Ohio CDL General Knowledge Practice Test

The Ohio CDL General Knowledge test is a multiple-choice knowledge test you take for your commercial learner's permit. You need at least 80% to pass. That's the federal minimum in 49 CFR 383.135 (Ohio does not publish its own number).

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 Ohio 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.

Ohio CDL permit facts

What	What Ohio says	Source
General Knowledge pass mark	At least 80%. This is the federal minimum (49 CFR 383.135); Ohio does not publish its own number.	Official page
CLP fee	$31.50 (listed as the CDL temporary permit fee, driver fee included)	Official page
CLP validity	12 months	Official page
Test languages	Drivers must read, speak and write English well enough to talk with the public, understand highway signs and answer official questions. Translation aids are not allowed. The BMV offers the CDL manual in English (HSY 7605) and Spanish (HSY 7606). Tests are taken in person at a driver exam station.	Official page

20 question General Knowledge practice test

1. You have an engine fire and you use a foam extinguisher. Where should you shoot the foam?
1. A. Straight into the open hood
2. B. Through louvers, the radiator, or from the underside
3. C. Into the cab
4. D. Up into the sky
Show answer
Answer: B. Through louvers, the radiator, or from the underside
The manual says to shoot foam through louvers, radiator, or from the underside, and not to open the hood if you can avoid it.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.21.3.
2. Why should you downshift to the right gear before entering a curve?
1. A. So you can brake harder in the curve
2. B. So the engine can coast and rest in the curve
3. C. So you can shift gears in the middle of the curve
4. D. So you can use some power through the curve, which helps stability
Show answer
Answer: D. So you can use some power through the curve, which helps stability
Downshifting first lets you keep some power on in the curve, which helps the vehicle stay stable.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.3.1.
3. You hear a loud bang while driving. What is the safest thing to assume?
1. A. Another vehicle had a blowout
2. B. A truck dropped some cargo
3. C. A tire on your vehicle blew out
4. D. Something hit the road
Show answer
Answer: C. A tire on your vehicle blew out
The manual says that any time you hear a tire blow, assume it is yours.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.17.4.
4. Compared with looking at them directly, how do objects look in a convex mirror?
1. A. Larger and closer than they really are
2. B. Larger but farther away
3. C. Smaller and farther away than they really are
4. D. The true size and distance, but with a wider view
Show answer
Answer: C. Smaller and farther away than they really are
In a convex mirror everything looks smaller and farther away, so you must allow for that.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.4.2.
5. What should you check about the splash guards at the rear?
1. A. They are painted
2. B. They are present, fastened, and not rubbing the tires
3. C. They are removed
4. D. They touch the ground
Show answer
Answer: B. They are present, fastened, and not rubbing the tires
Splash guards should be present, not damaged, properly fastened, and not dragging or rubbing tires.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.1.5.
6. You are hauling a less than full load of livestock. What should you use?
1. A. Nothing, because animals balance themselves
2. B. Extra tie-downs on each animal
3. C. A header board at the rear
4. D. False bulkheads to keep the animals bunched together
Show answer
Answer: D. False bulkheads to keep the animals bunched together
False bulkheads keep livestock bunched together on a partial load.
From the official CDL manual, section 3.4.3.
7. How should you adjust space when driving on snow and ice?
1. A. Keep a longer following distance
2. B. Follow closely to stay warm
3. C. Keep the same following distance
4. D. Drive alongside other vehicles
Show answer
Answer: A. Keep a longer following distance
Keep a longer following distance and do not drive alongside others.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.13.2.
8. Someone else loaded and secured your cargo. Who is still responsible for inspecting it?
1. A. You, the driver
2. B. Only the shipper who loaded it
3. C. Only the dock worker who secured it
4. D. The dispatcher who gave you the trip
Show answer
Answer: A. You, the driver
The manual says you are responsible for inspecting the cargo whether or not you loaded it yourself.
From the official CDL manual, section 3.
9. Your yellow ABS lamp stays on after the bulb check. What does this mean?
1. A. Your regular brakes have failed
2. B. ABS is working normally
3. C. You may have lost ABS control on one or more wheels
4. D. Your air pressure is low
Show answer
Answer: C. You may have lost ABS control on one or more wheels
The ABS lamp staying on means the system may not be working.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.18.7.
10. Why should you know where retarders are permitted?
1. A. Because they can be noisy.
2. B. Because they only work on hills.
3. C. Because they use air from the brake tanks.
Show answer
Answer: A. Because they can be noisy.
Retarders can be noisy, so some places limit their use.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.3.4.
11. 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.
12. Which description fits aggressive driving best?
1. A. Driving with the goal of harming another driver or their vehicle
2. B. Driving while distracted by a phone or food
3. C. Keeping a safe gap in heavy traffic
4. D. Driving in a selfish or pushy way with no regard for others' rights or safety
Show answer
Answer: D. Driving in a selfish or pushy way with no regard for others' rights or safety
The manual defines aggressive driving as selfish, bold, or pushy driving without regard for others.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.10.1.
13. What does the "slow moving vehicle" symbol look like?
1. A. An orange triangle with a red center
2. B. A red triangle with an orange center
3. C. A yellow diamond with a black border
4. D. A red circle with a white bar
Show answer
Answer: B. A red triangle with an orange center
The manual says the slow moving vehicle symbol is a red triangle with an orange center.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.8.3.
14. Which tire problem can cause a vehicle fire?
1. A. Duals that touch
2. B. Over-tightened lug nuts
3. C. New tread
4. D. Clean sidewalls
Show answer
Answer: A. Duals that touch
Under-inflated tires and duals that touch are causes of fire.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.21.1.
15. What is the first step in the basic method of shifting up?
1. A. Press the accelerator to raise engine speed
2. B. Shift straight into the next gear with the clutch pushed in
3. C. Release the clutch and press the accelerator
4. D. Release the accelerator, push in the clutch, and shift to neutral at the same time
Show answer
Answer: D. Release the accelerator, push in the clutch, and shift to neutral at the same time
The first step is to release the accelerator, push in the clutch, and shift to neutral together.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.3.1.
16. In thick fog, what should you do about traffic you cannot see?
1. A. Listen for it
2. B. Ignore it
3. C. Sound your horn nonstop
4. D. Watch only the taillights ahead
Show answer
Answer: A. Listen for it
The manual says to listen for traffic you cannot see.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.12.
17. A lane change to move over for a roadside emergency vehicle is unsafe. What should you do?
1. A. Stop in your lane until it is safe
2. B. Slow down and proceed with caution at a safe speed
3. C. Keep your speed, since you cannot move over
4. D. Move over anyway
Show answer
Answer: B. Slow down and proceed with caution at a safe speed
If a lane change is unsafe, slow down and proceed with caution at a safe speed for traffic conditions.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.8.2.
18. At 55 mph, what is the minimum total stopping distance in ideal conditions?
1. A. 203 feet
2. B. 277 feet
3. C. 358 feet
4. D. 419 feet
Show answer
Answer: D. 419 feet
At 55 mph the total stopping distance is a minimum of 419 feet.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.6.1.
19. A coolant container is not part of the pressurized system. When can you safely add coolant?
1. A. Never while the engine is hot
2. B. Only after one hour
3. C. Even when the engine is at operating temperature
4. D. Only with the engine running
Show answer
Answer: C. Even when the engine is at operating temperature
The cap can be removed safely even at operating temperature if the container is not part of the pressurized system.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.14.1.
20. When is a high center of gravity most dangerous?
1. A. While parked at the dock
2. B. In curves, or when you must swerve to avoid a hazard
3. C. On a long, straight road at a steady speed
4. D. While backing at a walking pace
Show answer
Answer: B. In curves, or when you must swerve to avoid a hazard
A high center of gravity is most dangerous in curves or when swerving.
From the official CDL manual, section 3.2.3.

