North Carolina CDL General Knowledge Practice Test

The North Carolina CDL General Knowledge test is a multiple-choice knowledge test you take for your commercial learner's permit. North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV), part of NCDOT 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 North Carolina 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.

North Carolina CDL permit facts

What	What North Carolina says	Source
General Knowledge pass mark	80%	Official page
CLP fee	$25.50 (listed as Learner's Permit in the manual fee list)	Official page
CLP validity	180 days. It can be renewed once, also for 180 days.	Official page
Test languages	The CDL pages do not name the languages for CDL tests and give no English-only rule. For regular license tests NCDMV says tests are offered in different languages and oral tests are available on request, and you can ask for an ASL or language interpreter online.	Official page

20 question General Knowledge practice test

1. Which step helps prevent drowsiness before a trip?
1. A. Take a cold tablet or antihistamine before leaving
2. B. Plan to drive alone so nothing distracts you
3. C. Schedule the trip for hours when you are normally awake
4. D. Eat a large meal before you start
Show answer
Answer: C. Schedule the trip for hours when you are normally awake
Driving during your normal waking hours lowers your drowsy-driving risk.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.11.2.
2. You are heavily loaded and about to enter traffic. How much room should you allow?
1. A. Less room, because heavy vehicles build momentum
2. B. The same room you would need in a car
3. C. Less room, because you can clear the lane quickly
4. D. More room, because acceleration varies with the load
Show answer
Answer: D. More room, because acceleration varies with the load
A heavily loaded vehicle accelerates more slowly, so it needs a larger gap.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.7.7.
3. What should you do about shifting gears while crossing railroad tracks?
1. A. Do not shift gears while crossing
2. B. Downshift as you roll onto the tracks
3. C. Shift to a higher gear to clear the tracks faster
4. D. Shift to neutral and coast across
Show answer
Answer: A. Do not shift gears while crossing
Shifting on the tracks can leave you stuck, so pick your gear before the crossing.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.15.5.
4. A combination vehicle has a GCWR of 26,001 pounds or more. The towed unit must have a GVWR of what to make it Class A?
1. A. More than 10,000 pounds
2. B. More than 26,001 pounds
3. C. More than 5,000 pounds
4. D. More than 16,000 pounds
Show answer
Answer: A. More than 10,000 pounds
Class A needs a GCWR of 26,001 or more and a towed GVWR of more than 10,000 pounds.
From the official CDL manual, section 1.
5. From how many directions must placards be readable?
1. A. Two
2. B. Three
3. C. Five
4. D. Four
Show answer
Answer: D. Four
Placards must be readable from all four directions.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.23.3.
6. In an emergency, what happens if you push the brake pedal down as hard as you can?
1. A. You always stop in the shortest distance
2. B. The vehicle stays in a straight line
3. C. The wheels stay locked up and the vehicle skids
4. D. The brakes cool down faster
Show answer
Answer: C. The wheels stay locked up and the vehicle skids
Jamming the brakes keeps the wheels locked and causes a skid.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.17.2.
7. When may you move a severely injured person at an accident?
1. A. As soon as you arrive on the scene
2. B. When the person asks to be more comfortable
3. C. When an ambulance is taking a long time
4. D. Only if fire or passing traffic makes it necessary
Show answer
Answer: D. Only if fire or passing traffic makes it necessary
Only fire or passing traffic is reason enough to move a severely injured person.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.20.3.
8. What is an active railroad crossing?
1. A. A crossing with a traffic control device installed at the crossing
2. B. A crossing with no signs of any kind
3. C. A crossing where trains run every hour
4. D. A crossing only used by passenger trains
Show answer
Answer: A. A crossing with a traffic control device installed at the crossing
An active crossing has a device, such as flashing red lights, to regulate traffic.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.15.1.
9. What does the manual say about backing your vehicle?
1. A. It is safe if you go slowly enough
2. B. It is safe in a lot with no traffic
3. C. It is safe if you use your mirrors
4. D. It is always dangerous, so avoid it whenever you can
Show answer
Answer: D. It is always dangerous, so avoid it whenever you can
You cannot see everything behind the vehicle, so the manual says to avoid backing when you can.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.2.4.
10. 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.
11. What can a flapping cargo cover do?
1. A. Tear loose, uncover the cargo, and block someone's view
2. B. Make the cargo lighter
3. C. Lower the vehicle's center of gravity
4. D. Make a little noise but cause no safety problem
Show answer
Answer: A. Tear loose, uncover the cargo, and block someone's view
A flapping cover can tear loose and block your view or someone else's.
From the official CDL manual, section 3.3.4.
