Pennsylvania CDL Practice Test

Every applicant passes the general knowledge test for the class they want. Add the air brake test (25 questions) to drive with air brakes, and the endorsement tests that match your work: Passenger (20), School Bus (25, and you also need Passenger), Doubles/Triples (20), Tank Vehicle (20) and Hazardous Materials (30).

PennDOT lists the knowledge test by class: 70 questions for Class A and 50 for Class B or C. The manual tells Class A drivers to study the combination vehicles section as well, so our practice splits Class A into General Knowledge (50) and Combination Vehicles (20). PennDOT doesn't print a passing score; our practice tests use 80 percent.

The Pennsylvania Commercial Driver's Manual (PUB 223): licensing, classes and penalties, vehicle inspection, safe driving, cargo, passengers, air brakes, combination vehicles, doubles and triples, tank vehicles and hazardous materials. Pennsylvania Commercial Driver's Manual p. 1-1

Yes. PennDOT’s School Bus test is based on the Pennsylvania School Bus Driver’s Manual (PUB 117) together with the passenger section of the CDL manual, and our School Bus practice test draws on both, with each question naming the manual and page to study. New school bus drivers also complete at least 14 hours of classroom and 6 hours of in-bus training. Pennsylvania Commercial Driver's Manual p. 1-5

PennDOT offers its CDL knowledge tests in several languages, in written and audio form. The Hazardous Materials test is given in English only.

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 Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT). Why 80% in every state →

18 for any class. You must be 21 to drive a commercial vehicle across state lines, and 21 for the Hazardous Materials (H) and combined tank and hazmat (X) endorsements. Pennsylvania Commercial Driver's Manual p. 1-3

Send the permit application (DL-31CD) and the self-certification form (DL-11CD) with the fees, plus a medical certificate if you'll drive in non-excepted commerce. PennDOT then issues a Knowledge Test Authorization for each class, endorsement and restriction removal you asked for; take the tests at a Driver License Center, and each one you pass adds to your learner's permit.

One year from when it's issued, with three tries to pass the knowledge tests. You have one year to pass all your knowledge and skills tests; test results more than a year old must be taken again.

At least 15 days after your permit is issued, although you can book it as soon as you pass the knowledge test. You get three tries at the skills test on that permit.

Three parts in a set order: a vehicle inspection, basic vehicle control (four exercises in sequence) and an on-road drive, all in the type of vehicle you want to be licensed for. Bring an empty vehicle; placarded hazmat vehicles aren't tested. Pennsylvania Commercial Driver's Manual p. 1-5

Yes, if you're getting a Class A or B CDL for the first time, upgrading to A or B, or adding the Passenger, School Bus or Hazardous Materials endorsement for the first time. Train with a provider on FMCSA's Training Provider Registry before the skills test, or before the Hazmat test for that endorsement.

Firefighters authorized by their fire chief in the department's vehicles, farmers hauling their own products, machinery or supplies (a Pennsylvania farm vehicle anywhere in the state, an out-of-state one within 150 miles of the farm), military drivers on duty, and drivers of personal motor homes, implements of husbandry or construction equipment.

Pennsylvania residents on active or reserve duty, or recently honorably discharged, with at least two years of experience driving commercial vehicles in the military may have the knowledge and/or skills test waived for similar vehicles.

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) lists the current fees for the commercial learner permit, the CDL tests and the license on its official fee page.

It depends on the restriction. Removing L or Z (air brakes) takes the 25-question air brake test plus a vehicle inspection and road test in a vehicle with air brakes. C/N needs a skills test in a Class B bus, and E and O need a skills test only. Removing K (intrastate only) needs no test.

Yes. The 15-day training period starts again whenever an endorsement or restriction removal that needs a skills test is added to the permit, even for current CDL holders. And if a permit has expired, or was already renewed once and needs renewing again, every knowledge test must be taken again.

You don't hand it in. Since June 23, 2025, PennDOT accepts medical certificates only electronically from FMCSA's National Registry, which your medical examiner reports to; it no longer takes them in person or by email.

A CDL with both the Passenger and School Bus endorsements, a school bus physical every 13 months, and, while driving, the CDL, the school bus endorsement card, the physical exam certificate and the bus's registration and insurance cards.

A DUI or a test refusal in any vehicle disqualifies you from commercial driving for one year (three years if you were hauling hazmat), and a second major offense means life. For CDL holders, Pennsylvania counts acceptance into ARD as a conviction.

Pennsylvania disqualifies you for one year for a first violation and three years for a second within ten years; hauling hazmat or driving a vehicle built for 16 or more people raises that to two and five years.

Go to a PennDOT Driver License Center, surrender every license from other states and bring proof of identity, your Social Security card and two proofs of residency. You'll have a vision screening, and hazmat or school bus privileges need more testing. Pennsylvania Commercial Driver's Manual p. 1-7 to 1-8

Most must happen in a commercial vehicle, such as following too closely, improper lane changes, texting or hand-held phone use. Speeding 15 mph or more over counts in your own car only in a work zone or school zone, and Pennsylvania adds work zone and highway safety corridor violations. Two within three years mean a 60-day disqualification.

Yes for a school bus, which in Pennsylvania means any vehicle built for 11 or more people, driver included, that carries students: you need a CDL with Passenger and School Bus endorsements. A school vehicle that seats no more than 10, driver included, needs only a Class C license.

When you aren't carrying students to or from school or school-sponsored events: delivering a new bus, driving an empty one as a mechanic, or taking people to events the school doesn't sponsor. The words "school bus" on the front and rear must then be covered, and the red and amber lights can't be used.

PennDOT mails a recertification notice about seven months before your CDL expires, listing the steps: the hazmat knowledge test, the security threat assessment application at a Driver License Center, then fingerprints at any listed site. Renew only after the TSA background check is complete, or the hazmat endorsement is dropped.