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 backing a trailer,

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

B) turn and back toward the right side.

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

D) use the highest reverse gear.

2 / 50

Which of the following statements is true about alcohol?

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

B) Some people are not affected by alcohol

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

D) Alcohol increases your ability to drive.

3 / 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

4 / 50

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

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

B) All of the above

C) reflective warning triangles or flares

D) a fully charged 5 B:C fire extinguisher

5 / 50

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

A) Condition of shock absorbers

B) Condition of steering system

C) Condition of brakes

D) All of the above

6 / 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.

7 / 50

Controlled braking is

A) stab braking lock.

B) braking so that the wheels lock

C) releasing the brakes slowly.

D) jamming on the brakes.

8 / 50

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

A) engine problems.

B) worn brakes.

C) battery failure.

D) tire problems.

9 / 50

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

A) use the speed retarder.

B) brake hard.

C) use the engine brake.

D) turn as gently as possible.

10 / 50

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

A) brake hard.

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

C) pump the brakes.

D) keep driving until you find a service station.

11 / 50

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

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

B) Shift gears to neutral.

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

D) Shift to a higher gear.

12 / 50

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

A) one second; 20 feet

B) one second; 10 feet

C) two seconds; 30 feet

D) two seconds; 10 feet

13 / 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) 7 1/2seconds

D) 5 seconds

14 / 50

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

A) To prevent a hydraulic brake failure

B) To allow the transmission to shift up

C) To prevent hydroplaning

D) To get greater engine braking

15 / 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 put the vehicle out of service.

C) It will have no effect.

D) It will make it hard to steer.

16 / 50

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

A) four hours or every 400 miles

B) one hour or every 50 miles

C) two hours or every 100 miles

D) three hours or every 150 miles

17 / 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

18 / 50

The controlled braking method is used

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

B) by applying the brakes slowly.

C) when making large steering wheel movements

D) to make the wheels lock.

19 / 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.

20 / 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) Apply the brakes while turning.

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

21 / 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 the B:C extinguisher on the base of the fire.

D) use a lot of water.

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

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.

24 / 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) Fastening your seatbelt

C) Starting the engine

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

25 / 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) 200 feet

D) 500 feet

26 / 50

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

A) A loud “bang”

B) Vibration

C) All of the above

D) The steering wheel pulls to one side

27 / 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) Flammable cargo

D) Poor ventilation

28 / 50

What causes brakes to fade?

A) Using the brakes too lightly when going downhill

B) Coasting

C) Slowing down from high speeds too quickly

D) Frozen brake pads

29 / 50

A tie rod is part of the ________ system.

A) suspension

B) steering

C) exhaust

D) brake

30 / 50

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

A) Offensive

B) safety first-minded and defensive

C) slow

D) sober

31 / 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) Because they must be delivered first

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

D) In case there are no placards

32 / 50

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

A) using the braking effect of the engine

B) using your horn

C) shifting to a higher gear

D) countersteering

33 / 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 A

C) Figure d

D) Figure c

34 / 50

What is black ice?

A) Freshly paved tar

B) Fog or mist

C) Oil

D) Clear ice

35 / 50

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

A) Shift to neutral

B) Pump the accelerator hard

C) Put on the parking brake

D) Engage the clutch

36 / 50

What is a tractor jackknife?

A) A device used in the hydraulic system

B) A type of trailer truck

C) A drive-wheel skid

D) Another name for hard steering

37 / 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 low friction parts.

C) They have more air drag.

D) They have weaker engines.

38 / 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

39 / 50

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

A) 50 feet

B) 500 feet

C) 1,000 feet

D) 25 feet

40 / 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.

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) 8 seconds

B) 5 seconds

C) 7 seconds

D) 6 seconds

42 / 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 D

B) Figure B

C) Figure C

D) Figure A

43 / 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 engine may overheat and stop.

C) The brakes will freeze.

D) Carbon monoxide will leak into your vehicle.

44 / 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) Before driving, every 3 hours during driving, and after driving

D) After driving

45 / 50

Which of the following is true about empty trucks?

A) They have better traction.

B) They require less braking power.

C) They require greater stopping distance.

D) They are easier to steer.

46 / 50

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

A) Increase your following distance.

B) Turn on your tail lights.

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

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

47 / 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) brake quickly several times to flash your brake lights.

D) use the controlled braking method.

48 / 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) Turn wide as you complete the turn.

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

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

49 / 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

50 / 50

Where and when is it best to downshift?

A) After starting up a hill

B) Before entering a curve

C) Before speeding up

D) After starting down a hill

Your score is

The average score is 73%

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