Ready for more practice? This practice test continues your preparation with additional questions covering comprehensive CDL general knowledge. Each question is designed to mirror the difficulty and format of the actual CDL written test.
What This Practice Test Covers
This practice test focuses on:
- comprehensive CDL general knowledge
- Real-world CDL scenarios
- Questions formatted like the actual DMV test
- Detailed explanations for each answer
Each question helps you build the knowledge and confidence needed for test day. Practice makes perfect — take as many attempts as you need.
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- Air Brakes Systems 0%
- Basic Vehicle Control 0%
- Cargo Management 0%
- Combination Vehicles 0%
- Federal Regulations 0%
- General CDL Knowledge 0%
- Vehicle Inspection 0%
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Question 1 of 50
1. Question
1. During the engine compartment inspection, you notice the fan belt has 1 inch of deflection when pressed with moderate thumb pressure. What does this indicate?
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Question 2 of 50
2. Question
2. Which factor has the greatest influence on a combination vehicle’s rollover risk?
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Question 3 of 50
3. Question
3. What are the three components that make up total stopping distance for a commercial motor vehicle?
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Question 4 of 50
4. Question
4. A motor carrier receives a DVIR from a driver reporting that the slack adjuster on the right front brake shows 1.5 inches of push rod travel during the pre-trip inspection. The carrier notes this but dispatches the vehicle anyway. A roadside inspection later places the vehicle out of service for brakes out of adjustment. Which analysis correctly describes the regulatory failure in this situation?
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Question 5 of 50
5. Question
5. During the CDL skills test straight-line backing exercise, an applicant must back a tractor-semitrailer through a straight corridor approximately 100 feet long with boundaries on both sides. The applicant makes two pull-ups during the exercise, looks in the direction of travel (backward) before each movement, and finishes within the boundaries without touching any lines. According to AAMVA Section 12M scoring criteria, how many points does this performance accumulate?
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Question 6 of 50
6. Question
6. A driver has been on duty for 70 hours in the past 8 consecutive days operating under the 70-hour/8-day limit. On Day 9, the driver needs to determine whether a 34-hour restart will reset the duty cycle. The driver’s home terminal time zone is Eastern Time. Which condition must be met for a valid 34-hour restart?
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Question 7 of 50
7. Question
7. You are driving a tractor-semitrailer at 55 MPH on a wet highway during heavy rain. You notice that the steering feels light and the vehicle is not responding normally to steering inputs. You suspect hydroplaning is occurring. What is the correct immediate response?
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Question 8 of 50
8. Question
8. What is the proper function of an engine brake (jake brake) on a commercial motor vehicle, and when should it NOT be used?
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Question 9 of 50
9. Question
9. A driver is preparing to make a left turn at a four-way intersection with a 53-foot trailer. There is traffic waiting to turn left from the opposite direction. The driver notices that if they turn from the center of the lane, the trailer will swing wide into the oncoming left-turn lane. What analysis should the driver make, and what action should they take?
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Question 10 of 50
10. Question
10. A driver is operating a combination vehicle on an icy road when the trailer begins to swing outward to the left (trailer jackknife). The driver’s initial instinct is to apply the brakes hard and steer right to correct. What should the driver actually do, and why?
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Question 11 of 50
11. Question
11. A driver is making a left turn from a two-lane road onto a four-lane divided highway. There is oncoming traffic in both lanes of the destination road. The driver observes a vehicle in the right lane of the destination road approaching the intersection. What turning technique minimizes the risk of collision?
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Question 12 of 50
12. Question
12. A hazmat driver operating a placarded tanker is approaching a railroad crossing with malfunctioning warning devices. The gates are down but the lights are not flashing. No train is visible or audible. What is the correct procedure?
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Question 13 of 50
13. Question
13. A driver is hauling a tanker on a highway and notices a small leak from a valve fitting on the tank exterior. What is the CORRECT immediate action?
