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

A tie rod is part of the ________ system.

A) brake

B) steering

C) exhaust

D) suspension

2 / 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.

3 / 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 c

B) Figure b

C) Figure A

D) Figure d

4 / 50

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

A) use the engine brake.

B) brake hard.

C) turn as gently as possible.

D) use the speed retarder.

5 / 50

Which of the following is true about overhead clearance?

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

B) Posted heights are always correct.

C) Repaving or packed snow increases the clearance height.

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

6 / 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 have weaker engines.

B) They take up more fuel.

C) They have more air drag.

D) They have low friction parts.

7 / 50

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

A) Offensive

B) sober

C) safety first-minded and defensive

D) slow

8 / 50

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

A) 25 feet

B) 500 feet

C) 50 feet

D) 1,000 feet

9 / 50

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

A) Condition of steering system

B) Condition of brakes

C) Condition of shock absorbers

D) All of the above

10 / 50

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

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

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

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

D) Spare fuses, tire chains and a fire extinguisher

11 / 50

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

A) Short circuits due to damaged insulation

B) Poor ventilation

C) Duals that touch

D) Flammable cargo

12 / 50

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

A) All of the above

B) The steering wheel pulls to one side

C) Vibration

D) A loud “bang”

13 / 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

14 / 50

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

A) battery failure.

B) engine problems.

C) worn brakes.

D) tire problems.

15 / 50

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

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

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

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

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

16 / 50

Which of the following is true about empty trucks?

A) They require less braking power.

B) They require greater stopping distance.

C) They are easier to steer.

D) They have better traction.

17 / 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 allow the transmission to shift up

D) To prevent hydroplaning

18 / 50

Which of the following statements is true about alcohol?

A) Alcohol increases your ability to drive.

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

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

D) Some people are not affected by alcohol

19 / 50

One of the steps in shifting up is to

A) release the clutch and shift to neutral.

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

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

D) press the accelerator and shift to neutral.

20 / 50

What is black ice?

A) Clear ice

B) Freshly paved tar

C) Oil

D) Fog or mist

21 / 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) Hit the brakes.

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

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

22 / 50

When backing a trailer,

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

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

C) use the highest reverse gear.

D) turn and back toward the right side.

23 / 50

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

A) two seconds; 10 feet

B) one second; 10 feet

C) two seconds; 30 feet

D) one second; 20 feet

24 / 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) Shift to neutral.

B) Brake hard and pull off the road.

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

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

25 / 50

A broken coolant hose while driving

A) causes the air-conditioner to fail.

B) can cause a fire

C) causes the heater to fail.

D) increases the chances of tire failure.

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

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) using your horn

C) using the braking effect of the engine

D) countersteering

28 / 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) 100 feet

B) 500 feet

C) 200 feet

D) 10 feet

29 / 50

To go down a long, steep hill you should

A) apply your brakes hard.

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

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

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

30 / 50

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

A) Turn wide as you complete the turn.

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

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

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

31 / 50

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

A) 6 seconds

B) 4 1/2 seconds

C) 5 seconds

D) 7 1/2seconds

32 / 50

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

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

B) Starting the engine

C) Putting the vehicle key in your pocket

D) Fastening your seatbelt

33 / 50

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

A) three hours or every 150 miles

B) four hours or every 400 miles

C) one hour or every 50 miles

D) two hours or every 100 miles

34 / 50

What is a tractor jackknife?

A) Another name for hard steering

B) A device used in the hydraulic system

C) A type of trailer truck

D) A drive-wheel skid

35 / 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) Take your foot off the accelerator

B) Brake hard

C) Steer to the left or right

D) Accelerate slightly

36 / 50

Controlled braking is

A) braking so that the wheels lock

B) releasing the brakes slowly.

C) jamming on the brakes.

D) stab braking lock.

37 / 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 make it hard to steer.

C) It will put the vehicle out of service.

D) It will have no effect.

38 / 50

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

A) Before driving

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

C) After driving

D) Every 5 hours and after driving

39 / 50

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

A) In case there are no placards

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

C) Because they must be delivered first

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

40 / 50

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

A) Shift to neutral

B) Put on the parking brake

C) Engage the clutch

D) Pump the accelerator hard

41 / 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) 6 seconds

B) 8 seconds

C) 5 seconds

D) 7 seconds

42 / 50

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

A) It will be harder to steer.

B) The brakes will freeze.

C) The engine may overheat and stop.

D) Carbon monoxide will leak into your vehicle.

43 / 50

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

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

B) Increase your following distance.

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

D) Turn on your tail lights.

44 / 50

The controlled braking method is used

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

B) when making large steering wheel movements

C) by applying the brakes slowly.

D) to make the wheels lock.

45 / 50

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

A) a fully charged 5 B:C fire extinguisher

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

C) reflective warning triangles or flares

D) All of the above

46 / 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.

47 / 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) pump the brakes.

C) brake hard.

D) keep driving until you find a service station.

48 / 50

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

A) Minimum of 4/32 inch

B) Under 4/32 inch

C) Minimum of 2/32 inch

D) Maximum of 2/32 inch

49 / 50

Where and when is it best to downshift?

A) After starting down a hill

B) Before speeding up

C) After starting up a hill

D) Before entering a curve

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

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

D) Shift gears to neutral.

Your score is

The average score is 73%

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