Nebraska General Knowledge CDL Practice Test
25 realistic General Knowledge practice questions for Nebraska CDL applicants. Required for: All CDL applicants (Class A, B, and C). Official test: 50 questions, 40 correct to pass.
Question 1 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 2 of 25 · Speed Management
Whenever you double your speed, the impact in a crash is:
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A.
Doubled
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B.
The same
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C.
Four times greater
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D.
Half
Correct answer: C.
Crash energy increases with the square of speed — doubling speed quadruples crash forces.
Question 3 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 4 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 5 of 25 · Driver Wellness
Which of these statements about staying alert to drive is true?
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A.
Coffee will overcome fatigue
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B.
You can rely on caffeine to stay awake
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C.
There is no substitute for sleep
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D.
Cold air will keep you alert all night
Correct answer: C.
There is no substitute for adequate rest. Caffeine and cold air provide only temporary alertness.
Question 6 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 7 of 25 · Driver Wellness
Which of the following is NOT a sign of fatigued driving?
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A.
Frequent yawning
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B.
Drifting from your lane
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C.
Rapid blinking and clear focus
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D.
Missing exits or traffic signs
Correct answer: C.
Rapid blinking with clear focus is not a fatigue sign. Yawning, drifting, and missing exits all are.
Question 8 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 9 of 25 · Basic Control
Which of these is the proper way to hold a steering wheel?
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A.
One hand at 12 o'clock
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B.
Both hands on opposite sides of the wheel
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C.
Both hands on top
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D.
One hand at 6 o'clock
Correct answer: B.
Hold the wheel firmly with both hands placed on opposite sides for full control.
Question 10 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 11 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
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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 12 of 25 · Mountain Driving
When driving down a long, steep downgrade, you should:
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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 13 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 14 of 25 · Adverse Conditions
Hydroplaning is most likely to occur when:
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A.
Tires are properly inflated
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B.
Speed is below 30 mph
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C.
Roads are dry
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D.
Tires lose contact with the road on wet pavement
Correct answer: D.
Hydroplaning happens when water builds up between the tire and the road, causing loss of contact.
Question 15 of 25 · Speed Management
Engine brakes (Jakes) should not be used:
-
A.
On dry pavement at highway speed
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B.
On slippery roads while loaded or empty
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C.
When descending a steep grade
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D.
Heading toward a long downhill
Correct answer: B.
Avoid engine brakes on slippery roads — they can cause the drive wheels to lose traction.
Question 16 of 25 · Inspection
What is the minimum tread depth for non-steering axle tires?
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A.
1/32 inch
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B.
2/32 inch
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C.
4/32 inch
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D.
6/32 inch
Correct answer: B.
Federal regulations require at least 2/32 inch on non-steering tires.
Question 17 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 18 of 25 · Night Driving
You should use low beam headlights:
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A.
Whenever you can
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B.
Within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle and 500 feet behind another vehicle
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C.
Only in fog
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D.
On lighted city streets only
Correct answer: B.
Use low beams within 500 feet of oncoming traffic and when following within 500 feet of another vehicle.
Question 19 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 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 · Driver Wellness
What should you do when an aggressive driver confronts you?
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A.
Make eye contact and respond
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B.
Try to escape the situation safely and avoid eye contact
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C.
Slow down to teach a lesson
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D.
Speed up and pass
Correct answer: B.
Avoid engagement, give space, do not make eye contact, and report the behavior.
Question 22 of 25 · Hazard Awareness
Hazardous conditions exist when there are:
-
A.
Pedestrians and bicyclists
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B.
Children and elderly drivers
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C.
Distractions and bad weather
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D.
All of the above
Correct answer: D.
Hazards include other road users, weather, distractions, and changing road surfaces.
Question 23 of 25 · CDL Rules
What document must you have to drive a CMV in interstate commerce?
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A.
A valid CDL with applicable endorsements
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B.
A current DOT physical (Medical Examiner's Certificate)
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C.
Both a valid CDL and a current Medical Examiner's Certificate
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D.
Only a regular driver license
Correct answer: C.
Interstate CMV drivers must have a valid CDL and a current medical examiner's certificate.
Question 24 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 25 of 25 · Adverse Conditions
When a vehicle hydroplanes, the brakes:
-
A.
Will work better than usual
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B.
May cause the vehicle to spin
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C.
Should be applied hard
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D.
Cause the engine to stall
Correct answer: B.
Braking on a hydroplaning surface can lock wheels and cause spins. Ease off the throttle instead.
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 Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles administers this knowledge test as part of its commercial driver license program. To earn the CDL General Knowledge on your Nebraska CDL, you need to score at least 40 out of 50 on the official version.
Topics covered on this practice test
- Inspection: 5 questions
- Adverse Conditions: 4 questions
- Driver Wellness: 3 questions
- Speed Management: 2 questions
- Basic Control: 2 questions
- Mountain Driving: 2 questions
- Rail Crossings: 1 question
- Emergency Equipment: 1 question
- Emergency Maneuvers: 1 question
- Night Driving: 1 question
- Backing: 1 question
- Hazard Awareness: 1 question
- CDL Rules: 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 Nebraska 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 Nebraska