CDL Study Guide 2025-2026 - Secrets Prep Book [7th Edition]
CDL Study Guide 2025–2026 — Questions 1–30
I. CDL Fundamentals & Vehicle Operation
1. The CDL permits a driver to:
A) Operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) above a certain weight or with hazardous materials
B) Drive only personal vehicles
C) Perform vehicle maintenance exclusively
D) Transport passengers without restrictions
✔ Correct Answer: A — Operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) above a certain weight or with
hazardous materials
Rationale: CDL is required for operating vehicles that meet weight, passenger, or hazardous material
criteria.
2. A Class A CDL allows a driver to operate:
A) Combination vehicles with gross combination weight rating (GCWR) > 26,000 lbs
B) Only passenger cars
C) Vehicles under 10,000 lbs
D) Only motorcycles
✔ Correct Answer: A — Combination vehicles with gross combination weight rating (GCWR) > 26,000
lbs
Rationale: Class A CDL covers large combination vehicles like tractor-trailers.
3. Pre-trip inspections are important because:
A) They identify safety hazards before driving
B) They increase fuel consumption
C) They delay departure unnecessarily
D) They are optional
✔ Correct Answer: A — They identify safety hazards before driving
Rationale: Inspections prevent accidents caused by mechanical failures.
4. The “air brake check” during pre-trip inspection ensures:
A) Brakes are functional and will stop the vehicle safely
B) Engine oil is full
C) Tires are inflated
D) Fuel efficiency is optimal
✔ Correct Answer: A — Brakes are functional and will stop the vehicle safely
Rationale: Air brake systems are critical for CMV stopping power.
, 5. The proper method for mounting a commercial vehicle:
A) Three-point contact (two hands, one foot, or two feet, one hand)
B) Climb any way possible
C) Jump onto steps
D) Only from the left side
✔ Correct Answer: A — Three-point contact (two hands, one foot, or two feet, one hand)
Rationale: Three-point contact prevents slips and falls during vehicle entry/exit.
II. Driving Safety & Road Rules
6. The following increases stopping distance for CMVs EXCEPT:
A) Wet or icy roads
B) Heavy load
C) Vehicle speed
D) Bright sunlight
✔ Correct Answer: D — Bright sunlight
Rationale: Road conditions, speed, and vehicle weight affect stopping distance, not sunlight directly.
7. When backing a truck with a trailer, the safest method is:
A) Use a spotter if available and check mirrors frequently
B) Turn blindly without checking
C) Back as fast as possible
D) Only rely on mirrors without looking
✔ Correct Answer: A — Use a spotter if available and check mirrors frequently
Rationale: A spotter and constant mirror checks prevent collisions and jackknife incidents.
8. Following distance for large trucks should be:
A) Longer than passenger cars due to increased stopping distance
B) Shorter than cars
C) Same as motorcycles
D) Ignored in heavy traffic
✔ Correct Answer: A — Longer than passenger cars due to increased stopping distance
Rationale: Heavier vehicles require more distance to stop safely.
9. Hydroplaning occurs when:
A) Tires lose contact with the road due to water, reducing traction
B) Brakes fail
C) Engine stalls
D) Fuel is low
✔ Correct Answer: A — Tires lose contact with the road due to water, reducing traction
Rationale: Hydroplaning can cause loss of control; slowing down reduces risk.
CDL Study Guide 2025–2026 — Questions 1–30
I. CDL Fundamentals & Vehicle Operation
1. The CDL permits a driver to:
A) Operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) above a certain weight or with hazardous materials
B) Drive only personal vehicles
C) Perform vehicle maintenance exclusively
D) Transport passengers without restrictions
✔ Correct Answer: A — Operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) above a certain weight or with
hazardous materials
Rationale: CDL is required for operating vehicles that meet weight, passenger, or hazardous material
criteria.
2. A Class A CDL allows a driver to operate:
A) Combination vehicles with gross combination weight rating (GCWR) > 26,000 lbs
B) Only passenger cars
C) Vehicles under 10,000 lbs
D) Only motorcycles
✔ Correct Answer: A — Combination vehicles with gross combination weight rating (GCWR) > 26,000
lbs
Rationale: Class A CDL covers large combination vehicles like tractor-trailers.
3. Pre-trip inspections are important because:
A) They identify safety hazards before driving
B) They increase fuel consumption
C) They delay departure unnecessarily
D) They are optional
✔ Correct Answer: A — They identify safety hazards before driving
Rationale: Inspections prevent accidents caused by mechanical failures.
4. The “air brake check” during pre-trip inspection ensures:
A) Brakes are functional and will stop the vehicle safely
B) Engine oil is full
C) Tires are inflated
D) Fuel efficiency is optimal
✔ Correct Answer: A — Brakes are functional and will stop the vehicle safely
Rationale: Air brake systems are critical for CMV stopping power.
, 5. The proper method for mounting a commercial vehicle:
A) Three-point contact (two hands, one foot, or two feet, one hand)
B) Climb any way possible
C) Jump onto steps
D) Only from the left side
✔ Correct Answer: A — Three-point contact (two hands, one foot, or two feet, one hand)
Rationale: Three-point contact prevents slips and falls during vehicle entry/exit.
II. Driving Safety & Road Rules
6. The following increases stopping distance for CMVs EXCEPT:
A) Wet or icy roads
B) Heavy load
C) Vehicle speed
D) Bright sunlight
✔ Correct Answer: D — Bright sunlight
Rationale: Road conditions, speed, and vehicle weight affect stopping distance, not sunlight directly.
7. When backing a truck with a trailer, the safest method is:
A) Use a spotter if available and check mirrors frequently
B) Turn blindly without checking
C) Back as fast as possible
D) Only rely on mirrors without looking
✔ Correct Answer: A — Use a spotter if available and check mirrors frequently
Rationale: A spotter and constant mirror checks prevent collisions and jackknife incidents.
8. Following distance for large trucks should be:
A) Longer than passenger cars due to increased stopping distance
B) Shorter than cars
C) Same as motorcycles
D) Ignored in heavy traffic
✔ Correct Answer: A — Longer than passenger cars due to increased stopping distance
Rationale: Heavier vehicles require more distance to stop safely.
9. Hydroplaning occurs when:
A) Tires lose contact with the road due to water, reducing traction
B) Brakes fail
C) Engine stalls
D) Fuel is low
✔ Correct Answer: A — Tires lose contact with the road due to water, reducing traction
Rationale: Hydroplaning can cause loss of control; slowing down reduces risk.
