Checked against official Arkansas sources on Oct 7, 2026
Arkansas CDL practice test
Every state needs at least 80% on each CDL written test, and Arkansas follows the same federal rule. Below are the fees, ages and rules we checked against the official Arkansas source, and a free practice test.
FirstTry CDL is not affiliated with any DMV, FMCSA or government agency. Practice questions are exam-style questions built from the official CDL manual, not actual test questions.
Arkansas CDL facts
| What | What Arkansas says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Who gives the tests | The Arkansas State Police give CDL knowledge and skills tests. The Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) sells the CDL-1 test packet and issues the license | Official page |
| CDL-1 form | Before CDL testing you must buy a CDL-1 Form (test packet) from the DFA Revenue Office. You need a valid Arkansas driver's license and one proof of legal presence document | Official page |
| Where the tests are given | The written CDL test is given at all State Police troop testing sites. CDL skills tests are given only at Troop A Little Rock, Troop B Newport, Troop G Hope, Troop I Harrison, Troop J Russellville and Troop L Lowell | Official page |
| What to bring to every test visit | Your valid Arkansas driver's license, your current CDL-1 Form, and a proof of legal presence document | Official page |
| Skills test appointment | You must have an appointment for the skills test | Official page |
| Skills test items to bring | Your CLP, two wheel chocks, a legible DOT inspection sticker on the truck and trailer less than one year old, working safety lights, and a truck and trailer that is completely empty. A CDL holder must come with you. If any item is missing at the appointment, no test is given | Official page |
| Air brake test before skills test | You must pass the air brake test as described in the CDL manual before the skills test | Official page |
| Minimum age for a CLP | The CLP holder must be 18 years of age or older | Official page |
| CLP validity | A CLP is valid for up to 1 year. After it expires you must retake the general and endorsement knowledge tests | Official page |
| CLP holding period | You cannot take the CDL skills test in the first 14 days after your CLP is first issued | Official page |
| CLP before CDL | A CLP is required before your first CDL. It is also required before an upgrade that needs a skills test | Official page |
| Supervision with a CLP | A CLP holder must be accompanied at all times by a CDL holder with the right group and endorsements, sitting in the front seat next to the CLP holder (or in the first row behind the driver in a passenger vehicle) | Official page |
| Hazmat security check | Hazmat applicants need a TSA threat assessment with fingerprints and a federal background check. DFA says to allow at least 90 days. A hazmat endorsement from another state cannot be transferred with its remaining validity | Official page |
| Endorsements that need a skills test | Passenger (P) and school bus (S) need a skills test. Hazmat (H), tank (N), doubles/triples (T) and hazmat/tank (X) do not | Official page |
| Class A human trafficking course | Act 922 requires a Human Trafficking Prevention Course certificate to be issued or to renew a Class A CDL | Official page |
| Medical card | If you do non-excepted interstate or intrastate driving, you must keep a valid medical card. If it expires you are marked Not Certified. If you do not get a new card within 60 days after it expires, your CDL or CLP is downgraded | Official page |
| Retest after one year | If your commercial license is downgraded or surrendered for one year or more, you must retake all phases of the CDL exam | Official page |
| Military skills test waiver | The State Police page links an application for a possible exemption from the skills test for military drivers | Official page |
| ELDT | The State Police page tells applicants to check whether they must complete entry-level driver training and to use the FMCSA Training Provider Registry to find a provider | Official page |
Fees and rules change. Confirm on the official Arkansas CDL page before you go. Read the official Arkansas CDL manual.
CDL test formats
We show the national defaults for question counts and time limits. Check the official Arkansas manual for anything that differs.
| Test | Questions | To pass | Typical time |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Knowledge | 50 | 40 (80%) | About 60 minutes |
| Air Brakes | 25 | 20 (80%) | 25 to 30 minutes |
| Combination Vehicles | 20 (25 questions in some states) | 16 (80%) | 20 to 25 minutes |
| Hazardous Materials | 30 | 24 (80%) | 30 to 40 minutes |
| Tanker | 20 | 16 (80%) | 20 to 25 minutes |
| Passenger | 20 | 16 (80%) | 20 to 25 minutes |
| School Bus | 20 (25 questions in some states) | 16 (80%) | About 25 minutes |
| Doubles/Triples | 20 | 16 (80%) | About 20 minutes |
Practice any of them: all CDL practice tests.