• 138 questions

CDL Practice Test on Permit Rules, Classes and Endorsements

Tap an answer to see the right choice, the reason and the 49 CFR Part 383 section behind it.

For how many days in a calendar year, in total, may a farm-related restricted CDL be valid?

Pick an answer, then press Check answer. Then you see Correct or Not quite, with the reason. Keys: 1 to 3 pick, Enter checks.

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Exam mode: 30 questions, no time limit, 24 right to pass (80%).

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Unofficial practice questions, not affiliated with the FMCSA, AAMVA or any state licensing agency. Bank checked October 5, 2026.

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All 138 questions

Who needs a CDL 32

  • A State exempts its farmers or firefighters from the CDL rules. Where does that waiver count? 49 CFR 383.3(d)
  • A State is decertified after it issued a CDL. What happens to that CDL? 49 CFR 383.7
  • A State lets a small town's employee without a CDL plow snow in a commercial motor vehicle. Which condition does section 383.3(d)(3) set? 49 CFR 383.3(d)(3)
  • A State may exempt a farmer's vehicle from the CDL rules. How far from the farm may the vehicle be used? 49 CFR 383.3(d)(1)
  • A State may give a restricted CDL to part-time drivers for the pyrotechnic industry. To which seasonal period is it limited? 49 CFR 383.3(g)
  • Apart from a non-domiciled CDL, which State issues a driver's CDL? 49 CFR 383.23(a)(2)
  • By which two means does Part 383 say it helps reduce truck and bus accidents? 49 CFR 383.1(a)
  • Do the rules of Part 383 apply to the driver of a 'covered farm vehicle'? 49 CFR 383.3(h)
  • Does 'employee' in Part 383 include an independent owner-operator who is under lease to an employer? 49 CFR 383.5
  • For how many days in a calendar year, in total, may a farm-related restricted CDL be valid? 49 CFR 383.3(f)
Show all 138 questions (128 more)

Who needs a CDL, continued

  • For the snow and ice exception, how large may an 'eligible unit of local government' be? 49 CFR 383.5
  • How does Part 383 define a felony? 49 CFR 383.5
  • How long must a driver have held a motor vehicle operator's license to be eligible for a farm-related restricted CDL? 49 CFR 383.3(f)
  • How much Class 1.3G fireworks may a driver with a pyrotechnic restricted CDL carry? 49 CFR 383.3(g)
  • How much diesel fuel may the holder of a farm-related restricted CDL carry? 49 CFR 383.3(f)
  • In Part 383, what does 'foreign' mean? 49 CFR 383.5
  • May a driver hold a farm-related restricted CDL and an unrestricted CDL at the same time? 49 CFR 383.3(f)
  • May a driver who holds a Mexican Licencia Federal de Conductor obtain a non-domiciled CDL from a State? 49 CFR 383.23
  • Must a State exempt people who operate commercial motor vehicles for military purposes from the CDL rules? 49 CFR 383.3(c)
  • Under section 383.3(i), which requirement may a State waive for some Class A holders who drive farm service vehicles with 1,000 gallons or less of diesel or jet fuel? 49 CFR 383.3(i)
  • What is a driver's 'State of domicile'? 49 CFR 383.5
  • What is an 'imminent hazard' in section 383.5? 49 CFR 383.5
  • What is the 'CDLIS driver record'? 49 CFR 383.5
  • What is the weight limit for the vehicle driven under a pyrotechnic restricted CDL? 49 CFR 383.3(g)
  • Where is a CDL issued under the Alaska waiver in section 383.3(e) valid for operating a commercial motor vehicle? 49 CFR 383.3(e)
  • Which of these is a 'non-CDL' in the federal definition? 49 CFR 383.5
  • Which of these is a farm-related service industry whose employees a State may give a restricted CDL? 49 CFR 383.3(f)
  • Which of these people does the military exception in section 383.3(c) cover? 49 CFR 383.3(c)
  • Which part of the CDL document may the State of Alaska waive for drivers on roads that do not connect to its highway system? 49 CFR 383.3(e)
  • Which use takes a farm vehicle out of the farmer exception a State may grant? 49 CFR 383.3(d)(1)
  • Which vehicle groups may the holder of a farm-related service industry restricted CDL operate? 49 CFR 383.3(f)
  • Which vehicles does the firefighter and emergency response exception in section 383.3(d)(2) describe? 49 CFR 383.3(d)(2)

