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CDL General Knowledge Quiz & Practice Questions

Take a free practice quiz or point your phone at any CDL general knowledge question for an instant, explained answer — air brakes, vehicle inspection, and federal rules, without the guesswork.

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Looking for the official training, not practice questions? fmcsa.dot.gov — Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration ↗

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Built for exactly this kind of question.

The General Knowledge test is built on federal FMCSA regulations (49 CFR Part 383) that nearly every state's written CDL permit exam draws from, but the material covers a lot of narrow, specific rules — pre-trip inspection steps, air brake system components, hours-of-service limits — that are easy to mix up under pressure. Cambo reads the exact question and explains the specific federal rule or safe-driving principle behind the correct answer.

Test yourself with real practice questions.

What is the minimum passing score required on a CDL knowledge test under federal regulation?

  1. A70%
  2. B75%
  3. C80%
  4. D90%
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Answer
C80%
80% — 49 CFR 383.135 requires every state to set the passing score at correctly answering at least 80% of the questions on each knowledge test.

During a pre-trip inspection, a driver finds the low air pressure warning device activates before the pressure drops below 60 psi. What should the driver do?

  1. AContinue the trip as normal, since the warning is just a precaution
  2. BNot drive the vehicle until it's fixed
  3. CDrive slower than usual to compensate
  4. DOnly avoid using the brakes until pressure rises
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Answer
BNot drive the vehicle until it's fixed
The driver should not operate the vehicle until it's repaired — a properly functioning low air pressure warning is a critical safety system, and driving with a known air brake problem is unsafe and a violation.

How does hydroplaning affect a commercial vehicle, and what should a driver do to help prevent it?

  1. AIt only affects vehicles going under 20 mph; slow down further to avoid it
  2. BIt happens when tires lose contact with the road on a film of water; reduce speed, especially in the first minutes of rain
  3. CIt only occurs with empty trailers; keeping trailers loaded prevents it
  4. DIt cannot happen to vehicles with good tire tread
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Answer
BIt happens when tires lose contact with the road on a film of water; reduce speed, especially in the first minutes of rain
Hydroplaning happens when tires ride up on a layer of water and lose contact with the road; reducing speed — particularly during the first rain after a dry spell, when oils rise to the road surface — reduces the risk.

Under federal hours-of-service rules for property-carrying drivers, what is the maximum number of hours a driver may drive after coming on duty following 10 consecutive hours off duty?

  1. A8 hours
  2. B10 hours
  3. C11 hours
  4. D14 hours
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Answer
C11 hours
11 hours — a property-carrying driver may drive a maximum of 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty, within the broader 14-hour on-duty window.

What is the correct action if a commercial vehicle's brakes fail while going down a steep grade?

  1. AShift into neutral and coast to slow down
  2. BPump the brakes repeatedly to try to rebuild pressure, then use an escape ramp or runaway lane if available
  3. CTurn off the engine immediately to stop the vehicle
  4. DAccelerate to gain enough control to steer off the grade
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Answer
BPump the brakes repeatedly to try to rebuild pressure, then use an escape ramp or runaway lane if available
Pump the brakes to try to build pressure and use an escape ramp or runaway lane if one is available and brakes don't recover — shifting to neutral or cutting the engine removes engine braking and control, making things worse.

What should a driver check for as part of a proper pre-trip inspection of the vehicle's tires?

  1. ATread depth, sidewall condition, and matching tire types on the same axle
  2. BOnly that the tires are the correct brand
  3. COnly tire pressure — tread and sidewalls are checked at annual inspection only
  4. DNothing — tire condition is the responsibility of the maintenance shop only
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Answer
ATread depth, sidewall condition, and matching tire types on the same axle
Tread depth, sidewall condition (cuts, bulges, exposed cords), and that mismatched tire types (e.g., radial and bias-ply) aren't mixed on the same axle — all are required pre-trip checks, and the driver is responsible for catching them before driving.
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Questions, answered.

How many questions are on the CDL General Knowledge test?

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Federal rules set a minimum of 30 questions, but most states use a longer General Knowledge test form, commonly 50 questions.

What score do I need to pass?

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80% — federal regulation (49 CFR 383.135) requires every state to set this same passing threshold on each CDL knowledge test.

Do I need to pass other knowledge tests besides General Knowledge?

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It depends on the class of CDL and any endorsements you're pursuing. Everyone takes General Knowledge; driving a vehicle with air brakes requires the Air Brakes test, combination vehicles (like a tractor-trailer) require the Combination Vehicles test, and endorsements like Hazmat, Passenger, School Bus, or Tanker each have their own additional test.

How many times can I retake the test if I fail?

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Most states allow multiple attempts, but a mandatory waiting period between attempts (commonly a few days to a week) and any cap on total tries before reapplying vary by state — check your state's DMV or licensing agency for exact rules.

Is Cambo affiliated with the FMCSA or any state DMV?

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No. Cambo is an independent study tool, not produced or endorsed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration or any state motor vehicle agency.

What are the basic prerequisites to take the CDL knowledge test?

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Requirements vary by state, but generally include holding a valid regular driver's license, meeting minimum age requirements (18 for intrastate driving, 21 for interstate or hazmat), and passing a DOT medical exam to hold a valid medical certificate.

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