CDL Permit Practice Test (50 Questions Answers)

CDL Permit Practice Test (50 Questions Answers): In order to get this special license, you must first take and pass the required CDL knowledge test and skills tests. Using this free sample test correctly will prepare you to take and pass these tests. This practice test is consist of 50 questions and is followed by an answer key.

Taking our free CDL Permit Practice Test and any other practice Endorsement Tests that apply to your vehicle type, and studying the explanations of the correct answers for the practice tests, you can find out how well you are prepared for the actual Commercial Driver’s License Exam and what material you need to review again.

CDL Permit Practice Test (50 Questions Answers)

Test Name	CDL Practice Test 2025
Language	English
License	CDL (Class A, B, or C),
Total Questions	50 Knowledge Practice Test
Test For	Commercial Driver License
Test Preparation	Driving Knowledge
Country	USA
Explanation	No

0 votes, 0 avg

CDL General Knowledge Test 6

1 / 50

You are driving a 60-foot rig at 55 mph. How many seconds of space should you have between you and the vehicle ahead?

A) 7 seconds

B) 8 seconds

C) 5 seconds

D) 6 seconds

2 / 50

A tie rod is part of the ________ system.

A) steering

B) brake

C) exhaust

D) suspension

3 / 50

Which of the following emergency equipment should be carried in the truck at all times?

A) All of the above

B) reflective warning triangles or flares

C) a fully charged 5 B:C fire extinguisher

D) spare electrical fuses (if the truck has fuses)

4 / 50

You are stopped on the shoulder of a curve that prevents approaching traffic from seeing your vehicle. How far back should you place your last warning device?

A) 10 feet

B) 100 feet

C) 500 feet

D) 200 feet

5 / 50

Which of the following statements is true about alcohol?

A) If you eat a lot first, you will not get drunk

B) A few beers are the same as a few shots of whiskey.

C) Some people are not affected by alcohol

D) Alcohol increases your ability to drive.

6 / 50

At speeds below 40 mph, you need at—————for each————of vehicle length.

A) two seconds; 10 feet

B) two seconds; 30 feet

C) one second; 20 feet

D) one second; 10 feet

7 / 50

You are driving on slippery ice. Your rear-drive wheels lock and you begin to skid. Which of the following is the best action to take?

A) Take your foot off the accelerator and push the brake.

B) Take your foot off the accelerator and push in the clutch.

C) Shift to neutral.

D) Brake hard and pull off the road.

8 / 50

You are stopped on an incline. How do you keep from rolling back?

A) Put on the parking brake

B) Pump the accelerator hard

C) Shift to neutral

D) Engage the clutch

9 / 50

To go down a long, steep hill you should

A) shift to a high gear before starting down the grade.

B) shift to a low gear before starting down the grade.

C) shift to a low gear after starting down the grade.

D) apply your brakes hard.

10 / 50

Which of the following is true about overhead clearance?

A) A loaded truck is higher than an empty one.

B) An empty van is higher than a loaded van.

C) Repaving or packed snow increases the clearance height.

D) Posted heights are always correct.

11 / 50

What is the correct placement of warning devices when parked on the shoulder of a one-way or divided highway?

A) At 10 feet, 100 feet, and 200 feet from the rear of the vehicle

B) At 10 feet, 100 feet, and 200 feet from the front of the vehicle

C) At 100 feet and 500 feet from the front of the vehicle

D) At 100 feet and 500 feet from the rear of the vehicle

12 / 50

What is the proper way to make a right turn when you are driving a long vehicle?

A) Turn wide to the left as you start the turn.

B) Keep the rear of the vehicle far away from the curb

C) Turn quickly to stop other drivers from hitting you.

D) Turn wide as you complete the turn.

13 / 50

A broken coolant hose while driving

A) causes the air-conditioner to fail.

B) causes the heater to fail.

C) can cause a fire

D) increases the chances of tire failure.

14 / 50

Which of the following is the best way to slow the vehicle when driving down a hill?

A) Shift to a higher gear.

B) Apply heavy pressure on the brakes from time to time.

C) Shift gears to neutral.

D) Downshift before the hill and keep light, continuous pressure on the brakes.

15 / 50

the best kind of driver is a(n) __________ one.

A) safety first-minded and defensive

B) slow

C) Offensive

D) sober

16 / 50

Controlled braking is

A) braking so that the wheels lock

B) stab braking lock.

C) releasing the brakes slowly.

D) jamming on the brakes.

17 / 50

You are approaching a vehicle for a pre-trip inspection. What should be the first step?

A) Putting the vehicle key in your pocket

B) Writing a written report on the condition of the vehicle

C) Fastening your seatbelt

D) Starting the engine

18 / 50

Some vehicles have automatic transmissions. Why is it important to select a low range when going down grades?

A) To get greater engine braking

B) To prevent a hydraulic brake failure

C) To prevent hydroplaning

D) To allow the transmission to shift up

19 / 50

What is the total stopping distance when driving a heavy vehicle on dry pavement at 55 mph?

A) 4 1/2 seconds

B) 7 1/2seconds

C) 6 seconds

D) 5 seconds

20 / 50

You are driving on a rainy day and the drive wheels begin to spin. To keep control of the vehicle, which of the following is the best action to take?

A) Accelerate slightly

B) Steer to the left or right

C) Brake hard

D) Take your foot off the accelerator

21 / 50

Why don’t new trucks use the same gear for going down a hill as they would for going up a hill?

A) They take up more fuel.

B) They have weaker engines.

C) They have low friction parts.

D) They have more air drag.

22 / 50

Your brakes have failed on a downgrade. Using an escape ramp, downshifting and ____________________ are helpful in slowing the vehicle.

