CDL Practice Test 2025 Prep & Training - Class A, B, C

What is a CDL Test?

Drivers of certain types of commercial vehicles are mandated by Federal law to obtain a commercial driver’s license. This is the reason why certain vehicle operators in the United States are required to take a CDL test.

What is the meaning of ‘CDL’?

CDL stands for Commercial Driver’s License.

What are the 3 types of CDL licenses?

The CDL driving test has three types: Class A, Class B, and Class C. To give you a quick overview of their specifications, please refer to the following information below:

Class A CDL Test

A Class A license is needed to operate any vehicle with a gross combination weight of at least 26,001 pounds, including a towed vehicle heavier than 10,000 pounds.

Class A CDL vehicles include:

Tanker vehicles
Flatbeds
Truck and trailer combinations, including double and triple trailers
Tractor-trailers,
Tractor-trailer buses
Livestock carriers

Class B CDL Test

A Class B license is required to drive a single vehicle with a gross combination weight of at least 26,001 pounds, including a vehicle that is towing another vehicle scaling up to 10,000 pounds.

Class B CDL vehicles include:

Dump trucks with small trailers
Straight trucks
Segmented buses
Box trucks, such as delivery drivers, couriers, and furniture delivery
Large buses, including city buses, tourist buses, and school buses

Class C CDL Test

A Class C license may be required if the vehicle does not meet the guidelines specified for either the Class A or Class B license. If the vehicle is meant to transport at least 16 passengers, including the driver, or any hazardous material, a Class C license is needed as laid out by federal guidelines.

Class C CDL vehicles include:

Passenger vans
Combination vehicles not described in class A or B, such as a small truck towing a trailer
Small hazardous materials vehicles

The United States Department of Transportation (DOT) assigned the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to implement federal regulations that manage the requirements and processes for those who are applying for a Commercial Driver’s License.

What are some jobs you can get with a CDL?

Here’s a list of the jobs you can get with a CDL permit:

Bus Driver
Dispatcher
Truck Driving School Instructors
Local Truck Driver
Heavy Equipment Hauling
Long-Haul Cargo Truck Driver

Do I need a CDL for a two-car trailer?

It depends on what kind of car hauling you’re doing. In fact, you don’t need a CDL to haul cars, especially if they’re weight in only average and does not exceed the weight limit DOT set out.

Furthermore, like any examination, the CDL test requires intensive preparation and a consistent study routine. In this article, we will help you find the best way to ace the exam through CDL practice test materials and comprehensive study guides and tips.

Getting Started with the CDL Test

As mentioned earlier, once you take and pass the CDL exam, you will then be allowed to drive and operate certain types of commercial vehicles. The CDL also signifies that you have the baseline knowledge required to operate specialized vehicles safely and skillfully.

What are the requirements needed to qualify for the CDL test?

Prior to taking the exam, you need to secure a number of requirements in order to verify that you are a U.S. citizen. You also need to disclose other relevant driving-related information. You can directly visit www.fmcsa.dot.gov for more information about the complete set of requirements that you need to meet.

How hard is it to get your CDL? What are the steps?

Once you have gathered all the needed requirements, get in touch with your local Department of Motor Vehicles and schedule an appointment. To walk you through the steps on how you can successfully obtain your CDL, we’ve outlined a short and easy guide below for your reference:

Step 1: Be at least 18 or 21 years old (driving interstate).

Step 2: Present your state’s CDL application form and fee.

Step 3: Verify your identity and undergo Social Security Number verification.

Step 4: Declare proof of residency.

Step 5: Provide a Medical Examiner’s Certificate Form and a completed Medical Examination Report Form.

Step 6: Secure vision test.

Step 7: Acquire a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) by accomplishing the CDL Knowledge Test.

Step 8: Schedule your Skills Test after 14 days.

Step 9: Accomplish the pre-trip inspection.

Step 10: Accomplish the road skills and CDL driving test using your own vehicle.

