Tennessee CDL Combination Vehicles Practice Test

The Tennessee CDL Combination Vehicles 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 (Tennessee does not publish its own number).

Last updated Oct 16, 2026. FirstTry CDL is a CDL permit test prep site by Hive Asset Group, LLC.

By Scott Wilder, Editor

Last reviewed against the Tennessee CDL manual on October 16, 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.

Tennessee CDL permit facts

What	What Tennessee says	Source
Combination Vehicles pass mark	At least 80%. This is the federal minimum (49 CFR 383.135); Tennessee does not publish its own number.	Official page
Class A CLP fee	$14.00 total ($8.00 per year for 1 year plus $6.00 application fee)	Official page
Class B or C CLP fee	$13.00 total ($7.00 per year for 1 year plus $6.00 application fee)	Official page
CLP validity	365 days. If you do not convert the CLP to a CDL before it expires, all knowledge and skills tests become null and void.	Official page
Knowledge test retest rule	If you fail a knowledge test, you may retake it the next day. Applicants caught cheating are told by the DSC manager when they may retest.	Official page
Test languages	The manual says you may take a paper test or have the computer read the test to you in English, and to ask the DSC about other testing options. The official sources do not list other test languages or state an English-only rule.	Official page

20 question Combination Vehicles practice test

1. On a sliding fifth wheel, what should you check about its position?
1. A. That it is not so far forward that the frame hits the landing gear or the cab hits the trailer in turns
2. B. That it is as far forward as it will go
3. C. That it is all the way to the rear
4. D. That it is unlocked so it can move in turns
Show answer
Answer: A. That it is not so far forward that the frame hits the landing gear or the cab hits the trailer in turns
Too far forward can cause damage during turns.
From the official CDL manual, section 6.5.1.
2. During a walk-around, where should the lower fifth wheel locking jaws be?
1. A. Around the head of the kingpin
2. B. Around the shank of the kingpin, not the head
3. C. Around the glide plate
4. D. Open, with the release arm up
Show answer
Answer: B. Around the shank of the kingpin, not the head
Jaws on the shank hold the trailer securely.
From the official CDL manual, section 6.5.1.
3. You are fully loaded and approaching a curved off ramp. What lowers your rollover risk?
1. A. Slow down and drive the ramp slowly
2. B. Keep highway speed because ramps are gentle
3. C. Brake hard in the middle of the curve
4. D. Change lanes quickly to line up with the ramp
Show answer
Answer: A. Slow down and drive the ramp slowly
Rollovers happen when you turn too fast, so drive slowly on ramps.
From the official CDL manual, section 6.1.1.
4. How many steps are in the inspection procedure used for a combination vehicle?
1. A. Five
2. B. Nine
3. C. Seven
4. D. Three
Show answer
Answer: C. Seven
The manual says to use the seven-step inspection procedure from Section 2.
From the official CDL manual, section 6.5.
5. What should you check about the electrical cord between the tractor and trailer?
1. A. It is hanging loose for easy movement
2. B. It is firmly plugged in and secured
3. C. It is wrapped tightly around the air lines
Show answer
Answer: B. It is firmly plugged in and secured
The electrical cord must be firmly plugged in and secured.
From the official CDL manual, section 6.5.1.
6. What do you do with the wheel chocks in the last step of coupling?
1. A. Leave them under the trailer wheels
2. B. Throw them on the ground behind the trailer
3. C. Hang them on the landing gear
4. D. Remove them and store them in a safe place
Show answer
Answer: D. Remove them and store them in a safe place
The last step is to remove the wheel chocks and store them in a safe place.
From the official CDL manual, section 6.4.1.
7. A chart shows rearward amplification of 2.0 for a rig. What does that mean?
1. A. The rig needs twice the normal stopping distance
2. B. The tractor is twice as likely to turn over as the trailer
3. C. The rear trailer is twice as likely to turn over as the tractor
4. D. The trailer can carry twice the weight
Show answer
Answer: C. The rear trailer is twice as likely to turn over as the tractor
This is how the manual describes a rating of 2.0.
From the official CDL manual, section 6.1.2.
8. 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.
9. How can you tell a pintle hook latch is correctly locked?
1. A. The lock handle is flush with the top of the latch
2. B. The lock handle points straight down
3. C. The latch is in its most upright position
4. D. The drawbar eye is above the horn
Show answer
Answer: A. The lock handle is flush with the top of the latch
