Florida CDL General Knowledge Practice Test

The Florida CDL General Knowledge test is a multiple-choice knowledge test you take for your commercial learner's permit. You need at least 80% to pass. That's the federal minimum in 49 CFR 383.135 (Florida does not publish its own number).

Last updated Oct 14, 2026. FirstTry CDL is a CDL permit test prep site by Hive Asset Group, LLC.

By Scott Wilder, Editor

Last reviewed against the Florida CDL manual on October 14, 2026

Scott Wilder on X | scottwilderhq.com

FirstTry CDL is a CDL permit test prep site by Hive Asset Group, LLC. It offers free exam-style practice tests built from the official CDL manual. 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.

Florida CDL permit facts

What	What Florida says	Source
General Knowledge pass mark	At least 80%. This is the federal minimum (49 CFR 383.135); Florida does not publish its own number.	Official page
Test languages	All Florida knowledge and skills tests, including CLP and CDL tests, are given only in English since February 6, 2026. Interpreters and translation are not allowed.	Official page

20 question General Knowledge practice test

1. While driving with a covered load, how should you check the cover?
1. A. Never look at it until you stop
2. B. Check it only at night
3. C. Ask other drivers to check it
4. D. Look at it in your mirrors from time to time
Show answer
Answer: D. Look at it in your mirrors from time to time
The manual says to look at your cargo covers in the mirrors from time to time while driving.
From the official CDL manual, section 3.3.4.
2. What can carbon monoxide leaking into your cab do to you?
1. A. Make you sleepy and, in large amounts, kill you
2. B. Make you more alert for a short time
3. C. Cause harm only if it reaches a flame
4. D. Damage the heater but not the driver
Show answer
Answer: A. Make you sleepy and, in large amounts, kill you
Carbon monoxide makes you sleepy and can be deadly in large amounts.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.13.1.
3. You must make a full stop at a railroad crossing. Which of these should you do while stopping?
1. A. Turn off all your lights
2. B. Turn on your four-way emergency flashers
3. C. Brake as hard as you can
4. D. Move to the left lane
Show answer
Answer: B. Turn on your four-way emergency flashers
The flashers warn drivers behind you that you are stopping.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.15.4.
4. How much steering wheel play can make a vehicle hard to steer?
1. A. More than 2 degrees
2. B. More than 5 degrees
3. C. More than 10 degrees
4. D. More than 30 degrees
Show answer
Answer: C. More than 10 degrees
The manual says play of more than 10 degrees can make it hard to steer.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.1.3.
5. Your brakes fail and you need an escape route. Which direction is a good way to slow down?
1. A. Turn uphill
2. B. Turn downhill
3. C. Turn into oncoming traffic
4. D. Keep going straight downhill
Show answer
Answer: A. Turn uphill
Turning uphill helps slow and stop the vehicle.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.17.3.
6. A test shows alcohol in your system, but under .04%. What happens?
1. A. Nothing, since it is under .04%
2. B. You lose your CDL for one year
3. C. You are put out-of-service for 8 hours
4. D. You are put out-of-service for 24 hours
Show answer
Answer: D. You are put out-of-service for 24 hours
Any detectable alcohol under .04% means 24 hours out-of-service.
From the official CDL manual, section 1.3.
7. What is over-steering?
1. A. Turning the wheels more sharply than the vehicle can turn
2. B. Braking too hard and locking the wheels
3. C. Giving too much power to the drive wheels
4. D. Driving with worn tires
Show answer
Answer: A. Turning the wheels more sharply than the vehicle can turn
Over-steering means turning the wheels more sharply than the vehicle can turn.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.19.
8. You are about to start the engine during an inspection. Where should the gearshift be?
1. A. In first gear
2. B. In reverse
3. C. In the highest gear
4. D. In neutral, or in park if automatic
Show answer
Answer: D. In neutral, or in park if automatic
The manual says to put the gearshift in neutral, or park if automatic.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.1.5.
9. What does it mean to counter-steer?
1. A. Turn the wheel more in the same direction
2. B. Turn the wheel back the other way after passing the obstacle
3. C. Brake while turning
4. D. Let go of the wheel
Show answer
Answer: B. Turn the wheel back the other way after passing the obstacle
You counter-steer once you are past what was in your path.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.17.1.
10. How should you handle the glare from oncoming headlights?
1. A. Look straight at the lights to track the vehicle
2. B. Look slightly to the right at the lane or edge marking
3. C. Look slightly to the left at the center line
4. D. Close one eye until the vehicle passes
Show answer
Answer: B. Look slightly to the right at the lane or edge marking
Looking slightly right at the edge marking keeps the glare out of your eyes.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.11.5.
