Michigan CDL General Knowledge Practice Test

The Michigan CDL General Knowledge test is a multiple-choice knowledge test you take for your commercial learner's permit. Michigan Department of State (Secretary of State offices) says you need 80% to pass (source).

Last updated Oct 18, 2026. FirstTry CDL is a CDL permit test prep site by Hive Asset Group, LLC.

By Scott Wilder, Editor

Last reviewed against the Michigan CDL manual on October 18, 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.

Michigan CDL permit facts

What	What Michigan says	Source
General Knowledge pass mark	80%	Official page
CLP holding period	Drive with a CLP for at least 14 days before the skills test	Official page
Knowledge test retest wait	If you fail a knowledge test, you must wait one day to retake it. There is a one day wait before any later retest too	Official page
Test languages	Michigan's CDL pages do not state the languages for CDL knowledge tests. See notes.	Official page

20 question General Knowledge practice test

1. Which skid can ABS NOT prevent?
1. A. A skid caused by braking too hard
2. B. A jackknife caused by braking
3. C. A wheel lockup caused by over braking
4. D. A skid caused by spinning the drive wheels
Show answer
Answer: D. A skid caused by spinning the drive wheels
ABS does not stop power skids or skids from going too fast in a turn.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.18.8.
2. Why remove ice and snow from hand holds, steps, and deck plates?
1. A. To lower the weight of the truck
2. B. To help the engine start
3. C. To reduce the danger of slipping
Show answer
Answer: C. To reduce the danger of slipping
Clearing them reduces the danger of slipping.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.13.1.
3. Which knowledge test must every CDL applicant take?
1. A. The air brakes test
2. B. The combination vehicles test
3. C. The general knowledge test
4. D. The passenger transport test
Show answer
Answer: C. The general knowledge test
The general knowledge test is taken by all applicants.
From the official CDL manual, section 1.1.1.
4. When must a CMV driver wear a safety belt?
1. A. Only on highways
2. B. Only when carrying passengers
3. C. At all times while operating the vehicle
4. D. Only when driving faster than 25 mph
Show answer
Answer: C. At all times while operating the vehicle
The manual says you must wear a safety belt at all times while operating a CMV.
From the official CDL manual, section 1.4.
5. What does brake fade mean?
1. A. The brake pedal slowly drifts to the floor from a leak
2. B. The brakes grab suddenly on a wet road
3. C. The linings crack from age
4. D. Hot brakes need more pressure to give the same stopping power
Show answer
Answer: D. Hot brakes need more pressure to give the same stopping power
Fade is a loss of stopping power from overheated brakes.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.16.
6. An aggressive driver is riding your bumper. What should you try first?
1. A. Speed up to stay ahead of them
2. B. Make every attempt to get out of their way
3. C. Hold your lane to show you will not be pushed
4. D. Brake hard to make them back off
Show answer
Answer: B. Make every attempt to get out of their way
The first thing to do is get out of the aggressive driver's way.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.10.3.
7. You will load more than one type of hazardous product. What must you know first?
1. A. The color of each box
2. B. If it is safe to load them together
3. C. How fast you can unload them
4. D. Whether the cargo is heavy
Show answer
Answer: B. If it is safe to load them together
Before loading more than one type of product, you must know if it is safe to load them together.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.23.3.
8. When should you move toward an escape route after your brakes fail?
1. A. After the vehicle reaches the bottom of the hill
2. B. As soon as you know the brakes do not work
3. C. After you wait to see if the brakes return
4. D. After you reach a higher speed
Show answer
Answer: B. As soon as you know the brakes do not work
The longer you wait, the faster the vehicle will go and the harder it will be to stop.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.17.3.
9. Why must brake adjustment be checked often?
1. A. Brakes never need adjustment on trucks
2. B. Cold brakes wear faster than hot brakes
3. C. Brakes can get out of adjustment quickly when used a lot
4. D. Adjustment only matters on flat roads
Show answer
Answer: C. Brakes can get out of adjustment quickly when used a lot
Brakes can get out of adjustment quickly, and hot linings wear faster.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.16.3.
10. What should you check on a front-end header board (headache rack)?
1. A. That it is painted
2. B. That it is in good condition
3. C. That it is removed
4. D. That it is loose
Show answer
Answer: B. That it is in good condition
