Washington CDL General Knowledge Practice Test

The Washington CDL General Knowledge test is a multiple-choice knowledge test you take for your commercial learner's permit. Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) says you need 80% to pass (source).

Last updated Oct 7, 2026. FirstTry CDL is a CDL permit test prep site by Hive Asset Group, LLC.

By Scott Wilder, Editor

Last reviewed against the Washington CDL manual on October 7, 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.

Washington CDL permit facts

What	What Washington says	Source
General Knowledge pass mark	80%	Official page
General Knowledge test questions	50	Official page
CLP fee	$40	Official page
CLP validity	180 days. Renew once within 30 days of expiring for 180 more days. Doubles/triples and hazmat tests do not renew with the CLP	Official page
CLP holding period	Wait 14 calendar days after your original or upgraded CLP before the skills test	Official page
Test languages	The CDL knowledge test comes in English, Spanish, Russian and Serbian-Croatian. Language interpreters are not allowed. The study guide is English only.	Official page

20 question General Knowledge practice test

1. 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.
2. What color should the side-marker lights be at the rear of the vehicle?
1. A. Red
2. B. Amber
3. C. White
4. D. Green
Show answer
Answer: A. Red
Side-marker lights should be red at the rear, and others amber.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.1.5.
3. You commit your first railroad-highway grade crossing violation. What is the least time you lose your CDL?
1. A. 30 days
2. B. 90 days
3. C. One year
4. D. 60 days
Show answer
Answer: D. 60 days
A first railroad-highway crossing violation costs your CDL for at least 60 days.
From the official CDL manual, section 1.3.
4. Why check your mirrors often in tight maneuvers?
1. A. To save fuel.
2. B. To find a parking spot.
3. C. To make sure you have enough clearance.
4. D. To check the load weight.
Show answer
Answer: C. To make sure you have enough clearance.
In close quarters you must be sure you have enough clearance.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.4.2.
5. What does a shipper use to warn dockworkers and drivers of a hazard?
1. A. A shipping paper and diamond shaped hazard labels
2. B. A phone call to the driver
3. C. A round sticker on the door
4. D. A written note in the cab
Show answer
Answer: A. A shipping paper and diamond shaped hazard labels
The shipper uses a shipping paper and diamond shaped hazard labels to warn dockworkers and drivers.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.23.2.
6. After you stop on a road or shoulder, within how many minutes must you put out warning devices?
1. A. 2 minutes
2. B. 5 minutes
3. C. 10 minutes
4. D. 30 minutes
Show answer
Answer: C. 10 minutes
The manual says to put out emergency warning devices within ten minutes.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.5.2.
7. A truck has tanks that meet the size rules for a tank endorsement. The liquid is not hazardous. Do you need the tank endorsement?
1. A. Yes, but only at night
2. B. No, only hazardous liquids need it
3. C. No, only gases need it
4. D. Yes, the liquid does not have to be hazardous
Show answer
Answer: D. Yes, the liquid does not have to be hazardous
The liquid or gas does not have to be a hazardous material for the tank endorsement to be required.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.23.3.
8. Your license requires corrective lenses. When must you wear them?
1. A. Only when driving at night
2. B. Any time you move a vehicle, even for a short distance
3. C. Only on trips longer than an hour
4. D. Only on highways
Show answer
Answer: B. Any time you move a vehicle, even for a short distance
It is illegal to move a vehicle without your required lenses, even for short distances.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.11.2.
9. What fraction of missing leaves in a leaf spring puts the vehicle out of service?
1. A. One-eighth or more
2. B. One-fourth or more
3. C. One-half or more
4. D. All of the leaves
Show answer
Answer: B. One-fourth or more
If one-fourth or more of the leaves are missing, the vehicle is put out of service.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.1.3.
10. What does it mean to counter-steer?
1. A. Turn the wheel more in the same direction
2. B. Turn the wheel back the other way after passing the obstacle
3. C. Brake while turning
4. D. Let go of the wheel
Show answer
Answer: B. Turn the wheel back the other way after passing the obstacle
You counter-steer once you are past what was in your path.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.17.1.
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. 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.
13. Which trip is interstate commerce?
1. A. Hauling cargo that starts and ends in one state, with no part of the trip elsewhere
2. B. Hauling cargo between two places in one state when the cargo's trip began in another state
3. C. Driving between two cities on roads that stay within one state
4. D. Moving an empty truck to a repair shop in your own state
Show answer
Answer: B. Hauling cargo between two places in one state when the cargo's trip began in another state
A trip inside one state is interstate if the cargo is part of a trip that began or will end in another state.
From the official CDL manual, section 1.2.
14. How should you use caffeine when you are tired?
1. A. It cures fatigue if you drink enough
2. B. It can replace rest on a long run
3. C. It helps for a few hours but wears off, so do not rely on it
4. D. It works better than a short nap
Show answer
Answer: C. It helps for a few hours but wears off, so do not rely on it
Caffeine only boosts awareness for a while, so do not count on it to prevent fatigue.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.11.2.
15. 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.
16. Only your tractor has ABS. What is a benefit?
1. A. The trailer cannot swing out
2. B. You can brake harder than normal
3. C. You do not need to watch the trailer
4. D. You should keep steering control and have less chance of jackknifing
Show answer
Answer: D. You should keep steering control and have less chance of jackknifing
With ABS on the tractor only, steering control is kept and jackknifing is less likely.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.18.5.
17. You make a quick emergency turn around an obstacle. What should you do with the brakes?
1. A. Brake hard to lose speed during the turn
2. B. Pump the brakes through the whole turn
3. C. Do not brake while turning, since the wheels can lock
4. D. Use only the parking brake
Show answer
Answer: C. Do not brake while turning, since the wheels can lock
Braking during a turn can lock the wheels and send you into a skid.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.17.1.
18. How close should an oncoming vehicle be before you dim your high beams?
1. A. Within 500 feet
2. B. Within 100 feet
3. C. Within 250 feet
4. D. Only after the other driver dims first
Show answer
Answer: A. Within 500 feet
Dim your lights when you are within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle or one you are following.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.11.5.
19. Dialing a phone while driving a CMV makes a crash, near-crash, or lane deviation how many times more likely?
1. A. 2 times
2. B. 6 times
3. C. 12 times
4. D. 23 times
Show answer
Answer: B. 6 times
Research shows the odds are 6 times greater for CMV drivers who dial while driving.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.9.4.
20. A B:C fire extinguisher is designed to work on which fires?
1. A. Wood, paper, and cloth fires
2. B. Fires in combustible metals
3. C. Burning tires
4. D. Electrical fires and burning liquids
Show answer
Answer: D. Electrical fires and burning liquids
A B:C extinguisher is for electrical fires and burning liquids.
From the official CDL manual, section 2.21.3.

