Louisiana General Knowledge CDL Practice Test
25 realistic General Knowledge practice questions for Louisiana CDL applicants. Required for: All CDL applicants (Class A, B, and C). Official test: 50 questions, 40 correct to pass.
Question 1 of 25 · Testing
The road test will be scored on:
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A.
How fast you complete the route
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B.
Vehicle inspection, basic control, and on-road driving
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C.
Whether you wear a uniform
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D.
Your appearance
Correct answer: B.
You'll be evaluated on inspection skills, basic control skills, and safe on-road driving performance.
Question 2 of 25 · Rail Crossings
When approaching a railroad crossing without flashing lights or gates, you should:
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A.
Slow down, look, and listen for trains
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B.
Always come to a complete stop
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C.
Speed up to clear the crossing quickly
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D.
Sound horn but maintain speed
Correct answer: A.
Without active warning devices, slow down and look and listen carefully for an approaching train.
Question 3 of 25 · CDL Rules
Driving with a BAC of 0.04 or higher in a CMV will result in:
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A.
A warning
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B.
A 30-day suspension
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C.
A CDL disqualification of at least one year
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D.
No penalty if off-duty
Correct answer: C.
A first offense disqualifies you for at least one year (three years if hauling hazardous materials).
Question 4 of 25 · Mountain Driving
When driving down a long, steep downgrade, you should:
-
A.
Apply the brakes lightly to keep the speed down
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B.
Use a low gear and engine braking with intermittent braking
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C.
Coast in neutral
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D.
Press brakes continuously
Correct answer: B.
Use the appropriate low gear, rely on engine braking, and apply service brakes intermittently to control speed.
Question 5 of 25 · Hours of Service
How often must a driver complete a written record of duty status?
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A.
Every 8 hours
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B.
Every 12 hours
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C.
Every 24 hours
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D.
Once a week
Correct answer: C.
A daily record of duty status (logbook) must be completed each 24-hour period.
Question 6 of 25 · Cargo
When it comes to cargo, which is true?
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A.
You can rely on the shipper to ensure secure load
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B.
You are responsible for confirming the cargo is properly distributed and secured
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C.
Securement is verified at weigh stations only
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D.
Once on the road, no further inspection is necessary
Correct answer: B.
You are responsible. Inspect within 50 miles and at every change of duty status, and at least every 150 miles or 3 hours.
Question 7 of 25 · Inspection
When checking the engine compartment, your vehicle should be:
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A.
Idling in neutral
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B.
On a slight incline
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C.
Parked on level ground with the parking brake set and wheels chocked
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D.
Running with the parking brake off
Correct answer: C.
Always inspect the engine compartment with the vehicle parked on level ground, parking brake set, and wheels chocked.
Question 8 of 25 · Driver Wellness
Aggressive drivers should be:
-
A.
Confronted
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B.
Reported and given plenty of room
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C.
Followed closely
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D.
Passed quickly without signaling
Correct answer: B.
Stay clear of aggressive drivers and report dangerous behavior to authorities.
Question 9 of 25 · Inspection
When should you stop and check your tires after starting a long trip?
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A.
After 250 miles
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B.
Within the first 50 miles, then every 150 miles or 3 hours
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C.
Only when you stop for fuel
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D.
Tires don't need to be checked once you're moving
Correct answer: B.
Stop after the first 50 miles to check tires, then re-check every 150 miles or three hours.
Question 10 of 25 · Basic Control
Convex (curved) mirrors:
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A.
Make objects appear larger and closer than they really are
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B.
Make objects appear smaller and farther away than they really are
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C.
Provide a normal view
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D.
Are required only on doubles
Correct answer: B.
Convex mirrors widen the field of view but make objects look smaller and farther away.
Question 11 of 25 · CDL Rules
Drivers convicted of driving a CMV without a valid CDL face:
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A.
No fines for the first offense
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B.
Civil penalties up to $5,000 and possible jail time
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C.
Only a warning
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D.
A 30-day driving restriction
Correct answer: B.
Driving without a valid CDL can lead to significant federal civil penalties and possible criminal penalties.
Question 12 of 25 · Emergency Maneuvers
Controlled braking is:
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A.
Pressing the brake to the floor and holding
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B.
Applying brakes hard enough to lock the wheels
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C.
Applying brakes to keep wheels just short of locking
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D.
Releasing brakes and coasting
Correct answer: C.
Controlled braking applies the brake firmly without locking the wheels, keeping the steering straight.
Question 13 of 25 · Speed Management
When approaching a curve, you should:
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A.
Brake while in the curve
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B.
Slow down before entering the curve
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C.
Maintain highway speed
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D.
Use the engine brake throughout
Correct answer: B.
Reduce speed before entering the curve, then accelerate slightly through the curve for stability.
Question 14 of 25 · Adverse Conditions
Which of the following is true about driving in fog?
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A.
You should always drive with high beams
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B.
Avoid driving in fog if possible
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C.
Use the right edge of the road as a guide rather than the center line
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D.
Both b and c
Correct answer: D.
Avoid driving in fog when possible. If unavoidable, use low beams and the right edge as a guide.
Question 15 of 25 · Cargo
Which is correct about cargo and weight balance?
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A.
Heavy cargo should always be at the rear
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B.
Cargo should be balanced and secured to prevent shifting
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C.
Side-to-side balance does not matter
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D.
Top-heavy loads improve stability
Correct answer: B.
Cargo must be evenly balanced and well secured. Top-heavy loads increase rollover risk.
Question 16 of 25 · Emergency Equipment
When stopped on the side of a level, straight, two-lane road, where should the three reflective triangles be placed?