Learner's permit (CLP) 11

  • A CDL holder wants an upgrade that requires a skills test. What must the State issue first? 49 CFR 383.25(d)
  • A driver who already holds a CDL is issued a learner's permit. What does the permit authorize? 49 CFR 383.5
  • A learner's permit lets its holder drive a tank vehicle only while the tank is empty. Which letter on the permit says so? 49 CFR 383.153(b)(2)
  • A State issued a learner's permit for less than one year. What does section 383.25(c) allow? 49 CFR 383.25(c)
  • An applicant passed one segment of the skills test, and then the learner's permit was renewed. What happens to the passed segment? 49 CFR 383.133(c)(6)
  • Is a commercial learner's permit needed before a first CDL can be issued? 49 CFR 383.25(d)
  • May a State print the commercial learner's permit on the holder's regular license? 49 CFR 383.25(b)
  • Must a commercial learner's permit carry a photograph of the holder? 49 CFR 383.153(b)(1)
  • What does section 383.25 say about a passenger (P) endorsement on a learner's permit? 49 CFR 383.25(a)(5)(i)
  • Which license must the holder of a commercial learner's permit also hold? 49 CFR 383.25(a)(2)
  • Which test must a person have passed to hold a commercial learner's permit? 49 CFR 383.25(a)(3)

Classes A, B and C 8

  • A Group B CDL holder wants to drive Group A vehicles. What does section 383.91(c) require? 49 CFR 383.91(c)
  • A truck has a semi-automatic transmission. How do the CDL rules treat it? 49 CFR 383.5
  • A vehicle well under 26,001 pounds carries hazardous materials as section 383.5 defines them. Is it a commercial motor vehicle? 49 CFR 383.5
  • On a CDL, which vehicle group does the letter B stand for? 49 CFR 383.153(a)(8)
  • What does 'vehicle group' mean in the CDL rules? 49 CFR 383.5
  • Which vehicle is a 'representative vehicle' for the skills test in a given vehicle group? 49 CFR 383.91(b)
  • Which vehicles does section 383.91(c)(2) open to the holder of a Group B CDL without further group tests? 49 CFR 383.91(c)(2)
  • Which weight decides the vehicle group of the vehicle used in a skills test? 49 CFR 383.133(c)(3)

Endorsements and restrictions 12

  • A State adds an endorsement code of its own to a CDL. What does section 383.153 require? 49 CFR 383.153(a)(9)
  • A United States driver's CDL carries a medical variance restriction code. Under the note to section 383.95(g), where is the driver restricted from operating a commercial motor vehicle? 49 CFR 383.95(g)
  • As a restriction code on a CDL, what does the letter N mean? 49 CFR 383.153(a)(10)
  • To whom may a State issue a CDL endorsement? 49 CFR 383.93(a)(1)
  • Under section 383.121, 'safe havens' is a topic of which knowledge test? 49 CFR 383.121(b)
  • What does restriction code M on a CDL mean? 49 CFR 383.153(a)(10)
  • What does restriction code V on a CDL show? 49 CFR 383.95(g)
  • What is an 'endorsement' in the CDL rules? 49 CFR 383.5
  • Which restriction code on a CDL means the driver may not operate a commercial motor vehicle with a manual transmission? 49 CFR 383.153(a)(10)
  • Which topic belongs to the tank vehicle endorsement knowledge test under section 383.119? 49 CFR 383.119
  • Which topic is on the passenger endorsement knowledge test under section 383.117? 49 CFR 383.117(a)
  • Which word must be plainly displayed on a CDL issued to a person domiciled in a foreign jurisdiction? 49 CFR 383.153(c)