Washington CDL General Knowledge questions

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

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

Is the Washington 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. Washington uses its own handbook: https://dol.wa.gov/media/pdf/42/cdlguidepdf

How much does a CDL permit cost in Washington?

CLP fee: $40.

What languages is the Washington CDL knowledge test offered in?

The CDL knowledge test comes in English, Spanish, Russian and Serbian-Croatian. Language interpreters are not allowed. The study guide is English only.

Sources

https://dol.wa.gov/driver-licenses-and-permits/commercial-driver-licenses-cdl/cdl-training-and-testing/cdl-knowledge-test
https://dol.wa.gov/driver-licenses-and-permits/commercial-driver-licenses-cdl/cdl-training-and-testing/commercial-learners-permit-clp
https://dol.wa.gov/driver-licenses-and-permits/commercial-driver-licenses-cdl/cdl-training-and-testing/cdl-skills-test
https://dol.wa.gov/media/pdf/42/cdlguidepdf
Manual sections used in this test: 1; 1.2; 1.3; 2.1.3; 2.1.5; 2.11.2; 2.11.5; 2.15.2; 2.17.1; 2.18.5; 2.2.4; 2.21.3; 2.23.2; 2.23.3; 2.4.2; 2.5.2; 2.8.2; 2.9.4

General Knowledge practice test in nearby states