Last updated on May 5, 2023
General Knowledge Practice Test 1 contains general knowledge and safe driving information that all commercial drivers should know to successfully pass the CDL “General Knowledge” written test.
CDL General Knowledge Practice Test 1 Methods:
Number of practice test questions with answers: 50
Number of correctly answered practice test questions needed to pass: 40
Passing score: 80%
General Knowledge Practice Test #2
This CDL General Knowledge Practice Test #1 with Answers is applicable for all 50 States.
General Knowledge Practice Test (#1) with Answers
#1. Which of the following endorsements may NOT be added to a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP)?
#2. Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) is required for obtaining which of the following Classes of Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) for the first time?
#3. Which of the following is NOT a correct statement about vehicle inspections:
#4. What are some advantages of going right instead of left around an obstacle?
#5. How long does it take for a typical tractor-trailer unit to clear a single-track railroad-highway crossing?
#6. Talking on a cell phone while driving is safer than texting while driving.
#7. Aggressive driving is defined as:
#8. Common over-the-counter medicines for colds can make you drowsy.
#9. How can you avoid the effects caused by wet brakes?
#10. How do you use in-vehicle communications equipment cautiously?
#11. What should you do before you drive if you are drowsy?
#12. All of the following are examples of steering system defects, EXCEPT:
#13. When transporting loads with a high center of gravity, you are more likely to:
#14. All of the following should be considered if you must drive in foggy conditions, EXCEPT:
#15. If a driver is following your vehicle too closely, what should you do?
#16. Why are hazardous materials placards used?
#17. What should you do if you become sleepy while driving?
#18. All of the following types of loads require a special permit, EXCEPT:
#19. What are some things to do at an accident scene to prevent another accident?
#20. What is the primary way of controlling your speed on a steep downhill grade?
#21. What are two main things to look ahead for while driving?
#22. What are the two ways to know when to shift?
#23. When using your fire extinguisher, you should get as close as possible to the fire?
#24. What does “communicating” mean in safe driving?
#25. How often must you stop while on the road to check your cargo?
#26. During a trip, all of the following are critical items that should be checked whenever you stop, EXCEPT:
#27. What are the two special conditions where you should downshift?
#28. What is the minimum number of tie-downs for any flatbed load?
#29. Before driving in hot weather, you should pay special attention to all of the following during your vehicle inspection, EXCEPT:
#30. What’s your most important way to see the sides and rear of your vehicle?
#31. If you have to stop on the road or shoulder of the road, how long do you have to put out your emergency warning devices?
#32. When conducting an inspection of the tires during a trip, what is the minimum tread depth allowed on every major groove on the front tires?
#33. Why should you be in the proper gear before starting down a hill?
#34. All of the following are key suspension system parts, EXCEPT:
#35. What is the ONLY thing that will help a drinker sober up before driving?
#36. If you are convicted for having a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .04% or higher while driving a commercial motor vehicle (CMV), how long will you lose your CDL for a second offense?
#37. Which of the following is a proper braking technique when driving a vehicle with antilock brakes (ABS)?
#38. What kinds of fires is a B:C extinguisher good for?
#39. What is the most common type of skid?
#40. What is the proper braking technique when driving a vehicle with antilock brakes (ABS)?
#41. What should you do before entering a curve?
#42. If you drive twice as fast, how much will your stopping distance increase by?
#43. If you are driving a 30-foot vehicle at 55 mph, how many seconds of following distance should you allow?
#44. If you are convicted for having a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .04% or higher while driving a commercial motor vehicle (CMV), how long will you lose your CDL for a first offense?
#45. To keep from rolling backwards when putting your vehicle in motion, all of the following methods can be safely used, EXCEPT:
#46. Which of the following is the correct way to hold the steering wheel?
#47. Which of the following is NOT a basic vehicle control skill required to safely operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV)?
#48. When you have to back a commercial motor vehicle (CMV), all of the following are safety rules that should be applied, EXCEPT:
#49. A driver makes emergency plans when they see a hazard, this is an example of:
#50. When driving on wet road surfaces, how much should you reduce your speed by?
General Knowledge Practice Test #2
PRACTICE TEST QUESTIONS AND ANSWER SOURCES:
The pool of questions used to produce this practice test have been independently created by CDL Digest and come directly from Code of Federal Regulations (Title 49 – Transportation) and the information provided in AAMVA’s “2005 CDL Test System (July 2010 or newer Version) Model Commercial Driver Manual”.
These are the same sources that all 50 State Driver Licensing Agencies (SDLA) are required to use by federal regulation (49 C.F.R. 383.133) to develop the pool of questions for all written tests needed for a person to obtain a commercial learner’s permit (CLP), commercial driver’s license (CDL), and/or any federally authorized endorsements.
Note: The above listed source information is static, meaning changes to the information used to create the pool of questions that your State Driver Licensing Agency (SDLA) uses for the actual written test have been extremely rare over the decades. Due to the static nature of the source information, you may see practice test questions and answers in this practice test that are very similar, if not identical to the questions and answers on the actual written test. If this occurs, it is purely coincidental. CDL Digest is not affiliated with the AAMVA or any government agency.
PRACTICE TEST DIFFICULTY:
The source material used by CDL Digest to develop these practice test questions is very technical. Relying solely on the practice tests we have produced will not be enough to successfully pass the actual written tests. You will NEED to study in order to successfully pass these practice tests and the actual written tests.
Study Guide Links:
Class “A” Commercial Learner’s Permit Study Guide
Class “B” Commercial Learner’s Permit Study Guide
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