Question 1

Who administers the Commercial Driver's License (CDL) General Knowledge Test?

Accepted Answer

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) standards; tests given by each state's driver licensing agency

States must build their knowledge tests from FMCSA's pre-approved question pool, and must give a different version when an applicant retakes a failed test.

Source: eCFR — 49 CFR Part 383, Subpart H (§ 383.133 Test methods; § 383.135 Passing knowledge and skills tests), current as displayed (2026-09-24)

Question 2

How many questions are on the Commercial Driver's License (CDL) General Knowledge Test?

Accepted Answer

Set by each state. The federal rule says each test must contain a set number of questions with a prescribed number from each knowledge area, but it fixes no number itself; check your state's CDL manual.

Question 3

How long is the Commercial Driver's License (CDL) General Knowledge Test?

Accepted Answer

The federal rules set no time limit for the knowledge test; any limit is set by the state.

Question 4

What is the passing score for the Commercial Driver's License (CDL) General Knowledge Test?

Accepted Answer

80%. 49 CFR 383.135(a)(1): an applicant must correctly answer at least 80 percent of the questions on each knowledge test.

Question 5

How much does the Commercial Driver's License (CDL) General Knowledge Test cost?

Accepted Answer

Set by each state's driver licensing agency; the federal rules charge no test fee.

Question 6

What languages is the Commercial Driver's License (CDL) General Knowledge Test offered in?

Accepted Answer

49 CFR 383.133(b)(3) lets a state give the knowledge test in a foreign language, provided no interpreter is used; which languages are offered is the state's choice. The skills test must be conducted in English.

Administering body	Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) standards; tests given by each state's driver licensing agency States must build their knowledge tests from FMCSA's pre-approved question pool, and must give a different version when an applicant retakes a failed test. Source: eCFR — 49 CFR Part 383, Subpart H (§ 383.133 Test methods; § 383.135 Passing knowledge and skills tests), current as displayed (2026-09-24)
Questions	Set by each state. The federal rule says each test must contain a set number of questions with a prescribed number from each knowledge area, but it fixes no number itself; check your state's CDL manual. What we read and found nothing in: eCFR — 49 CFR Part 383, Subpart H (§ 383.133 Test methods; § 383.135 Passing knowledge and skills tests), current as displayed (2026-09-24)
Time limit	The federal rules set no time limit for the knowledge test; any limit is set by the state. What we read and found nothing in: eCFR — 49 CFR Part 383, Subpart H (§ 383.133 Test methods; § 383.135 Passing knowledge and skills tests), current as displayed (2026-09-24)
Passing score	80% 49 CFR 383.135(a)(1): an applicant must correctly answer at least 80 percent of the questions on each knowledge test. Source: eCFR — 49 CFR Part 383, Subpart H (§ 383.133 Test methods; § 383.135 Passing knowledge and skills tests), current as displayed (2026-09-24)
Fees	Set by each state's driver licensing agency; the federal rules charge no test fee. What we read and found nothing in: eCFR — 49 CFR Part 383, Subpart H (§ 383.133 Test methods; § 383.135 Passing knowledge and skills tests), current as displayed (2026-09-24)
Languages offered	49 CFR 383.133(b)(3) lets a state give the knowledge test in a foreign language, provided no interpreter is used; which languages are offered is the state's choice. The skills test must be conducted in English. What we read and found nothing in: eCFR — 49 CFR Part 383, Subpart H (§ 383.133 Test methods; § 383.135 Passing knowledge and skills tests), current as displayed (2026-09-24)

Commercial Driver's License (CDL) General Knowledge Test — exam facts

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