Checked against official Minnesota sources on Oct 7, 2026
Minnesota CDL practice test
Every state needs at least 80% on each CDL written test, and Minnesota follows the same federal rule. Below are the fees, ages and rules we checked against the official Minnesota 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.
Minnesota CDL facts
| What | What Minnesota says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum age for a CLP | 18 to get a commercial learner's permit and drive in Minnesota. You must be at least 21 to drive commercially outside Minnesota. | Official page |
| CLP fee | $26.75. Available at driver exam stations only. | Official page |
| CDL fees | Class A $65 (renewal $60). Class B $57 (renewal $52). Class C $50 (renewal $45). Class A under age 21 is $45 (renewal $40). | Official page |
| Endorsement test fee | $2.50 for each endorsement examination. The school bus endorsement also has a $4 processing fee. | Official page |
| Retest fees | The third and later written test after failing the first two costs $10. The third and later road test after failing the first two costs $20. A road test no show costs $40. | Official page |
| Waiting time before the road test | Hold your CLP for at least 14 calendar days before the CDL road test. | Official page |
| How long a CLP lasts | 180 days. It can be renewed, but a CLP cannot be valid for more than one year from the day it was first issued. | Official page |
| Documents for a CLP | A valid Minnesota driver's license, proof of U.S. citizenship or permanent residency, proof of Minnesota residency and your medical self-certification. You must bring documents again even if you showed them before. | Official page |
| Medical card | Every applicant submits the CDL medical self-certification form (PS33203). If your category needs a DOT medical examiner's certificate, your examiner submits it. Drivers with a school bus endorsement must always submit a current certificate. | Official page |
| Written tests Minnesota gives | General Knowledge, Air Brake, Combination, Passenger, School Bus, Tanker, Doubles/Triples and Hazardous Materials. Air Brake is needed if your test vehicle has air brakes, and Tanker if it is a tank vehicle. | Official page |
| Test format | The knowledge test is offered in English, on paper or on a computer. Headphones are available. You may take each knowledge test only once a day. | Official page |
| Hazmat endorsement | You need a federal TSA background check, which includes fingerprints. You take the hazmat knowledge test at a driver exam station. | Official page |
| School bus endorsement | A school bus driver must be at least 18. The S endorsement must come with a Passenger endorsement, and you pass a written test and a road test in a school bus. | Official page |
| Entry-level driver training | Classroom training can be taken any time. Behind-the-wheel training can only start after your CLP is issued, and it must be finished within a year of the classroom training. First-time hazmat applicants finish training before testing. | Official page |
| Road test requirements | A valid Minnesota driver's license, a valid Minnesota CLP, finished entry-level training, current insurance on the vehicle and a current DOT inspection on the truck and trailer. The road test is given in English only. | Official page |
| How long a CDL lasts | Class A, B and C licenses are valid for four years and can be renewed. | Official page |
| Minnesota following distance law | Minnesota law says trucks and buses must keep at least 500 feet behind the vehicle ahead on highways. It does not apply when passing or in a designated truck lane. The seconds rule in the manual still applies on the exam. | Official page |
Fees and rules change. Confirm on the official Minnesota CDL page before you go. Read the official Minnesota CDL manual.
CDL test formats
Minnesota DPS does not publish question counts or time limits for the CDL knowledge tests, so this site shows the national defaults. Check the official Minnesota 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.
Minnesota CDL questions
How much does a CDL permit cost in Minnesota?
A commercial learner's permit (CLP) costs $26.75 and is available at driver exam stations only, according to the Minnesota DPS fee page. Endorsement exams cost $2.50 each.
How old do you have to be to get a CDL permit in Minnesota?
You must be at least 18 to get a CLP and drive commercially in Minnesota. You must be at least 21 to drive commercially outside Minnesota.
How long do you have to hold a CLP in Minnesota before the road test?
At least 14 calendar days. A Minnesota CLP is valid for 180 days and can be renewed, up to one year from the day it was first issued.
What written tests does Minnesota give for a CDL?
General Knowledge, Air Brake, Combination, Passenger, School Bus, Tanker, Doubles/Triples and Hazardous Materials. You take General Knowledge plus the ones your vehicle and endorsements need.
Where do I take the CDL knowledge test in Minnesota?
At a driver exam station. Minnesota DPS lists the exam stations on its website, and you can apply for or renew a CDL at a full-service exam station or driver's license renewal office.