November 7, 2013 Understanding the CDL general knowledge test and the parts you need to learn and know for your specific license class is vital. Making sure you have the proper test materials is a huge step in the right direction. This test is not only long it contains materials referring to all of the CDL licenses classes but the endorsements also. Taking the general knowledge test is perhaps the most important part of acquiring a CDL license and should be taken seriously. ### About the Test The CDL general knowledge test is generally the same nationwide. The CDL general knowledge test is only the first of many tests and endorsements you must attain to earn the CDL license class your trying to achieve. Each state has its own minimum grade percentage to pass (though in most states it is 80%) so looking up what the passing grade is in your state is a good place to begin when you start to gather your study materials in preparation for the test. The actual test on its own can be taken in one to two hours at minimum. The test is taken at your local DMV and in some states; it’s required that you schedule an appointment to take the written part of your CDL as well as your skills test. ### Study Materials The test contains questions [DMVCheatSheets.com](https://www.dmvcheatsheets.com/articles/test-questions-and-answers-for-the-cdl-written-testspanning) the entirety of the CDL handbook’s 10 chapters. This is the biggest reason why it is crucial to know what you need to study for your specified license class and endorsements. Some licenses classes and endorsements have very little to do or everything to do with one another, so it’s important to read through each chapter thoroughly. It can never hurt to know the in’s and out’s of your future occupation. Taking practice tests are an easy way to test your knowledge and see if your studying has paid off. There are many other study resources you should take advantage of to maximize your potential knowledge of the CDL licenses classes, endorsements and attributes of each part. Each chapter covers a different aspect of trucking and the elements that relate to each aspect in detail. - Chapter one-“Introduction”- The introduction is not a place we usually search for pertinent information going to the depths of a subject but it is a good place to begin your studies and contains useful knowledge on. i. Commercial Drivers License Tests ii. Other CDL Rules - Chapter Two-“Driving Safety”- This chapter is for all commercial drivers and applies to all license types, it contains basic knowledge, terminology and safety information important to all CDL drivers and you must pass a test on this information to attain your CDL license in all states. i. Vehicle Inspection ii. Basic Control of Your Vehicle iii. Shifting Gears iv. Seeing v. Communicating vi. Controlling Speed vii. Managing Space viii. Driving at Night ix. Driving in Fog x. Driving in Winter xi. Driving in Very Hot Weather xii. Railroad Crossings xiii. Mountain Driving xiv. Seeing Hazards xv. Emergencies xvi. Skid Control and Recovery xvii. Accident Procedures xviii. Fires xix. Staying Alert and Fit to Drive xx. Hazardous Materials Rules for All Commercial Drivers. - Chapter Three-“Inspecting Cargo”- This section of the handbook applies to all CDL drivers and license types, it explains the basics of hauling any type of cargo and the safety measures applied as well. You must have working knowledge of this chapter to pass the CDL test. i. Inspecting Cargo. ii. Weight & Balance. iii. Securing Cargo iv. Other Cargo Needing Special Attention - Chapter Four-“Transporting Passengers Safely”- This information is useful to bus drivers especially but to all CDL drivers, if you are driving a bus with over 15 passengers you must have a CDL and pass this area of the test to acquire that CDL. i. Transporting Passengers ii. Pre-Trip Inspection iii. Loading and Trip Start iv. On the Road v. After-Trip Vehicle Inspection vi. Prohibited Practices vii. Use of Brake-Door Interlocks - Chapter Five- “Air Brakes”- This section explores how the air brake system works, what vehicles use the air brake system and how to keep them well maintained. If you are planning on getting a CDL for a truck or bus with air brakes or to pull a trailer with air brakes you need to know the information in this section to get your CDL. i. The Parts of an Air Brake System ii. Dual Air Brake iii. Inspecting Air Brake Systems iv. Using Air Brakes - Chapter Six “Combination Vehicles” This chapter contains all of the important and useful information [DMVCheatSheets.com](https://www.dmvcheatsheets.com/articles/what-to-know-before-acquiring-your-cdl) for attaining a CDL for combination vehicles such as tractor trailers, doubles or triplets, straight trucks and trailers. It contains the very basic elements of combination vehicle information but not everything you need to know if should be studied with chapters that include “doubles and triples” which you must know if you want a CDL in almost any occupation. i. Driving Combination Vehicles Safely ii. Combination Vehicle Air Brakes iii. Coupling and Uncoupling iv. Inspecting a Combination Vehicle - Chapter Seven- “Doubles and Triples”- Chapter seven contains the info needed to know how to safely pull, couple and uncouple and inspect double and triple trailer loads. i. Pulling Double/Triple Trailers ii. Coupling and Uncoupling iii. Inspecting Doubles and Triples iv. Double/Triples Air Brake Check - Chapter Eight “Tank Vehicles” Should be studied with chapters 2, 5 and 6. i. Inspection Tank Vehicles ii. Driving Tank Vehicles iii. Safe Driving Rules - Chapter Nine- “Hazardous Materials”- Extremely important information that all CDL license types need to know to acquire a CDL in any class. i. Intent of the Regulations ii. Hazardous Materials Transportation – Who Does What iii. Communication Rules iv. Loading and Unloading v. Bulk Packaging Marking Loading & Unloading vi. Hazardous Materials – Driving & Parking Rules vii. Hazardous Materials – Emergencies - Chapter Ten- “School Buses”- Bus drivers must know the information in this section to acquire a CDL that allows them to seat or transport over 16 passengers. [DMVCheatSheets.com](https://www.dmvcheatsheets.com/articles/how-do-i-get-a-school-bus-operators-license-in-new-york) i. Danger Zones and Use of Mirrors ii. Loading and Unloading iii. Emergency Exit and Evacuation iv. Railroad-highway Crossings v. Student Management vi. Antilock Braking Systems vii. Special Safety Considerations. In the perfect world every CDL license applicant would be able to instantly know all of this information and safely pass their written test but this is not the case, however utilizing the guides for the CDL general knowledge test [DMVCheatSheets.com](https://www.dmvcheatsheets.com/exams/commercial-drivers-license-written-test/products/cdl-general-knowledge-exam), your study materials, practice tests and any other outside resources you are able to locate are the best bet for becoming a knowledgeable and safe licensed CDL driver.