CDL General Knowledge Practice Test
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Free CDL questions on licence classes, CLP rules, endorsements, testing, hours of service, alcohol and phone rules, and disqualifications. Every answer quotes the federal regulation.
Adaptive Practice Test
15–20 Questions Drawn From 161
Every attempt is a new test: questions are drawn at random and the answer order is shuffled. Score 80% or more and your next test moves up a level; score under 50% and it eases back. Your level is saved only in this browser.
Your Level Foundation
CDL General Knowledge Full Mock Exam
How This Practice Test Works
- Each attempt draws 15–20 questions at random from our pool of 161 and shuffles the answer order. Score 80% or more and the next test moves up a difficulty level; under 50% and it eases back.
- After every answer you see an explanation and the 49 CFR reference behind it.
- We use 70% as a practice target. The real knowledge tests are given by your state, and you need at least 80 percent on each one (49 CFR 383.135). Aim higher than that here.
- There is no sign-up. Your level is saved only in this browser.
These are original questions written by our editorial team from the published 49 CFR. They are not real exam questions. Questions follow the eCFR text of 49 CFR Parts 380, 383, 391, 392 and 395. Driving-technique chapters in your state manual are covered only where the federal knowledge areas list them.
What the Question Pool Covers
Every question cites the rule behind its answer. Counting those references shows where the pool puts its weight:
| Reference | Questions |
|---|---|
| 49 CFR 383.51 Table 1 | 9 |
| 49 CFR 383.51 Table 2 | 6 |
| 49 CFR 383.153(a)(9) | 5 |
| 49 CFR 383.153(a)(10) | 3 |
| 49 CFR 383.51 Table 3 | 3 |
| 49 CFR 383.91(a)(2) | 2 |
| 49 CFR 383.91(a)(3) | 2 |
| 49 CFR 383.25(a)(1) | 2 |
| 49 CFR 383.133(c)(5) | 2 |
| 49 CFR 383.111(b)(6) | 2 |
| 49 CFR 383.51 Table 4 | 2 |
| 49 CFR 380.609(a) | 2 |
| 49 CFR 395.3(a)(3)(ii) | 2 |
| 49 CFR 392.22(b)(1) | 2 |
| 49 CFR 392.10(a) | 2 |
| 49 CFR 383.91(a)(1) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.91(c)(1) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.91(c)(2) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.133(c)(3) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.21 | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.153(a)(8) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.153(a)(4) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.93(b) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.93(c)(3) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.93(c)(2) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.93(c)(5) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.93(c)(4) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.93(c)(1) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.93(a)(2) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.123(a)(1) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.123(a)(3) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.119(a) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.119(c) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.115(b) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.115(c) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.117(a)(2) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.117(a)(3) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.117(a)(4) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.121 | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.121(b) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.121(d)(4) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.71(a)(1) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.71(a)(2) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.25(e) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.25(c) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.25(a)(6) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.25(a)(5)(iii) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.25(a)(5)(i) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.25(d) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.25(b) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.25(a)(2) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.71(a)(7) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.71(a)(8) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.135(a)(1) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.135(a)(2) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.135(a)(3) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.133(c)(6) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.133(c)(6)(i) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.133(c)(6)(ii) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.133(b)(3) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.133(b)(4) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.133(b)(2)(ii) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.133(b)(2)(iii) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.133(b)(1) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.135(b)(2) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.95(c)(1) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.95(b)(1) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.95(d) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.135(b)(8) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.135(b)(7) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.95(e) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.113(e) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.111(a) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.111(b) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.111(c) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.111(b)(2) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.111(c)(1) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.111(a)(1) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.111(a)(4) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.111(a)(5) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.111(a)(7) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.111(a)(8) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.111(a)(9) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.111(a)(10) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.111(a)(11) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.111(a)(14) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.111(a)(16) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.111(a)(17) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.111(a)(19) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.111(a)(3) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.111(a)(20) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.111(a)(17)(iii) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.113(a)(1) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.113(a)(2)(iii) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.113(b)(7) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.113(c)(5) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.113(c)(6) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.113(d) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.51(a)(6) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.51(a)(4) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.52(b) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.31(a) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.33 | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.35(c) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 380.609(b) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 383.71(a)(10) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 391.11(b)(1) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 391.11(b)(2) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 391.11(b)(5) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 391.45(b) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 391.45(e) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 391.45(g) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 395.3(a)(3)(i) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 395.3(a)(1) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 395.3(a)(2) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 395.3(b)(1) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 395.3(b)(2) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 395.3(c) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 392.5(a)(1) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 392.5(c) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 392.5(d)(1) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 392.80(c) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 392.80(d) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 392.82(a) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 392.22(b)(2)(v) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 392.22(b)(2)(iv) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 392.22(a) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 392.10(a)(1) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 392.10(b)(2) | 1 |
| 49 CFR 392.10(a)(4) | 1 |
Sample Questions With Worked Answers
A few questions from the pool with the answer and explanation, so you can see the style before you start.
A Group A (combination) CMV has a GCWR of at least:
Answer: 26,001 pounds, with a towed unit over 10,000 pounds GVWR. Source text: “Combination vehicle (Group A)—Any combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 11,794 kilograms or more (26,001 pounds or more) provided the GVWR of the vehicle(s) being towed is in excess of 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds)…”
Reference: 49 CFR 383.91(a)(1)
A Group B heavy straight vehicle has a GVWR of:
Answer: 26,001 pounds or more. Source text: “Heavy Straight Vehicle (Group B)—Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 11,794 kilograms or more (26,001 pounds or more)…”
Reference: 49 CFR 383.91(a)(2)
A Group B vehicle may tow a trailer of up to what GVWR?
Answer: 10,000 pounds. Source text: “or any such vehicle towing a vehicle not in excess of 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) GVWR…”
Reference: 49 CFR 383.91(a)(2)
A vehicle below Group A and B weights is a Group C CMV if it is designed to carry how many people?
Answer: 16 or more passengers including the driver. Source text: “is designed to transport 16 or more passengers including the driver…”
Reference: 49 CFR 383.91(a)(3)
A small vehicle of any size also needs a CDL (Group C) when it:
Answer: Transports hazardous materials as defined in 383.5. Source text: “or is used in the transportation of hazardous materials as defined in § 383.5…”
Reference: 49 CFR 383.91(a)(3)
How Difficulty Is Spread Across the Pool
Each question is tagged Foundation, Intermediate or Advanced, and each new test favors questions close to your current level that you have not seen yet in this browser. This is how the 161 CDL General Knowledge questions divide:
| Level | Questions | Share of Pool |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation | 26 | 16% |
| Intermediate | 91 | 57% |
| Advanced | 44 | 27% |
Because unseen questions come first, repeated attempts work through the pool rather than repeating the same items. Note the reference on every miss and reread that section before your next attempt.
Study Before You Test
- CDL General Knowledge Test Guide: FMCSA 49 CFR 383 Pass Score, CLP Rules, Classes and Endorsements
- CDL General Knowledge Full Mock Exam
- Forklift Certification Exam Guide: OSHA 1910.178 Training, Evaluation and the Rules Your Forklift Test Covers