CDL Practice
CDL General Knowledge Practice Test
The General Knowledge test is the first step toward your Commercial Driver's License. Our free practice test mirrors the real exam, with questions on safe driving, vehicle inspection, and federal regulations — plus instant feedback and explanations.
- 50 questions in the same format as the real exam
- Based on the official FMCSA and state CDL manuals
- Instant scoring with detailed answer explanations
- Unlimited free attempts — no signup required
- Updated for 2026 federal regulations
About the CDL General Knowledge Test
The CDL General Knowledge test is the mandatory written exam for anyone applying for a Commercial Driver's License in the United States. Whether you are pursuing a Class A, Class B, or Class C license, you must pass this test before you can receive your Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP).
The exam covers the essential knowledge required to safely operate a commercial motor vehicle, including:
- Safe driving practices and defensive driving techniques
- Pre-trip and daily vehicle inspection procedures
- Controlling your vehicle (steering, braking, backing, turning)
- Understanding federal hours-of-service and logbook rules
- Traffic laws, road signs, and right-of-way rules
- Transporting cargo safely and securing loads
- Hazard awareness and emergency response
Most states administer 50 questions, requiring a passing score of at least 80% (40 correct answers). The questions are drawn directly from the official CDL manual published by your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), which itself follows the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) guidelines.
The best way to prepare is to take realistic practice tests, review the explanations for questions you miss, and keep practicing until you consistently score 90% or higher. Our practice test uses the same question formats and difficulty level as the real exam, so you'll know exactly what to expect on test day.
Test Tips
- • Read each question fully — CDL exams often include trick wording.
- • Answer the questions you know first, then return to harder ones.
- • Focus on the "general knowledge" topics listed in your state manual.
- • Aim for 90%+ on multiple practice tests before the real exam.
- • Get a good night's sleep and arrive early to reduce test-day anxiety.
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