    • AThey are allowed if you hold the phone below the window
    • BThey are allowed at speeds under 25 mph
    • CAs minor offenses with no effect on the CDL
    • DAs serious traffic violations that can lead to disqualification
    Show answer

    Answer: D. As serious traffic violations that can lead to disqualification

    Texting and using a hand-held mobile phone while driving a CMV are both serious traffic violations.

23. Question 23 of 25

    When may you use a hand-held phone while driving a CMV?

    • AWhen you are stopped at a red light
    • BWhen your dispatcher needs to reach you
    • COnly to call police or emergency services
    • DWhen traffic is light on the highway
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Only to call police or emergency services

    Federal rules ban hand-held phone use while driving a CMV, except to contact law enforcement or emergency services.

24. Question 24 of 25

    You are convicted of a railroad crossing violation in a CMV for the first time. What is the disqualification?

    • AAt least 60 days
    • BAt least 10 days
    • CAt least 1 year
    • DFor life
    Show answer

    Answer: A. At least 60 days

    A first railroad-highway grade crossing violation brings a disqualification of no less than 60 days.

25. Question 25 of 25

    What is the disqualification for a first conviction of driving while under an out-of-service order (no hazmat or passengers)?

    • AFor life
    • B2 to 5 years
    • C180 days to 1 year
    • D30 to 60 days
    Show answer

    Answer: C. 180 days to 1 year

    A first out-of-service order violation brings a disqualification of no less than 180 days and no more than 1 year.

Keyboard: 1–4 to answer, Enter for the next question.

The real test: Varies by state; usually 50 questions, with 40 correct needed (80%)