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) exhaust

C) suspension

D) steering

2 / 50

To extinguish an electrical fire,

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

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

C) use a lot of water.

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

3 / 50

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

A) 1,000 feet

B) 25 feet

C) 50 feet

D) 500 feet

4 / 50

Controlled braking is

A) releasing the brakes slowly.

B) jamming on the brakes.

C) braking so that the wheels lock

D) stab braking lock.

5 / 50

What causes brakes to fade?

A) Coasting

B) Slowing down from high speeds too quickly

C) Frozen brake pads

D) Using the brakes too lightly when going downhill

6 / 50

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

A) Put on the parking brake

B) Engage the clutch

C) Shift to neutral

D) Pump the accelerator hard

7 / 50

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

A) Shift gears to neutral.

B) Shift to a higher gear.

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

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

8 / 50

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

A) brake hard.

B) pump the brakes.

C) keep driving until you find a service station.

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

9 / 50

What is black ice?

A) Clear ice

B) Oil

C) Fog or mist

D) Freshly paved tar

10 / 50

The controlled braking method is used

A) by applying the brakes slowly.

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

C) to make the wheels lock.

D) when making large steering wheel movements

11 / 50

A broken coolant hose while driving

A) causes the heater to fail.

B) increases the chances of tire failure.

C) can cause a fire

D) causes the air-conditioner to fail.

12 / 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) Steer to the left or right

B) Brake hard

C) Accelerate slightly

D) Take your foot off the accelerator

13 / 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) Turn very sharply to clear whatever is in your way

B) Hit the brakes.

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

D) Apply the brakes while turning.

14 / 50

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

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

B) turn onto the shoulder without braking.

C) use the controlled braking method.

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

15 / 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) Turn quickly to stop other drivers from hitting you.

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

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

16 / 50

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

A) 7 1/2seconds

B) 6 seconds

C) 4 1/2 seconds

D) 5 seconds

17 / 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 A

B) Figure C

C) Figure B

D) Figure D

18 / 50

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

A) using your horn

B) countersteering

C) using the braking effect of the engine

D) shifting to a higher gear

19 / 50

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

A) worn brakes.

B) engine problems.

C) battery failure.

D) tire problems.

20 / 50

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

A) three hours or every 150 miles

B) one hour or every 50 miles

C) two hours or every 100 miles

D) four hours or every 400 miles

21 / 50

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

A) brake hard.

B) use the engine brake.

C) use the speed retarder.

D) turn as gently as possible.

22 / 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

23 / 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 in the clutch.

B) Brake hard and pull off the road.

C) Shift to neutral.

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

24 / 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

25 / 50

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

A) Starting the engine

B) Putting the vehicle key in your pocket

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

D) Fastening your seatbelt

26 / 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 have more air drag.

C) They take up more fuel.

D) They have low friction parts.

27 / 50

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

A) one second; 20 feet

B) two seconds; 10 feet

C) one second; 10 feet

D) two seconds; 30 feet

28 / 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

29 / 50

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

A) Maximum of 2/32 inch

B) Minimum of 2/32 inch

C) Minimum of 4/32 inch

D) Under 4/32 inch

30 / 50

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

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

B) Spare fuses, tire chains and a fire extinguisher

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

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

31 / 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

32 / 50

Which of the following is true about overhead clearance?

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

B) Repaving or packed snow increases the clearance height.

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

D) Posted heights are always correct.

33 / 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) 500 feet

B) 100 feet

C) 200 feet

D) 10 feet

34 / 50

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

A) reflective warning triangles or flares

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

C) a fully charged 5 B:C fire extinguisher

D) All of the above

35 / 50

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

A) It will put the vehicle out of service.

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

C) It will make it hard to steer.

D) It will have no effect.

36 / 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.

37 / 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.

38 / 50

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

A) Carbon monoxide will leak into your vehicle.

B) The engine may overheat and stop.

C) It will be harder to steer.

D) The brakes will freeze.

39 / 50

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

A) sober

B) safety first-minded and defensive

C) slow

D) Offensive

40 / 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) turn and back toward the right side.

D) use the highest reverse gear.

41 / 50

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

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

B) In case there are no placards

C) Because they must be delivered first

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

42 / 50

What is a tractor jackknife?

A) A type of trailer truck

B) Another name for hard steering

C) A drive-wheel skid

D) A device used in the hydraulic system

43 / 50

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

A) To prevent hydroplaning

B) To allow the transmission to shift up

C) To prevent a hydraulic brake failure

D) To get greater engine braking

44 / 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 rear of the vehicle

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

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

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

45 / 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 d

D) Figure A

46 / 50

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

A) Before driving

B) Every 5 hours and after driving

C) After driving

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

47 / 50

Which of the following is true about empty trucks?

A) They have better traction.

B) They require less braking power.

C) They are easier to steer.

D) They require greater stopping distance.

48 / 50

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

A) All of the above

B) Condition of shock absorbers

C) Condition of brakes

D) Condition of steering system

49 / 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) Flammable cargo

D) Duals that touch

50 / 50

One of the steps in shifting up is to

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

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

C) release the clutch and shift to neutral.

D) press the accelerator and shift to neutral.

Your score is

The average score is 71%

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