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

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

A) use the engine brake.

B) turn as gently as possible.

C) brake hard.

D) use the speed retarder.

2 / 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) release the clutch and shift to neutral.

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

3 / 50

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

A) keep driving until you find a service station.

B) pump the brakes.

C) brake hard.

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

4 / 50

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

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

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

C) In case there are no placards

D) Because they must be delivered first

5 / 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.

6 / 50

What causes brakes to fade?

A) Slowing down from high speeds too quickly

B) Coasting

C) Frozen brake pads

D) Using the brakes too lightly when going downhill

7 / 50

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

A) All of the above

B) Condition of brakes

C) Condition of shock absorbers

D) Condition of steering system

8 / 50

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

A) two seconds; 30 feet

B) two seconds; 10 feet

C) one second; 20 feet

D) one second; 10 feet

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

C) Spare fuses, tire chains and a fire extinguisher

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

10 / 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 low friction parts.

B) They have weaker engines.

C) They take up more fuel.

D) They have more air drag.

11 / 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 D

C) Figure B

D) Figure C

12 / 50

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

A) four hours or every 400 miles

B) three hours or every 150 miles

C) two hours or every 100 miles

D) one hour or every 50 miles

13 / 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.

14 / 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) Accelerate slightly

C) Brake hard

D) Steer to the left or right

15 / 50

When backing a trailer,

A) use the highest reverse gear.

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

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

D) turn and back toward the right side.

16 / 50

Which of the following statements is true about alcohol?

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

B) Alcohol increases your ability to drive.

C) Some people are not affected by alcohol

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

17 / 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

18 / 50

A broken coolant hose while driving

A) can cause a fire

B) increases the chances of tire failure.

C) causes the heater to fail.

D) causes the air-conditioner to fail.

19 / 50

Where and when is it best to downshift?

A) After starting down a hill

B) Before speeding up

C) Before entering a curve

D) After starting up a hill

20 / 50

The controlled braking method is used

A) when making large steering wheel movements

B) to make the wheels lock.

C) by applying the brakes slowly.

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

21 / 50

What is black ice?

A) Freshly paved tar

B) Clear ice

C) Fog or mist

D) Oil

22 / 50

Which of the following is true about overhead clearance?

A) Posted heights are always correct.

B) Repaving or packed snow increases the clearance height.

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

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

23 / 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 front of the vehicle

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

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

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

24 / 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 b

B) Figure c

C) Figure A

D) Figure d

25 / 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

26 / 50

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

A) Put on the parking brake

B) Shift to neutral

C) Engage the clutch

D) Pump the accelerator hard

27 / 50

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

A) Shift gears to neutral.

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

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

D) Shift to a higher gear.

28 / 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

29 / 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

30 / 50

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

A) 1,000 feet

B) 50 feet

C) 500 feet

D) 25 feet

31 / 50

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

A) All of the above

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

C) a fully charged 5 B:C fire extinguisher

D) reflective warning triangles or flares

32 / 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) Hit the brakes.

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

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

D) Apply the brakes while turning.

33 / 50

A tie rod is part of the ________ system.

A) exhaust

B) suspension

C) steering

D) brake

34 / 50

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

A) Vibration

B) A loud “bang”

C) The steering wheel pulls to one side

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 have no effect.

B) It will put the vehicle out of service.

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

D) It will make it hard to steer.

36 / 50

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

A) 5 seconds

B) 6 seconds

C) 4 1/2 seconds

D) 7 1/2seconds

37 / 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

38 / 50

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

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

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

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

D) Turn wide as you complete the turn.

39 / 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) 200 feet

B) 100 feet

C) 10 feet

D) 500 feet

40 / 50

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

A) Poor ventilation

B) Duals that touch

C) Flammable cargo

D) Short circuits due to damaged insulation

41 / 50

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

A) turn onto the shoulder without braking.

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

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

D) use the controlled braking method.

42 / 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 get greater engine braking

C) To allow the transmission to shift up

D) To prevent a hydraulic brake failure

43 / 50

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

A) sober

B) safety first-minded and defensive

C) Offensive

D) slow

44 / 50

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

A) worn brakes.

B) battery failure.

C) tire problems.

D) engine problems.

45 / 50

To go down a long, steep hill you should

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

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

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

D) apply your brakes hard.

46 / 50

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

A) Turn on your tail lights.

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

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

D) Increase your following distance.

47 / 50

Which of the following is true about empty trucks?

A) They are easier to steer.

B) They have better traction.

C) They require less braking power.

D) They require greater stopping distance.

48 / 50

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

A) Starting the engine

B) Fastening your seatbelt

C) Putting the vehicle key in your pocket

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

49 / 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) Shift to neutral.

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

D) Brake hard and pull off the road.

50 / 50

To extinguish an electrical fire,

A) use a lot of water.

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

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

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

Your score is

The average score is 71%

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