Step 11: Pay the required CDL fees.

Is it hard to get your CDL license? What are the benefits?

It’s not really that hard to get a CDL license. With proper training and preparation, you will be able to pass the test with no problem. There are various benefits that the CDL can give to test-takers, especially to heavy transport vehicle drivers. Aside from having proper documentation and valid license while on the road, other benefits such as financial advantages, work flexibility, job security, stable career growth, etc. make securing CDL more beneficial to vehicle drivers.

CDL Test Scoring System

In order to pass the CDL exam, you need to answer 80% of the questions accurately. This is the percentage that you will need to attain before you can secure your license.

When it comes to the CDL driving test, you will be scored based on your overall performance in these general driving behavior sections:

Clutch Usage
Gear Usage
Brake Usage
Lane Usage

All CDL applicants are also required to take a general written test. The written examination is composed of CDL General Knowledge Test that you need to pass in order to get your CDL permit. Once you’ve finished the test, you will be scored immediately. If you receive a passing score, you’ll be issued your CDL permit based on the class you chose. If you fail, you can retake the test. However, keep in mind that you might need to pay an additional fee to retake the exam.

CDL Test Structure and Format

The CDL test has 50 multiple-choice questions. In order to pass, you need to answer 80% of the questions correctly, which means that out of 50 questions, you need to have 10 incorrect answers.

CDL Frequently Asked Questions

Below are the most frequently asked questions about the CDL. Please use this as a reference to gain more information about the exam before you take the test.

How much does a CDL test cost?

Based on the license class that you chose, taking the CDL exam may involve a wide range of fees. In addition, the type of application including special endorsements may attach an additional cost. The fee normally ranges from $27 to $73 dollars. However, the fee is subject to legislative change. If you want to find out the updated fees based on your location, you can check it on cdlcareernow.

How fast can you get a CDL?

Just like any test, there are no shortcuts when it comes to passing the CDL test. You need to prepare and study if you want to get a good score on the examination. Moreover, passing the test is much easier with the help of practice test materials such as the following:

CDL Practice Test General Knowledge Books
Class A CDL Practice Test PDFs
Class B CDL Practice Test PDFs
Class C CDL Practice Test PDFs
Free CDL Training and Test Materials
Free CDL Practice Test Online
CDL Practice Test Combination

If you want to pass the CDL test, you need all the help you can get from practice test materials so make sure to take advantage of them during your preparation.

In what US state is it easy to get a driver’s license?

It actually varies from state to state. Every state involves a process and you need to comply to these processes in order to get a driver’s license (a CDL for example).

Can you take the CDL test online?

Despite the ongoing technological evolution, taking the CDL test online (internet-based exam) is not yet happening. Although many Commercial Driver’s License test manual can be found online, the exam happens at a testing site in each state. So for people who kept asking how to take the CDL test online, the answer is not yet established at the time.

What kind of license do you need to drive a bus in the USA?

Generally, a bus designed to transport 16 or more persons requires a Commercial Drivers License (CDL) with a passenger endorsement. Moreover, some states have exemptions where you don’t need a CDL for non-fare passengers in intrastate operations. Examples of such are employee shuttles, church buses, buses to shuttle farm laborers, etc.

How hard is it to get your CDL if you are a felon?

There are certain felony offenses that can immediately disqualify you from earning a CDL. Here’s the list:

Extortion
Smuggling
Treason
Kidnapping
Bribery
Assault with intent to murder
Arson
Using a commercial vehicle in the commission of a felony
Manslaughter in the first or second degree with a motor vehicle
Misconduct with a motor vehicle
Causing a fatality through negligent/reckless vehicle operation
Operating a vehicle with a BAC of .08% or higher

Where can I take my CDL test near me?

In order to conveniently find the nearest test location in whatever state you are in, you can visit www.fmcsa.dot.gov and search CDL to find out where you can take the test.

What are the US CDL endorsements?