Disqualifying offenses 24

  • A CDL holder uses a personal car to commit a felony that does not involve controlled substances. What does Table 1 set for a first conviction? 49 CFR 383.51(b), Table 1
  • A driver who is already disqualified earns a second disqualification under section 383.51. How do the periods run? 49 CFR 383.51(a)(5)
  • A driver who is not required to always stop comes to a railroad crossing. Which failure does Table 3 list for that driver? 49 CFR 383.51(d), Table 3
  • A person is convicted of fraud related to the issuance of a CDL. How soon may the person reapply for a new one? 49 CFR 383.73(k)
  • A State finds that a CDL applicant falsified information on the application. For how long, at least, must it disqualify the person? 49 CFR 383.73(j)
  • A State has credible information of suspected fraud and tells a CDL holder to retest. How long does the holder have to schedule the test? 49 CFR 383.73(k)
  • After notice and an opportunity for a hearing, what is the longest an imminent hazard disqualification may last? 49 CFR 383.52(c)
  • Besides texting, which telephone use while driving a commercial motor vehicle does Table 2 list as a serious traffic violation? 49 CFR 383.51(c), Table 2
  • Driving a commercial motor vehicle without the proper class of CDL or the endorsements for the load is listed in which table of section 383.51? 49 CFR 383.51(c), Table 2
  • For the texting and hand-held telephone rows of Table 2, does 'driving' include sitting still at a red light? 49 CFR 383.51(c), Table 2
  • How long may an imminent hazard disqualification last before notice and a chance of a hearing are required? 49 CFR 383.52(b)
  • Is a foreign commercial driver subject to disqualification under the federal CDL rules? 49 CFR 383.51(a)(7)
  • Table 1 lists driving a commercial motor vehicle while the CDL is revoked, suspended or canceled. For what must the license have been taken? 49 CFR 383.51(b), Table 1
  • Table 2 lists 'driving recklessly' as a serious traffic violation. What does the table say it includes? 49 CFR 383.51(c), Table 2
  • Table 4 counts second and third out-of-service order violations in separate incidents. Within what period? 49 CFR 383.51(e), Table 4
  • Table 4, the row for loads that are neither placarded hazardous materials nor 16 or more passengers: how long is the driver off the road after a second violation? 49 CFR 383.51(e), Table 4
  • Under footnote 2 of Table 2, when is a driver who uses a hand-held telephone in the cab not 'driving'? 49 CFR 383.51(c), Table 2
  • Under section 383.51(a)(4), which convictions for the offenses in Tables 1 through 4 are counted when a disqualification period is set? 49 CFR 383.51(a)(4)
  • What does section 383.53(b) add for a driver who is convicted of violating an out-of-service order? 49 CFR 383.53(b)
  • Which of these is a 'disqualification' in the definition in section 383.5? 49 CFR 383.5
  • Which of these is a major offense in Table 1 of section 383.51? 49 CFR 383.51(b), Table 1
  • Which of these is a railroad-highway grade crossing offense in Table 3 of section 383.51? 49 CFR 383.51(d), Table 3
  • Which of these is a serious traffic violation in Table 2 of section 383.51? 49 CFR 383.51(c), Table 2
  • Who must disqualify a driver whose driving is found to be an imminent hazard? 49 CFR 383.52(a)

