North Dakota General Knowledge CDL Practice Test
25 realistic General Knowledge practice questions for North Dakota CDL applicants. Required for: All CDL applicants (Class A, B, and C). Official test: 50 questions, 40 correct to pass.
Question 1 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
-
D.
It accelerates faster
Correct answer: B.
Overloaded vehicles handle poorly — they accelerate slower, take longer to stop, and are harder to steer.
Question 2 of 25 · Communication
When changing lanes you should:
-
A.
Do it quickly so other drivers don't catch up
-
B.
Signal early and check mirrors before and during the lane change
-
C.
Turn off the radio
-
D.
Speed up first
Correct answer: B.
Signal early, check mirrors, and look for traffic before and during the change.
Question 3 of 25 · Hazard Awareness
How can you tell if your truck or bus has a hazardous materials shipment?
-
A.
It is moving slowly
-
B.
Diamond-shaped placards are displayed
-
C.
A flashing yellow light is on
-
D.
It is following another truck
Correct answer: B.
Diamond-shaped placards on the vehicle indicate the presence of hazardous materials.
Question 4 of 25 · Emergency Equipment
Which of these is the best way to prevent fires?
-
A.
Smoking only outside the cab
-
B.
Pre-trip inspection that includes electrical, fuel, and exhaust systems
-
C.
Carrying a large fire extinguisher
-
D.
Driving slowly
Correct answer: B.
A thorough pre-trip inspection that catches electrical, fuel, and exhaust defects is the best fire prevention.
Question 5 of 25 · Driver Wellness
You should not eat or drink while driving because:
-
A.
It is illegal in all states
-
B.
Spills can distract you
-
C.
You should not put both hands on the wheel
-
D.
It might damage the vehicle
Correct answer: B.
Eating and drinking divert attention and create spill hazards.
Question 6 of 25 · Emergency Equipment
When stopped on the side of a level, straight, two-lane road, where should the three reflective triangles be placed?
-
A.
10, 50, and 100 feet behind the vehicle
-
B.
10, 100, and 200 feet behind the vehicle
-
C.
On the front, side, and rear of the vehicle
-
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 7 of 25 · Driver Wellness
Aggressive drivers should be:
-
A.
Confronted
-
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 8 of 25 · Hours of Service
How often must a driver complete a written record of duty status?
-
A.
Every 8 hours
-
B.
Every 12 hours
-
C.
Every 24 hours
-
D.
Once a week
Correct answer: C.
A daily record of duty status (logbook) must be completed each 24-hour period.
Question 9 of 25 · Emergency Maneuvers
Stab braking is used:
-
A.
Only on slippery roads
-
B.
When you must stop quickly with non-ABS brakes
-
C.
Whenever you stop
-
D.
Only on downgrades
Correct answer: B.
Stab braking is an emergency technique used with non-ABS brakes: apply brakes fully, release when wheels lock, then reapply.
Question 10 of 25 · Inspection
When should you stop and check your tires after starting a long trip?
-
A.
After 250 miles
-
B.
Within the first 50 miles, then every 150 miles or 3 hours
-
C.
Only when you stop for fuel
-
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 11 of 25 · Mountain Driving
What may happen if you don't shift gears properly when going up a hill?
-
A.
You will use less fuel
-
B.
The transmission will be damaged
-
C.
You may lose control on a downgrade
-
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 · Emergency Equipment
Most heavy vehicle fires are caused by:
-
A.
Hot tires from low pressure or under-inflated duals
-
B.
Cold weather
-
C.
Engine cooling system
-
D.
Exhaust pipes only
Correct answer: A.
Hot tires and brakes are leading causes. Inspect tires and brakes regularly to prevent fires.
Question 13 of 25 · Backing
You should always try to park:
-
A.
So that you will have to back when leaving
-
B.
So that you can pull forward when leaving
-
C.
On the right shoulder of any highway
-
D.
