Commercial Driver License Tests

Knowledge Test

You will have to take one or more knowledge test, depending on what class of license and what endorsements you need.

The CDL knowledge test include:

* The General Knowledge Test, taken by all applicants.

* The Passenger Transport Test, taken by all bus driver applicants.

* The School Bus Test is required if you want to drive a school bus.

* The Air Brakes Test, which you must take if your vehicle has air brakes.

* The Combination Vehicle Test, which is required if you want to drive combination vehicles.

* The Hazardous Vehicles Test, required if you want to haul hazardous material or waste in amounts which require placarding.

* The Tanker Test, required if you want to haul liquids in bulk.

* The Doubles/Tripples Test, required if you want to pull double or triple trailers.

If you pass the required knowledge test(s), you can take the CDL skills test. There are three types of general skills that will be tested: pre-trip inspection, basic vehicle control, and on-road driving. You must take these test in the type of vehicle for which you wish to be licensed.

Pre-trip Vehicle Inspection. You will be tested to see if you know whether your vehicle is safe to drive. You will be asked to do a pre-trip inspection of your vehicle and explain to the examiner what you would inspect and why

Basic Vehicle Control. You will be tested on your skill to control the vehicle. You will be asked to move your vehicle forward, backward, and turn it within a defined area. These areas may be marked with traffic lanes, cones, barriers, or something similar. The examiner will tell you how each control test is done.

On-Road Test. You will be tested on your skill to safely drive your vehicle in a variety of traffic situations. The situations may include left and right turns, intersections, railroad crossings, curves, up and down grades, single or multi-lane roads, streets, or highways. The examiner will tell you where to drive.

Safety First!