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From the front pages and Sections 1, 2 and 3 of the California Commercial Driver Handbook

California CDL General Knowledge Practice Test

Who takes it: every CDL class (A, B and C).

Inspection, safe driving and cargo: every CDL applicant takes it. 50 questions, 40 right to pass (80%).

Study mode

Practice General Knowledge

  • 10questions a round
  • 10manual sections
Exam mode

Take the General Knowledge test

  • 50questions
  • 40correct to pass
  • –no test taken yet
Sections 1–3 · p. 3–93 of the California Commercial Driver Handbook (Rev. 12/2019), opens in a new tab

A General Knowledge question to try

May you drive at dusk with only your parking lights on in California?

Tap an answer to see if you’re right, and the page

Where it is in the California Commercial Driver Handbook

Your score on each part fills in as you study.

  • Front pages of the manual
  • California driver license classesNot practiced yetp. 3
  • Manual section 1 · 2 topics
  • Introduction: who needs a CDL, tests, medical rules and disqualificationsNot practiced yetp. 1-1 to 1-19
  • California CDL rules: emissions, size and weight, permits and insuranceNot practiced yetp. 1-20 to 1-30
  • Manual section 2 · 6 topics
  • Vehicle inspectionNot practiced yetp. 2-1 to 2-8
  • Vehicle control, seeing and communicatingNot practiced yetp. 2-9 to 2-15
  • Speed, space, seeing hazards and distractionsNot practiced yetp. 2-16 to 2-27
  • Night, weather, railroad crossings and mountainsNot practiced yetp. 2-28 to 2-37
  • Emergencies, skids, crashes and firesNot practiced yetp. 2-38 to 2-45
  • Alcohol, drugs, illness and hazmat basicsNot practiced yetp. 2-46 to 2-49
  • Manual section 3
  • Transporting cargo safelyNot practiced yetp. 3-1 to 3-5

Only in the California manual

Rules for this test that the California Commercial Driver Handbook prints and other states' manuals don't.

  • Hazardous Roads

    In California failing to obey the move-over law (slowing and changing lanes away from stopped emergency vehicles and work zones when safe) is an infraction punishable by a fine. A red triangle with an orange center marks a slow-moving vehicle not designed to go faster than 25 mph. p. 2-22

  • Alcohol, Other Drugs, and Driving

    Driving a CMV in California at 0.04 percent BAC or more brings an immediate administrative license action (Admin Per Se) and can also mean a DUI conviction; a BAC under 0.04 percent does not make driving safe or legal. p. 2-47

California answers about this test

CDL General Knowledge Test guide30 rules, with the pages in each state's manual

Practice material, not the official test: check every answer in your state's current handbook. Disclaimer · How the rounds work · DMV

All California CDL tests