New York CDL Combination Vehicles Practice Test

The New York CDL Combination Vehicles 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
Combination Vehicles 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 Combination Vehicles practice test

1. Trailers and converter dollies built on or after what date must have ABS?
1. A. March 1, 1998
2. B. January 1, 1975
3. C. March 1, 2005
4. D. January 1, 1990
Show answer
Answer: A. March 1, 1998
The manual says trailers and dollies built on or after March 1, 1998, are required to have ABS.
From the official CDL manual, section 6.3.1.
2. With air supplied to the trailer, what should the air pressure gauge show you?
1. A. The weight of the trailer
2. B. The speed of the tractor
3. C. Signs of major air loss
4. D. The fifth wheel height
Show answer
Answer: C. Signs of major air loss
You check the gauge for signs of major air loss.
From the official CDL manual, section 6.4.1.
3. At what speed do you add one extra second to your following distance in a combination vehicle?
1. A. Over 25 mph
2. B. Over 55 mph
3. C. Over 30 mph on wet roads only
4. D. Over 40 mph
Show answer
Answer: D. Over 40 mph
The manual adds one second when going over 40 mph.
From the official CDL manual, section 6.1.2.
4. Where should the air-lines be while you back the tractor under the trailer?
1. A. Lying on the ground under the tractor
2. B. Wrapped around the kingpin
3. C. Safely supported where they will not be crushed or caught
4. D. Hanging loose between the tires
Show answer
Answer: C. Safely supported where they will not be crushed or caught
Air-lines must be supported so they are not crushed or caught while backing.
From the official CDL manual, section 6.4.1.
5. How do you join two glad hand couplers?
1. A. Push them straight together until they click
2. B. Twist them together while pulling the hoses apart
3. C. Slide one coupler over the other and tighten it with a wrench
4. D. Press the seals together with the couplers at 90 degrees, then turn the hose-side glad hand
Show answer
Answer: D. Press the seals together with the couplers at 90 degrees, then turn the hose-side glad hand
This presses the seals and locks the couplers.
From the official CDL manual, section 6.2.5.
6. Why do you steer the front end wide around a corner?
1. A. So the trailer brakes can cool
2. B. So the front tires wear evenly
3. C. So the rear end does not run over the curb or people
4. D. So other drivers can pass on the right
Show answer
Answer: C. So the rear end does not run over the curb or people
The rear wheels cut the corner, so the front must go wide to keep the rear off the curb and pedestrians.
From the official CDL manual, section 6.1.6.
7. Before backing under a trailer, what must hold it in place?
1. A. The trailer landing gear alone
2. B. Wheel chocks or the trailer spring brakes
3. C. The tractor's parking brake alone
4. D. The hand valve held on
Show answer
Answer: B. Wheel chocks or the trailer spring brakes
The trailer wheels should be chocked or the spring brakes on.
From the official CDL manual, section 6.4.1.
8. What tends to happen when the wheels of a trailer lock up?
1. A. The trailer lifts off the road
2. B. The trailer follows the tractor straight
3. C. The trailer tends to swing around
Show answer
Answer: C. The trailer tends to swing around
Locked trailer wheels make the trailer swing around, which is a trailer jackknife.
From the official CDL manual, section 6.1.5.
9. Why hang the electrical cable with the plug pointing down?
1. A. To keep moisture out of it
2. B. To keep it warm
3. C. To make it shorter
4. D. To help the brakes
Show answer
Answer: A. To keep moisture out of it
A plug pointing down keeps moisture from entering it.
From the official CDL manual, section 6.4.2.
10. You connect the air and electrical lines. What must you make sure of?
1. A. They are as long as possible
2. B. They are painted the same color
3. C. They are hidden under the trailer
4. D. They will not hit any moving parts
Show answer
Answer: D. They will not hit any moving parts
The lines must not hit any moving parts of the vehicle.
From the official CDL manual, section 6.4.1.
11. On a trailer without spring brakes, which events put the emergency brakes on?
1. A. Pushing in the air supply knob
2. B. Pulling out the air supply knob, or disconnecting the trailer
