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

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.

2 / 50

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

A) Because they must be delivered first

B) In case there are no placards

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

3 / 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.

4 / 50

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

A) Vibration

B) All of the above

C) A loud “bang”

D) The steering wheel pulls to one side

5 / 50

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

A) reflective warning triangles or flares

B) a fully charged 5 B:C fire extinguisher

C) All of the above

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

6 / 50

What causes brakes to fade?

A) Using the brakes too lightly when going downhill

B) Frozen brake pads

C) Coasting

D) Slowing down from high speeds too quickly

7 / 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, then countersteer once you have cleared the obstacle

B) Apply the brakes while turning.

C) Hit the brakes.

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

8 / 50

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

A) safety first-minded and defensive

B) slow

C) sober

D) Offensive

9 / 50

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

A) After driving

B) Every 5 hours and after driving

C) Before driving

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

10 / 50

To go down a long, steep hill you should

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

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

C) apply your brakes hard.

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

11 / 50

To extinguish an electrical fire,

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

B) use a lot of water.

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

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

12 / 50

Controlled braking is

A) braking so that the wheels lock

B) jamming on the brakes.

C) releasing the brakes slowly.

D) stab braking lock.

13 / 50

A broken coolant hose while driving

A) increases the chances of tire failure.

B) causes the heater to fail.

C) can cause a fire

D) causes the air-conditioner to fail.

14 / 50

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

A) two seconds; 30 feet

B) one second; 20 feet

C) one second; 10 feet

D) two seconds; 10 feet

15 / 50

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

A) battery failure.

B) tire problems.

C) engine problems.

D) worn brakes.

16 / 50

When backing a trailer,

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

B) turn and back toward the right side.

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

D) use the highest reverse gear.

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 B

B) Figure D

C) Figure A

D) Figure C

18 / 50

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

A) 1,000 feet

B) 25 feet

C) 500 feet

D) 50 feet

19 / 50

The controlled braking method is used

A) to make the wheels lock.

B) by applying the brakes slowly.

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

D) when making large steering wheel movements

20 / 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) 5 seconds

B) 8 seconds

C) 6 seconds

D) 7 seconds

21 / 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 b

C) Figure d

D) Figure c

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) using your horn

C) countersteering

D) using the braking effect of the engine

23 / 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 shock absorbers

D) Condition of brakes

24 / 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) Turn on your tail lights.

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

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

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

D) Spare fuses, tire chains and a fire extinguisher

26 / 50

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

A) The engine may overheat and stop.

B) It will be harder to steer.

C) The brakes will freeze.

D) Carbon monoxide will leak into your vehicle.

27 / 50

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

A) Shift to neutral

B) Pump the accelerator hard

C) Engage the clutch

D) Put on the parking brake

28 / 50

Where and when is it best to downshift?

A) After starting down a hill

B) Before entering a curve

C) After starting up a hill

D) Before speeding up

29 / 50

What is black ice?

A) Freshly paved tar

B) Clear ice

C) Oil

D) Fog or mist

30 / 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 hydroplaning

C) To allow the transmission to shift up

D) To prevent a hydraulic brake failure

31 / 50

A tie rod is part of the ________ system.

A) brake

B) steering

C) exhaust

D) suspension

32 / 50

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

A) Fastening your seatbelt

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

C) Starting the engine

D) Putting the vehicle key in your pocket

33 / 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.

34 / 50

One of the steps in shifting up is to

A) press the accelerator 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) release the clutch and shift to neutral.

35 / 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.

36 / 50

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

A) Shift gears to neutral.

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 to a higher gear.

37 / 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) 200 feet

C) 500 feet

D) 100 feet

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

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

A) 7 1/2seconds

B) 4 1/2 seconds

C) 5 seconds

D) 6 seconds

40 / 50

Which of the following is true about overhead clearance?

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

B) Repaving or packed snow increases the clearance height.

C) Posted heights are always correct.

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

41 / 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

42 / 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) Brake hard and pull off the road.

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

C) Shift to neutral.

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

43 / 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.

44 / 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.

45 / 50

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

A) Maximum of 2/32 inch

B) Under 4/32 inch

C) Minimum of 4/32 inch

D) Minimum of 2/32 inch

46 / 50

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

A) brake hard.

B) use the engine brake.

C) turn as gently as possible.

D) use the speed retarder.

47 / 50

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

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

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

C) turn onto the shoulder without braking.

D) use the controlled braking method.

48 / 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

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

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) Brake hard

C) Steer to the left or right

D) Take your foot off the accelerator

Your score is

The average score is 73%

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