Without using the parking brake
Correct answer: B.
Park so that you can pull forward to leave. Backing should always be avoided when possible.
Question 14 of 25 · Inspection
Vehicle inspection is important because:
-
A.
Federal and state laws require it
-
B.
Safety is at risk
-
C.
Defects can save lives if found early
-
D.
All of the above
Correct answer: D.
Inspections are legally required and prevent breakdowns and crashes by catching defects early.
Question 15 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
-
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 16 of 25 · Inspection
Excessive heat in tires can:
-
A.
Improve handling
-
B.
Cause tire failure
-
C.
Help fuel economy
-
D.
Increase tire life
Correct answer: B.
Excessive heat causes blowouts and serious damage. Check for hot tires after driving.
Question 17 of 25 · Adverse Conditions
When you have to drive into the sun and visibility is reduced, what should you do?
-
A.
Use sunglasses and lower the visor
-
B.
Use only your high beams
-
C.
Maintain your normal speed
-
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 · Speed Management
The total stopping distance of a CDL vehicle includes:
-
A.
Perception, reaction, and braking distance
-
B.
Only braking distance
-
C.
Following distance and brake lag
-
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 · Testing
The road test will be scored on:
-
A.
How fast you complete the route
-
B.
Vehicle inspection, basic control, and on-road driving
-
C.
Whether you wear a uniform
-
D.
Your appearance
Correct answer: B.
You'll be evaluated on inspection skills, basic control skills, and safe on-road driving performance.
Question 20 of 25 · Cargo
Which is true about cargo securement?
-
A.
Drivers are responsible for inspecting cargo
-
B.
Cargo only needs to be inspected at the start of a trip
-
C.
Securement is the shipper's sole responsibility
-
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 21 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
-
C.
Side-to-side balance does not matter
-
D.
Top-heavy loads improve stability
Correct answer: B.
Cargo must be evenly balanced and well secured. Top-heavy loads increase rollover risk.
Question 22 of 25 · Night Driving
When meeting an oncoming vehicle at night, you should:
-
A.
Look directly at the headlights
-
B.
Look toward the right side of the road
-
C.
Switch to high beams
-
D.
Increase speed
Correct answer: B.
Look toward the right side of the road to avoid being blinded by oncoming headlights.
Question 23 of 25 · Basic Control
Convex (curved) mirrors:
-
A.
Make objects appear larger and closer than they really are
-
B.
Make objects appear smaller and farther away than they really are
-
C.
Provide a normal view
-
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 24 of 25 · ABS
What does ABS do?
-
A.
Helps you stop faster
-
B.
Prevents wheels from locking up during hard braking
-
C.
Replaces engine brakes
-
D.
Eliminates the need for service brakes
Correct answer: B.
Antilock braking systems prevent wheel lockup, helping you maintain steering control during hard braking.
Question 25 of 25 · Hazard Awareness
Hazardous conditions exist when there are:
-
A.
Pedestrians and bicyclists
-
B.
Children and elderly drivers
-
C.
Distractions and bad weather
-
D.
All of the above
Correct answer: D.
Hazards include other road users, weather, distractions, and changing road surfaces.
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 North Dakota Department of Transportation — Drivers License administers this knowledge test as part of its commercial driver license program. To earn the CDL General Knowledge on your North Dakota CDL, you need to score at least 40 out of 50 on the official version.
Topics covered on this practice test
- Inspection: 4 questions
- Cargo: 3 questions
- Emergency Equipment: 3 questions
- Hazard Awareness: 2 questions
- Driver Wellness: 2 questions
- Communication: 1 question
- Hours of Service: 1 question
- Emergency Maneuvers: 1 question
- Mountain Driving: 1 question
- Backing: 1 question
- Adverse Conditions: 1 question
- Speed Management: 1 question
- Testing: 1 question
- Night Driving: 1 question
- Basic Control: 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 North Dakota 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 North Dakota