CDL endorsements include the following:

Hazardous Material Endorsement
Tank Vehicle Endorsement
Tanker/Hazardous Material Endorsement
Double/Triple Endorsement
Passenger Endorsement
Class C
Class B
School Bus Endorsement

Let’s Participate in a the practice test

What does the CDL test consist of?

The CDL exam is composed of two parts. The first one is the General Knowledge Test and the second one is the Skills Test.

The General Knowledge Test

The CDL general knowledge section aims to measure your ability to answer general questions about driving practices. This will be administered through a written exam. Most of the questions are multiple-choice, however, they can be very tricky so you need to pay attention to the choices keenly.

The Skills Test

Once you’ve successfully passed the General Knowledge Test, you will then be eligible to take the Skills Test. This portion of the CDL exam includes three areas and these are: 1.) Vehicle Inspection Test (takes about 40 minutes), 2.) Basic Control Skills Test (takes about 30 minutes), 3.) Road Test (takes about 45 to 60 minutes).

CDL Training and Test Preparation Guide

Getting your CDL permit requires constant training, practice, and preparation. There are no hacks nor patterns that you need to follow in order to pass the CDL exam. When we talk about training and preparation, it includes CDL study guides, CDL practice test materials, and CDL best practices.

To help you gain an insight about the CDL exam and prepare for the test, we’ve outlined the things that you need to know about it below:

What do CDL training courses consist of?

There are several classifications of CDL training courses that you can take advantage of for your preparation. These CDL training courses include the following: 1.) Licensed Training Courses, 2.) Certified Training Courses, 3.) Accredited Training Courses.

Licensed School

A licensed school has accomplished the minimum state requirements needed for training. These requirements are curriculum, facilities, training, instructors, etc.

Certified School

A certified school has been reviewed and fully inspected by a third party. In certified schools, a trainee will only graduate once they have passed the standards set out by the U.S. DOT (Department of Transportation), as well as the trucking industry.

Accredited School

In an accredited school, an accrediting agency runs an approval process that has been verified and authorized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Can you get your CDL without going to a school?

Yes, you can. You are free to study and take the test for your CDL without enrolling yourself to a school or a company-sponsored training program. However, you may or may not be able to find a company that will hire you to drive for them. This is one of the few challenges of doing everything on your own.

What’s the best way to study for CDL?

The best way to study for the CDL exam is to involve yourself in consistent training and preparation. Enrolling in CDL classes or a CDL school is one way to do it.

To provide you with an insight as to what skills are needed when it comes to acing the CDL, here are some of them:

Road signs and rules and regulation.
Learning proper signals on the road.
The ability to maneuver a larger capacity and weight load.
The ability to work with the different signals in the trucks you are driving.
Manage log books for deliveries made, hours driven
and for hours per fleet.
Maneuvering the truck.
Map reading and trip planning logs.

CDL Sample Questions (General Knowledge)

How far ahead should a driver be looking while driving a vehicle?

1/8 mile.
1/4 mile.
1/2 mile.
3/4 mile.

2. You are driving a heavy vehicle and must exit the highway using an off ramp that curves downhill. You should:

use the posted speed limit for the ramp.
slow down to a safe speed before the ramp.
wait until you are in the curve before you start to downshift.
shift to a higher gear before the turn.

3. Which of these statements are true about downshifting.

When you downshift for a curve, you should do so before you enter the curve.
When you downshift for a hill, you should do so after you start down the grade.
When you downshift for a curve, you should do so after you enter the curve.
When you downshift for a curve, do so just after the curve.

Conclusion

Over and above all, getting a CDL through passing the exam involves a process. With the use of CDL prep materials such as CDL handbook and manuals, CDL practice tests, CDL study guides, and taking advantage of a paid CDL training, you will be able to get your CDL license successfully. But like we’ve said, there are no shortcuts or a specific CDL driving school that can help you out, all you need is to go through the whole process of preparing and practicing for the test.

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