new york
CDL Practice Test

Welcome to the CDL practice test site for New York State. Our test questions are designed to prepare you for the questions you’ll see on the New York State DMV CDL Test. The questions on these practice tests cover topics from the NYS CDL manual. You can take these New York CDL practice tests as many times as you need to, and the tests are free to take. 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 is the normal operating range for a truck's oil pressure?

30-75 psi

20-30 psi

This is engine-specific

40-60 psi

2 / 40

A battery box check is important. The battery must be secure, connection must be tight, and cell caps must be present. In addition these items should be checked:

Battery connections should not show signs of excessive corrosion, and the battery box and cover or door should not be damaged and should be secure.

Battery connection should show signs of excessive wear.

The fluid level inside the battery.

Battery connections should not show signs of excessive corrosion, but the battery box and cover or door is unimportant.

3 / 40

Which of the following is a key steering component?

bearing plate

torque rod

gear box

leaf spring

4 / 40

Your engine runs a pump when you are delivering compressed gas. Should you turn off your engine before or after you unhook the hoses after finishing that delivery?

Turn it off before unhooking.

Leave it on the entire time.

Turn it off on arrival—use other power to run the pump.

Turn if off after unhooking.

5 / 40

The most dangerous time during the school bus ride is:

When loading and unloading students.

On long bus journeys.

Crossing railway crossing.

When the students become unruly on the bus.

6 / 40

When should you not use the parking brakes?

while on a steep hill

while in hot weather

when the brakes are hot

when air pressure is low

7 / 40

What is a technical name?

The medical term for hazardous materials used by medical personnel.

The name for a hazardous material most commonly used on the street.

The name for a hazardous material most commonly used in the trucking community, accepted as standard.

The name for a hazardous material used in scientific journals and texts, recognized as its chemical and microbiological name.

8 / 40

You should be extra cautious when___while driving a smooth bore tanker combination.

driving down a hill

stopping and starting

driving up a hill

unloading or loading

9 / 40

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

Can be recapped, but never regrooved.

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

Must not have recapped or regrooved tires.

Must not be recapped, but can be regrooved.

10 / 40

Select the statement that is true in regards to managing space to the sides.

you should try to avoid driving next to others when possible

all answers listed

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

high gust winds do not cause any issues for triples and doubles

11 / 40

A tractor should not be backed under a trailer until the whole air system is:

at a level of 70 and 90 psi

at a level of 50 and 70 psi

at half of its normal pressure

at a normal pressure

12 / 40

An example of a low pressure warning signal for air brakes is:

a buzzer

all of these answers are correct

a wig wag mechanical arm

red light

13 / 40

Which of the following is a reason to evacuate the school bus?

A child set off a stink bomb inside the bus.

The bus is stalled on a shoulder of a 4-lane divided highway and it is getting hot inside.

The bus is stalled on a rail road track, but there is no train in sight.

The bus abs warning light is on.

14 / 40

You should be in the proper gear before going down a hill because:

it helps control your speed better

it builds up the air pressure in the air tanks

brakes may fail or fade from excessive heat due to relying on them too much and not using the engine brake effect

water may build up in the air tanks if you do not rely on the engine brake

15 / 40

The locking jaws of the kingpin should close around:

the base

the apex

the tip

the shank

16 / 40

What are some of the important parts in the steering system?

main spring, axle, spring shackle

rim, lug nuts, tire

leaf spring, vehicle frame, torque rod

tie rod, spindle, pitman arm

17 / 40

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

To monitor passenger activity.

To check blind spots.

To monitor the driver's appearance.

To provide visibility directly in the back of the bus.

18 / 40

A shipment described on the Hazardous Waste Manifest may only be delivered to another _______ carrier or treatment facility, who then signs the ______, giving you a copy which you must keep.

trucking, uniform hazardous waste manifest

registered, uniform hazardous waste manifest

licensed, manifest

responsible, papers

19 / 40

Select the true statement about slack adjusters:

they should only be adjusted by a mechanic that is certified in slack adjusters

they can be adjusted automatically or manually

they should move a minimum of 2 inches from the push rod attachment

they do not ever need to be adjusted

20 / 40

Which of the following is something the driver must watch for:

All of these answers are correct.

Appropriate clearance around and over the bus.

Gaps your bus needs to accelerate and merge with traffic.

Poles and tree limbs at stops.

21 / 40

If you are already carrying 100 pounds of silver cyanide, what precautions must you take if you are given papers at a dock to carry 100 cartons of battery acid?

Inform someone and not load the battery acid.

Make sure there is plenty of space between the two.

Make sure the battery acid is loaded on top of the silver cyanide.

Make sure the silver cyanide is loaded on top of the battery acid.

22 / 40

If you are traveling at 55 mph in a 30-foot vehicle, you should leave how many seconds of following distance?

6 seconds

4 seconds

7 seconds

3 seconds

23 / 40

What is the best way to stop all skids?

restore traction back to the tires

quickly turn the steering wheel side to side

accelerate and countersteer

use controlled or stab braking

24 / 40

The method used to make sure the spring brakes will come on automatically is to:

Apply pressure on and off the brake pedal to decrease the air tank pressure. The parking brake knob should pop out when the air pressure meets to the manufacturer’s specification.

Apply pressure on and off the brake pedal to decrease the air tank pressure. The parking brake knob should pop out when the air pressure drops to 120 psi.

