CLASS A CDL GENERAL KNOWLEDGE EXAM 2026/2027 |VERIFIED EXAM
SOLUTIONS | COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS - CURRENT
VERSION
CDL CLASS A — GENERAL KNOWLEDGE Commercial Driver's License
1. What does CDL stand for?
A. Commercial Driver's License
B. Certified Driving License
C. Commercial Driving Law
D. Certified Driver's Logbook
ANSWER : A
2. What is the minimum age to operate a commercial vehicle in interstate
commerce?
A. 18
B. 19
C. 21
D. 25
ANSWER : C
3. How many days do you have to report a traffic conviction to your
employer?
A. 15 days
B. 20 days
C. 30 days
D. 60 days
ANSWER : C
,4. What is the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for CDL drivers?
A. 0.04%
B. 0.06%
C. 0.08%
D. 0.10%
ANSWER : A
5. A pre-trip inspection should be performed:
A. Once a week
B. Only when required by law
C. Before every trip
D. Every 500 miles
ANSWER : C
6. What is the safe following distance for a CMV at speeds over 40 mph in
good weather?
A. 1 second for every 10 feet of vehicle length
B. 2 seconds for every 10 feet of vehicle length
C. 3 seconds for every 10 feet
D. 4 seconds flat
ANSWER : A
7. What does the 'air loss rate' refer to?
A. The speed of air escaping from a tire
B. The rate at which air pressure drops in the brake system
C. Wind speed affecting the vehicle
D. Air conditioning efficiency
ANSWER : B
8. When driving a CMV, you must not consume alcohol within how many
hours before going on duty?
A. 2 hours
B. 4 hours
C. 6 hours
D. 8 hours
, ANSWER : B
9. The total weight of a combination vehicle is called:
A. Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
B. Gross Combination Weight (GCW)
C. Axle Weight
D. Payload Capacity
ANSWER : B
10. What is hydroplaning?
A. A vehicle skidding on ice
B. Tires rising off the road on a film of water
C. Brakes overheating in rain
D. Water entering the fuel tank
ANSWER : B
11. Which of the following is NOT a controlled substance under DOT
regulations?
A. Marijuana
B. Cocaine
C. Caffeine
D. Methamphetamine
ANSWER : C
12. What is the maximum allowed hours of service for a property-carrying
driver in a 14-hour window?
A. 10 hours driving
B. 11 hours driving
C. 12 hours driving
D. 14 hours driving
ANSWER : B
13. What is a 'runaway ramp'?
A. A ramp for entering a highway
B. An emergency escape ramp for trucks with brake failure
, C. A loading ramp for cargo
D. A ramp used in vehicle inspection
ANSWER : B
14. When should you NOT use your brakes on a downgrade?
A. When the grade is less than 5%
B. When speed is below 30 mph
C. When brakes are already overheated
D. When there is a truck stop nearby
ANSWER : C
15. What is the purpose of retarders?
A. To increase engine speed
B. To slow the vehicle without using wheel brakes
C. To cool the engine
D. To improve fuel efficiency
ANSWER : B
16. What is 'black ice'?
A. Ice formed on black asphalt
B. Dark-colored pavement
C. A thin, nearly invisible layer of ice on the road
D. Frozen exhaust condensation
ANSWER : C
17. You should use your headlights:
A. Only at night
B. When visibility is less than 1000 feet
C. In fog, rain, or low visibility conditions
D. Both B and C
ANSWER : D
18. How many consecutive hours off duty are required before a driver can
start a new 70-hour on-duty cycle?
A. 24 hours
SOLUTIONS | COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS - CURRENT
VERSION
CDL CLASS A — GENERAL KNOWLEDGE Commercial Driver's License
1. What does CDL stand for?
A. Commercial Driver's License
B. Certified Driving License
C. Commercial Driving Law
D. Certified Driver's Logbook
ANSWER : A
2. What is the minimum age to operate a commercial vehicle in interstate
commerce?
A. 18
B. 19
C. 21
D. 25
ANSWER : C
3. How many days do you have to report a traffic conviction to your
employer?
A. 15 days
B. 20 days
C. 30 days
D. 60 days
ANSWER : C
,4. What is the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for CDL drivers?
A. 0.04%
B. 0.06%
C. 0.08%
D. 0.10%
ANSWER : A
5. A pre-trip inspection should be performed:
A. Once a week
B. Only when required by law
C. Before every trip
D. Every 500 miles
ANSWER : C
6. What is the safe following distance for a CMV at speeds over 40 mph in
good weather?
A. 1 second for every 10 feet of vehicle length
B. 2 seconds for every 10 feet of vehicle length
C. 3 seconds for every 10 feet
D. 4 seconds flat
ANSWER : A
7. What does the 'air loss rate' refer to?
A. The speed of air escaping from a tire
B. The rate at which air pressure drops in the brake system
C. Wind speed affecting the vehicle
D. Air conditioning efficiency
ANSWER : B
8. When driving a CMV, you must not consume alcohol within how many
hours before going on duty?
A. 2 hours
B. 4 hours
C. 6 hours
D. 8 hours
, ANSWER : B
9. The total weight of a combination vehicle is called:
A. Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
B. Gross Combination Weight (GCW)
C. Axle Weight
D. Payload Capacity
ANSWER : B
10. What is hydroplaning?
A. A vehicle skidding on ice
B. Tires rising off the road on a film of water
C. Brakes overheating in rain
D. Water entering the fuel tank
ANSWER : B
11. Which of the following is NOT a controlled substance under DOT
regulations?
A. Marijuana
B. Cocaine
C. Caffeine
D. Methamphetamine
ANSWER : C
12. What is the maximum allowed hours of service for a property-carrying
driver in a 14-hour window?
A. 10 hours driving
B. 11 hours driving
C. 12 hours driving
D. 14 hours driving
ANSWER : B
13. What is a 'runaway ramp'?
A. A ramp for entering a highway
B. An emergency escape ramp for trucks with brake failure
, C. A loading ramp for cargo
D. A ramp used in vehicle inspection
ANSWER : B
14. When should you NOT use your brakes on a downgrade?
A. When the grade is less than 5%
B. When speed is below 30 mph
C. When brakes are already overheated
D. When there is a truck stop nearby
ANSWER : C
15. What is the purpose of retarders?
A. To increase engine speed
B. To slow the vehicle without using wheel brakes
C. To cool the engine
D. To improve fuel efficiency
ANSWER : B
16. What is 'black ice'?
A. Ice formed on black asphalt
B. Dark-colored pavement
C. A thin, nearly invisible layer of ice on the road
D. Frozen exhaust condensation
ANSWER : C
17. You should use your headlights:
A. Only at night
B. When visibility is less than 1000 feet
C. In fog, rain, or low visibility conditions
D. Both B and C
ANSWER : D
18. How many consecutive hours off duty are required before a driver can
start a new 70-hour on-duty cycle?
A. 24 hours