12. When does a retarder that is turned on apply its braking power?
1. A. When you let up all the way on the accelerator pedal
2. B. Only when you push the brake pedal
3. C. Only when you push in the clutch
4. D. Only when you use the parking brake
Show answer
Answer: A. When you let up all the way on the accelerator pedal
The manual says retarders work when you fully let up on the accelerator.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.3.4.
13. When should you shift into a low gear for a long, steep downgrade?
1. A. Before you start down the grade
2. B. Halfway down, once the speed builds
3. C. When the brakes begin to fade
4. D. After the first brake application
Show answer
Answer: A. Before you start down the grade
Pick the low gear before you start down because you may not be able to downshift once your speed is up.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.16.2.
14. On a long downgrade, your speed rises back to your safe speed after you release the brakes. What next?
1. A. Repeat the brake application
2. B. Shift to neutral
3. C. Keep the brakes off until the bottom
4. D. Brake until you stop
Show answer
Answer: A. Repeat the brake application
When speed reaches your safe speed, repeat the braking steps.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.16.4.
15. You can see only the front end of a vehicle sticking out of an alley, but not its driver. What does this mean?
1. A. The driver sees you and will wait
2. B. The vehicle is parked and will not move
3. C. The driver cannot see you, so be ready to stop
4. D. The driver will yield because your vehicle is bigger
Show answer
Answer: C. The driver cannot see you, so be ready to stop
If you cannot see the driver, the driver cannot see you.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.8.3.
16. Why should you avoid the engine brake or speed retarder on slippery roads?
1. A. They can make the drive wheels skid
2. B. They wear out the service brakes faster
3. C. They stop working below freezing
4. D. They use extra fuel on cold days
Show answer
Answer: A. They can make the drive wheels skid
Engine brakes and retarders can lock up drive wheels on slick pavement.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.13.2.
17. ABS is required on air-braked truck tractors built on or after what date?
1. A. March 1, 1998
2. B. March 1, 1997
3. C. March 1, 1999
4. D. January 1, 1995
Show answer
Answer: B. March 1, 1997
Air-braked truck tractors built on or after March 1, 1997 must have ABS.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.18.2.
18. You take the skills test in a truck with an automatic transmission. What restriction goes on your CDL?
1. A. No air brake equipped CMV (L)
2. B. No manual transmission (E)
3. C. Intrastate only (K)
4. D. No tractor trailer CMV (O)
Show answer
Answer: B. No manual transmission (E)
An automatic transmission skills test results in the E restriction.
From the official CDL manual, section 1.
19. In heavy traffic, what is the safest speed?
1. A. The speed of other vehicles, as long as it is legal and safe
2. B. Faster than traffic, to get through it sooner
3. C. Slower than traffic, to stay out of the way
4. D. Five mph over traffic, to stay ahead of the pack
Show answer
Answer: A. The speed of other vehicles, as long as it is legal and safe
Vehicles going the same way at the same speed are not likely to run into one another.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.6.5.
20. You stop on a divided highway. Where do you place your warning devices?
1. A. 10, 100, and 200 feet toward the approaching traffic
2. B. 5, 50, and 100 feet toward the approaching traffic
3. C. 100, 200, and 500 feet toward the approaching traffic
4. D. 10, 100, and 200 feet ahead of your vehicle
Show answer
Answer: A. 10, 100, and 200 feet toward the approaching traffic
On a one-way or divided highway, devices go 10, 100, and 200 feet toward approaching traffic.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.5.2.

North Carolina CDL General Knowledge questions

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

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

Is the North Carolina 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. North Carolina uses its own handbook: https://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/license-id/driver-licenses/new-drivers/Documents/commercial-driver-manual.pdf

How much does a CDL permit cost in North Carolina?

CLP fee: $25.50 (listed as Learner's Permit in the manual fee list).

What languages is the North Carolina CDL knowledge test offered in?

The CDL pages do not name the languages for CDL tests and give no English-only rule. For regular license tests NCDMV says tests are offered in different languages and oral tests are available on request, and you can ask for an ASL or language interpreter online.

Sources

https://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/license-id/driver-licenses/new-drivers/Documents/commercial-driver-manual.pdf
https://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/license-id/driver-licenses/commercial/Pages/default.aspx
https://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/license-id/driver-licenses/new-drivers/Pages/driver-license-tests.aspx
Manual sections used in this test: 1; 2.11.2; 2.13.2; 2.15.1; 2.15.5; 2.16.2; 2.16.4; 2.17.2; 2.18.2; 2.2.4; 2.20.3; 2.23.3; 2.3.4; 2.5.2; 2.6.5; 2.7.7; 2.8.3; 3.3.4

General Knowledge practice test in nearby states