3. C. Using the foot brake lightly
4. D. Starting the engine
Show answer
Answer: B. Pulling out the air supply knob, or disconnecting the trailer
Both events drop pressure in the emergency line.
From the official CDL manual, section 6.2.8.
12. After you push in the air supply knob to supply air to the trailer, what do you do first?
1. A. Wait until the air pressure is normal
2. B. Back under the trailer at once
3. C. Lock the trailer brakes
4. D. Raise the landing gear
Show answer
Answer: A. Wait until the air pressure is normal
The manual says to wait until the air pressure is normal.
From the official CDL manual, section 6.4.1.
13. What should you see on the landing gear during the walk-around?
1. A. Half raised so it clears the ground
2. B. Lowered with the crank removed
3. C. Raised, with the crank handle left on the ground
4. D. Fully raised, undamaged, with the crank handle in place and secured
Show answer
Answer: D. Fully raised, undamaged, with the crank handle in place and secured
This is what the manual lists for the landing gear.
From the official CDL manual, section 6.5.1.
14. What can happen if the tractor protection valve does not work right?
1. A. A hose or trailer brake leak could drain all the tractor's air and put the emergency brakes on
2. B. The trailer brakes will not apply, but nothing else changes
3. C. The trailer spring brakes will not release, and nothing else
4. D. The trailer will rise off the fifth wheel
Show answer
Answer: A. A hose or trailer brake leak could drain all the tractor's air and put the emergency brakes on
This can cause a possible loss of control.
From the official CDL manual, section 6.5.2.
15. Why should you allow lots of following distance in a combination rig?
1. A. So you can pass more easily
2. B. So the trailer brakes stay cool
3. C. So the load stays centered
4. D. So you can brake early
Show answer
Answer: D. So you can brake early
Extra distance and looking far ahead let you brake early instead of making a panic stop.
From the official CDL manual, section 6.1.3.
16. In Step 13, what must the locking lever show?
1. A. It is in the "open" position
2. B. It is in the "release" position
3. C. It is in the "lock" position
4. D. It is removed from the fifth wheel
Show answer
Answer: C. It is in the "lock" position
The locking lever must be in the "lock" position.
From the official CDL manual, section 6.4.1.
17. Which color code is commonly used for the service line and the emergency line?
1. A. Blue for service, red for emergency
2. B. Red for service, blue for emergency
3. C. Yellow for service, red for emergency
4. D. Blue for both lines, with metal tags to tell them apart
Show answer
Answer: A. Blue for service, red for emergency
The manual says red marks the emergency line and blue marks the service line.
From the official CDL manual, section 6.2.4.
18. Before coupling, how should the jaws of the fifth wheel be?
1. A. Closed
2. B. Locked on a shank
3. C. Greased and closed
4. D. Open
Show answer
Answer: D. Open
The manual says the fifth wheel jaws must be open for coupling.
From the official CDL manual, section 6.4.1.
19. When does a large combination vehicle take longer to stop?
1. A. When it is fully loaded
2. B. The stopping distance is the same either way
3. C. When it is empty
4. D. Only when the trailer is loaded and the tractor is empty
Show answer
Answer: C. When it is empty
An empty combination takes longer to stop than a fully loaded one.
From the official CDL manual, section 6.1.3.
20. When must you control your speed in a combination vehicle?
1. A. Whether fully loaded or empty
2. B. Only when fully loaded
3. C. Only when empty
Show answer
Answer: A. Whether fully loaded or empty
The manual says to control speed whether the rig is fully loaded or empty.
From the official CDL manual, section 6.1.3.

New York CDL Combination Vehicles questions

What score do you need to pass the New York CDL Combination Vehicles test?

New York says you need 80% to pass the Combination Vehicles test.

Is the New York CDL Combination Vehicles test the same as other states?

The Combination Vehicles 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: 6.1.2; 6.1.3; 6.1.5; 6.1.6; 6.2.4; 6.2.5; 6.2.8; 6.3.1; 6.4.1; 6.4.2; 6.5.1; 6.5.2

Combination Vehicles practice test in nearby states