Checked against official Pennsylvania sources on Oct 7, 2026
Pennsylvania CDL practice test
Every state needs at least 80% on each CDL written test, and Pennsylvania follows the same federal rule. Below are the fees, ages and rules we checked against the official Pennsylvania source, and a free practice test.
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.
Pennsylvania CDL facts
| What | What Pennsylvania says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| CLP fee (photo fee, one permit) | $15.50 photo fee, plus $6.00 for each endorsement or restriction removal (no fee for the school bus endorsement). Add $5 for each additional commercial permit on the fee chart. | Official page |
| CDL fee, upgrading from a non-commercial license | $43.50 if your license expires in 7 to 12 months; $65.50 for 13 to 24 months; $87.50 for 25 to 36 months; $109.50 for 37 to 48 months. One permit, photo fee included. | Official page |
| CDL renewal fee (4-year) | $127.50 | Official page |
| Fee to upgrade CDL class or endorsement, or remove restrictions | $21.50 | Official page |
| Hazmat fee | $22.00 for the original issue or renewal of a CDL with an H or X endorsement. Upgrading to transport hazardous materials is $43.50 on the fee chart. A federal fee also applies. | Official page |
| Knowledge test fee | No separate knowledge test fee is listed. Fees are paid with the permit application (form DL-31CD). | Official page |
| Payment methods | Debit or credit card, check or money order. Driver License Centers do not accept cash. | Official page |
| CLP validity | The permit is valid for one year from the date the Knowledge Test Authorization (KTA) is issued. | Official page |
| Minimum age, intrastate | 18 | Official page |
| Minimum age, interstate | 21 (applies to all classes) | Official page |
| Minimum age, hazmat (H or X) | 21 | Official page |
| Knowledge test retake rule | You get three tries on one KTA to pass the knowledge tests. | Official page |
| Skills test retake rule | You get three tries on one permit to pass the skills tests. | Official page |
| Wait before skills test | 15 days from the date the permit is issued. You can schedule the skills test right after passing the knowledge test. | Official page |
| Knowledge and skills test validity | Valid for one year from the date the test is passed. | Official page |
| Same-day knowledge test | You can take the knowledge test the same day the KTA is issued, depending on Driver License Center availability. | Official page |
| Manual languages | The PA Commercial Driver's Manual (PUB 223) is posted in English and 32 other languages, including Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Korean, Vietnamese and Haitian Creole. | Official page |
| Skills test waiting period | If you change or upgrade your CDL learner's permit, the 15 day wait starts over from the new issue date. | Official page |
Fees and rules change. Confirm on the official Pennsylvania CDL page before you go. Read the official Pennsylvania CDL manual.
CDL test formats
We show the national defaults for question counts and time limits. Check the official Pennsylvania manual for anything that differs.
| Test | Questions | To pass | Typical time |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Knowledge | 50 | 40 (80%) | About 60 minutes |
| Air Brakes | 25 | 20 (80%) | 25 to 30 minutes |
| Combination Vehicles | 20 (25 questions in some states) | 16 (80%) | 20 to 25 minutes |
| Hazardous Materials | 30 | 24 (80%) | 30 to 40 minutes |
| Tanker | 20 | 16 (80%) | 20 to 25 minutes |
| Passenger | 20 | 16 (80%) | 20 to 25 minutes |
| School Bus | 20 (25 questions in some states) | 16 (80%) | About 25 minutes |
| Doubles/Triples | 20 | 16 (80%) | About 20 minutes |
Practice any of them: all CDL practice tests.