Guide · Updated Oct 8, 2026
Crist CDL Alternative: Crist vs FirstTry CDL
Crist CDL is a good choice if you want free, state-specific practice tests. FirstTry CDL is built for drivers who want a study plan, a score and a way to re-drill misses, and it costs money after the free parts. Here is how they compare, so you can pick.
What Crist CDL offers
CristCDL.com is a website with an app for iPhone and iPad. Its home page says its CDL practice tests "have been completely free" since 1999. It also says there is "No registration required, no surprise fees, and no test lock outs," and that all tests "can be taken as many times as needed."
It lists these tests: General Knowledge, Air Brakes, Combination, Tanker, Hazardous Material, Doubles / Triples, Passenger, School Bus, and Pre Trip. You choose your state from a list. The site says its question pool is "based on the 2026 CDL drivers manual available from your state." It also offers a quick review, tests with question level feedback, and an exam simulator. After each answer it shows the correct answer and an explanation.
The site also says downloadable DMV manuals are available. It states it is "a privately owned website, and is not affiliated with any government agencies."
Side by side
Facts about Crist come from its own site and App Store listing, opened October 8, 2026. "Not stated" means we did not find it there. It may still exist.
| Crist CDL | FirstTry CDL | |
|---|---|---|
| Price (as of October 2026) | Free, per its site | Free diagnostic and one free 10-question test per type. Full access is a one-time payment: $49 founding driver price for the first 500 drivers, then $79. General Knowledge only is $39 for 30 days. No subscription. |
| Account needed | No registration, per its site | None for the diagnostic, free tests and guides |
| Written test types | General Knowledge, Air Brakes, Combination, Tanker, Hazmat, Doubles/Triples, Passenger, School Bus | The same eight |
| Pre Trip tests | Yes | No |
| Answer explanations | Yes | Yes, with manual references |
| Exam simulator | Yes | Timed practice tests matching official question counts and time limits |
| Readiness score and study plan | Not stated | Yes, fitted to your test date |
| Re-drill of missed questions | Not stated | Mistake Fixer, at 1, 3 and 7 days |
Who Crist may suit better
Crist may be the better fit if:
- You want to pay nothing.
- You also want Pre Trip Inspection practice, which Crist lists and FirstTry CDL does not.
- You like an app on your iPhone or iPad.
- You already have a plan and only need questions to drill.
Free is a real advantage. If a free tool gets you ready, you do not need to pay for anything.
When a paid tool may help
Some drivers do better with a plan. If you have a test date and do not know where to start, a score and a day-by-day plan can save time. If you keep missing the same questions, spaced re-drills help. That is what FirstTry CDL adds. If you do not need those, use the free option.
A checklist for choosing any prep tool
Use this for Crist, FirstTry CDL or anything else.
- Does it say which manual it uses? It should name your state's current manual, not a generic one.
- Does it explain wrong answers? You learn more from the reason than from the letter.
- Does it point to the manual section? Then you can check the answer yourself.
- Does it say it is practice, not your state's test? Your state writes its own test, so a practice site cannot know the exact questions.
- Do you know your state's test? Your state sets the number of questions and the passing score. Read how many questions are on the CDL test.
- Is the price clear? Know what is free, what you pay, and for how long.
- Does it work on your phone? Try a few questions first.
Whatever you choose, read your state's manual too. Practice tests are for finding gaps. The manual is the source.
Where FirstTry CDL fits
FirstTry CDL's questions are exam-style and built from the official CDL manual, and a second blind reviewer checks each one. Try the free diagnostic or one free test and judge it with the checklist above. We are not affiliated with any DMV, FMCSA or government agency.
Try 10 exam-style questions 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.
To see what the first test covers, read the CDL general knowledge test guide.
Common questions
Is Crist CDL really free?
Its own site says so. CristCDL.com says its CDL practice tests have been completely free since 1999, with no registration, no surprise fees and no test lock outs. Its App Store listing says no payments to unlock tests. This is as of October 2026, so check the site before you rely on it.
Does Crist CDL cover the same tests as FirstTry CDL?
Both list General Knowledge, Air Brakes, Combination, Tanker, Hazardous Material, Doubles/Triples, Passenger and School Bus. Crist also lists Pre Trip tests. FirstTry CDL covers the eight written test types only.
How can I tell if any CDL practice test is good?
Check that it uses your state's current manual, shows the manual section behind each answer, explains wrong answers, and says plainly that it is practice, not the state's own test. Then compare a few questions to the manual yourself.
Sources
- CristCDL.com home page (opened October 8, 2026)
- CristCDL.com CDL Practice Test, Apple App Store listing (opened October 8, 2026)
Rules and numbers can differ by state. See how we source facts.