North Carolina CDL Practice Test

Everyone takes General Knowledge. Add Air Brakes for a vehicle with air brakes (without it you get an L restriction), Combination Vehicles for Class A, and the endorsement tests for what you'll haul: Doubles/Triples (T), Tank Vehicles (N), Hazardous Materials (H, with a TSA background check; N and H together give X), Passenger (P) and School Bus (S). North Carolina Commercial Driver License Manual p. 1-2

80 percent on each test. The manual and NCDMV's pages don't give the number of questions on each test. North Carolina Commercial Driver License Manual p. 1-2 Why 80% in every state →

You get one attempt per test each day. Every three tries at the General Knowledge test need a new application fee. Passing scores stay valid in DMV's files for 90 days, and no appointment is needed for the knowledge tests. North Carolina Commercial Driver License Manual p. 1-2

Only Passenger (P) and School Bus (S). Doubles/Triples (T), Tank Vehicle (N), Hazardous Materials (H) and the combined tank and hazmat endorsement (X) are added with knowledge tests alone, plus the TSA background check for hazmat.

At least 18, with a valid Class A, B or C North Carolina license that isn't suspended, disqualified or revoked. You must be 21 to drive in interstate commerce or to haul hazardous materials.

A valid Class A, B or C license, one document proving age and identity, proof of your Social Security number, two proofs of residency (U.S. citizens) or one proof of legal presence, proof of liability insurance, and passing the vision, traffic sign and CDL knowledge tests at a driver license office.

The permit is valid for 180 days and can be renewed once for another 180. Hold it at least 14 days and finish entry-level driver training before the skills test, which you book by appointment in a vehicle you provide that fits the class. A CLP driver must have a licensed CDL holder of the same or a higher class, with the endorsements, in the front seat.

Drivers of recreational vehicles for personal use, active-duty military in Defense Department vehicles, firefighting and emergency equipment, and farm or forestry vehicles that meet every farm-use condition and stay within North Carolina. They still need a regular license of the right class. North Carolina Commercial Driver License Manual p. 5 to 6

E: no manual transmission. K: intrastate only. L: no air brakes. M: no Class A passenger vehicle. N: no Class A or B passenger vehicle. O: no tractor-trailer. P: no passengers in a bus (CLP only). V: medical variance. X: no cargo in a tank vehicle (CLP only). Z: no full air brakes. North Carolina Commercial Driver License Manual p. 7 to 8

Often, yes. Drivers with an approved military occupation rating, or North Carolina-licensed service members who drove the military equivalent of a commercial vehicle in the year before applying, can use the Even Exchange Program, which waives both the knowledge and skills tests. Others may qualify for the Military CDL Skills Waiver, which waives only the skills test. Both applications go to NCDMV by mail.

Within 20 business days. You get a Temporary Driving Certificate to use until the card arrives, both for the commercial learner permit and for the CDL after you pass the skills test.

North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV) lists the current fees for the commercial learner permit, the CDL tests and the license on its official fee page.

You don't hand it in any more. Since June 2025 the medical examiner sends the results electronically through FMCSA's National Registry and they are posted on your driving record. Drivers in non-excepted interstate or intrastate commerce must keep a current certificate; if it lapses, NCDMV gives you 30 days to respond before your North Carolina driving privileges are canceled.

Since November 18, 2024, North Carolina denies a CDL or CLP to a driver with a prohibited status, and a holder's CDL or CLP is revoked for at least 30 days and until the return-to-duty process with a substance abuse professional is complete. North Carolina Commercial Driver License Manual p. 10

Federal rules (49 CFR 383.51) disqualify you for at least 180 days and up to 1 year for a first violation, 2 to 5 years for a second within 10 years and 3 to 5 years for a third; carrying placarded hazmat or a vehicle for 16 or more passengers raises the first penalty to up to 2 years. North Carolina's manual still prints older, lower minimums, so these practice tests don't ask the figures.

A school transportation provider sponsors you and refers you to NCDMV for training. You need to be at least 18 with six months on a full license, pass up to four CDL knowledge tests (General Knowledge, Air Brakes, Passenger, School Bus) at 80 percent each, a DOT medical exam and a drug test, then three behind-the-wheel tests. The School Bus Driver's Certificate is renewed every three years.

NCDMV allows two training attempts and six testing attempts per calendar year, and written test scores for school bus applicants are good for 90 days, so the learner permit must be issued before they expire.

Not without North Carolina's own training. Even with a CDL from another state, you need sponsorship from a school system, charter or private school, training with an NCDMV School Bus and Traffic Safety representative, and passing pre-trip, backing and driving evaluations before you get a School Bus Driver's Certificate.

Leaving your school or school system (until a new one certifies you), renewing your CDL without first renewing the school bus certification, some convictions, or a medical card that isn't on file through the National Registry. NCDMV also won't issue P or S endorsements to anyone required to register as a sex offender.

Yes. State Board of Education policy requires both the Passenger (P) and School Bus (S) endorsements for activity buses too. Driving either kind of bus without a school bus certification is a Class III misdemeanor.