Ohio CDL General Knowledge questions

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

You need at least 80% to pass. That is the federal minimum in 49 CFR 383.135. Ohio does not publish its own number.

Is the Ohio 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. Ohio uses its own handbook: https://dam.assets.ohio.gov/image/upload/publicsafety.ohio.gov/HSY7605.pdf

How much does a CDL permit cost in Ohio?

CLP fee: $31.50 (listed as the CDL temporary permit fee, driver fee included).

What languages is the Ohio CDL knowledge test offered in?

Drivers must read, speak and write English well enough to talk with the public, understand highway signs and answer official questions. Translation aids are not allowed. The BMV offers the CDL manual in English (HSY 7605) and Spanish (HSY 7606). Tests are taken in person at a driver exam station.

Sources

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-383.135
https://www.bmv.ohio.gov/doc-fees.aspx
https://www.bmv.ohio.gov/dl-cdl-classes.aspx
https://dam.assets.ohio.gov/image/upload/publicsafety.ohio.gov/HSY7605.pdf
Manual sections used in this test: 2.1.5; 2.10.1; 2.12; 2.13.2; 2.14.1; 2.17.4; 2.18.7; 2.21.1; 2.21.3; 2.3.1; 2.3.4; 2.4.2; 2.6.1; 2.8.2; 2.8.3; 3; 3.2.2; 3.2.3; 3.4.3

General Knowledge practice test in nearby states