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Question 14 of 50
14. Question
14. At what air pressure range do emergency brakes (spring brakes) automatically activate during a system failure?
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Question 15 of 50
15. Question
15. When making a left turn with a combination vehicle, the driver notices the rear trailer wheels are tracking inside the path of the tractor’s front wheels. What is this phenomenon called, and how should the driver adjust?
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Question 16 of 50
16. Question
16. A driver notices that when applying the service brake pedal, the trailer seems to push against the tractor momentarily before the trailer brakes engage, causing a brief “surge” feeling. What does this symptom indicate about the brake system?
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Question 17 of 50
17. Question
17. What document must a driver complete at the end of each work day to report any vehicle defects discovered during operation?
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Question 18 of 50
18. Question
18. A driver observes the following sequence during an air brake system check: the compressor builds pressure to 125 PSI and stops pumping; after several brake applications, pressure drops to 98 PSI; the compressor resumes pumping and builds back to 125 PSI. Which analysis correctly describes this observation?
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Question 19 of 50
19. Question
19. A driver notices the air pressure gauge reading 35 PSI while driving. Which brake system will automatically activate at this pressure level?
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Question 20 of 50
20. Question
20. How frequently should a commercial driver check mirrors while operating a CMV on the highway?
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Question 21 of 50
21. Question
21. A driver hauling building materials on a flatbed trailer has stopped at a rest area 150 miles into a 400-mile trip. The cargo was checked and adjusted at the 50-mile point with no issues found. Under 49 CFR Part 393, when must the driver re-inspect cargo securement during this trip, and what conditions require immediate inspection outside the scheduled intervals?
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Question 22 of 50
22. Question
22. What is the minimum acceptable tread depth for steer axle tires compared to other axle tires during a pre-trip inspection?
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Question 23 of 50
23. Question
23. When required to stop at a railroad-highway grade crossing, a commercial motor vehicle must stop within what distance from the nearest rail?
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Question 24 of 50
24. Question
24. During normal driving, what is the correct way to apply trailer brakes for routine stops?
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Question 25 of 50
25. Question
25. What is the minimum following distance a commercial motor vehicle should maintain when traveling at 45 mph on a dry road?
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Question 26 of 50
26. Question
26. A driver notices that the air pressure gauge reads 70 PSI when the engine is first started in the morning, but after the engine runs for several minutes, the pressure only reaches 90 PSI and stops increasing. The low-pressure warning has not activated. What is the most likely problem, and what should the driver do?
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Question 27 of 50
27. Question
27. You are approaching an underpass with a posted clearance of 13 feet, 6 inches. Your cab placard shows your vehicle height as 13 feet, 8 inches. What should you do?
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Question 28 of 50
28. Question
28. A driver is operating a 50-foot straight truck in dense fog at night. Visibility is approximately 150 feet. The driver approaches an intersection where a traffic signal is barely visible. What is the correct approach for this situation?
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Question 29 of 50
29. Question
29. A driver discovers during the pre-trip inspection that the left rear brake drum shows visible cracks. What is the correct procedure for documenting and handling this defect?
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Question 30 of 50
30. Question
30. What is “off-tracking” and why is it important for commercial motor vehicle operators?
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Question 31 of 50
31. Question
31. During a cab check pre-trip inspection with the engine running, a driver tests the vehicle’s lighting system and finds: (1) Both headlights illuminate properly on low beam and high beam, (2) The left turn signal indicator on the dashboard flashes but the left front turn signal light does not illuminate, (3) Brake lights activate when the brake pedal is pressed. What is the correct action the driver should take regarding these findings?
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Question 32 of 50
32. Question
32. What is the maximum on-duty window a property-carrying driver has after coming on duty following 10 consecutive hours off duty?
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Question 33 of 50
33. Question
33. When approaching a railroad crossing with a steep grade on the far side, what gear selection procedure must a commercial driver follow?
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Question 34 of 50
34. Question
34. During the CDL skills test, you are performing an offset backing maneuver to the right (passenger side). Halfway through the maneuver, you notice the trailer is approaching the right boundary line too closely and may cross it. What is the BEST corrective action?
