Utah General Knowledge CDL Practice Test
25 realistic General Knowledge practice questions for Utah 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
Which of these is true about driving at night?
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A.
You can see further than during the day
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B.
Your reaction time is faster at night
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C.
You should reduce your speed
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D.
High beams should always be used
Correct answer: C.
You see less and farther obstacles appear later at night. Slow down so you can stop within the area lit by your headlights.
Question 2 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 3 of 25 · Communication
When should you check your mirrors?
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A.
Only before changing lanes
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B.
Frequently, to know what is around your vehicle
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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 4 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 5 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.
Question 6 of 25 · Inspection
Vehicle inspection is important because:
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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 7 of 25 · Communication
When changing lanes you should:
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A.
Do it quickly so other drivers don't catch up
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B.
Signal early and check mirrors before and during the lane change
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C.
Turn off the radio
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D.
Speed up first
Correct answer: B.
Signal early, check mirrors, and look for traffic before and during the change.
Question 8 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 9 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 10 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 11 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 12 of 25 · Driver Wellness
You should not eat or drink while driving because:
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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 13 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 14 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 15 of 25 · Adverse Conditions
Black ice is:
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A.
A thick layer of ice that is easily seen
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B.
A thin layer that looks wet pavement
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C.
Only found in the far north
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D.
Not a real road hazard
Correct answer: B.
Black ice is a thin, transparent layer that looks like wet pavement. It is extremely dangerous.
Question 16 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 17 of 25 · Vehicle Dynamics
Empty trucks:
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A.
Always stop more quickly than loaded trucks
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B.
Have less traction because there is less weight on the drive axles
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C.
Can take curves at higher speeds safely
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D.
Are not affected by wind
Correct answer: B.
Empty trucks have reduced traction on drive axles and require greater stopping distances than loaded trucks.
Question 18 of 25 · Driver Wellness
Which of the following affects alcohol absorption into the body?
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A.
Drinking on a full stomach
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B.
How fast you drink
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C.
Body weight
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D.
All of the above
Correct answer: D.
Stomach contents, drinking speed, and body weight all influence absorption.
Question 19 of 25 · Emergency Maneuvers
Stab braking is used:
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A.
Only on slippery roads
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B.
When you must stop quickly with non-ABS brakes
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C.
Whenever you stop
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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 20 of 25 · ABS
What does ABS do?
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A.
Helps you stop faster
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B.
Prevents wheels from locking up during hard braking
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C.
Replaces engine brakes
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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 21 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 22 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 23 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 24 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 25 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.
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 Utah Driver License Division administers this knowledge test as part of its commercial driver license program. To earn the CDL General Knowledge on your Utah CDL, you need to score at least 40 out of 50 on the official version.
Topics covered on this practice test
- Inspection: 4 questions
- Communication: 3 questions
- Cargo: 3 questions
- Driver Wellness: 3 questions
- Emergency Maneuvers: 2 questions
- ABS: 2 questions
- Night Driving: 1 question
- Rail Crossings: 1 question
- Hazard Awareness: 1 question
- Speed Management: 1 question
- Adverse Conditions: 1 question
- Vehicle Dynamics: 1 question
- Emergency Equipment: 1 question
- Basic Control: 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 Utah 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 Utah