In Partnership with County of San Luis Obispo Public Libraries

View instructions
The CDL general knowledge test is required to be taken by all CDL applicants. The California 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 California 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 CA 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. Under-loaded front axles can:
cause poor traction.
make the steering axle weight too light to steer safely.
All of the above.
2. If you must drive slowly, how should you alert following drivers?
Flash your brake lights
Use your emergency flashers if it is legal
Turn on your taillights
3. If you are being tailgated, you should:
avoid quick changes.
increase your following distance.
All of the above.
4. Convex mirrors:
make things appear closer than they really are.
show a wider area than flat mirrors.
make objects appear larger than they really are.
5. Broken suspension parts can be very dangerous. When inspecting your vehicle for suspension system defects, look for:
Spring hangers that allow movement of axle from proper position.
Broken leaves in a multi-leaf spring.
All of the above.
6. It is important to shift gears correctly to keep:
the engine cool.
control of the vehicle.
the engine oil flowing.
7. With the controlled braking method:
you apply your brakes as hard as possible without locking the wheels.
you lightly tap the brakes.
you apply your brakes all the way and release the brakes when the wheels lock up.
8. Which of the following statements is true?
Carrying a properly charged and rated fire extinguisher will help prevent fires.
There is no way that short circuits due to damaged insulation can cause a vehicle fire.
Poor cargo ventilation is a common cause of fire.
9. After starting the engine the coolant temperature should:
rise quickly.
rise gradually.
slowly decrease.
10. Which of these is NOT part of the basic method for shifting up?
Release the accelerator, push in the clutch and shift to neutral at the same time.
Push in the clutch and shift to the higher gear at the same time.
Accelerate while pressing the clutch and turn toward the driver's side.
 
Page 1 of 5
Next page

CA CDL Practice Test

Number of questions: 50
Correct answers to pass:40
Passing score:80%
Share This Online CDL Test
Rate this CDL Practice Test
4.6 out of 5
based on 239 votes