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Question 35 of 50
35. Question
35. You are driving a tractor-semitrailer loaded with hazardous materials (placarded) and approaching a railroad-highway grade crossing with automatic flashing lights but no gates. The lights are not currently flashing, and no train is visible. What is the required stopping procedure at this crossing?
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Question 36 of 50
36. Question
36. A driver operating a tractor-semitrailer on a highway is preparing to exit onto a right-side ramp. At what distance should the driver activate the turn signal before beginning the exit maneuver?
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Question 37 of 50
37. Question
37. When inspecting wheels and rims during a pre-trip inspection, what defects must the driver identify as unacceptable conditions requiring repair before operation?
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Question 38 of 50
38. Question
38. A CDL applicant is performing the offset backing (right) exercise. During the maneuver, the applicant crosses the boundary line three times, uses four pull-ups, and looks outside the vehicle in the wrong direction twice. What is the total point score for this exercise?
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Question 39 of 50
39. Question
39. What blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level results in disqualification for a commercial driver operating a CMV?
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Question 40 of 50
40. Question
40. A driver completes the service brake test by moving the vehicle forward at 5 MPH and applying the brakes. The vehicle stops, but the driver observes three issues: (1) the brake pedal went nearly to the floor, (2) the vehicle pulled slightly to the left, and (3) stopping took longer than expected. Which analysis correctly prioritizes these findings for defect reporting?
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Question 41 of 50
41. Question
41. A driver conducts a complete air brake pre-trip inspection and observes: pressure builds to 125 PSI and governor cuts out correctly; leak test shows 2 PSI drop in one minute for a combination vehicle; parking brake holds during tug test; low-pressure warning activates at 55 PSI. During service brake test, the vehicle stops smoothly without pulling. Which item requires correction before driving?
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Question 42 of 50
42. Question
42. A driver is securing a metal coil (rolled steel) on a flatbed trailer. The coil weighs 8,000 pounds and will be transported in the “eyes vertical” position (coil standing upright). Which of the following describes the correct specialized securement approach for this cargo type?
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Question 43 of 50
43. Question
43. A driver is operating a loaded tractor-semitrailer on a two-lane rural highway during heavy rain. The temperature is 38°F. The driver notices the road surface appears wet but encounters a shaded area under trees. As the vehicle enters the shaded area, the driver feels slight steering resistance change. What should the driver do immediately?
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Question 44 of 50
44. Question
44. A school bus driver with a CDL and S endorsement receives convictions for three serious traffic violations within a three-year period: speeding 18 MPH over the limit, following too closely, and reckless driving. All violations occurred while operating a school bus. What disqualification period applies?
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Question 45 of 50
45. Question
45. A CVSA-certified inspector performs a Level I inspection on a combination vehicle and documents the following: (1) One steer tire has tread depth of 4/32 inch and the other steer tire has 3/32 inch, (2) Two lug nuts are missing from a trailer wheel (originally 10 studs), (3) The windshield has a 6-inch crack along the passenger side outside the driver’s direct vision area, (4) Steering wheel play measures 1.5 inches before front wheels begin to turn. Based on CVSA North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria, which combination of defects places this vehicle out of service?
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Question 46 of 50
46. Question
46. What is the maximum consecutive on-duty time a property-carrying driver may work before being required to take 10 consecutive hours off duty?
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Question 47 of 50
47. Question
47. Which of the following backing maneuvers is NOT part of the AAMVA Section 12M basic control skills test exercises?
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Question 48 of 50
48. Question
48. A driver operating a loaded tanker truck on a curved highway ramp notices the trailer beginning to sway and lean outward during the turn. The driver’s speed is at the posted ramp limit. The cargo is a liquid with a high center of gravity in a partially filled tank. What factors are causing this handling instability, and what comprehensive corrective actions should the driver take to prevent a rollover?
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Question 49 of 50
49. Question
49. According to CVSA North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria, what tire condition automatically places a commercial motor vehicle out of service regardless of other factors?
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Question 50 of 50
50. Question
50. What is the minimum Working Load Limit (WLL) requirement for each tiedown used to secure an article of cargo?
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