The manual says to make sure the front-end structure is in good condition.
From the official CDL manual, section 3.3.3.
11. A CMV driver gets a second texting conviction within 3 years. How long is the CDL disqualification?
1. A. 30 days
2. B. 60 days
3. C. 90 days
4. D. 120 days
Show answer
Answer: B. 60 days
The manual says disqualification is 60 days for a second offense within 3 years.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.9.5.
12. What is a major cause of accidents, according to the manual?
1. A. Driving with the radio off.
2. B. Using the turn signal too early.
3. C. Not looking properly.
4. D. Checking the mirrors often.
Show answer
Answer: C. Not looking properly.
To be safe you must know what is going on all around your vehicle.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.4.
13. While you look 12 to 15 seconds ahead, how should you treat things that are closer to you?
1. A. Ignore them until they enter your lane
2. B. Look only at the vehicle just ahead of you
3. C. Check them only in your mirrors
4. D. Keep watching them, shifting your attention between near and far
Show answer
Answer: D. Keep watching them, shifting your attention between near and far
Good drivers shift their attention back and forth, near and far.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.4.1.
14. A driver behind you wants to pass. Should you signal when it is safe to pass?
1. A. No, you could cause an accident and be blamed for it
2. B. Yes, if you can see the road ahead clearly
3. C. Yes, with a flash of your left turn signal
4. D. Yes, but only on a two-lane road
Show answer
Answer: A. No, you could cause an accident and be blamed for it
The manual says not to direct traffic because you could cause an accident and be blamed.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.5.1.
15. 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.
16. When you see a hazard, what should you do?
1. A. Think about what emergencies could develop and plan what you would do
2. B. Wait and see if it turns into an emergency
3. C. Ignore it unless it is in your lane
4. D. Speed up to get past it
Show answer
Answer: A. Think about what emergencies could develop and plan what you would do
You look for hazards so you have time to plan a way out of any emergency.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.8.4.
17. How can you learn what speeds are safe on a steep grade you do not know?
1. A. Talk to drivers who know the grades
2. B. Wait to see how fast others go
3. C. Use the highest speed limit sign
Show answer
Answer: A. Talk to drivers who know the grades
Plan ahead and talk to drivers familiar with the grades.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.16.
18. How do you stop a front-wheel skid?
1. A. Turn the wheel more sharply
2. B. Brake harder
3. C. Accelerate to pull the front end around
4. D. Ease off turning and braking and let the vehicle slow down
Show answer
Answer: D. Ease off turning and braking and let the vehicle slow down
The only way to stop a front-wheel skid is to let the vehicle slow down.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.19.3.
19. What is an escape ramp?
1. A. An extra lane for faster vehicles to pass trucks on a grade
2. B. A ramp with loose, soft material, sometimes uphill, that stops runaway vehicles
3. C. A place to cool your brakes before going down
4. D. A repair area for broken-down vehicles
Show answer
Answer: B. A ramp with loose, soft material, sometimes uphill, that stops runaway vehicles
Escape ramps slow runaway vehicles with soft material, sometimes combined with an upgrade.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.16.4.
20. How can unsecured cargo hurt the driver?
1. A. It can only damage the cargo itself
2. B. It can only harm other drivers on the road
3. C. It can only lower your fuel mileage
4. D. It can hurt or kill you during a quick stop or crash
Show answer
Answer: D. It can hurt or kill you during a quick stop or crash
Loose cargo can injure or kill the driver in a quick stop or crash.
From the official CDL manual, section 3.

Michigan CDL General Knowledge questions

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

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

Is the Michigan 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. Michigan uses its own handbook: https://www.michigan.gov/sos/-/media/Project/Websites/sos/Resources/Forms-and-publications/CDL-Manual/cdlmanual.pdf

What languages is the Michigan CDL knowledge test offered in?

Michigan's CDL pages do not state the languages for CDL knowledge tests. See notes.

Sources

https://www.michigan.gov/sos/all-services/cdl-apply
https://www.michigan.gov/sos/-/media/Project/Websites/sos/Resources/Forms-and-publications/CDL-Manual/cdlmanual.pdf
Manual sections used in this test: 1.1.1; 1.4; 2.10.2; 2.10.3; 2.13.1; 2.16; 2.16.3; 2.16.4; 2.17.3; 2.18.8; 2.19.3; 2.23.3; 2.4; 2.4.1; 2.5.1; 2.8.4; 2.9.5; 3; 3.3.3

General Knowledge practice test in nearby states