A) shifting to a higher gear

B) countersteering

C) using the braking effect of the engine

D) using your horn

23 / 50

If the steering feels heavy or hard, it is probably a sign of

A) battery failure.

B) worn brakes.

C) engine problems.

D) tire problems.

24 / 50

Which of the following should you examine when inspecting the front of your vehicle?

A) All of the above

B) Condition of steering system

C) Condition of brakes

D) Condition of shock absorbers

25 / 50

What are the three types of safety equipment that you must have before driving?

A) An accident reporting kit, three red reflective triangles, and tire- changing equipment

B) Spare fuses, tire chains and a fire extinguisher

C) Tire-changing equipment, spare fuses, and a fire extinguisher

D) Spare fuses, three red reflective triangles, and a fire extinguisher

26 / 50

You are driving a large vehicle that cannot make a right turn without swinging into another lane. Which of the following figures shows the correct way to make the turn?

A) Figure C

B) Figure A

C) Figure B

D) Figure D

27 / 50

You wish to turn left from one multilane two-way street into another multilane two-way street. Which of the figures below shows how the turn should be made?

A) Figure A

B) Figure c

C) Figure b

D) Figure d

28 / 50

Which of the following is one of the best ways to deal with tailgaters in heavy traffic?

A) Increase your following distance.

B) Brake quickly several times to flash your brake lights.

C) Speed up to increase the distance between you and the tailgater.

D) Turn on your tail lights.

29 / 50

What is a tractor jackknife?

A) A type of trailer truck

B) A device used in the hydraulic system

C) Another name for hard steering

D) A drive-wheel skid

30 / 50

f one-fourth of a multileaf spring is missing, which of the following is most likely to happen?

A) It will cause a pop-pop-pop sound.

B) It will have no effect.

C) It will make it hard to steer.

D) It will put the vehicle out of service.

31 / 50

If you have to steer away from what’s ahead in order to avoid a crash, which of the following is the best action to take?

A) Apply the brakes while turning.

B) Turn very sharply to clear whatever is in your way

C) Turn, then countersteer once you have cleared the obstacle

D) Hit the brakes.

32 / 50

When driving down a steep curve in the snow, you should

A) use the engine brake.

B) use the speed retarder.

C) brake hard.

D) turn as gently as possible.

33 / 50

If the radiator shutters freeze shut when driving in the winter, which of the following will occur?

A) The brakes will freeze.

B) The engine may overheat and stop.

C) Carbon monoxide will leak into your vehicle.

D) It will be harder to steer.

34 / 50

The controlled braking method is used

A) when making large steering wheel movements

B) by applying the brakes slowly.

C) to make the wheels lock.

D) by applying the brakes as hard as you can without locking the wheels.

35 / 50

How much tread depth should you have on your front tires when driving in the winter?

A) Minimum of 2/32 inch

B) Minimum of 4/32 inch

C) Under 4/32 inch

D) Maximum of 2/32 inch

36 / 50

If you must pull over to the shoulder on a major highway, you should

A) use the controlled braking method.

B) brake quickly several times to flash your brake lights.

C) keep one set of wheels on pavement, if possible.

D) turn onto the shoulder without braking.

37 / 50

What is black ice?

A) Fog or mist

B) Freshly paved tar

C) Clear ice

D) Oil

38 / 50

You should inspect the tires every _________ when driving in very hot weather.

A) three hours or every 150 miles

B) two hours or every 100 miles

C) one hour or every 50 miles

D) four hours or every 400 miles

39 / 50

Which of the following is true about empty trucks?

A) They are easier to steer.

B) They require greater stopping distance.

C) They require less braking power.

D) They have better traction.

40 / 50

To extinguish an electrical fire,

A) use a lot of water.

B) pull into a service station and wait for qualified firefighters.

C) use the A:B:C extinguisher on the flames of the fire.

D) use the B:C extinguisher on the base of the fire.

41 / 50

When backing a trailer,

A) use the highest reverse gear.

B) turn and back toward the right side.

C) turn the steering wheel toward the direction you want to go.

D) urn the steering wheel in the opposite direction you want to go.

42 / 50

Where and when is it best to downshift?

A) After starting up a hill

B) Before speeding up

C) After starting down a hill

D) Before entering a curve

43 / 50

One of the steps in shifting up is to

A) release the clutch and shift to neutral.

B) press the accelerator and shift to neutral.

C) increase engine and gear speed to the RPM required.

D) push in the clutch and shift to the higher gear at the same time

44 / 50

he proper distance to use high beams is at least _______________ away from an approaching vehicle.

A) 50 feet

B) 1,000 feet

C) 25 feet

D) 500 feet

45 / 50

Which of the following is one of the potential causes of fire in the electrical system?

A) Duals that touch

B) Short circuits due to damaged insulation

C) Poor ventilation

D) Flammable cargo

46 / 50

How often must drivers of trucks and truck tractors conduct a safety inspection?

A) Every 5 hours and after driving

B) After driving

C) Before driving

D) Before driving, every 3 hours during driving, and after driving

47 / 50

Which of the following is a sign of a tire failure?

A) Vibration

B) A loud “bang”

C) All of the above

D) The steering wheel pulls to one side

48 / 50

You are driving on a highway and your front tire has just blown out. You should

A) stay off the brake until you have slowed down.

B) keep driving until you find a service station.

C) pump the brakes.

D) brake hard.

49 / 50

Why must you tab or keep shipping papers related to hazardous materials in special places?

A) In case there are no placards

B) Because they must be delivered first

C) f the driver is in an accident and cannot speak, people must know the hazards involved.

D) Because you must know what products you can load together, and which you cannot

50 / 50

What causes brakes to fade?

A) Frozen brake pads

B) Slowing down from high speeds too quickly

C) Coasting

D) Using the brakes too lightly when going downhill

Your score is

The average score is 71%

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