Applying, medical card, transfers 25

  • A CDL applicant must name every State where he or she was licensed to drive any type of motor vehicle during which period? 49 CFR 383.71(b)(7)
  • A driver operates only in intrastate commerce and is subject to the State's driver qualification requirements. Which category does the driver self-certify? 49 CFR 383.71(b)(1)
  • A driver's medical certification status becomes 'not-certified'. Within how many days must the State complete and record the CDL downgrade? 49 CFR 383.73(o)(4)
  • After issuing a CLP or CDL, how soon must the State notify the operator of CDLIS? 49 CFR 383.73(h)
  • Beginning November 18, 2024, from which source must a State request information before it issues a CDL? 49 CFR 383.73(b)(10)
  • Besides CDLIS, which system must a State check before issuing a CDL, to learn whether the applicant's license is suspended, revoked or canceled? 49 CFR 383.73(b)(3)
  • Besides each past employer's name and address and the dates, what must the employment history give for each job as a commercial motor vehicle operator? 49 CFR 383.35(c)
  • Besides the State of domicile, where may an active-duty military service member apply for a CLP or CDL? 49 CFR 383.79(b)
  • For how long must the State keep a driver's medical examiner's certificate on record? 49 CFR 383.73(o)(1)
  • For how long, at most, may a State make a CDL valid from the date of issuance? 49 CFR 383.73(b)(9)
  • How many people in the driver licensing agency must take a substantive part in processing and verifying the documents for a CDL? 49 CFR 383.73(m)
  • How soon after establishing a new domicile must a CDL holder apply to transfer the CDL to the new State? 49 CFR 383.71(c)
  • May a State hand a surrendered license back to the driver? 49 CFR 383.73(i)
  • The medical certification information a driver hands in differs from what FMCSA sent the State electronically. Which controls? 49 CFR 383.71(h)(4)
  • Must a State let a driver with a valid CDL from another State operate a commercial motor vehicle on its roads? 49 CFR 383.73(l)
  • Section 383.37 bars an employer from letting certain drivers operate a commercial motor vehicle. What state of knowledge does it name? 49 CFR 383.37
  • Under the text of section 383.71(h) for June 23, 2025 and later, from whom does the State receive a new applicant's medical examiner's certificate? 49 CFR 383.71(h)(1)
  • What must a person surrender to the State when applying for a first CDL? 49 CFR 383.71(b)(6)
  • What sets a driver who self-certifies 'excepted interstate' apart? 49 CFR 383.71(b)(1)
  • When must a person who applies for a job as a commercial motor vehicle operator give the employer the employment history that section 383.35 requires? 49 CFR 383.35(a)
  • Which document does section 383.71 give as an example of acceptable proof of State domicile? 49 CFR 383.71(a)(6)
  • Which document is on the list of proofs of citizenship or lawful permanent residency in Table 1 to section 383.71? 49 CFR 383.71
  • Which of these is a 'CDL downgrade' in the definition in section 383.5? 49 CFR 383.5
  • Which of these must a driver's written notice of a traffic conviction to the employer contain? 49 CFR 383.31(b)
  • With whom does a State verify the name, date of birth and Social Security Number an applicant gives? 49 CFR 383.73(g)

Knowledge and skills tests 26

  • A person takes training in one State and is to be licensed in another, the State of domicile. May the training State give the driving skills test? 49 CFR 383.79(a)(1)
  • A State lets a third party give the CDL skills tests. How must those tests compare with the State's own? 49 CFR 383.75(a)(1)
  • A State may issue a temporary CDL without a photograph. For how long, at most, may it be valid? 49 CFR 383.153(a)(4)
  • A State may waive the knowledge test for a military service member who held one of the listed driving jobs. Within what period must the job have been held? 49 CFR 383.77(a)
  • A third-party skills test examiner keeps the testing certification only by testing at least how many different applicants in a calendar year? 49 CFR 383.75(c)
  • For the military skills test waiver in section 383.77(b), how long must the applicant have operated a representative vehicle before separation? 49 CFR 383.77(b)
  • From where must a State take the questions for its CDL knowledge tests? 49 CFR 383.133(b)(1)
  • How far ahead must a third-party tester send the State its schedule of skills test appointments? 49 CFR 383.75(a)(8)
  • How many general areas of knowledge does section 383.111(a) list for all commercial motor vehicle operators? 49 CFR 383.111(a)
  • How often must a State inspect each third-party tester on site? 49 CFR 383.75(a)(2)
  • In what conditions must the CDL skills tests be conducted? 49 CFR 383.113(d)
  • In which forms may a State give the CDL knowledge test? 49 CFR 383.133(b)(3)
  • May a skills test examiner who is also a skills instructor test an applicant whom that examiner trained? 49 CFR 383.75(a)(7)
  • May a State use a simulator in CDL skills testing? 49 CFR 383.113(e)
  • May the Social Security Number be shown on a CLP or CDL? 49 CFR 383.153(e)
  • Must a State keep the scores of an applicant's CDL tests? 49 CFR 383.135(c)
  • Must the State of domicile accept the results of a driving skills test that another State gave the applicant? 49 CFR 383.79(a)(2)
  • What does section 383.133(b)(2) say about the makeup of each knowledge test? 49 CFR 383.133(b)(2)
  • What is a 'third-party tester' in the CDL rules? 49 CFR 383.5
  • What must a State provide to a CLP or CDL applicant under section 383.131(a)? 49 CFR 383.131(a)
  • What must an applicant show to pass each segment of the skills test? 49 CFR 383.135(b)(1)
  • What share of the questions on a knowledge test must not have been on the previous version of that test? 49 CFR 383.133(b)(2)
  • Which of these does section 383.111(a) list under emergency maneuvers? 49 CFR 383.111(a)
  • Which of these is one of the basic vehicle control skills in section 383.113(b)? 49 CFR 383.113(b)
  • Which of these must the State's driver information manual include? 49 CFR 383.131(a)
  • Which third-party tester does section 383.75 excuse from keeping a bond? 49 CFR 383.75(a)(8)

