Nevada General Knowledge CDL Practice Test
25 realistic General Knowledge practice questions for Nevada CDL applicants. Required for: All CDL applicants (Class A, B, and C). Official test: 50 questions, 40 correct to pass.
Question 1 of 25 · Night Driving
You should use low beam headlights:
-
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 2 of 25 · Hazard Awareness
When approaching a vehicle with a flashing amber light, you should:
-
A.
Speed up to pass it
-
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 3 of 25 · Driver Wellness
Which of these statements about staying alert to drive is true?
-
A.
Coffee will overcome fatigue
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B.
You can rely on caffeine to stay awake
-
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 4 of 25 · Cargo
Which is correct about cargo and weight balance?
-
A.
Heavy cargo should always be at the rear
-
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 5 of 25 · Driver Wellness
Aggressive drivers should be:
-
A.
Confronted
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B.
Reported and given plenty of room
-
C.
Followed closely
-
D.
Passed quickly without signaling
Correct answer: B.
Stay clear of aggressive drivers and report dangerous behavior to authorities.
Question 6 of 25 · Inspection
Mirror adjustment should be checked:
-
A.
Only at the start of the trip
-
B.
Only when something seems wrong
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C.
Prior to the start of any trip and can only be checked accurately when the trailer(s) are straight
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D.
Once per week
Correct answer: C.
Adjust and check mirrors before each trip while the trailers are straight.
Question 7 of 25 · Speed Management
Engine retarders should be turned off when:
-
A.
Driving uphill
-
B.
The road is wet, icy, or snow covered
-
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 8 of 25 · Inspection
When inspecting your vehicle, the engine should be:
-
A.
Running with the hood open
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B.
Off, with the parking brake set, before starting checks under the hood
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C.
Idling in gear
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D.
Warm but turned off only on hills
Correct answer: B.
Set the parking brake, turn off the engine, and chock the wheels before checking under the hood.
Question 9 of 25 · Adverse Conditions
What should you do before driving in fog?
-
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 10 of 25 · CDL Rules
Driving with a BAC of 0.04 or higher in a CMV will result in:
-
A.
A warning
-
B.
A 30-day suspension
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C.
A CDL disqualification of at least one year
-
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 11 of 25 · Driver Wellness
Driving while you are tired is dangerous because:
-
A.
It can cause you to take longer to react
-
B.
You will be more attentive
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C.
You can drive longer between stops
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D.
You cannot get tickets while tired
Correct answer: A.
Fatigue significantly slows reaction time and impairs judgment.
Question 12 of 25 · Communication
When should you check your mirrors?
-
A.
Only before changing lanes
-
B.
Frequently, to know what is around your vehicle
-
C.
When parking only
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D.
Only at intersections
Correct answer: B.
Check mirrors regularly to know what is happening around your vehicle.
Question 13 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
-
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 14 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 15 of 25 · CDL Rules
Refusing a chemical test for alcohol or drugs while operating a CMV will result in:
-
A.
A warning
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B.
A 90-day suspension
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C.
CDL disqualification of at least one year
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D.
A simple fine
Correct answer: C.
Refusal is treated the same as testing positive — minimum one-year disqualification.
Question 16 of 25 · Adverse Conditions
What should you do when your vehicle hydroplanes?
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A.
Brake hard immediately
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B.
Release the accelerator and push in the clutch
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C.
Steer sharply
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D.
Accelerate to regain control
Correct answer: B.
Release the accelerator and push in the clutch. Don't use the brakes — let the wheels regain traction.
Question 17 of 25 · Adverse Conditions
Hydroplaning is most likely to occur when:
-
A.
Tires are properly inflated
-
B.
Speed is below 30 mph
-
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 18 of 25 · Driver Wellness
Distracted driving includes:
-
A.
Talking on a hand-held cell phone
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B.
Eating
-
C.
Reading maps
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D.
All of the above
Correct answer: D.
All of these activities take attention from driving and are forms of distracted driving.
Question 19 of 25 · Inspection
What is the minimum tread depth for non-steering axle tires?
-
A.
1/32 inch
-
B.
2/32 inch
-
C.
4/32 inch
-
D.
6/32 inch
Correct answer: B.
Federal regulations require at least 2/32 inch on non-steering tires.
Question 20 of 25 · Inspection
When checking the engine compartment, your vehicle should be:
-
A.
Idling in neutral
-
B.
On a slight incline
-
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 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
-
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 · Speed Management
Whenever you double your speed, the impact in a crash is:
-
A.
Doubled
-
B.
The same
-
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 23 of 25 · Mountain Driving
What are two special conditions where you should downshift?
-
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
-
D.
Whenever traffic slows
Correct answer: A.
Downshift before going down a hill and before entering a curve to maintain control.
Question 24 of 25 · Inspection
What is the minimum tread depth for steering axle tires?
-
A.
2/32 inch
-
B.
4/32 inch
-
C.
6/32 inch
-
D.
8/32 inch
Correct answer: B.
Federal regulations require at least 4/32 inch tread depth on steering axle tires.
Question 25 of 25 · Cargo
How can you tell if your vehicle is overloaded?
-
A.
It rides higher than normal
-
B.
It handles differently from when properly loaded
-
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.
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 Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles administers this knowledge test as part of its commercial driver license program. To earn the CDL General Knowledge on your Nevada CDL, you need to score at least 40 out of 50 on the official version.
Topics covered on this practice test
- Inspection: 5 questions
- Driver Wellness: 4 questions
- Speed Management: 3 questions
- Adverse Conditions: 3 questions
- Cargo: 2 questions
- CDL Rules: 2 questions
- Night Driving: 1 question
- Hazard Awareness: 1 question
- Communication: 1 question
- Hours of Service: 1 question
- Following Distance: 1 question
- Mountain Driving: 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 Nevada 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 Nevada