Idaho CDL Practice Test

50 questions, with 40 correct to pass. Hazmat has 30 (24 to pass), Air Brake 25 (20 to pass), and Combination, Tank, Doubles/Triples, Passenger and School Bus 20 each (16 to pass). Idaho Commercial Driver’s License Manual p. 10

Everyone takes General Knowledge. Add Air Brakes if your vehicle has them (or you get an L restriction), Combination Vehicles for Class A, and a test for each endorsement: Doubles/Triples (T), Hazmat (H), Passenger (P), School Bus (S) and Tank (N). School bus drivers need both P and S.

The Idaho Commercial Driver's License Manual (July 2026 edition): Idaho's licensing pages, then the national CDL text on inspection, safe driving, cargo, passengers, air brakes, combination vehicles, doubles and triples, tankers, hazardous materials and school buses.

One year from the date you pass. Book the skills test with an examiner well ahead: examiners must notify ITD at least 48 hours before your test. Idaho Commercial Driver’s License Manual p. 1-2

Yes, after three days, with another test fee. ITD suggests passing General Knowledge before you try the other tests, and says most applicants shouldn't attempt several tests on the same day, even though it's allowed.

80% on each of the 8 tests, each graded on its own (General Knowledge: 40 of 50). Every test's numbers are in the table on this page. Always confirm the current tests with the Idaho Transportation Department, Division of Motor Vehicles. Why 80% in every state →

At least 18, with a valid Idaho Class D license (or all its tests passed) and at least one year of licensed driving experience. Drivers aged 18 to 20 get the K restriction: Idaho-only (intrastate) driving.

Class A: combinations with a GCWR of 26,001 pounds or more towing over 10,000 pounds. Class B: single vehicles of 26,001 pounds or more. Class C: smaller vehicles built for 16 or more people, driver included, or carrying placarded hazmat. Idaho also requires a CDL for any yellow-and-black school bus carrying children.

Drivers using a vehicle only for personal or recreational travel, active-duty military operators, emergency vehicle drivers in emergencies, and farmers driving their own farm vehicles within 150 miles of the farm. A custom motorcoach driven for business over 26,001 pounds still needs a CDL with a P endorsement. Idaho Commercial Driver’s License Manual p. 1-9

A restricted CDL for farm-related service jobs such as custom harvesting, farm suppliers, agrichemical businesses and livestock feeders: valid 180 days in a 12-month period within 150 miles of the farm or business, no Class A, no 16+ passenger vehicles and almost no placarded hazmat. You can get one only twice in your life. Idaho Commercial Driver’s License Manual p. 1-9

CDL holders without a hazmat endorsement may be able to renew online; a hazmat endorsement needs a TSA threat assessment at each renewal.

Drivers in non-excepted commerce must keep their medical certificate current or lose their CDL status. Drivers who operate only in Idaho may haul commodities on the state’s exempt list (hay, grain, livestock, logs, potatoes and others) without a DOT medical card in their possession. Idaho Commercial Driver’s License Manual p. 1-10

One year. Whenever you practice on public streets, a licensed CDL driver rated for that equipment must be with you: in the right-hand seat of a truck, or in the row behind you on a bus. You must hold the permit 14 days before the skills test, even when only upgrading.

On a first CDL, and again if you moved your license to another state and came back, let your CDL stay expired more than 25 months, voluntarily downgraded to a Class D, or buy a CLP to upgrade your class, add endorsements or remove restrictions. You also prove lawful presence.

No. A CDL holder who isn't actively driving a commercial vehicle may self-certify as Excepted Intrastate and skip the DOT medical. Before driving again in a non-excepted category, get a current DOT medical and update your self-certification.

CDL Skills Test Examiners around the state, most of them part-timers, so you work around their schedules; you may choose any examiner statewide. You must pass all your knowledge tests first. The test takes about two hours, the examiner sends the results to ITD, and you then go to the county DMV to get your CDL.

The pre-trip inspection above all: ITD says it's where most applicants fail, and a wrong brake check fails the test. The examiner picks either the alley dock or the parallel park on test day, so practice both. A pull-up costs fewer points than touching a cone or crossing a boundary.

Pass the Hazmat knowledge test and a TSA security threat assessment (background check). The assessment is needed again at each license renewal.

Intrastate only: you may drive commercial vehicles only within Idaho. It goes on drivers who plan to operate only in Idaho and on every CDL holder aged 18, 19 or 20.

A first major offense (DUI, refusing or failing a test at .04 in a commercial vehicle or .08 in any vehicle, leaving an accident scene, a felony) costs your CDL for at least a year, or three years with placarded hazmat; a second is a lifetime disqualification.

ITD offers two waivers for current or recently separated service members with verifiable heavy-truck experience: a skills test waiver (ITD 3141) and a knowledge and skills test waiver (ITD 3143).

An automatic transmission adds E (automatic only). A Class A combination that isn't a fifth-wheel tractor-trailer, such as one with a pintle hook, adds O. No air brakes adds L. Air-over-hydraulic brakes add Z, and removing Z takes a full skills test.

M: no Class A bus, common for Class A drivers with a P endorsement. N: no Class A or B bus, unless you passed the skills test in a Class B bus. P (permits): no passengers except examiners, inspectors, other trainees and your supervising CDL holder. X (permits): only empty, purged tank vehicles.

Yes. For CDL disqualifications Idaho counts a withheld judgment, or a forfeited bail or bond, as a conviction. Two serious violations in a commercial vehicle within three years cost 60 days, three cost 120; the list includes using a hand-held phone and driving without the right CDL.

The suspension starts 30 days after the notice. A first failure costs your Class D privileges for 90 days, with no driving for the first 30 and restricted driving possible after that; a second costs a year. If the failure was in a commercial vehicle at .04 to under .08, your Class D stays valid.

For some Idaho disqualifications, after 10 years: hold a valid Class D for three years without jail time, finish two four-hour truck-driver safety courses, show a clean criminal record for drug and alcohol offenses, and complete rehab if needed. Disqualifications from other states, drug-felony or trafficking cases can't be lifted.

Only where Idaho has a reciprocity agreement. The exemption is meant for small farm-to-market hauling by the farmer, family and farm hands, and doesn't cover common or contract carriers or a farmer paid to haul other farmers' products.

Service members, or veterans within two years of leaving, who hold a valid Idaho license and drove heavy vehicles in the last two years. Send the form with your commanding officer's certification, a DD-2 or DD-214 and your military license or VMET. ITD reviews it in about 10 days.