Massachusetts CDL General Knowledge Practice Test

The Massachusetts CDL General Knowledge test is a multiple-choice knowledge test you take for your commercial learner's permit. Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) says you need 80% to pass (source).

Last updated Oct 7, 2026. FirstTry CDL is a CDL permit test prep site by Hive Asset Group, LLC.

By Scott Wilder, Editor

Last reviewed against the Massachusetts CDL manual on October 7, 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.

Massachusetts CDL permit facts

What	What Massachusetts says	Source
General Knowledge pass mark	80%	Official page
General Knowledge test questions	50	Official page
CLP fee	$30 permit application fee	Official page
CLP validity	180 days from the date of issue	Official page
Test languages	CLP general knowledge and all endorsement exams are offered in English, Spanish and Portuguese. The road test must be given in English, and per federal regulation a foreign language interpreter is not permitted. The skills test sheet says a person is not eligible to operate a CMV unless they can read and speak English well enough to talk with the public, understand highway signs, answer official questions and make entries on reports (49 CFR 391.11).	Official page

20 question General Knowledge practice test

1. You drive a 40-foot truck at 35 mph. You count only 2 seconds to a landmark the vehicle ahead passed. What does that mean?
1. A. You are too close
2. B. You have enough room
3. C. You are too far back
4. D. You can add 1 second and be safe
Show answer
Answer: A. You are too close
The manual says a 2 second count in a 40-foot truck is too close.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.7.1.
2. You are heavily loaded and about to enter traffic. How much room should you allow?
1. A. Less room, because heavy vehicles build momentum
2. B. The same room you would need in a car
3. C. Less room, because you can clear the lane quickly
4. D. More room, because acceleration varies with the load
Show answer
Answer: D. More room, because acceleration varies with the load
A heavily loaded vehicle accelerates more slowly, so it needs a larger gap.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.7.7.
3. In hot weather, why is enough engine oil important?
1. A. It keeps the tires cool
2. B. It helps keep the engine cool and lubricated
3. C. It cools the brakes
Show answer
Answer: B. It helps keep the engine cool and lubricated
Engine oil cools the engine as well as lubricating it.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.14.1.
4. Which of these helps decide a safe speed on a long downgrade?
1. A. The color of your vehicle
2. B. The age of your tires
3. C. The total weight of the vehicle and cargo
4. D. The time you started driving
Show answer
Answer: C. The total weight of the vehicle and cargo
Weight, grade length, steepness, road conditions and weather all matter.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.16.1.
5. You are stopped on a hill in a manual transmission truck. How do you avoid rolling back?
1. A. Take your foot off the brake, then release the clutch quickly
2. B. Shift to neutral and rev the engine
3. C. Release the parking brake before you touch the accelerator
4. D. Partly engage the clutch before taking your right foot off the brake
Show answer
Answer: D. Partly engage the clutch before taking your right foot off the brake
The manual says to partly engage the clutch before you take your foot off the brake.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.2.1.
6. From how many directions must placards be readable?
1. A. Two
2. B. Three
3. C. Five
4. D. Four
Show answer
Answer: D. Four
Placards must be readable from all four directions.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.23.3.
7. Which has the same amount of alcohol as a 12-ounce glass of 5% beer?
1. A. A 3-ounce shot of 80 proof liquor
2. B. An 8-ounce glass of 5% beer
3. C. A 12-ounce glass of 12% wine
4. D. A 1 1/2-ounce shot of 80 proof liquor
Show answer
Answer: D. A 1 1/2-ounce shot of 80 proof liquor
A 12-ounce beer, a 5-ounce glass of wine, and a 1 1/2-ounce shot of liquor each contain the same amount of alcohol.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.22.1.
8. Another driver acts badly on the road. What does the manual say about the reason?
1. A. It was meant to upset you
2. B. You should punish the driver
3. C. It has nothing to do with you
4. D. You must find out the reason
Show answer
Answer: C. It has nothing to do with you
The manual says whatever the reason, it has nothing to do with you.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.10.2.
9. Why is a clean windshield even more important at night?
1. A. Bright lights make dirt on the glass create glare that blocks your view
2. B. Night air leaves more dust on the glass
3. C. Wipers do not work as well in the dark
4. D. Inspectors check windshields more closely at night
Show answer
Answer: A. Bright lights make dirt on the glass create glare that blocks your view
At night, bright lights turn dirt on the windshield into glare.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.11.4.
10. The road surface is icy. What should you do?
1. A. Reduce speed to a crawl and stop driving as soon as you can safely do so
2. B. Reduce speed by half and keep driving
3. C. Keep up with traffic so no one hits you from behind
4. D. Use the retarder to slow down gradually
Show answer
Answer: A. Reduce speed to a crawl and stop driving as soon as you can safely do so
On ice the manual says to slow to a crawl and stop as soon as you safely can.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.6.2.
11. Which clue shows that a parked vehicle may be about to move?
1. A. The doors are locked
2. B. Brake lights, backup lights, or exhaust
3. C. The windows are closed
4. D. The vehicle has out-of-state plates
Show answer
Answer: B. Brake lights, backup lights, or exhaust
These are clues that a driver is about to move.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.8.3.
12. Besides traffic, what can you check with your mirrors while driving?
1. A. Your engine temperature
2. B. Your fuel level
3. C. The air pressure in your trailer brakes
4. D. Your tires and open cargo, such as straps and tarps
Show answer
Answer: D. Your tires and open cargo, such as straps and tarps
Mirrors can help you watch your tires for a tire fire and check open cargo.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.4.2.
13. When you shift down, you shift to neutral and release the clutch. What do you do next?
1. A. Press the accelerator to raise engine speed to the rpm for the lower gear
2. B. Let the engine slow down to the rpm of the lower gear
3. C. Push the brake pedal hard
4. D. Turn the engine off
Show answer
Answer: A. Press the accelerator to raise engine speed to the rpm for the lower gear
The manual says to increase engine and gear speed to the rpm needed in the lower gear.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.3.1.
14. What should you do with the parking brake when you leave your vehicle?
1. A. Release it so the brakes do not freeze.
2. B. Apply it.
3. C. Leave it off if the ground is flat.
4. D. Apply it only on a hill.
Show answer
Answer: B. Apply it.
The manual says to apply the parking brake whenever you leave your vehicle.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.2.
15. What is the safest rule about drugs and driving?
1. A. Do not mix drugs with driving at all
2. B. Take drugs only at night
3. C. Drive only short trips after taking drugs
4. D. Take half the dose before you drive
Show answer
Answer: A. Do not mix drugs with driving at all
The safest rule is to not mix drugs with driving at all.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.22.2.
16. Does ABS let you follow other vehicles more closely?
1. A. Yes, ABS shortens stopping distance a lot
2. B. No, ABS does not allow you to follow more closely
3. C. Yes, but only on dry roads
4. D. Yes, if the lamp is on
Show answer
Answer: B. No, ABS does not allow you to follow more closely
The manual says ABS will not let you drive faster, follow more closely, or drive less carefully.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.18.8.
17. Which three distances add up to total stopping distance?
1. A. Perception distance, following distance, and braking distance
2. B. Perception distance, reaction distance, and braking distance
3. C. Reaction distance, braking distance, and skidding distance
4. D. Seeing distance, thinking distance, and stopping distance
Show answer
Answer: B. Perception distance, reaction distance, and braking distance
Total stopping distance is perception distance plus reaction distance plus braking distance.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.6.1.
18. The smoke and flames are gone. What should you know?
1. A. The fire cannot come back
2. B. The fire can still restart
3. C. The fire is out as soon as the smoke stops
4. D. You can leave right away
Show answer
Answer: B. The fire can still restart
Continue until whatever was burning has been cooled.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.21.3.
19. How much alcohol can the liver process per hour?
1. A. One full drink
2. B. Two ounces
3. C. One-third of an ounce
4. D. Half a pint
Show answer
Answer: C. One-third of an ounce
That is less than the alcohol in a standard drink.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.22.1.
20. With no stop line, how far from the nearest rail must a required stop be made?
1. A. No closer than 5 feet and no farther than 15 feet
2. B. No closer than 50 feet and no farther than 100 feet
3. C. No closer than 15 feet and no farther than 50 feet
4. D. Right at the rail, within 5 feet
Show answer
Answer: C. No closer than 15 feet and no farther than 50 feet
Stop between 15 and 50 feet from the nearest rail.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.15.2.

