New York CDL General Knowledge Practice Test

The New York CDL General Knowledge 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
General Knowledge 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 General Knowledge practice test

1. Before you check the engine compartment, what should you check first?
1. A. That the headlights are on
2. B. That the tires are new
3. C. That the parking brakes are on and/or the wheels are chocked
4. D. That the cargo is sealed
Show answer
Answer: C. That the parking brakes are on and/or the wheels are chocked
The manual says to check that the parking brakes are on and/or the wheels are chocked.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.1.5.
2. What is the minimum size of a hazmat placard?
1. A. 6 inches square
2. B. 12 inches square
3. C. 7.5 inches square
4. D. 9.84 inches (250 mm) square
Show answer
Answer: D. 9.84 inches (250 mm) square
Placards must be at least 9.84 inches (250 mm) square, turned upright on a point in a diamond shape.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.23.3.
3. 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.
4. How can common cold medicines affect your driving?
1. A. They keep you alert for longer
2. B. They are safe because they do not need a prescription
3. C. They may make you drowsy
4. D. They sharpen your reaction time
Show answer
Answer: C. They may make you drowsy
Over-the-counter cold medicines can make a driver drowsy.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.22.2.
5. How does overloading affect your stopping distance?
1. A. It decreases
2. B. It stays the same
3. C. It increases
4. D. It changes only on wet roads
Show answer
Answer: C. It increases
The manual says overloading increases stopping distance.
From the official CDL manual, section 3.2.2.
6. What does the term "tire load" mean?
1. A. The most weight a tire can safely carry at a set pressure
2. B. The air pressure a tire needs when empty
3. C. The weight of the tire itself
4. D. The number of tires on the truck
Show answer
Answer: A. The most weight a tire can safely carry at a set pressure
Tire load is the maximum safe weight a tire can carry at a specified pressure.
From the official CDL manual, section 3.2.1.
7. 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.
8. Which one is a main reason for hydraulic brake failure?
1. A. Too much air in the tires
2. B. A dirty windshield
3. C. A loose mirror
4. D. Loss of hydraulic pressure
Show answer
Answer: D. Loss of hydraulic pressure
Most hydraulic brake failures come from loss of hydraulic pressure or brake fade on long hills.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.17.3.
9. You are driving on slippery winter roads. When should you pass slower vehicles?
1. A. Only on curves
2. B. Only if necessary
3. C. Whenever you can
4. D. Never, even in an emergency
Show answer
Answer: B. Only if necessary
Do not pass slower vehicles unless it is necessary.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.13.2.
10. What should you check about your safety belt?
1. A. That it latches properly and is not ripped or frayed
2. B. That it is a bright color
3. C. That it is loose enough to slide off
4. D. That it is wider than 6 inches
Show answer
Answer: A. That it latches properly and is not ripped or frayed
The manual says the belt must be mounted securely, adjust, latch properly, and not be ripped or frayed.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.1.5.
11. Which sign is placed ahead of a public railroad-highway crossing?
1. A. A square, white-on-red sign
2. B. A round, black-on-yellow sign
3. C. A triangular, red-on-white sign
4. D. An octagonal, white-on-red sign
Show answer
Answer: B. A round, black-on-yellow sign
The round, black-on-yellow sign is the advance warning for a public crossing.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.15.2.
12. A first offense that costs a CDL for one year happens in a CMV placarded for hazmat. How long is the loss at least?
1. A. One year
2. B. Two years
3. C. Five years
4. D. Three years
Show answer
Answer: D. Three years
The loss is at least three years if the offense is in a CMV placarded for hazardous materials.
From the official CDL manual, section 1.3.
13. What is the first thing to do at an accident scene?
1. A. Keep another accident from happening in the same spot
2. B. Check on every injured person
3. C. Collect names of witnesses
4. D. Move all the vehicles to a nearby lot
Show answer
Answer: A. Keep another accident from happening in the same spot
The first priority is protecting the area so no second crash occurs.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.20.1.
14. When might it be unsafe to operate at the legal maximum weight?
1. A. Only on flat, dry highways
2. B. Only when you are driving empty
3. C. At no time, because a legal weight is always safe
4. D. In bad weather or in the mountains
Show answer
Answer: D. In bad weather or in the mountains
The manual says bad weather or mountains can make legal maximum weights unsafe.
From the official CDL manual, section 3.2.2.
15. What can carbon monoxide leaking into your cab do to you?
1. A. Make you sleepy and, in large amounts, kill you
2. B. Make you more alert for a short time
3. C. Cause harm only if it reaches a flame
4. D. Damage the heater but not the driver
Show answer
Answer: A. Make you sleepy and, in large amounts, kill you
Carbon monoxide makes you sleepy and can be deadly in large amounts.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.13.1.
16. How should you plan your travel time to lower your stress?
1. A. Assume the roads will be clear
2. B. Expect delays and allow extra time
3. C. Drive faster to make up time
4. D. Plan only for the fastest trip
Show answer
Answer: B. Expect delays and allow extra time
The manual says to be realistic and expect delays from traffic, construction, or bad weather.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.10.2.
17. What can happen if you start down a hill and use the brakes hard to control speed?
1. A. The tires will get better grip
2. B. The brakes can overheat and lose their power
3. C. The engine will stall
4. D. The transmission will shift up alone
Show answer
Answer: B. The brakes can overheat and lose their power
The manual says hard braking can overheat the brakes so they lose braking power.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.3.1.
18. Your safe speed on a downgrade is 40 mph. At what speed do you release the brakes?
1. A. About 30 mph
2. B. About 38 mph
3. C. About 35 mph
4. D. About 40 mph
Show answer
Answer: C. About 35 mph
You release the brakes about 5 mph below your safe speed, so 35 mph.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.16.4.
19. You see that two dual tires touch each other. What does the manual say about this?
1. A. It is a tire problem to look for.
2. B. It is normal for dual tires.
3. C. It only matters at night.
4. D. It only matters on front tires.
Show answer
Answer: A. It is a tire problem to look for.
Dual tires that touch each other or parts of the vehicle are a listed tire problem.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.1.3.
20. Why should you not count on hearing a train horn?
1. A. All trains must sound horns at all crossings
2. B. Noise inside your vehicle may hide it until the train is very close
3. C. Train horns are always quiet
4. D. Horns only sound at night
Show answer
Answer: B. Noise inside your vehicle may hide it until the train is very close
Noise inside the vehicle can keep you from hearing the horn until the train is dangerously close.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.15.3.

New York CDL General Knowledge questions

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

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

Is the New York 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. 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: 1.3; 2.1.3; 2.1.5; 2.10.2; 2.13.1; 2.13.2; 2.15.2; 2.15.3; 2.16; 2.16.4; 2.17.3; 2.20.1; 2.22.2; 2.23.3; 2.3.1; 3.2.1; 3.2.2

General Knowledge practice test in nearby states