New York CDL Air Brakes Practice Test

The New York CDL Air Brakes test is a multiple-choice knowledge test you take for your commercial learner's permit. New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) says you need 80% to pass (source).

Last updated Oct 15, 2026. FirstTry CDL is a CDL permit test prep site by Hive Asset Group, LLC.

By Scott Wilder, Editor

Last reviewed against the New York CDL manual on October 15, 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.

New York CDL permit facts

What	What New York says	Source
Air Brakes pass mark	80%	Official page
CLP validity	One year (365 days) for original permits issued on or after December 27, 2022	Official page
Knowledge test retest rule	No limit on how many times you can retake a failed knowledge test, but it is at the discretion of the District Director, Office Manager, County Clerk or Office Supervisor	Official page
Test languages	CDL tests are given in English, Spanish, Chinese and Russian. The hazmat test is English only. You must read and speak English well enough to talk with people, read road signs, answer officials, fill in reports and take skills tests.	Official page

20 question Air Brakes practice test

1. You are making a normal stop in a truck with a manual transmission. When should you push the clutch in?
1. A. When engine rpm has dropped close to idle
2. B. As soon as you take your foot off the accelerator
3. C. Before you start to brake
4. D. When the brake pedal is halfway down
Show answer
Answer: A. When engine rpm has dropped close to idle
The manual says to wait to push the clutch in until engine rpm is down close to idle.
From the official CDL manual, section 5.4.1.
2. The governor does not cut in and out as it should. What is the risk?
1. A. The service brakes will lock up when you start driving
2. B. The air tanks will fill with oil faster
3. C. It may not keep enough air pressure for safe driving
4. D. None, because the safety valve does the same job
Show answer
Answer: C. It may not keep enough air pressure for safe driving
A governor that does not work properly may fail to keep enough pressure for safe driving, so it may need to be fixed.
From the official CDL manual, section 5.3.3.
3. How do you open a manually operated air tank drain valve?
1. A. Press the brake pedal until the air stops
2. B. Push in the yellow parking brake knob
3. C. Turn it a quarter turn or pull its cable
4. D. Turn it several full turns with a wrench
Show answer
Answer: C. Turn it a quarter turn or pull its cable
Manual drain valves work by a quarter turn or by pulling a cable.
From the official CDL manual, section 5.1.4.
4. At 55 mph, with an average driver, good traction, and good brakes, total air brake stopping distance is about how far?
1. A. Over 450 feet
2. B. About 100 feet
3. C. About 200 feet
4. D. About 300 feet
Show answer
Answer: A. Over 450 feet
The manual says the total stopping distance at 55 mph under good conditions is over 450 feet.
From the official CDL manual, section 5.4.4.
5. What does a wig wag do when system air pressure gets too low?
1. A. Applies the spring brakes right away
2. B. Sounds a loud horn outside the cab
3. C. Opens the safety valve to let air out
4. D. Drops a mechanical arm into your view
Show answer
Answer: D. Drops a mechanical arm into your view
A wig wag is a mechanical arm that drops into view at low pressure.
From the official CDL manual, section 5.1.11.
6. Your air brake truck has come to a normal stop. What should you do next with the transmission?
1. A. Select a starting gear
2. B. Leave it in the gear you stopped in
3. C. Turn the engine off
4. D. Shift to the highest gear
Show answer
Answer: A. Select a starting gear
The manual says that when stopped, you select a starting gear.
From the official CDL manual, section 5.4.1.
7. With air brakes, about how long does it take for air to flow through the lines to the brakes?
1. A. Almost no time, like hydraulic brakes
2. B. About five seconds
3. C. About ten seconds
4. D. One half second or more
Show answer
Answer: D. One half second or more
The manual says air takes one half second or more to flow through the lines to the brakes.
From the official CDL manual, section 5.4.4.
8. How do you test the parking brake in the final air brake check?
1. A. Set it and gently pull against it in a high gear
2. B. Set it and rev the engine with the transmission in neutral
3. C. Release it and tap the brake pedal at 20 mph
4. D. Set it and gently pull against it in a low gear
Show answer
Answer: D. Set it and gently pull against it in a low gear
You put the parking brake on and gently pull against it in a low gear to see that it holds.
From the official CDL manual, section 5.3.3.
9. Your governor test shows the compressor has cut out. How do you lower tank pressure to see it cut back in?
1. A. Open the tank drain valves until pressure falls
2. B. With the engine idling, step on and off the brake
3. C. Shut off the engine and wait for pressure to leak down
4. D. Pull out the parking brake knob and wait
Show answer
Answer: B. With the engine idling, step on and off the brake
You fan the brake pedal with the engine idling to lower pressure until the compressor cuts in.
From the official CDL manual, section 5.3.3.
10. Which vehicles may have a front brake limiting valve control in the cab?
1. A. Some older vehicles made before 1975
2. B. All vehicles made after 1997
