alabama
CDL Practice Test

The practice tests below offer CDL practice test questions in all the different topic areas you’ll see on the Alabama CDL test. The CDL tests are free and can be taken as often as you’d like to help you in your preparation for earning an Alabama commercial driver's license. You will be presented with 40 questions and you must answer 34 questions correctly to pass. There is a 50 minute time limit. You may not go back once you answer a question. Click the “Start Test” button below to start your Alabama CDL practice test.

1 / 40

A truck with baffles will handle:

Heavier that it actually is.

With less front to back surge compared to trailers without baffles.

None of the answers listed.

The same as a tanker with no baffles.

2 / 40

The best way to test the low air pressure warning signal is to:

apply pressure on and off the brakes while the engine is running

apply pressure on and off the brake pedal with the engine off to drop the air pressure to below 60 psi

apply pressure on and off the brake pedal until the air pressure drops below 20 psi

manually release the air out of your brakes to see if the signal activates

3 / 40

A driver of a tanker should use an escape ramp when _____.

only in ideal conditions

when the tanks has bulkheads

the vehicle has lost braking power

only when it's raining

4 / 40

In what position should the converter dolly air tank drain valve be in for double trailer combination?

in a halfway closed position

in an open position

in a 1/3 open position

in a closed position

5 / 40

Select the action that is not recommended when driving on slippery roads:

keep other drivers out of your side space

use a light pressure with the the brake and accelerator pedals

none of the answers listed

use a speed retarder or engine brake

6 / 40

Which of the following statements about loading and unloading cargo tanks is false?

The person in attendance must be aware of the danger.

The person in attendance must be authorized and able to move the vehicle.

The person attending the tanker must have a clear view of it.

The person in attendance must be within 50 ft of the tanker.

7 / 40

In safe driving, what does communicating mean?

letting others know you are there by using turn signals, four way flashers, and horn

using hand signals

all of these answers are correct

using a cb radio to let others know your intentions

8 / 40

Which of the following about the front tires on a commercial bus is true?

Must not have recapped or regrooved tires.

Can be regrooved or recapped as long as they have 4/32 tread depth.

Can be recapped, but never regrooved.

Must not be recapped, but can be regrooved.

9 / 40

In what location must you keep your shipping papers which describe any hazardous materials?

On the driver's seat anytime you are outside of the vehicle.

In a fire-safe pouch under the passenger seat while you are driving.

In a fire-safe pouch under the driver's seat that you can reach while you are driving.

In a locked glove compartment anytime you are outside of the vehicle.

10 / 40

If your bus is equipped with an emergency exit door, it must:

Not have any signs, stickers, or markings near it.

Always have a red door light turned on.

Be secured when the bus is being driven.

All of these answers are correct.

11 / 40

You should check your tires every ____ or every ____ when driving in very hot weather.

1 hour, 50 miles

3 hours, 200 miles

2 hours, 100 miles

5 hours, 250 miles

12 / 40

Buses are prohibited from carrying all of the following hazardous materials except:

Materials labeled radioactive in the space occupied by people.

Properly secured tear gas canisters.

Properly labeled poison gas canisters.

Small-arms ammunition.

13 / 40

The locking jaws of the kingpin should close around:

the apex

the shank

the base

the tip

14 / 40

Select the false statement about tractor protection valves.

the trailer air supply valve in the cab controls it

air is allowed to leak from the tractor line when it is closed

should the trailer air leak, it keeps the air in the tractor

if the air pressure is low it will automatically close

15 / 40

Select the true statement about speed and stopping distance.

None of these answers are correct.

Tank surge will decrease your stopping distance.

You need two times the stopping distance when driving at 40 mph compared to 20 mph.

When the road is wet it will double your stopping distance.

16 / 40

Where is compressed air stored?

in the storage tank

in the compartment for the engine

in the gasoline tank

in the hose lines

17 / 40

Which two special conditions indicate that you should downshift?

starting up a hill and finishing a curve

starting down a hill and entering a curve

starting up a hill and entering a curve

starting down a hill and finishing a curve

18 / 40

You should follow the posted speed limits for curves and be aware of:

All answers listed.

The posted speed limit may be too high for safety.

A rollover may occur even when driving at the posted speed limit.

The higher center of gravity on a tank truck.

19 / 40

How do you check the air flow to the last trailer?

watch the brake lights as you step on the brake pedal

while on an level surface, test the emergency brake lines

listen for escaping air after opening the emergency shut off valve

pull the vehicle forward and then step on the brakes

20 / 40

Liquid surge affects the handling of a tanker by:

Decreasing the wind drag.

Allowing you to take tighter turns.

Moving the truck in the direction of liquid flow.

Allowing you to stop faster.

21 / 40

Which of the following is the most important reason for doing a pre-trip inspection?

because other drivers do it

to make sure nothing has been stolen from the vehicle

safety for yourself and other road users

to make sure the vehicle will make your destination

22 / 40

With Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 Class A or B, how close can you park to a bridge, tunnel, or building?

Do not park within 200 feet.

Do not park within 500 feet.

Do not park within 300 feet.

Do not park within 100 feet.

23 / 40

Which of the following types of emergency equipment must you have on your bus?

Spare electric fuses, fire extinguisher, and accident reporting kit.

Reflectors, fire extinguisher, and accident reporting kit.

Hydraulic jack, fire extinguisher, and signal flares.

Fire extinguisher, spare electric fuses, and reflectors.

24 / 40

A tank vehicle:

Is a vehicle that can transport liquified gasses.

Is a vehicle that can transport liquid.

Is a vehicle that can transport bulk fertilizer.

All answers listed.

25 / 40

What type fire extinguisher is required in the power unit of a placarded vehicle?

