How many questions are on the CDL general knowledge test?

Each state sets the number, but 50 questions is common; Washington and Utah both use 50. You need at least 80%, which is 40 correct out of 50.

What score do I need to pass the CDL permit test?

Federal rules require at least 80% correct on every CDL knowledge test, in every state.

How long is a CLP valid?

Federal rules allow up to one year from the date it is first issued. Some states issue it for less, such as 6 months in Utah or 180 days in Wisconsin.

Do I need training before I get a CDL?

Yes, if you are getting a Class A or Class B CDL for the first time. You must finish entry-level driver training from a registered provider before the skills test. You can pass the knowledge test and get your CLP first.

Which other tests might I need?

You take the air brakes test if your vehicle has air brakes, and the combination vehicles test for a Class A CDL. Each endorsement has its own test: hazmat (H), tank (N), passenger (P), school bus (S) and doubles/triples (T).

CDL General Knowledge Practice Test 2026

Vraag 1 van 25

Which CDL class do you need for a combination with a GCWR of 26,001 pounds or more when the towed unit has a GVWR over 10,000 pounds?

Class A
No CDL is needed
Class B
Class C

Toon antwoord

Antwoord: A. Class A

Class A covers combinations of 26,001 pounds or more GCWR when the towed vehicle is rated over 10,000 pounds.

Vraag 2 van 25

A straight truck has a GVWR of 30,000 pounds. It tows a small trailer rated at 8,000 pounds. Which CDL class does the driver need?

No CDL, because the trailer is small
Class A
Class C
Class B

Toon antwoord

Antwoord: D. Class B

Class B covers a single vehicle of 26,001 pounds or more GVWR, even when it tows a vehicle rated 10,000 pounds or less.

Vraag 3 van 25

A van is too light for Class A or B, but it is designed to carry 16 or more people, including the driver. Which CDL class covers it?

No CDL is needed for vans
Class B
Class C
Class A

Toon antwoord

Antwoord: C. Class C

Class C covers smaller vehicles designed to carry 16 or more people, counting the driver.

Vraag 4 van 25

A light truck under 26,001 pounds carries hazardous materials that need placards. What does the driver need?

Only a regular license and a permit from the shipper
No CDL, because the truck is light
A Class C CDL with a hazmat endorsement
A Class B CDL with no endorsement

Toon antwoord

Antwoord: C. A Class C CDL with a hazmat endorsement

A vehicle of any size that carries placarded hazardous materials needs a CDL. If it is not Class A or B, it is Class C, and the H endorsement is needed.

Vraag 5 van 25

You hold a Class A CDL with the right endorsements. Which other vehicles may you drive?

Class B vehicles only after a new skills test
Class B and Class C vehicles
Only Class C vehicles
Only Class A vehicles

Toon antwoord

Antwoord: B. Class B and Class C vehicles

A Class A holder may also drive Class B and C vehicles, as long as they have any endorsements those vehicles need.

Vraag 6 van 25

Which endorsement do you need to pull double or triple trailers?

T
S
N
P

Toon antwoord

Antwoord: A. T

The T endorsement is for double and triple trailers. N is tank, P is passenger and S is school bus.

Vraag 7 van 25

What does the N endorsement allow you to drive?

Tank vehicles
School buses
Double and triple trailers
Vehicles with air brakes

Toon antwoord

Antwoord: A. Tank vehicles

N is the tank vehicle endorsement.

Vraag 8 van 25

Which two endorsements need a skills test as well as a knowledge test?

Tank (N) and hazmat (H)
Passenger (P) and school bus (S)
Doubles/triples (T) and tank (N)
Hazmat (H) and doubles/triples (T)

Toon antwoord

Antwoord: B. Passenger (P) and school bus (S)

Federal rules require both a knowledge test and a skills test for the passenger and school bus endorsements. Tank, hazmat and doubles/triples need a knowledge test.

Vraag 9 van 25

What is the lowest passing score allowed on a CDL knowledge test?

70% correct
90% correct
80% correct
75% correct

Toon antwoord

Antwoord: C. 80% correct

Federal rules say you must answer at least 80% of the questions correctly on each CDL knowledge test.

Vraag 10 van 25

You take your CDL skills test in a truck without air brakes. What happens?

You must take the test again within 30 days
You cannot get a CDL
Your CDL is restricted from vehicles with air brakes
You get a hazmat restriction

Toon antwoord

Antwoord: C. Your CDL is restricted from vehicles with air brakes

If you fail the air brake knowledge test or take the skills test in a vehicle without air brakes, you get an air brake restriction.

Vraag 11 van 25

You take your skills test in a vehicle with an automatic transmission. What restriction will your CDL have?

No driving across state lines
No CMVs with a manual transmission
No pulling any trailers
No driving at night

Toon antwoord

Antwoord: B. No CMVs with a manual transmission

Testing in an automatic means you are restricted from commercial vehicles with a manual transmission.