How this list was compiled: Written from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, Title 49, Part 383 (Commercial Driver's License Standards; Requirements and Penalties), at https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/part-383, text in force on 2026-10-01, checked 2026-10-05. Each question names its section. Section 383.31 is cited as amended on June 22, 2026. Licence: Own work. Questions, answer choices and explanations were written for this site from the regulation text; nothing is copied from a state CDL manual, the FMCSA pre-approved test question pool, the AAMVA test system or another practice test.

How it works

This unofficial commercial driver's license (CDL) practice test asks 138 questions on the license itself, from 49 CFR Part 383 and checked October 5, 2026. Your State writes the real CDL permit test from a federal question pool this site has not seen.

Read the full guide

Our own CDL test questions, in seven topics

This CDL license practice test covers who needs a CDL, the learner's permit, Classes A, B and C, endorsements and restriction codes, disqualifying offenses, applying and medical certification, and how the tests are given. Each explanation names its section.

Rounds of ten, then a 30 question exam

Practice runs in rounds of ten. The Start from menu under the question picks one topic, and after a round More options holds your Missed questions. Exam mode asks 30 questions, a length this site chose, and passes at 24 right: the 80 percent that 49 CFR 383.135 sets for the knowledge tests.

Driving subjects have their own pages

Air brakes, combination vehicles, hazardous materials and the rest are listed under CDL practice tests by endorsement. The walk-around list is the CDL pre-trip inspection checklist.

  • For a class B CDL practice test, the Classes A, B and C topic asks what a Group B license covers.
  • This is not a DMV CDL practice test: no State agency wrote it, and State facts such as fees and test sites are not here.

Questions and answers

How many questions are on the CDL permit test?

Part 383 gives no count. Section 383.133 says each knowledge test has a set number of questions, with a prescribed number from each knowledge area, built from the FMCSA pre-approved pool. Your State publishes its own count. Exam mode here asks 30.

Is the CDL permit test hard?

No source measures that, so this page does not say. The rule sets the bar: 49 CFR 383.135 requires at least 80 percent right on each knowledge test, and section 383.111 lists 20 general areas of knowledge.

Can I take my CDL permit test online?

Part 383 does not say where the test is taken. Section 383.133 lets a State give it in written form, verbally or in automated format, and each State decides how. Your State's driver licensing agency has the answer.

Is this free CDL test the real exam?

No. It is free practice that this site wrote from the federal rule, with no account. Your State gives the real knowledge tests, from a question pool this site has never seen.

What is the best way to study for the CDL permit test?

This page gives no study advice. The rule names one book: under 49 CFR 383.131 each State must provide applicants an FMCSA pre-approved driver information manual with the substance of the knowledge and skills drivers must have.

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