virginia
CDL Practice Test

Use this site as a guide to help you prepare for the CDL test in Virginia. Questions on our CDL knowledge exams come from sections of the Virginia DMV CDL manual. You can take these practice test questions as many times as you like, as the site is free to use. 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

To test the security of the tractor semi trailer connection you should:

with the trailer brakes locked, rock the trailer back and forth

put the tractor in a high gear and quickly pull ahead

you don't need to check it

look at it carefully after pulling forward gently in a low gear against the locked trailer brakes

2 / 40

What is the safest way to stop unruly behavior on the bus?

yell loudly for the students to sit down and behave themselves

have the unruly students move to the front of the bus

keep checking the rear view mirror so you can see what happened and report to the principal

pull off the road in a safe location, secure the bus, stand up, and tell the students what behavior you expect of them

3 / 40

Which seats must have a seat belt:

Women and children seats.

Senior citizen seats.

All of these answers are correct.

The driver's seat.

4 / 40

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

A ul rating of 10 b/c or above.

A ul rating of 15 abc.

Any of these are acceptable.

A ul rating of 5 b/c or above.

5 / 40

Charter drivers should not:

Mention rules at the start of the trip.

Remind riders about rules once trip begins.

Explain rules at the start of the trip.

Allow riders on the bus until departure time.

6 / 40

When backing your vehicle, which of the following is NOT recommended

use the lowest reverse gear

back towards the right side

back as slow as possible

back and turn towards the driver's side

7 / 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

repeatedly pump the brake pedal

use the engine brakes only

8 / 40

Which of the following statements about overhead space is true?

warning lights are always installed on low bridges and overpasses

athe heights posted at bridges are usually accurate

an empty van is lower than a loaded one

the weight of the cargo changes a truck's height

9 / 40

You should check____when loading the small tanks of a cargo tank with bulkheads.

the weight distribution

the expansion rate

none of the answers listed

the fuel to air ratio

10 / 40

Select the true statement in regards to quick steering movements and double trailers:

nothing will occur

you should apply a firm pressure to the brake pedal at the same moment you do quick steering movements

it is easier to countersteer doubles/triples than other vehicles

it is easier to tip doubles and triples from quick steering movements than other vehicles

11 / 40

Which of the following should you do when driving the school bus in high wind?

Pull off the road to wait for the winds to die down.

Speed up to get away from the wind as quickly as possible.

Keep a strong grip on the steering wheel and try to anticipate gust.

Drive only head-in to the wind to avoid cross-wind buffeting.

12 / 40

How do you test the trailer service brakes?

apply the hand control and check to see if you feel the trailer brakes come on

apply pressure to the brake pedal

test the brakes out while driving at 5 mph

release air to the spring brakes

13 / 40

If the hazardous materials are classified as FORBIDDEN you should:

Take special caution in transporting the material.

Remove the placards from the trailer.

Refuse the load.

Place the materials in the front of the trailer.

14 / 40

For any flatbed load you must have at least ____ tie downs.

two

one

four

six

15 / 40

Before transporting a sealed load, you must check:

that you don't exceed gross weight and axle weight limits

a small sample of whatever is inside

all of these answers are correct

a picture of whatever is inside

16 / 40

Some hazardous materials may not be loaded together with other hazardous materials. The prohibited combinations are listed in the:

List of hazardous materials and reportable quantities.

Segregation and separation chart.

Hazardous waste manifest.

Hazardous materials table.

17 / 40

A shipper’s certification is best described as _____.

a paper certification given to the manufacturer from the shipper

a certification that the package has been prepared according to the rules when the shipper packages hazardous materials

a test for shippers that certifies that they are qualified to package hazardous materials

a paper certification from the manufacturer given to the shipper

18 / 40

If you are carrying Division 1.2 or 1.3 materials, how far away must you park from the traveled portion of the roadway?

At least twenty feet

At least half a mile

At least five feet

At least ten feet

19 / 40

Select the two reasons as to why special care is needed when driving a tank vehicle:

The danger of surge and the high center of gravity.

The chance of rollover and of spontaneous combustion.

The danger of surge and the low center of gravity.

None of the answers listed.

20 / 40

Hazardous materials (that are not forbidden) carried on a bus must be:

All of these answers are correct

Stored in the passenger compartment

Labeled

Carried in a metal box

21 / 40

Play of the steering wheel should not exceed:

30 degrees

5 degrees

10 degrees

15 degrees

22 / 40

What is a supply pressure gauge used for?

it tells you how much slack is in the slack adjusters

it tells you how much pressure is in the air lines

it tells you how much pressure is in the air tanks

all of these answers are correct

23 / 40

Select the true statement in regards to if a glad hand on the blue air line is missing a seal.

you should remove one from the red air line to use as a temporary replacement

it is not a big problem

there may be an emergency line air leak

there may be a service line air leak

24 / 40

Never refuel your bus:

Without a static chain.

With any of the windows open.

With a higher grade of fuel.

In a closed building with passengers on board.

25 / 40

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

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

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.