Apply pressure on and off the brake pedal to increase the air tank pressure. The parking brake knob should pop out when the air pressure meets to the manufacturer’s specification.

Apply pressure on and off the brake pedal to decrease the air tank pressure while driving at a high a speed. The parking brake knob should pop out when the air pressure meets to the manufacturer’s specification.

25 / 40

After coupling with a trailer, what position should the front trailer supports be in before driving away?

none of the answers listed

in the fully raised position with the crank handle secured to its bracket

raised half way with the crank handle stored in the cab

raised to the top and then taken 3 cranks down and the crank handle stored in its bracket

26 / 40

Which seats must have a seat belt:

The driver's seat.

All of these answers are correct.

Women and children seats.

Senior citizen seats.

27 / 40

Select the first action to do when the low air pressure warning comes on:

shift into a higher gear

release the supply control valve

adjust the engine brake

come to a stop and safely park as soon as possible

28 / 40

Mirrors with a convex surface or "spot" mirrors _____.

they show a larger area than flat mirrors so do not need to be checked as often

make things look farther away and smaller than they actually are

make things look closer and larger than they actually are

are illegal in most states

29 / 40

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

it is dependent on the load you are carrying

1/4 to 1/2 of an inch

zero

1 to 2 inches

30 / 40

Select the vehicle that off-tracks the most.

a 5-axle tractor that is towing a 32-foot long trailer

a 5-axle tractor that is towing a 45-foot long trailer

a 5-axle tractor that is towing a 52-foot long trailer

a 5-axle tractor that is towing a 40-foot long trailer

31 / 40

What is the reason that placards are used?

so hazmat is not mixed with food

communicate the risk

to prevent terrorism

it is the law

32 / 40

______is a device that connects the service and emergency air lines between the tractor and trailer.

Service lines

Top off valves

Glad hands

Relay knife

33 / 40

Where are shut-off valves located?

either at the front or the back of the trailer

at the front of the trailer

at the front and back of the trailer

at the back of the trailer

34 / 40

The floor liner for explosives may not:

Contain nails or screws.

Contain any of these materials.

Contain steel or iron.

Contain cracks or holes.

35 / 40

When this item is missing or loose, movement may occur between the fifth wheel assembly and the frame.

Lug nuts

Locking pins

Tandem release arm

Locking jaw

36 / 40

When should you avoid using the parking brake?

when the brakes are hot

while on an incline

when the air pressure is low

whenever you park

37 / 40

What is the purpose of the supply pressure gauge?

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

all of these answers are correct

to inform you of how much air is in the tank

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

38 / 40

These tires should have a minimum tread depth of 4/32 inches.

Drive axle tires

Steering axle tires

Non-steering axle tires

Donut tires

39 / 40

All standing riders must stay:

Within two feet of an emergency exit.

In front of the standee line.

Forward of the rear of the driver's seat.

Behind the standee line.

40 / 40

You should_____when an emergency requires you to quickly stop your tanker.

turn off the abs and brace for impact

use the emergency brakes only

use stab or controlled braking

keep a firm pressure on the brake pedal

Your score is

The average score is 50%

4.6/5 - (5 votes)

CDL Category Practice Tests

CDL Practice Test

How To Get A new york Commercial Drivers License

To be eligible for a CDL in New York, applicants must meet the following age eligibility requirements.

Be at least 18 years old to operate a commercial vehicle intrastate (within New York only).
Be at least 21 years old to operate a commercial vehicle interstate (outside of New York).

To be eligible to drive a commercial vehicle in New York, applicants must provide verification that they are physically capable of operating a commercial vehicle. New York applicants must pass a vision test. All applicants must submit the following documents when they apply for a CDL.

(Form 649-F) Medical Examination Report (must be signed by applicant and physician)
CDL Holder Self-Certification document

Drivers who have had their licenses revoked, suspended, denied or canceled and drivers with multiple licenses in different states are not eligible for a CDL in New York. Available endorsements include:

H – Hazmat Vehicles
M – Metal Coil
N – Tank Vehicles
P – Passenger Vehicles
R – Recreational Vehicles Over 26,000 pounds
S – School Bus
T – Double or Triple Trailer
W – Tow Truck
X – Combination Tank and Hazmat Vehicle

Hit the Open Road

new york CDL License Test Tips

Every New York CDL applicant must pass the general knowledge test prior to taking the skills test. This test consists of 50 questions. To pass the New York test, applicants must score 80 percent or higher. Applicants who require additional endorsements must pass additional tests and pay the required fees. The New York skills test can be taken 14 days after applicants pass the knowledge test. It includes a pre-trip vehicle inspection, basic control skills and on-road driving. Applicants must pass each section.

Military veterans who were discharged within 1 year of the application and current military members can apply to have the skills exam waived if they can show proof of military enlistment or discharge, have operated an equivalent military vehicle in the past two years, possess a valid NY driver’s license, and submit an application for the Military Skills Test Waiver that is signed by the commanding officer.

Additional Information

Information on the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles

The New York Motor State Department of Motor Vehicles provides administers CDL license requirements in New York. To get more information contact them via:

Website: https://dmv.ny.gov/commercial-drivers/commercial-driver-licenses

Phone: 518.486.9786

Additional New York CDL Helpful Links

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

new york CDL Practice Test