11. What may an oversized load need while it travels on the road?
1. A. Extra tie-downs on the cab
2. B. A police escort or pilot vehicles with warning signs or flashing lights
3. C. A second fuel tank
4. D. A hazardous materials placard
Show answer
Answer: B. A police escort or pilot vehicles with warning signs or flashing lights
Oversized loads may require a police escort or pilot vehicles.
From the official CDL manual, section 3.4.4.
12. Your mirrors and wiper blades have ice on them. What does this tell you?
1. A. Tire pressure is low
2. B. The road is dry
3. C. The heater is working well
4. D. The road is most likely icy too
Show answer
Answer: D. The road is most likely icy too
Ice on mirrors and wipers means the road most likely is icy as well.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.13.2.
13. What can make brakes fade or fail on a long downgrade?
1. A. Driving in a low gear
2. B. Too much heat from overusing them
3. C. Too much engine braking
Show answer
Answer: B. Too much heat from overusing them
Using the brakes too much and not relying on engine braking makes too much heat.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.16.3.
14. On a downgrade, what should be your principal way of controlling your speed?
1. A. Frequent hard use of the service brakes
2. B. Coasting in neutral to save fuel
3. C. Light braking all the way down
4. D. The braking effect of the engine
Show answer
Answer: D. The braking effect of the engine
The manual says to use engine braking as the principal way to control speed on downgrades, saving your brakes.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.6.6.
15. At about what speed do you test the service brake stopping action?
1. A. 15 miles per hour
2. B. 5 miles per hour
3. C. 25 miles per hour
4. D. 35 miles per hour
Show answer
Answer: B. 5 miles per hour
The manual says to go about five miles per hour and push the brake pedal firmly.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.1.5.
16. At lower speeds, 12 to 15 seconds ahead is about how far?
1. A. About one mile
2. B. About one block
3. C. About one car length
4. D. About 10 feet
Show answer
Answer: B. About one block
The manual says it is about one block at lower speeds.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.4.1.
17. What should you check about your safety belt?
1. A. That it latches properly and is not ripped or frayed
2. B. That it is a bright color
3. C. That it is loose enough to slide off
4. D. That it is wider than 6 inches
Show answer
Answer: A. That it latches properly and is not ripped or frayed
The manual says the belt must be mounted securely, adjust, latch properly, and not be ripped or frayed.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.1.5.
18. CMV drivers who text while driving are how many times more likely to have a crash, near-crash, or lane deviation?
1. A. 6 times
2. B. 12 times
3. C. 23.2 times
4. D. 32.2 times
Show answer
Answer: C. 23.2 times
The manual says the odds are 23.2 times greater for CMV drivers who text while driving.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.9.5.
19. What is an active railroad crossing?
1. A. A crossing with a traffic control device installed at the crossing
2. B. A crossing with no signs of any kind
3. C. A crossing where trains run every hour
4. D. A crossing only used by passenger trains
Show answer
Answer: A. A crossing with a traffic control device installed at the crossing
An active crossing has a device, such as flashing red lights, to regulate traffic.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.15.1.
20. When should you program the GPS and review maps?
1. A. Before you begin driving
2. B. While stopped at a green light
3. C. While driving on a straight road
4. D. When traffic is light
Show answer
Answer: A. Before you begin driving
The manual says to review maps and program the GPS before you begin driving.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.9.6.

Florida CDL General Knowledge questions

What score do you need to pass the Florida CDL General Knowledge test?

You need at least 80% to pass. That is the federal minimum in 49 CFR 383.135. Florida does not publish its own number.

Is the Florida CDL General Knowledge test the same as other states?

The General Knowledge test is built on the same federal knowledge standards in every state, so the topics match the CDL manual. Florida uses its own handbook: https://www.flhsmv.gov/pdf/handbooks/englishcdlhandbook.pdf

What languages is the Florida CDL knowledge test offered in?

All Florida knowledge and skills tests, including CLP and CDL tests, are given only in English since February 6, 2026. Interpreters and translation are not allowed.

Sources

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-383.135
https://www.flhsmv.gov/2026/01/30/flhsmv-announces-driver-license-exams-to-be-administered-in-english-only/
https://www.flhsmv.gov/pdf/handbooks/englishcdlhandbook.pdf
Manual sections used in this test: 1.3; 2.1.3; 2.1.5; 2.11.5; 2.13.1; 2.13.2; 2.15.1; 2.15.4; 2.16.3; 2.17.1; 2.17.3; 2.19; 2.4.1; 2.6.6; 2.9.5; 2.9.6; 3.3.4; 3.4.4

General Knowledge practice test in nearby states