Montana General Knowledge CDL Practice Test
25 realistic General Knowledge practice questions for Montana CDL applicants. Required for: All CDL applicants (Class A, B, and C). Official test: 50 questions, 40 correct to pass.
Question 1 of 25 · CDL Rules
Drivers convicted of driving a CMV without a valid CDL face:
-
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 2 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 3 of 25 · Inspection
Vehicle inspection is important because:
-
A.
Federal and state laws require it
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B.
Safety is at risk
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C.
Defects can save lives if found early
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D.
All of the above
Correct answer: D.
Inspections are legally required and prevent breakdowns and crashes by catching defects early.
Question 4 of 25 · Driver Wellness
You should not eat or drink while driving because:
-
A.
It is illegal in all states
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B.
Spills can distract you
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C.
You should not put both hands on the wheel
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D.
It might damage the vehicle
Correct answer: B.
Eating and drinking divert attention and create spill hazards.
Question 5 of 25 · Mountain Driving
What are two special conditions where you should downshift?
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A.
Before starting down a hill and before entering a curve
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B.
In the city and at intersections
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C.
On bridges and tunnels
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D.
Whenever traffic slows
Correct answer: A.
Downshift before going down a hill and before entering a curve to maintain control.
Question 6 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 7 of 25 · Hazard Awareness
How can you tell if your truck or bus has a hazardous materials shipment?
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A.
It is moving slowly
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B.
Diamond-shaped placards are displayed
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C.
A flashing yellow light is on
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D.
It is following another truck
Correct answer: B.
Diamond-shaped placards on the vehicle indicate the presence of hazardous materials.
Question 8 of 25 · Speed Management
When you double your speed, your stopping distance is multiplied by approximately:
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A.
Two
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B.
Three
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C.
Four
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D.
Six
Correct answer: C.
Stopping distance grows with the square of speed. Doubling speed roughly quadruples the distance needed to stop.
Question 9 of 25 · Speed Management
When approaching a curve, you should:
-
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 10 of 25 · Speed Management
Engine retarders should be turned off when:
-
A.
Driving uphill
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B.
The road is wet, icy, or snow covered
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C.
Traffic is heavy
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D.
You are loaded
Correct answer: B.
Retarders can cause drive wheels to skid on slippery surfaces. Turn them off in poor traction conditions.
Question 11 of 25 · Mountain Driving
What may happen if you don't shift gears properly when going up a hill?
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A.
You will use less fuel
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B.
The transmission will be damaged
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C.
You may lose control on a downgrade
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D.
Engine RPM will be too low
Correct answer: C.
Improper gear use can result in losing control of speed, especially on the way back down a hill.
Question 12 of 25 · Backing
Which of these statements about backing a heavy vehicle is true?
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A.
Back in a curved path whenever possible
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B.
Avoid backing whenever you can
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C.
Back as quickly as possible
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D.
Use only the right mirror
Correct answer: B.
Avoid backing whenever you can. Park where you will be able to pull forward to leave.
Question 13 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 14 of 25 · Emergency Equipment
Most heavy vehicle fires are caused by:
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A.
Hot tires from low pressure or under-inflated duals
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B.
Cold weather
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C.
Engine cooling system
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D.
Exhaust pipes only
Correct answer: A.
Hot tires and brakes are leading causes. Inspect tires and brakes regularly to prevent fires.
Question 15 of 25 · Inspection
The proper way to test the service brake on a vehicle is to:
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A.
Pump the pedal three times
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B.
Push the brake pedal firmly while moving about 5 mph
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C.
Put the parking brake on
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D.
Listen for air leaks
Correct answer: B.
Move the vehicle forward at about 5 mph and apply the brake firmly. The vehicle should not pull to either side.
Question 16 of 25 · Inspection
What is the minimum tread depth for steering axle tires?
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A.
2/32 inch
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B.
4/32 inch
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C.
6/32 inch
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D.
8/32 inch
Correct answer: B.
Federal regulations require at least 4/32 inch tread depth on steering axle tires.
Question 17 of 25 · Adverse Conditions
When you have to drive into the sun and visibility is reduced, what should you do?
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A.
Use sunglasses and lower the visor
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B.
Use only your high beams
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C.
Maintain your normal speed
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D.
Speed up to get past the area
Correct answer: A.
Use sunglasses and the visor and slow down. Reduced visibility increases stopping distance.
Question 18 of 25 · Cargo
How can you tell if your vehicle is overloaded?
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A.
It rides higher than normal
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B.
It handles differently from when properly loaded
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C.
It uses less fuel
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D.
It accelerates faster
Correct answer: B.
Overloaded vehicles handle poorly — they accelerate slower, take longer to stop, and are harder to steer.
Question 19 of 25 · Emergency Equipment
Which of these is the best way to prevent fires?
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A.
Smoking only outside the cab
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B.
Pre-trip inspection that includes electrical, fuel, and exhaust systems
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C.
Carrying a large fire extinguisher
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D.
Driving slowly
Correct answer: B.
A thorough pre-trip inspection that catches electrical, fuel, and exhaust defects is the best fire prevention.
Question 20 of 25 · Inspection
Excessive heat in tires can:
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A.
Improve handling
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B.
Cause tire failure
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C.
Help fuel economy
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D.
Increase tire life
Correct answer: B.
Excessive heat causes blowouts and serious damage. Check for hot tires after driving.
Question 21 of 25 · Following Distance
Following distance for a heavy vehicle traveling below 40 mph should be at least:
-
A.
1 second per 10 feet of vehicle length
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B.
Half the length of the vehicle
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C.
Two seconds total
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D.
No specific amount required
Correct answer: A.
Use one second of following distance for every 10 feet of vehicle length below 40 mph; add a second above 40 mph.
Question 22 of 25 · Emergency Equipment
What three kinds of emergency equipment must you have in your vehicle?
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A.
Spare tire, fuses, and reflective triangles
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B.
Fire extinguisher, spare fuses (if equipped), and warning devices
-
C.
First aid kit, water, and flares
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D.
Tool kit, fuel can, and flag
Correct answer: B.
You must have a fire extinguisher, spare electrical fuses (if equipped), and warning devices for stopped vehicles.
Question 23 of 25 · Inspection
Pre-trip inspection of the vehicle should be done in the same order each time so that you:
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A.
Will look professional to other drivers
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B.
Will learn it well and not skip anything
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C.
Can finish faster
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D.
Pass the test more easily
Correct answer: B.
Following the same order helps prevent missed steps and builds reliable habits.
Question 24 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 25 of 25 · ABS
ABS:
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A.
Allows you to drive faster
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B.
Lets you brake hard without losing steering control
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C.
Means you don't have to use safe driving techniques
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D.
Eliminates the need to inspect brakes
Correct answer: B.
ABS preserves steering during emergency braking but does not shorten stopping distance.
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 Montana Motor Vehicle Division administers this knowledge test as part of its commercial driver license program. To earn the CDL General Knowledge on your Montana CDL, you need to score at least 40 out of 50 on the official version.
Topics covered on this practice test
- Inspection: 5 questions
- Mountain Driving: 3 questions
- Speed Management: 3 questions
- Emergency Equipment: 3 questions
- CDL Rules: 2 questions
- Hazard Awareness: 2 questions
- Driver Wellness: 1 question
- Backing: 1 question
- Communication: 1 question
- Adverse Conditions: 1 question
- Cargo: 1 question
- Following Distance: 1 question
- ABS: 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 Montana 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.
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