california
CDL Practice Test

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

Before backing under the trailer after connecting the air lines you should:

take a walk around the vehicle to make sure it is clear of obstructions

supply air to the trailer system and then pull the air supply knob out

double check to make sure the trailer brakes are off

have a random pedestrian direct your path of travel

2 / 40

Forward and back surge is powerful in this type of tanker.

Hard stroke

Smooth bore

Waffle

Bulktruck

3 / 40

You should___when driving down a long steep hill.

begin braking once the vehicle is 10 mph above safe speed

release the brake once the vehicle is traveling 5 mph below the safe speed

use the engine brakes only

repeatedly pump the brake pedal

4 / 40

Most states require school bus drivers to take a physical examination:

Every 2 years

Twice per year

Annually

Every 3 years

5 / 40

What is the minimum amount of distance you should maintain when driving at 50 mph in ideal conditions with a 100 ft twin trailer combination?

6 seconds

13 seconds

11 seconds

8 seconds

6 / 40

You don't want to use wheel chocks when hooking a combination to a second trailer with no spring brakes. What should you do?

none of the answers listed

make sure the trailer will not roll away when coupling

supply air to the trailer air system via the tractor and then disconnect the emergency line

use a portable generator to supply brake pressure

7 / 40

In what position should the converter dolly air tank drain valves and pintle hook be in?

closed and open

open and latched

closed and latched

open and open

8 / 40

As the driver of a bus, how can you best avoid hindering other traffic on the highway?

By never passing.

By driving faster than the other traffic.

By passing only the slowest vehicles.

By staying in the right lane if you can.

9 / 40

When accelerating:

always use the parking brake to slow down

"hammer down" when your wheels start to spin

speed up smoothly and gradually and avoid jerking

do not engage the clutch before you take your foot off the brake

10 / 40

Select the true statement in regards to the center of gravity for tanks:

None of the answers listed.

The vehicle can turn over even when driving at the posted speed limit for curves.

The vehicle can handle higher speeds around curves than other large trucks.

The center of gravity is generally lower than with other large trucks.

11 / 40

Which signals may be used to warn of a stopped vehicle that contains explosives?

Flares or fuses

All of these answers are correct

Signal fires

Reflective triangles

12 / 40

The object that doesn't get checked at the side of the trailer is the:

The frame

The landing gear

The locking pins/tandem release arm

Electrical/air connections

13 / 40

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

Emergency exit handles.

Signaling devices, including the restroom emergency buzzer, if the bus has a restroom.

Each hand-hold and railing.

Seat coverings.

14 / 40

A driver that hauls hazardous materials must attend training every:

2 years

3 years

None of these answers are correct

1 year

15 / 40

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

visually check that they are level height wise

you do not need to do a visual check

visually check that the lead trailer is higher than the fifth wheel so that the trailer will lower when the dolly is pushed under it

visually check that the rear trailer is lower than the fifth wheel so that the trailer raises slightly when the dolly is pushed under it

16 / 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 60,000 miles on it

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

false

true

17 / 40

How much space should you see between the lower and upper fifth wheel when checking the coupling of a converter dolly?

1/2 to 1 inch

it depends on how heavy the load is

none

1 to 1 1/2 inches

18 / 40

A tank trailer should never be fully loaded due to:

The movement is stronger.

The baffles aren't as effective.

The liquid can expand causing a leak from the trailer.

The will be more shifting of the load.

19 / 40

The safety valve is usually set to open at:

225 psi

150 psi

125 psi

75 psi

20 / 40

Which of these statements about speed management and braking is true?

The total stopping distance of a bus is the distance it takes to stop once the brakes are applied.

The posted speed limit will always allow you to stop safely.

Stopping time increases by one second for each 10 mph over 20 mph.

You need about four times as much stopping distance at 40 mph as at 20 mph.