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A.
10, 50, and 100 feet behind the vehicle
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B.
10, 100, and 200 feet behind the vehicle
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C.
On the front, side, and rear of the vehicle
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D.
50, 100, and 200 feet on the traffic side
Correct answer: B.
Triangles go 10, 100, and 200 feet behind the vehicle on a straight, level, two-lane road.
Question 17 of 25 · Communication
Communicating your intentions means:
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A.
Honking before each turn
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B.
Using turn signals, brake lights, and the horn appropriately
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C.
Flashing high beams at all drivers
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D.
Hand signals only at intersections
Correct answer: B.
Use signals, brake lights, and the horn properly to communicate. Hand signals supplement them.
Question 18 of 25 · Speed Management
The total stopping distance of a CDL vehicle includes:
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A.
Perception, reaction, and braking distance
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B.
Only braking distance
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C.
Following distance and brake lag
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D.
Only the distance traveled while braking
Correct answer: A.
Total stopping distance is the sum of perception distance, reaction distance, brake lag, and braking distance.
Question 19 of 25 · Emergency Maneuvers
What should you do if your brakes fail on a downgrade?
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A.
Pump the brakes vigorously
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B.
Look for an escape ramp or open area to slow down
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C.
Shift into neutral
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D.
Turn off the engine
Correct answer: B.
If brakes fail, look for an escape ramp or a route that will slow your vehicle without endangering others.
Question 20 of 25 · Hazard Awareness
When approaching a vehicle with a flashing amber light, you should:
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A.
Speed up to pass it
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B.
Slow down and pass with caution
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C.
Stop and wait until the light is off
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D.
Honk and continue
Correct answer: B.
Amber flashing lights indicate a hazard or slow-moving vehicle. Slow down and pass carefully.
Question 21 of 25 · CDL Rules
What is the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for CDL drivers?
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A.
0.08%
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B.
0.05%
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C.
0.04%
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D.
0.02%
Correct answer: C.
Federal CDL law sets the BAC limit at 0.04%, half the limit for non-commercial drivers.
Question 22 of 25 · Inspection
What is the most important reason for doing a vehicle inspection?
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A.
To meet DOT requirements
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B.
Safety for yourself and others
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C.
To save fuel
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D.
To avoid roadside inspections
Correct answer: B.
Safety is the most important reason. A defective vehicle puts you, your cargo, and others at risk.
Question 23 of 25 · Cargo
Which is true about cargo securement?
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A.
Drivers are responsible for inspecting cargo
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B.
Cargo only needs to be inspected at the start of a trip
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C.
Securement is the shipper's sole responsibility
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D.
Once strapped, cargo never needs re-checking
Correct answer: A.
Drivers must inspect cargo and its securement at the start of the trip and re-check periodically.
Question 24 of 25 · Adverse Conditions
What should you do before driving in fog?
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A.
Use high beams to see further
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B.
Slow down and use low beams and fog lights if equipped
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C.
Speed up to clear the fog area
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D.
Follow another vehicle closely
Correct answer: B.
Slow down before entering fog. Use low beams and any installed fog lights.
Question 25 of 25 · Basic Control
Where should the wheel chocks be placed?
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A.
Behind one tire
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B.
In front of and behind tires on the same axle
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C.
Only when on a hill
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D.
Both front and rear tires of the steer axle
Correct answer: B.
Place chocks both in front of and behind the wheels to prevent the vehicle from rolling either way.
About the General Knowledge Test
The General Knowledge test covers safe vehicle inspection, basic vehicle control, shifting gears, communicating, controlling speed, controlling distance, seeing hazards, distracted driving, aggressive drivers, communicating with other drivers, night driving, driving in fog, winter driving, hot weather driving, mountain driving, driving emergencies, anti-lock braking systems, skid recovery, accident procedures, fires, alcohol and other drugs, hazardous materials awareness, and staying alert and fit to drive. Every commercial driver in the United States must pass this test before any other CDL endorsement can be added.
The Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles administers this knowledge test as part of its commercial driver license program. To earn the CDL General Knowledge on your Louisiana CDL, you need to score at least 40 out of 50 on the official version.
Topics covered on this practice test
- CDL Rules: 3 questions
- Cargo: 3 questions
- Inspection: 3 questions
- Basic Control: 2 questions
- Emergency Maneuvers: 2 questions
- Speed Management: 2 questions
- Adverse Conditions: 2 questions
- Testing: 1 question
- Rail Crossings: 1 question
- Mountain Driving: 1 question
- Hours of Service: 1 question
- Driver Wellness: 1 question
- Emergency Equipment: 1 question
- Communication: 1 question
- Hazard Awareness: 1 question
How to use this practice test
- Read each question carefully. CDL questions are written precisely — small wording differences matter.
- Click "Show Answers & Explanations" only after answering every question. Don't peek mid-test.
- Read the explanation for every question, even ones you got right. The reasoning is more important than the answer.
- Repeat the test until you score 100%. The questions are deterministic per state, so you can track your improvement over multiple sessions.
- Move on to the other endorsement tests for Louisiana until you're ready for the official exam.
Tips specific to the General Knowledge test
The General Knowledge test is the foundation of every CDL. Topics include vehicle inspection, basic control, shifting, communicating, controlling speed, controlling space, hazard perception, distracted driving, night driving, fog, winter, hot weather, mountain driving, emergencies, anti-lock brakes, skid recovery, accident procedures, fires, alcohol, hazardous materials awareness, and staying alert. Most failures come from speeding through inspection-related questions; slow down and read carefully.
Other practice tests for Louisiana