Wyoming General Knowledge CDL Practice Test
25 realistic General Knowledge practice questions for Wyoming CDL applicants. Required for: All CDL applicants (Class A, B, and C). Official test: 50 questions, 40 correct to pass.
Question 1 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 2 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 3 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
-
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 4 of 25 · Adverse Conditions
Which of the following is true about driving in fog?
-
A.
You should always drive with high beams
-
B.
Avoid driving in fog if possible
-
C.
Use the right edge of the road as a guide rather than the center line
-
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 5 of 25 · Speed Management
Whenever you double your speed, the impact in a crash is:
-
A.
Doubled
-
B.
The same
-
C.
Four times greater
-
D.
Half
Correct answer: C.
Crash energy increases with the square of speed — doubling speed quadruples crash forces.
Question 6 of 25 · Rail Crossings
When approaching a railroad crossing without flashing lights or gates, you should:
-
A.
Slow down, look, and listen for trains
-
B.
Always come to a complete stop
-
C.
Speed up to clear the crossing quickly
-
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 7 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 8 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 9 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 10 of 25 · Speed Management
Engine brakes (Jakes) should not be used:
-
A.
On dry pavement at highway speed
-
B.
On slippery roads while loaded or empty
-
C.
When descending a steep grade
-
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 11 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
-
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 12 of 25 · Adverse Conditions
When a vehicle hydroplanes, the brakes:
-
A.
Will work better than usual
-
B.
May cause the vehicle to spin
-
C.
Should be applied hard
-
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 13 of 25 · Emergency Equipment
What three kinds of emergency equipment must you have in your vehicle?
-
A.
Spare tire, fuses, and reflective triangles
-
B.
Fire extinguisher, spare fuses (if equipped), and warning devices
-
C.
First aid kit, water, and flares
-
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 14 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 15 of 25 · Driver Wellness
Distracted driving includes:
-
A.
Talking on a hand-held cell phone
-
B.
Eating
-
C.
Reading maps
-
D.
All of the above
Correct answer: D.
All of these activities take attention from driving and are forms of distracted driving.
Question 16 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 17 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
-
C.
Two seconds total
-
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 18 of 25 · Night Driving
You should use low beam headlights:
-
A.
Whenever you can
-
B.
Within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle and 500 feet behind another vehicle
-
C.
Only in fog
-
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 · CDL Rules
Drivers convicted of driving a CMV without a valid CDL face:
-
A.
No fines for the first offense
-
B.
Civil penalties up to $5,000 and possible jail time
-
C.
Only a warning
-
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 20 of 25 · Driver Wellness
Which of these statements about staying alert to drive is true?
-
A.
Coffee will overcome fatigue
-
B.
You can rely on caffeine to stay awake
-
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 21 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 22 of 25 · Testing
When taking the road test, you will be expected to:
-
A.
Demonstrate the basic control skills only
-
B.
Drive only on the highway
-
C.
Show that you can perform safely in normal traffic
-
D.
Drive only in residential areas
Correct answer: C.
The road test evaluates safe performance in actual traffic conditions.
Question 23 of 25 · Inspection
The proper way to test the service brake on a vehicle is to:
-
A.
Pump the pedal three times
-
B.
Push the brake pedal firmly while moving about 5 mph
-
C.
Put the parking brake on
-
D.
Listen for air leaks
Correct answer: B.
Move the vehicle forward at about 5 mph and apply the brake firmly. The vehicle should not pull to either side.
Question 24 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 25 of 25 · CDL Rules
What is the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for CDL drivers?
-
A.
0.08%
-
B.
0.05%
-
C.
0.04%
-
D.
0.02%
Correct answer: C.
Federal CDL law sets the BAC limit at 0.04%, half the limit for non-commercial drivers.
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 Wyoming Driver Services administers this knowledge test as part of its commercial driver license program. To earn the CDL General Knowledge on your Wyoming CDL, you need to score at least 40 out of 50 on the official version.
Topics covered on this practice test
- Inspection: 4 questions
- Adverse Conditions: 3 questions
- Speed Management: 3 questions
- Cargo: 2 questions
- Emergency Equipment: 2 questions
- Driver Wellness: 2 questions
- CDL Rules: 2 questions
- Emergency Maneuvers: 1 question
- ABS: 1 question
- Rail Crossings: 1 question
- Following Distance: 1 question
- Night Driving: 1 question
- Testing: 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 Wyoming 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 Wyoming