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Written from the 2026 CDL manual edition · For drivers in all 50 states

Free CDL practice tests with instant explanations

406 practice questions for every CDL knowledge test, from General Knowledge to School Bus. Choose an answer and see right away why it is right, with the manual section it comes from. No sign-up.

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  • 8 CDL knowledge tests

Practice mode

An explanation after every answer

You never have to guess why an answer is right. As soon as you choose, practice mode shows:

  • the right answer, marked in green;
  • a short explanation in plain English;
  • the CDL manual and section to reread.

When you feel ready, switch to exam mode for a full set with a score and a review of every missed question.

Try the General Knowledge test
General Knowledge Example question

Your ABS stops working. What does that mean for braking?

  • A You still have regular brakes; drive normally and get it serviced soon
  • B You have no brakes and must stop at once
  • C You must brake only with the parking brake
  • D You must pump the brakes at all times

The answer is A

ABS is added to the normal brakes. If it fails, the normal brakes still work, but have the system repaired soon.

Source: Commercial Driver's License Manual, Version 07/20/2026 (form DMV 60A), section 2.18.7 Braking If ABS Is Not Working.

Why study with CDL Test Prep

A simple study tool that tells you where every answer comes from.

  • Free, no sign-up

    Every test and every explanation is free. No account, no email and no paywall. Your best score stays on your device.

  • Instant explanations

    Practice mode explains each answer the moment you choose it, so you learn from a mistake while it is fresh.

  • A manual reference for every answer

    Each question names the CDL manual section it comes from, and a script checks the quoted manual text word for word.

  • For drivers in all 50 states

    State CDL manuals are built on the same national model manual from AAMVA, so the knowledge tests cover the same material.

We compared 3 state editions of the CDL manual (Virginia 2026, Massachusetts 2025 and Indiana 2022): 405 of 406 quoted passages appear word for word in all of them. Your own state’s manual is the final word if anything differs.

Choose your CDL practice test

Every CDL knowledge test has its own page. Press Start test, then choose practice mode or exam mode.

Not sure which tests you need? It depends on your license class and endorsements.

CDL classes and endorsements explained

How it works

Three steps, no account needed. Your best score is saved on your device only.

  1. 1

    Pick your test

    Start with General Knowledge, then add the tests for your license class and endorsements.

  2. 2

    Practice with explanations

    Practice mode shows the right answer, a short explanation and the manual section after each question.

  3. 3

    Check yourself in exam mode

    Answer a full set, see your score against the passing mark and review every missed question.

Car permit tests, road signs and guides

The CDL tests are ready. Car permit tests are being written state by state from each state’s driver handbook.

  • Coming soon

    Driver’s permit tests

    Car permit practice built from each state’s own driver handbook, because the rules differ by state.

  • Coming soon

    Road signs

    Sign shapes, colors and meanings with practice questions and plain explanations.

  • Study guides

    How to study from the manual, how the knowledge tests work and which CDL tests you need.

How our practice questions are made

Real exam questions are not public, so we write our own. Every question starts from a specific section of an official manual published by a state licensing agency or another official issuer. We store the manual, the section (and page when the manual has one) and a short exact quote with each question, and a script checks that the quote really appears there before anything is published.

Drafts are written with AI assistance, then checked automatically and by an independent AI review, and questions that are flagged or sampled are reviewed by a person. Read the full process in our editorial policy.

What the practice tests are, and what they are not

They are a study tool to help you learn what the manual says and to find the topics you still need to review. They are not the official test and we cannot promise any result. The official manual for your state is always the final word, so read it and check anything that matters with your licensing agency.

For example, federal rules require a score of at least 80% on each CDL knowledge test (49 CFR 383.135 (eCFR)). Other details, such as the number of questions, can vary by state, so we only show them when we can link the official source.

Questions about CDL Test Prep

Is it really free?

Yes. Every practice test, explanation and guide is free to use, with no account and no sign-up.

Does it work for my state?

For the CDL, yes: state CDL manuals follow the same national model manual, so one set of tests serves drivers in all 50 states. Car permit tests differ by state, so we are adding them one state at a time, each from that state’s own handbook.

Is it up to date for 2026?

The questions cite the newest CDL manual edition we have (Virginia, 07/20/2026). When a state publishes a new edition, we re-check the questions based on it.

Are these the questions on the real test?

No. Real test questions are not public. We write our own questions from the manual, so they cover the same material without being copies of test questions.

Do you have car permit tests?

Not yet. Each state’s permit test follows its own driver handbook, so each state page goes live only after every question on it passes our checks. The driver’s permit tests page lists the states as they go live.