26 / 40

Your vehicle is going down a long hill and your brakes begin to fail. What should you do?

pump the brake pedal

downshift

put the gears in neutral

look for an escape ramp or an escape route

27 / 40

When would a drive-wheel skid result in a jackknife when pulling doubles?

when the trailer pushes the towed vehicle sideways

when the tractor brakes lock up

when the trailer slides to the right into the shoulder

when the tractor spins around

28 / 40

A truck with baffles will handle:

None of the answers listed.

The same as a tanker with no baffles.

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

Heavier that it actually is.

29 / 40

The CDL manual indicates the last step on picking up students at the bus stop is as follows:

Activate the amber flashing caution lights to warn vehicles that the bus will stop to load passengers soon.

Open the service door just enough to activate the alternating red light when traffic is in a safe distance from the bus.

Make a final check to confirm all traffic stops before opening the bus door and signaling students to approach.

Place transmission in park or neutral and set parking brake.

30 / 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?

air leaving the open valve

the emergency line valve to release air

the service brakes more to a fully applied position

the engine brake to kick on

31 / 40

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

is between 40 and 60 psi

is between 50 and 80 psi

is at half of the maximum pressure

at a normal pressure

32 / 40

Always try to back toward the driver's side because

all of these answers are correct

your truck will naturally pull toward the driver's side

it's more comfortable for turning your neck

you can see better, watching the vehicle rear out the side window

33 / 40

Select the true statement in regards to driving a truck with triple or double trailers:

all answers listed

the risk of trailer jackknifes and tipping is increased compared to shorter trucks

the truck requires increased following distance compared to smaller vehicles

extra care should be taken when driving in bad weather and in the mountains

34 / 40

Which of the following statements about special danger of loading and unloading is true?

Students should be told to leave any dropped objects and move to the point of safety out of danger and get the driver's attention to retrieve the object.

Students should be told to remain seated while the bus is in motion.

Students should be told not to use the handrails when exiting the bus due to the possibility of causing a clothing hang up.

Students should be told to pick up any dropped objects as long as it is not under the bus.

35 / 40

How many different hazard classes are there?

36 / 40

When driving on a clear night with the vehicle lights on, your speed should be such that you can stop within _____.

the distance you will travel in 10 seconds time

the length of half a football field

2 times the length of your vehicle

the distance you can see ahead of you

37 / 40

What can side to side surge cause?

An increase in speed.

A roll over.

An engine system failure.

A spontaneous combustion.

38 / 40

Secure baggage and freight in ways that avoid damage and:

Allow riders to exit by any window or door in an emergency.

All of these answers are correct.

Protect riders from injury if carry-ons fall or shift.

Allow the driver to move freely and easily.

39 / 40

Select when you should use the parking brake:

with rare exception, every time you leave your vehicle

each time you leave your vehicle for any amount of time

when you are leaving your vehicle for more than an hour

when in residential areas

40 / 40

Select what you should do before leaving the vehicle unattended:

apply the parking brakes

chock the wheels

all of these answers are correct

remove the keys from the ignition

Your score is

The average score is 65%

5/5 - (1 vote)

CDL Category Practice Tests

CDL Practice Test

How To Get A virginia Commercial Drivers License

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

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

Virginia CDL applicants must be certified that they are medically fit to operate a commercial vehicle and pass a vision test. Applicants are required to submit the following documents.

(Form 649-F) Medical Examiner Report
(Form DL-8) Commercial Driver’s License Self-Certification (This form must be completed by a FMCSA-approved medical examiner.

Interstate non-excepted (drivers who do not work for the state or federal governments) must meet federal DOT requirements. Intrastate non-excepted drivers must meet the state requirements.

Drivers who have had their licenses revoked, suspended, denied or canceled are not eligible for a CDL in Virginia. Applicants can be disqualified for having multiple licenses.

Virginia CDL Endorsements

H – Hazmat Vehicles
N – Tank Vehicles
P – Passenger Vehicles
S – School Bus
T – Double or Triple Trailer
X – Combination Tank Vehicles and Hazmat Vehicles

Hit the Open Road

virginia CDL License Test Tips

All Virginia CDL applicants must pass the general knowledge test prior to taking the skills test. To pass the Virginia test, applicants must score 80 percent or higher. Applicants who require endorsements must pass additional tests and pay the required fees. The Virginia skills test can be taken 14 days after applicants pass the knowledge test if applicants have never applied for a CDL before and they pass a state-approved driver education program. It includes a pre-trip vehicle inspection, basic control skills and on-road driving. Applicants must pass each section.

Military veterans and current military members can apply to have the skills exam waived if they meet the requirements. To qualify for a waiver, applicants must:

Be an active member of the military.
Possess a valid Virginia driver’s license.
Have operate a commercial vehicle as part of their military duties.
Have been recently discharged from the military.

Additional Information

Information on the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles

The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles administers CDL license testing and regulations in Virginia. To get more information contact them via:

Website: https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/drivers/#whatiscdl.asp

Phone: 804.497.7100

Additional Virginia CDL Helpful Links

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

virginia CDL Practice Test

CDL Category Practice Tests

CDL Practice Test

How To Get A virginia Commercial Drivers License

Hit the Open Road

virginia CDL License Test Tips

Additional Information

Information on the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles

Additional Virginia CDL Helpful Links

virginia
CDL Practice Test