ALASKA CDL PRACTICE TEST - GENERAL KNOWLEDGE

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The CDL general knowledge test is required to be taken by all CDL applicants. The Alaska CDL test consists of 50 questions. To pass, you must correctly answer at least 40 questions (80%). The general knowledge test covers the contents of the Alaska CDL Manual. All CDL applicants (Class A, B and C) must study the following sections: Driving Safely, Transporting Cargo Safely, Air Brakes (if you plan to operate vehicles equipped with air brakes), Vehicle Inspection Test, Basic Control Skills Test, Road Test. In addition, the Class A CDL test will include questions based on the Combination Vehicles section. Take this CDL practice test now to prepare for the actual AK general knowledge test! To get your CDL, you must pass both the knowledge and skills tests. CDL knowledge tests include: General Knowledge, Passenger Transport, Air Brakes, Combination Vehicles, Hazardous Materials, Tanker Vehicles, Doubles/Triples, School Bus, Firefighter. Depending on what class of license (A, B or C) and endorsements you need, you must take one or more knowledge tests. A special endorsement is also required to drive certain types of vehicles. The following endorsements may be used with a Class A, B or C CDL: HazMat (H), Tank Vehicles (N), Tank Vehicles Transporting Hazardous Materials (X) and Passenger Transport (P). The School Bus endorsement (S) is only available for Class A or B CDL, and the Doubles/Triples endorsement (T) is only available for Class A driver's licenses.
1. Strong winds can make it difficult to stay in your lane, especially when:
going into tunnels.
coming out of tunnels.
driving at speeds below 40 mph.
2. The distance you will continue to travel, in ideal conditions, before you physically hit the brakes in response to a hazard ahead is called:
Perception distance
Reaction distance
Braking distance
3. If coolant has to be added to a system without a recovery tank, you should:
wait until the engine has cooled before adding coolant.
keep the engine running while adding coolant.
turn the radiator cap quickly to the first stop.
4. Which of the following is NOT true?
ABS only comes into play when a wheel would have locked up because of over braking.
ABS will change the way you normally brake.
ABS won't compensate for bad brakes.
5. Parking brakes are:
required on all vehicles.
not required on commercial vehicles with air brakes.
not required on trailers.
6. The use of brakes on a steep downgrade is:
the main braking factor.
much more effective than the engine braking effect.
a supplement to the braking effect of the engine.
7. Which of the following is not proper tie-down equipment:
Chains
Ropes
Bungee cords
8. If your vehicle gets stuck on the railroad tracks, you should:
check for identifiable landmarks to give the location of the crossing.
get out of your vehicle and away from the tracks.
gather up your paperwork and shipping papers while calling 911, then get out of the vehicle.
9. Using a helper when backing up is:
encouraged.
illegal.
dangerous.
10. To test your hydraulic brakes for leaks:
apply firm pressure to the brakes for five seconds, then pump them three times.
pump the brake pedal three times, then hold it down for five seconds.
turn off the engine and and listen for leaks.
 
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Frequently Asked Questions

When you reach the age of 14 in Alaska, you become eligible to obtain an instruction permit. If you are 16 or 17 years old and have held your learner's permit for six months with a good driving record, you can apply for a provisional driver's license. If you're 18 years or older, you can directly apply for your class D driver's license without provisional restrictions and without the need for parental consent. 
You can schedule and take the DMV written test at various locations such as schools, police departments, and government offices. After you pass the test, you are still required to visit an Alaska DMV office to complete the testing process. Alternatively, you can take the exam online at Knowto Drive, the official Alaska knowledge test platform. If you are under 18, you must be supervised by an adult who is at least 18 years of age, possessing a valid driver's license or ID from a U.S. State.
Ensure you bring these documents:

  • The Application (Form D1) and the Parental Consent Form (Form 433).
  • A primary document (proof of legal name, date of birth, and citizenship).
  • Proof of residential address (such as a utility bill, bank statement or mortgage documents).
  • Social Security Number (if you don't have it, you must provide documentation from the Social Security Administration to confirm).

Check the list of acceptable documents on the Alaska DMV website.

During the exam, if you understand English but have difficulty reading, you can bring someone to assist with reading the questions. It's important to note that, even with reading assistance, you must independently answer the questions to successfully complete the DMV written test. The online version of the permit test is also available in Spanish or with audio support.

To pass the DMV written test, study the Alaska Driver's Manual. Pay attention to road signs, parallel parking, turning, passing a vehicle, yielding the right of way, etc. Practice with our free tests or choose DMV Premium for additional resources!

The DMV written test has 20 questions, and you have 25 minutes to answer them. The questions cover different topics about driving, and the goal is to make sure you understand the rules of the road.

You must answer at least 16 questions correctly, and you can miss up to 4 questions to pass the test. The minimum score required to succeed in the exam is 80%. Take your time during the test to make sure you understand the questions well.

For at least six months after obtaining the provisional license, there are specific restrictions for new drivers in Alaska:
  • You are not allowed to carry passengers unless one of them is a parent, legal guardian, or a person aged at least 21. However, you are permitted to carry siblings without a parent in the vehicle.
  • Driving is not permitted between 1:00 am and 5:00 am unless accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or a person at least 21 years old who holds a license for the class of vehicle in use. An exception is made for employment reasons. 

After six months of driving without convictions and maintaining a clean record regarding alcohol or drug use, you may qualify to have the provisional restrictions removed. Alternatively, once you reach 18 years of age, these limitations no longer apply.

These restrictions do not apply if you have an "off-system" license restricted to areas not linked to the land highway system or not connected to a highway with an average daily traffic volume of 499 or greater.


In Alaska, an instruction permit is valid for two years, with the option to renew it once. This ensures you have enough time to practice driving and fulfill the necessary requirements before the road test.

If you do not pass your DMV written test in Alaska, you can retake it the following day. You have five attempts available in one year. It is advisable to dedicate time to preparing adequately for the test to enhance your chances of success. Study the manual and sign up for DMV Premium to unlock exclusive PDF Cheat Sheets with the Top 100 Questions!

AK CDL Practice Test

Number of questions: 50
Correct answers to pass:40
Passing score:80%
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