Vraag 12 van 25

What does a V restriction on a CDL record mean?

The driver has a medical variance
The driver may drive vans only
The CDL is valid for one year only
The driver must wear glasses

Toon antwoord

Antwoord: A. The driver has a medical variance

The state records a V restriction when it is told the driver has a medical variance. These drivers also may not drive a CMV in Canada.

Vraag 13 van 25

Can your state give you the CDL knowledge test in a language other than English?

Yes, but no interpreter may be used
Yes, with an interpreter of your choice
Only for the hazmat test
No, it must always be in English

Toon antwoord

Antwoord: A. Yes, but no interpreter may be used

Knowledge tests may be given in another language, as long as no interpreter is used.

Vraag 14 van 25

In what language must the CDL skills test be done?

Any language the examiner speaks
The language of your knowledge test
English
Any language, with an interpreter

Toon antwoord

Antwoord: C. English

Interpreters are not allowed on the skills test, and the applicant and examiner must use English.

Vraag 15 van 25

Which test must you pass before your state can give you a commercial learner's permit (CLP)?

The basic control skills test
The general knowledge test
The road test
The vehicle inspection test

Toon antwoord

Antwoord: B. The general knowledge test

You get a CLP after you pass the knowledge tests, starting with general knowledge. The skills tests come later.

Vraag 16 van 25

Under federal rules, what is the longest time a CLP can be valid from the date it is first issued?

Until you turn 21
One year
30 days
Two years

Toon antwoord

Antwoord: B. One year

A CLP may be valid for no more than one year from first issue. Some states issue it for less, such as 6 months in Utah.

Vraag 17 van 25

Where must the CDL holder sit when supervising a CLP holder who is driving a truck?

Anywhere in the cab or sleeper
In a car following the truck
In the front seat, next to the CLP holder
In the sleeper berth, resting

Toon antwoord

Antwoord: C. In the front seat, next to the CLP holder

The supervising CDL holder must be physically present in the front seat next to the CLP holder at all times.

Vraag 18 van 25

After you first get your CLP, how long must you wait before you can take the CDL skills test?

At least 30 days
At least 7 days
At least 14 days
At least 60 days

Toon antwoord

Antwoord: C. At least 14 days

A CLP holder may not take the skills test in the first 14 days after the CLP is first issued.

Vraag 19 van 25

Which endorsements may appear on a CLP?

Doubles/triples only
Passenger, school bus and tank only
Any endorsement you have passed
Hazmat and tank only

Toon antwoord

Antwoord: B. Passenger, school bus and tank only

Only the P, S and N endorsements are allowed on a CLP. All others are prohibited.

Vraag 20 van 25

A CLP holder has an N (tank) endorsement on the permit. What may they drive?

Any tank vehicle
Tank vehicles under 1,000 gallons only
Tank vehicles with water only
Only an empty tank vehicle

Toon antwoord

Antwoord: D. Only an empty tank vehicle

A CLP holder with an N endorsement may only operate an empty tank vehicle.

Vraag 21 van 25

May a CLP holder drive a truck carrying placarded hazardous materials?

Yes, on short trips only
No, never
Yes, if a CDL holder is in the front seat
Yes, inside their home state

Toon antwoord

Antwoord: B. No, never

A CLP holder may not drive a commercial vehicle that is transporting hazardous materials.

Vraag 22 van 25

Since what date have most new Class A and Class B applicants had to complete entry-level driver training (ELDT)?

January 1, 2020
February 7, 2022
July 1, 2023
October 1, 2019

Toon antwoord

Antwoord: B. February 7, 2022

Compliance with the federal ELDT rules began on February 7, 2022.

Vraag 23 van 25

Which person must complete entry-level driver training?

Every CDL holder at each renewal
A first-time Class A or Class B applicant
Only drivers applying for Class C
Only drivers who are over 65

Toon antwoord

Antwoord: B. A first-time Class A or Class B applicant

ELDT applies to first-time Class A or B applicants, Class B to A upgrades, and first-time P, S or H endorsements.

Vraag 24 van 25

Where must your entry-level driver training provider be listed?

On FMCSA's Training Provider Registry
On your employer's insurance policy
On the back of your CLP
On your state's list of driving schools only

Toon antwoord

Antwoord: A. On FMCSA's Training Provider Registry

Training must come from a provider on FMCSA's Training Provider Registry, which keeps a record of who completed the training.

Vraag 25 van 25

A driver got a Class A CDL in 2019. Do they need ELDT to keep driving a Class A truck?

Only if they change employers
Yes, within one year
No, the rule is not retroactive
Yes, before their next renewal

Toon antwoord

Antwoord: C. No, the rule is not retroactive

Anyone issued a CDL before February 7, 2022 does not need ELDT for that credential.

CDL General Knowledge Practice Test 2026

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