21 / 40

Select the true statement in regards to managing the space to the sides:

you should drive down the center of both lanes over the pavement markings

you should always keep your vehicle to the right side of the lane

you should try to avoid driving next to others when possible

high wind gusts will not cause any issues for doubles or triples

22 / 40

The driver's manual advises you to disconnect the steering axle brake to keep the rig straight:

whever you feel like it

in ideal conditions

when it is raining

never

23 / 40

In the event of a tire failure you should...

pump the brakes until you come to a stop

stay off the brake and hold the steering wheel firmly

disengage the clutch so you are in neutral gear

accelerate quickly until you find a place to pull over

24 / 40

Select why you should not use the trailer hand valve while driving:

it does not work as well as the foot brake does

there is a possibility it will make the trailer skid

it will cause the tractor to shake

you should only ever use the parking brake

25 / 40

What is the purpose of the supply pressure gauge?

all of these answers are correct

to inform you if there is too little air in the tank

to inform you about how hot the air in the tank is

to inform you of how much air is in the tank

26 / 40

You should check the_____when loading small tanks equipped with bulkheads.

distribution of the weight

fuel to air ratio

expansion rate

percentage of water

27 / 40

You should turn off your engine when loading flammable liquid unless:

You are a non-smoker.

You need the engine to run the pump.

You are loading at night and need the headlights.

The material does not need a placard.

28 / 40

What are the dividers that are inside tankers that have an opening at the bottom and top?

Taffles

Baffles

Layers

Bulkmets

29 / 40

Which of the following statements about overhead space is true?

an empty van is lower than a loaded one

warning lights are always installed on low bridges and overpasses

the weight of the cargo changes a truck's height

athe heights posted at bridges are usually accurate

30 / 40

How do you know when your brakes are fading?

to control your speed on a downgrade you have to push harder on the brake pedal

the brake pedal flops to the cabin floor

your speed increases when pressure is removed from the brake pedal

to control your speed on a downgrade you have to apply less pressure to the break pedal

31 / 40

Water is drained from the compressed air tanks because:

the water could freeze in cold weather and cause braking failure

braking power is decreased due to the low boiling point of water

to keep the oil in the air compressor clean

the water will over cool the compressor

32 / 40

The correct trailer height when coupling the rear trailer is:

slightly lower than the center of the fifth wheel

there is 5 inches of space between the lower and upper fifth wheel

when the locking jaws are open around the kingpin

the kingpin is touching the fifth wheel

33 / 40

The crack-the-whip effect is more likely to cause the front trailer to tip over.

false

trailers never tip

there is an equal chance for trailers to tip

true

34 / 40

What will probably happen if the converter dolly is still under the second trailer and the pintle hook is unhooked?

the dolly tow bar could fly up

nothing will happen

the engine brakes will unlock

the air lines will explode

35 / 40

What method should be used to test that the air is flowing to all the trailers?

listen for air flow after opening the shutoff valves at the rear of the last trailer

pump the brakes with the windows down

check the pressure indicator dial on the final trailer

only a certified mechanic can check for this

36 / 40

When driving tank vehicles you should:

Decrease your speed before entering a curve and then accelerate through it.

Come to a stop before entering a curve and then accelerate through it.

Maintain the posted speed limit as you enter the curve.

None of the answers listed.

37 / 40

Buses may NOT have recapped or regrooved tires:

Anywhere except on the front wheels.

On the outside rear wheels.

When it's been raining.

On front wheels.

38 / 40

It takes special care to drive tankers with liquid in them because:

The low center of gravity of the load.

The movement of the liquid even when the truck is stopped.

The high center of gravity of the load.

The baffles create odd rocking motions.

39 / 40

Is it important to look into the back of the fifth wheel to see if the lockpin is locked in?

yes

only every 7 days

only at the end of the shift

40 / 40

How far before a railroad crossing should you stop your bus?

50 to 75 feet

100 feet exactly

10 to 35 feet

15 to 50 feet

Your score is

The average score is 0%

5/5 - (2 votes)

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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.

california CDL Practice Test