Virginia General Knowledge CDL Practice Test
25 realistic General Knowledge practice questions for Virginia CDL applicants. Required for: All CDL applicants (Class A, B, and C). Official test: 50 questions, 40 correct to pass.
Question 1 of 25 · Speed Management
The total stopping distance of a CDL vehicle includes:
-
A.
Perception, reaction, and braking distance
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B.
Only braking distance
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C.
Following distance and brake lag
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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 2 of 25 · Inspection
When inspecting your vehicle, the engine should be:
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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 3 of 25 · Adverse Conditions
Hydroplaning is most likely to occur when:
-
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 4 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.
Question 5 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 6 of 25 · CDL Rules
Drivers convicted of driving a CMV without a valid CDL face:
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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 7 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 8 of 25 · Cargo
Which is true about cargo securement?
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A.
Drivers are responsible for inspecting cargo
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B.
Cargo only needs to be inspected at the start of a trip
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C.
Securement is the shipper's sole responsibility
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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 9 of 25 · Inspection
What is the most important reason for doing a vehicle inspection?
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A.
To meet DOT requirements
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B.
Safety for yourself and others
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C.
To save fuel
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D.
To avoid roadside inspections
Correct answer: B.
Safety is the most important reason. A defective vehicle puts you, your cargo, and others at risk.
Question 10 of 25 · Emergency Maneuvers
What should you do if your brakes fail on a downgrade?
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A.
Pump the brakes vigorously
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B.
Look for an escape ramp or open area to slow down
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C.
Shift into neutral
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D.
Turn off the engine
Correct answer: B.
If brakes fail, look for an escape ramp or a route that will slow your vehicle without endangering others.
Question 11 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 12 of 25 · CDL Rules
Refusing a chemical test for alcohol or drugs while operating a CMV will result in:
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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 13 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 14 of 25 · Speed Management
You are driving a vehicle that could safely be driven at 55 mph on an open highway. The traffic is heavy and moving at 35 mph. The safest speed for your vehicle in this traffic is most likely:
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A.
25 mph
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B.
35 mph
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C.
45 mph
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D.
55 mph
Correct answer: B.
You should generally adjust to the speed of surrounding traffic when it is safe to do so.
Question 15 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 16 of 25 · Adverse Conditions
Which of the following is true about driving in fog?
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A.
You should always drive with high beams
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B.
Avoid driving in fog if possible
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C.
Use the right edge of the road as a guide rather than the center line
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D.
Both b and c
Correct answer: D.
Avoid driving in fog when possible. If unavoidable, use low beams and the right edge as a guide.
Question 17 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 18 of 25 · Speed Management
Whenever you double your speed, the impact in a crash is:
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A.
Doubled
-
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 19 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 20 of 25 · Cargo
When it comes to cargo, which is true?
-
A.
You can rely on the shipper to ensure secure load
-
B.
You are responsible for confirming the cargo is properly distributed and secured
-
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 21 of 25 · Driver Wellness
Distracted driving includes:
-
A.
Talking on a hand-held cell phone
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B.
Eating
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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 22 of 25 · Vehicle Dynamics
Empty trucks:
-
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 23 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 24 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
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C.
There is no substitute for sleep
-
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 25 of 25 · Basic Control
You should use the parking brake:
-
A.
Only when parking on hills
-
B.
Whenever you leave the vehicle
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C.
Only when leaving the engine running
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D.
Only on slick surfaces
Correct answer: B.
Always set the parking brake whenever you leave your vehicle, regardless of the surface or grade.
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 Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles administers this knowledge test as part of its commercial driver license program. To earn the CDL General Knowledge on your Virginia 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
- Speed Management: 3 questions
- Driver Wellness: 3 questions
- CDL Rules: 2 questions
- Mountain Driving: 2 questions
- Cargo: 2 questions
- Emergency Maneuvers: 1 question
- Backing: 1 question
- Vehicle Dynamics: 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 Virginia 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 Virginia