3. C. Only buses that carry passengers
4. D. Only trailers pulled by tractors
Show answer
Answer: A. Some older vehicles made before 1975
Some vehicles made before 1975 have the cab control marked normal and slippery.
From the official CDL manual, section 5.1.13.
11. What is brake lag?
1. A. The time it takes you to see a hazard
2. B. The time it takes you to move your foot to the pedal
3. C. The time it takes for the brakes to work after you push the pedal
4. D. The distance the vehicle travels while the brakes are slowing it
Show answer
Answer: C. The time it takes for the brakes to work after you push the pedal
Brake lag is the time required for the brakes to work after the brake pedal is pushed.
From the official CDL manual, section 5.4.4.
12. Why is slow air pressure buildup a danger?
1. A. The horn may stop working
2. B. The tires may go flat
3. C. The engine may overheat
4. D. Pressure may drop too low while driving, and you may need an emergency stop
Show answer
Answer: D. Pressure may drop too low while driving, and you may need an emergency stop
The manual says slow buildup may let pressure drop too low during driving.
From the official CDL manual, section 5.3.3.
13. Where do water and oil collect in an air tank?
1. A. In the top of the tank
2. B. Along the sides of the tank
3. C. In the air lines only
4. D. In the bottom of the tank
Show answer
Answer: D. In the bottom of the tank
The water and oil tend to collect in the bottom of the air tank, where the drain valve is.
From the official CDL manual, section 5.1.4.
14. Which statement about wedge brakes is true?
1. A. They may be self-adjusting or need manual adjustment
2. B. They never need adjustment
3. C. They must always be adjusted by hand
4. D. They are the most common type
Show answer
Answer: A. They may be self-adjusting or need manual adjustment
Wedge type brakes may be self-adjusting or may require manual adjustment.
From the official CDL manual, section 5.1.8.
15. At about what tank pressure does the governor stop the compressor from pumping air?
1. A. 125 psi
2. B. 100 psi
3. C. 150 psi
4. D. 55 psi
Show answer
Answer: A. 125 psi
The cut-out level is around 125 psi.
From the official CDL manual, section 5.1.2.
16. On large buses, low pressure warning devices commonly signal at about what pressure?
1. A. 55 psi
2. B. 20 to 30 psi
3. C. 125 psi
4. D. 80 to 85 psi
Show answer
Answer: D. 80 to 85 psi
Large buses often have warnings that signal at 80 to 85 psi.
From the official CDL manual, section 5.1.11.
17. As you fan off pressure on a straight truck, what should the parking brake valve do at the specified pressure?
1. A. Close and pop out, so the spring brakes come on
2. B. Stay pushed in until pressure reaches zero
3. C. Pop out at about 100 psi
4. D. Push in harder to hold the brakes off
Show answer
Answer: A. Close and pop out, so the spring brakes come on
When pressure falls to the manufacturer's specification, the parking brake valve should pop out and apply the spring brakes.
From the official CDL manual, section 5.3.3.
18. What do you look for on the air hoses connected to the brake chambers?
1. A. Paint chips
2. B. Bright colors
3. C. Extra length
4. D. Cuts or wear from rubbing
Show answer
Answer: D. Cuts or wear from rubbing
The manual says to make sure the hoses are not cut or worn from rubbing.
From the official CDL manual, section 5.3.2.
19. Which pair shows the typical pressures where the compressor starts and stops pumping?
1. A. Starts at about 100 psi, stops at about 125 psi
2. B. Starts at about 85 psi, stops at about 100 psi
3. C. Starts at about 125 psi, stops at about 100 psi
4. D. Starts at about 20 psi, stops at about 45 psi
Show answer
Answer: A. Starts at about 100 psi, stops at about 125 psi
The manual says pumping should start at about 100 psi and stop at about 125 psi (check manufacturer's specifications).
From the official CDL manual, section 5.3.3.
20. What do air-operated disc brakes use in place of the s-cam?
1. A. A wedge
2. B. A longer push rod
3. C. A brake drum
4. D. A power screw
Show answer
Answer: D. A power screw
Air disc brakes use a power screw that clamps the disc between lining pads.
From the official CDL manual, section 5.1.8.

New York CDL Air Brakes questions

What score do you need to pass the New York CDL Air Brakes test?

New York says you need 80% to pass the Air Brakes test.

Is the New York CDL Air Brakes test the same as other states?

The Air Brakes test is built on the same federal knowledge standards in every state, so the topics match the CDL manual. New York uses its own handbook: https://dmv.ny.gov/driver-license/commercial-drivers/new-york-state-commercial-drivers-manual

What languages is the New York CDL knowledge test offered in?

CDL tests are given in English, Spanish, Chinese and Russian. The hazmat test is English only. You must read and speak English well enough to talk with people, read road signs, answer officials, fill in reports and take skills tests.

Sources

https://dmv.ny.gov/brochure/cdl10sec01.pdf
https://dmv.ny.gov/news/dmv-extends-validity-of-commercial-learner-permit
https://dmv.ny.gov/driver-license/commercial-drivers/get-a-commercial-driver-license-cdl
https://dmv.ny.gov/driver-license/commercial-drivers/new-york-state-commercial-drivers-manual
Manual sections used in this test: 5.1.11; 5.1.13; 5.1.2; 5.1.4; 5.1.8; 5.3.2; 5.3.3; 5.4.1; 5.4.4

Air Brakes practice test in nearby states