Massachusetts CDL General Knowledge questions

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

Massachusetts says you need 80% to pass the General Knowledge test.

Is the Massachusetts 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. Massachusetts uses its own handbook: https://www.mass.gov/doc/cdl-manual-march-2025-version/download

How much does a CDL permit cost in Massachusetts?

CLP fee: $30 permit application fee.

What languages is the Massachusetts CDL knowledge test offered in?

CLP general knowledge and all endorsement exams are offered in English, Spanish and Portuguese. The road test must be given in English, and per federal regulation a foreign language interpreter is not permitted. The skills test sheet says a person is not eligible to operate a CMV unless they can read and speak English well enough to talk with the public, understand highway signs, answer official questions and make entries on reports (49 CFR 391.11).

Sources

https://www.mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-a-commercial-learners-permit-clp
https://www.mass.gov/doc/rmv-schedule-of-fees/download
https://www.mass.gov/news/massachusetts-registry-of-motor-vehicles-now-offering-commercial-learners-permit-exams-in-spanish-and-portuguese
https://www.mass.gov/doc/cdl-manual-march-2025-version/download
Manual sections used in this test: 2.10.2; 2.11.4; 2.14.1; 2.15.2; 2.16.1; 2.18.8; 2.2; 2.2.1; 2.21.3; 2.22.1; 2.22.2; 2.23.3; 2.3.1; 2.4.2; 2.6.1; 2.6.2; 2.7.1; 2.7.7; 2.8.3

General Knowledge practice test in nearby states