california
CDL Practice Test

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This site is designed to help aspiring commercial drivers practice for their State of California Department of Motor Vehicles CDL test. You can take these free California CDL practice tests as many times as you would like. Questions on these tests come from the various commercial driver license topics that are represented in the California CDL handbook. 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 begin.

1 / 40

What will occur if you cross the connect the air lines?

2 / 40

What are some things you should check on the front of your vehicle when doing the walk-around inspection?

3 / 40

Vehicle handling can become unsafe if the weight is not properly balanced. Hard steering can be caused by:

4 / 40

How many seats may be placed in the aisle if the bus is a charter and is carrying agricultural (farm) workers?

5 / 40

The sliding mechanism and locking device for a tandem axle on trailers is:

6 / 40

How do you release the dolly brakes when coupling twin trailers?

7 / 40

What does the amount of liquid allowed in the tank depend on?

8 / 40

If you are drowsy, you should _____ before you drive.

9 / 40

What is the best way to see the sides and rear of your vehicle?

10 / 40

What do you do first during step 3 of starting the engine and inspecting the inside of the cab?

11 / 40

Which of the following parts do not get checked in the Bus Interior inspection:

12 / 40

You should check the_____when loading small tanks equipped with bulkheads.

13 / 40

It is important for driving safety to always be looking ahead. Which of the following is NOT a recommended time/distance that you should be looking ahead?

14 / 40

You should adjust all the outside left and right side flat mirrors to see:

15 / 40

Which of the following statements about overhead space is true?

16 / 40

To inspect the______you should pump the pedal 3 times and hold it down for 5 seconds while making sure the pedal doesn't move during those 5 seconds.

17 / 40

The best way to go into a curve is to decrease your speed going into the curve and then ____going through it.

18 / 40

Of the following hazardous material classes, which is the most dangerous?

19 / 40

What should you hear when you have the hand valve on and are testing the trailer brakes by opening the service air line at the back of the trailer?

20 / 40

Select the true statement about empty trucks:

21 / 40

What is the value of the overhead rear-view mirror inside of the bus?

22 / 40

How much space should there be between the lower and upper fifth wheel?

23 / 40

How should the shut off valves at the rear of the trailer be when inspecting doubles?

24 / 40

What will occur as a result of failing to perform all 3 components of the air brake check?

25 / 40

What might happen if you swing wide to the left before you turn right?

26 / 40

How do you make sure the trailer height is correct before coupling?

27 / 40

The main reason you should pull the dolly out from under a trailer before disconnecting it from the trailer in front is:

28 / 40

This gauge has a governor cut-off.

29 / 40

School buses are one of the safest means of transportation. What two key factors contribute to this impressive safety record?

30 / 40

With the engine cut off and the brakes released the air loss in a straight truck or bus should not be more than:

31 / 40

The walls that separate compartments inside the tanks and having openings at the top and bottom are called:

32 / 40

The gauge that indicates normal or increasing lubrication pressure to prevent engine seizure, failure or breakdown is:

33 / 40

You should back up slowly until____when coupling the trailer.

34 / 40

After the initial drop, the maximum leakage rates per minute is:

35 / 40

Play of the steering wheel should not exceed:

36 / 40

When transporting explosives you may not park:

37 / 40

What is the brake system that applies and releases the brakes when the brake pedal is used?

38 / 40

When is it acceptable for non-hazardous materials to be described by hazard class words or identification numbers?

39 / 40

What is the reason that placards are used?

40 / 40

The cause of almost half of all truck driver deaths are:

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CDL Category Practice Tests

CDL Practice Test

How To Get A california Commercial Drivers License

Residents of California may apply for their CDL at the age of 18 years old. These residents may only drive within the California state borders and are not eligible for driving hazmat vehicles. Residents over the age of 21 are eligible for interstate commerce and may receive their Hazmat Certification. All residents must undergo a medical examination by an approved Medical Examiner. The examiner will provide the individual with a Medical Examiner’s Certificate that will show their physical ability to be eligible to operate a commercial vehicle.

Any drivers who falls into the following categories are disqualified from receiving their commercial driver’s license.

  • Convicted of driving a commercial vehicle impaired in the past two years.
  • Having multiple driver’s license.
  • Having a revoked, denied, canceled, or suspended driver’s license.
  • Being disqualified from obtaining CDL driving privileges in another state.

Applicants for a California CDL must complete a vision test at the time of their application, along with one or more knowledge tests and a practical skills test.

Endorsements
S – School Bus
N – Tank
P – Passenger
H – Hazardous Materials
X – Hazmat and Tank Combination
P – Passenger Vehicle

Hit the Open Road

California CDL License Test Tips

Knowledge tests are required to be passed by all California residents seeking a commercial driver’s license. Class A applicants are required to complete a 70 question assessment regarding both general commercial driving knowledge and combination driving. Class B and C applicants are required to pass a 50 question assessment about general commercial driving knowledge. Those seeking endorsements or the removal of the Air Brake restriction will have to take additional knowledge tests. Each endorsement has a 20 to 30 question assessment based on the topic of the endorsement. All knowledge tests must be passed for the resident to receive their CDL. A passing score is receiving an 80 percent or higher on the assessment. Each applicant is responsible for showcasing their ability to operate a commercial vehicle as part of the CDL skills test. There are three main parts to this test which include the on-road test, pre-trip inspection, and basic control skills test. Applicants must pass all three parts to receive their commercial driver’s license.

Additional Information

Information on the California Department of Motor Vehicles

The State of California Department of Motor Vehicles regulates the certifying and testing of commercial drivers in the California. To get more information contact them via:

Website:  https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/commercial/commercial

Phone:  800.777.0133

 

Additional California CDL Helpful Links

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