Permit Test
Every state has its own CDL manual. That manual is the source the test is based on. Everything else — practice sites, YouTube, this website — is secondary.
Start with your state's official CDL manual. Practice tests can help, but the manual is the source you should trust first because the permit test is based on state licensing material, and every state is a little different.
Find Your State's CDL Manual First
Each state provides a CDL manual or commercial driver's handbook through its DMV, DPS, BMV, or equivalent licensing agency. Most are available for free download as a PDF directly from the state's official website.
This manual is what your permit test is based on. If you study everything in it — not skim it, actually study it — you are preparing from the correct source. Practice tests and third-party study guides are supplements, not replacements.
Find your state's official CDL manual →
What the Permit Test Covers
The CDL permit test is divided into sections. Most CDL students pursuing a Class A license will need to pass at minimum:
General Knowledge
The general knowledge section covers basic truck operation, regulations, vehicle inspection, cargo, driving safely, and emergency procedures. This is the core written test that all CDL applicants take.
Air Brakes
If you plan to drive a vehicle equipped with air brakes — which includes most Class A trucks — you need to pass the air brakes section. Failing or skipping this section means your CDL will have an air brake restriction, which limits what you can legally drive. Do not skip it.
Combination Vehicles
If you are getting a Class A CDL to drive combination vehicles (tractor-trailers), the combination vehicles section is required. This covers coupling, uncoupling, and how combination vehicles handle differently than single-unit trucks.
Endorsements
Endorsements are add-ons that expand what your CDL covers. Common ones include:
- HazMat (H) — required to haul hazardous materials; requires a separate TSA background check
- Tanker (N) — required for liquid-bulk tankers
- Doubles/Triples (T) — required for pulling multiple trailers
- Passenger (P) — required for commercial buses
- School Bus (S) — requires the P endorsement plus school bus specific testing
Most new OTR drivers start with General Knowledge, Air Brakes, and Combination Vehicles. Endorsements come later depending on the freight you want to haul.
Why Practice Tests Help (But Are Not Enough)
Practice tests are useful for recognizing question formats, testing your memory, and identifying areas where you need more study. They are not a substitute for reading your state's manual.
CDL question banks on the internet are not always up to date. States revise manuals. Question formats change. A practice site might have questions from an old version of the handbook. If you build your knowledge from practice tests alone, you may study something that does not match what your state actually tests.
The right way to use practice tests: read the manual first, then use practice tests to find what you missed or forgot.
The practice tests on this site are a study aid, not official exam questions. They are not affiliated with any state or licensing authority. Open practice tests →
A Note About State Differences
CDL licensing is federally regulated in terms of the basic license structure, but states administer the testing themselves. Question wording, exam format, and which sections are required before the skills test can vary. Your state's manual is the authoritative source for how your test works.
If something you read here conflicts with what your state's manual says, trust the manual.