A ul rating of 15 abc.

A ul rating of 5 b/c or above.

Any of these are acceptable.

A ul rating of 10 b/c or above.

26 / 40

If students must cross the street, when they get off the bus, which statement is true?

The student should wait to cross the street until the bus continues on its route.

For crossing, students should make eye contact with the bus driver and wait for the driver's signal that it is safe to proceed.

If the bus is equipped with the crossing gate, the danger of running over the child is eliminated.

When the driver signals that it is safe to proceed, the students must run across the street to reduce the exposure to danger.

27 / 40

In what position should the shut off valves on a the rear of the front trailer be in on a set of double trailers?

in a halfway open position

in an open position

in a 1/3 way open position

in a closed position

28 / 40

To find out if a shipment includes a hazardous material, you should:

Open and inspect every package and container.

Check for a fence around the loading dock.

Look at the shipping papers.

Ask the driver.

29 / 40

What is the earliest way to notice a trailer skid?

you can feel it pulling your steering wheel

you can feel a jerk in the back of the tractor

you can hear the tires squealing

you can see it in your mirrors

30 / 40

What does the amount of liquid you can carry depend on?

The material the baffles are made from.

The center of gravity.

The vehicle's horsepower rating.

The outage of the liquid.

31 / 40

Select the true statement in regards to converter dollies:

they typically have a lot of stopping power because of their size

they typically do not have spring brakes

they typically require a hand converter

they typically have small braking power because of their size

32 / 40

What must vehicles with air brakes have?

a minimum of 2 air tanks

all of these answers are correct

an air pressure gauge that shows the pressure available for braking

an air pressure gauge that shows how much air is used by the brake chambers for braking

33 / 40

What is the purpose of a driver placarding his or her vehicle?

Warning those with children to drive in another lane.

Forcing other drivers to stay 20 feet away in every direction.

Giving people something interesting to look at while driving.

Communicating risk.

34 / 40

The designation RQ identifies the material's:

Reportable quantity

Reference quotient

Regulatory quotient

Regulatory quantity

35 / 40

How do you secure a second trailer to your combination vehicle?

none of the answers listed

use the emergency air brakes or the trailer's spring brakes only

use wheel chocks only

use emergency air brakes, spring brakes, and wheel chocks together

36 / 40

How do you check the coolant level?

Inspect the reservoir sight glass or remove the radiator cap if the engine isn't hot.

While wearing rubber gloves and safety glasses.

Remove the radiator cap once it is at operating temperature.

None of the answers listed.

37 / 40

You should check your mirrors while making a lane change:

right after you start the lane change

after you have completed the lane change

all answers listed

after you signal your intent to change lanes

38 / 40

The compressor is connected to the engine via _____?

r-belt

stag gears

v-belt or gears

lines

39 / 40

Is this statement true or false: You do not need to use the parking brake if are leaving your vehicle for a short amount of time.

only when the vehicle has over 25,000 miles on it

only when the vehicle has over 60,000 miles on it

false

true

40 / 40

When transporting hazardous waste, you must:

All of these answers are correct.

Have the word "waste" before the name of the material on the bills.

Carry a uniform hazardous waste manifest in the truck.

Sign a uniform hazardous waste manifest.

Your score is

The average score is 0%

5/5 - (4 votes)

CDL Category Practice Tests

How To Get an alabama Commercial Drivers License

Applicants must be of the legal age of 18 or older. Those between the ages of 18 and 21 are only permitted to drive a commercial vehicle within the state of Alabama. Those age 21 and older may drive a commercial vehicle across state borders. Only those aged 21 and older may apply for their hazardous materials endorsement. All applicants must possess a DOT Medical Card.

An applicant’s driving record will be considered when applying for a CDL license. There are specific items in which a driver will be disqualified for a commercial driver’s license. These include:

Any suspension/revocation 36 months before submitting an application.

Any six-point violation or conviction of operating a motor vehicle impaired 24 months prior to submitting an application.
Any current denial, cancellation, suspension, or revocation of driver’s license.
Possessing multiple driver’s licenses from various States.
Not meeting certifications on BFS-103 CDL Certification Form.

Alabama requires all CDL applicants to complete both a knowledge test and a skills test. Alabama offers the following CDL license endorsements:

S – School Bus
T – Double Trailer
P – Passenger
N – Tank Vehicles
H – Hazardous Materials

Hit the Open Road

alabama CDL License Test Tips

The knowledge tests are presented in written form for Class A, B, and C applicants. All classes are required to take a 50 question assessment. Those applying for a Class A CDL will need to complete an additional 20 questions about combination vehicles. Applicants seeking to drive vehicles with air brakes must complete a 25 question air brake assessment. Those seeking any endorsement other than hazardous materials must complete a 20 question assessment that is endorsement specific. Those applying for the hazardous materials endorsement must complete a 30 question knowledge test. All applicants must receive a score of 80 percent or higher on each test to pass.

A skills test is required for all CDL applicants regardless of Class. The School Bus and Passenger Endorsements require a skills test as well. All applicants applying for Air Brakes Certification must use a vehicle that is equipped with air brakes for their skills test. The CDL skills test consists of a vehicle inspection test, basic control skills test, and a driving test. All three test sections must be passed for CDL approval. Failure in any skills test area automatically fails the applicant.

Additional Information

CDL Testing by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency administers the certifying and testing of commercial drivers in the state. To get more information contact them via: Website: https://www.alea.gov/dps/driver-license
Phone: 334.242.4400
Email: [email protected]

Additional Alabama CDL Helpful Links

Please use the links below to access more valuable Alabama CDL testing resources and to learn more about driving test resources for the state of Alabama.

alabama CDL Practice Test