When locked correctly, the lock handle is flush with the top of the latch.
From the official CDL manual, section 6.4.3.
10. 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.
11. You find the coupling is not right. What should you do?
1. A. Drive carefully to the nearest shop
2. B. Drive slowly and avoid turns
3. C. Add grease and continue the trip
4. D. Do not drive it; get it fixed
Show answer
Answer: D. Do not drive it; get it fixed
A bad coupling can let the trailer come loose.
From the official CDL manual, section 6.4.1.
12. When you connect the air-lines, which line goes to the trailer emergency glad hand?
1. A. The tractor service air-line
2. B. The tractor parking line
3. C. The electrical cord
4. D. The tractor emergency air-line
Show answer
Answer: D. The tractor emergency air-line
The tractor emergency air-line connects to the trailer emergency glad hand, after you check the seals.
From the official CDL manual, section 6.4.1.
13. 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.
14. What have tests shown about stopping a bobtail tractor?
1. A. It stops more smoothly than a loaded rig
2. B. It can be very hard to stop smoothly
3. C. It is easy to stop on any road
Show answer
Answer: B. It can be very hard to stop smoothly
Tests show bobtails can be very hard to stop smoothly, so drive them with care.
From the official CDL manual, section 6.1.3.
15. When the ABS computer senses a wheel is about to lock up, what does it do?
1. A. It raises the braking pressure
2. B. It turns off the brakes on that axle for good
3. C. It reduces the braking pressure to a safe level
Show answer
Answer: C. It reduces the braking pressure to a safe level
The computer reduces the braking pressure to a safe level so you keep control.
From the official CDL manual, section 6.3.2.
16. You are coupling and your tractor has a sliding fifth wheel. What must you make sure of?
1. A. It is slid all the way forward
2. B. It is slid all the way back
3. C. It is locked
4. D. It is unlocked so it can move
Show answer
Answer: C. It is locked
The manual says to make sure a sliding fifth wheel is locked.
From the official CDL manual, section 6.4.1.
17. To test the trailer emergency brakes, what do you do after checking that the trailer rolls freely?
1. A. Push in the air supply control and pull hard
2. B. Use the hand valve and drive at highway speed
3. C. Drain the trailer tanks and wait
4. D. Stop, pull out the air supply control, and pull gently on the trailer
Show answer
Answer: D. Stop, pull out the air supply control, and pull gently on the trailer
If the emergency brakes are on, the trailer will resist the tractor.
From the official CDL manual, section 6.5.2.
18. An older vehicle has a lever for the tractor protection valve. Which position is used to pull a trailer?
1. A. The "normal" position
2. B. The "emergency" position
3. C. A middle position between the two
Show answer
Answer: A. The "normal" position
The normal position is for pulling a trailer, and emergency shuts the air off.
From the official CDL manual, section 6.2.3.
19. 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.
20. At the rear of the last trailer, you open the emergency line shut-off valve and hear air escaping. What does this show?
1. A. The emergency line has a major leak
2. B. The trailer brakes are applied
3. C. The entire system is charged
4. D. The shut-off valves are closed
Show answer
Answer: C. The entire system is charged
Air at the back of the last trailer shows air reaches the whole rig.
From the official CDL manual, section 6.5.2.

Tennessee CDL Combination Vehicles questions

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

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

Is the Tennessee 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. Tennessee uses its own handbook: https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/safety/documents/CDL_Manual_May2022.pdf

How much does a CDL permit cost in Tennessee?

Class A CLP fee: $14.00 total ($8.00 per year for 1 year plus $6.00 application fee).

What languages is the Tennessee CDL knowledge test offered in?

The manual says you may take a paper test or have the computer read the test to you in English, and to ask the DSC about other testing options. The official sources do not list other test languages or state an English-only rule.

Sources

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-383.135
https://www.tn.gov/safety/driver-services/helpful-information/fees.html
https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/safety/documents/CDL_Manual_May2022.pdf
Manual sections used in this test: 6.1.1; 6.1.2; 6.1.3; 6.2.3; 6.3.1; 6.3.2; 6.4.1; 6.4.3; 6.5; 6.5.1; 6.5.2

Combination Vehicles practice test in nearby states