Wisconsin CDL Combination Vehicles Practice Test

The Wisconsin CDL Combination Vehicles test is a multiple-choice knowledge test you take for your commercial learner's permit. Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Division of Motor Vehicles (Wisconsin DMV) 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 Wisconsin 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.

Wisconsin CDL permit facts

What	What Wisconsin says	Source
Combination Vehicles pass mark	80%	Official page
Combination Vehicles test questions	20	Official page
CLP fee	$30, valid 180 days (Class A, B or C)	Official page
CLP holding period	Hold the CLP for 14 days before you take a skills test	Official page
Knowledge test retest rule	If you fail, you can retake no sooner than the next day. You may take the same test only five times in one year. After five tries you need special permission from DMV staff	Official page
Test languages	General knowledge, combination, air brakes, doubles and triples, passenger and tanker tests are offered in English, American Sign Language (video), Burmese, Croatian, Polish, Russian, Serbian and Spanish. The hazmat and school bus tests are English only. Translators and audio assist are not allowed on CDL tests.	Official page

20 question Combination Vehicles practice test

1. Why do you try to position your vehicle a certain way before backing a trailer?
1. A. So you can back on a curve to the passenger side
2. B. So the trailer sits at an angle
3. C. So you can back as fast as possible
4. D. So you can back in a straight line
Show answer
Answer: D. So you can back in a straight line
Try to set up so you can back in a straight line.
From the official CDL manual, section 6.1.7.
2. When you couple a gooseneck hitch, what do you remember about safety chains?
1. A. They are optional for short trips
2. B. They are needed only for loaded trailers
3. C. All trailers are required by law to have them
4. D. They replace the clamp latch
Show answer
Answer: C. All trailers are required by law to have them
The manual says all trailers are required by law to have safety chains.
From the official CDL manual, section 6.4.7.
3. How do you join two glad hand couplers?
1. A. Push them straight together until they click
2. B. Twist them together while pulling the hoses apart
3. C. Slide one coupler over the other and tighten it with a wrench
4. D. Press the seals together with the couplers at 90 degrees, then turn the hose-side glad hand
Show answer
Answer: D. Press the seals together with the couplers at 90 degrees, then turn the hose-side glad hand
This presses the seals and locks the couplers.
From the official CDL manual, section 6.2.5.
4. In normal driving, how should you apply the trailer brakes?
1. A. With the trailer hand valve first, then the foot brake
2. B. With the foot brake, which sends air to all the brakes
3. C. With the trailer hand valve alone for gentle stops
4. D. With the parking brake and foot brake together
Show answer
Answer: B. With the foot brake, which sends air to all the brakes
The foot brake applies every brake on the vehicle, with much less danger of a skid.
From the official CDL manual, section 6.2.1.
5. Before coupling, how should the fifth wheel be tilted?
1. A. Up toward the cab
2. B. Level with the frame
3. C. Down toward the rear of the tractor
4. D. Sideways to the left
Show answer
Answer: C. Down toward the rear of the tractor
The manual says the fifth wheel should be tilted down toward the rear of the tractor.
From the official CDL manual, section 6.4.1.
6. How often should you check the outside mirrors on both sides when backing?
1. A. Once, before you start
2. B. Frequently
3. C. Only the driver side mirror, now and then
4. D. Only when the trailer drifts
Show answer
Answer: B. Frequently
The manual says to check the outside mirrors on both sides frequently.
From the official CDL manual, section 6.1.7.
7. Stuck on the tracks, you call for help. What should you check at the crossing to give the exact location?
1. A. The DOT number on the signpost or signal housing, if posted
2. B. The truck's license plate number
3. C. The mile marker on the nearest highway
4. D. The trailer's unit number
Show answer
Answer: A. The DOT number on the signpost or signal housing, if posted
The manual says to give the crossing location, especially the DOT number if posted.
From the official CDL manual, section 6.1.4.
8. You connect the air and electrical lines. What must you make sure of?
1. A. They are as long as possible
2. B. They are painted the same color
3. C. They are hidden under the trailer
4. D. They will not hit any moving parts
Show answer
Answer: D. They will not hit any moving parts
The lines must not hit any moving parts of the vehicle.
From the official CDL manual, section 6.4.1.
9. How should you check the brakes on a double or triple trailer?
1. A. Only the last trailer needs a check
2. B. With a special test only for doubles
3. C. As you would check any combination vehicle
Show answer
Answer: C. As you would check any combination vehicle
Check the brakes on a double or triple as you would any combination vehicle.
From the official CDL manual, section 6.5.2.
10. Why should you never back under a trailer at an angle?
1. A. You might push the trailer sideways and break the landing gear
2. B. The kingpin cannot lock at an angle
3. C. The glad hands will cross
4. D. The trailer brakes will lock up
Show answer
Answer: A. You might push the trailer sideways and break the landing gear
Line up directly in front of the trailer before backing under.
From the official CDL manual, section 6.4.1.
11. What is a "bobtail" in trucking?
1. A. A tractor without a semitrailer
2. B. A trailer with a short body
3. C. A tractor pulling a single empty trailer
4. D. A straight truck with a dump body
Show answer
Answer: A. A tractor without a semitrailer
The manual defines bobtail tractors as tractors without semitrailers.
From the official CDL manual, section 6.1.3.
12. Cargo is loaded toward one side and makes the trailer lean. What is the result?
1. A. The trailer tracks better in turns
2. B. A rollover is more likely
3. C. Braking distance gets shorter
4. D. Nothing, if the weight is within legal limits
Show answer
Answer: B. A rollover is more likely
A load off to one side makes the trailer lean, which makes a rollover more likely.
From the official CDL manual, section 6.1.1.
13. Your trailer has power-operated landing gear. What should you check for?
1. A. Extra grease on the legs
2. B. Rust on the crank handle
3. C. Air or hydraulic leaks
Show answer
Answer: C. Air or hydraulic leaks
Power-operated landing gear should have no air or hydraulic leaks.
From the official CDL manual, section 6.5.1.
14. Which control tests the trailer brakes, and which controls them in normal driving?
1. A. The foot pedal tests them; the hand valve controls them in driving
2. B. The hand valve tests them; the foot pedal controls them in driving
3. C. The hand valve both tests and controls them
4. D. The air supply knob tests them; the parking valve controls them
Show answer
Answer: B. The hand valve tests them; the foot pedal controls them in driving
The foot pedal applies the service brakes at all wheels.
From the official CDL manual, section 6.5.2.
15. 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.
16. Why should the tractor be lined up with the trailer when you uncouple?
1. A. It saves fuel
2. B. Pulling out at an angle can damage the landing gear
3. C. It keeps the air-lines cool
4. D. It makes the brakes lock
Show answer
Answer: B. Pulling out at an angle can damage the landing gear
Pulling out at an angle can damage the landing gear.
From the official CDL manual, section 6.4.2.
17. You back a trailer. How does the steering wheel move, compared with backing a car or straight truck?
1. A. The same way as a car
2. B. You do not need to turn it at all
3. C. You turn it the opposite way
4. D. Only the trailer wheels are turned
Show answer
Answer: C. You turn it the opposite way
When backing a trailer, you turn the steering wheel in the opposite direction.
From the official CDL manual, section 6.1.7.
18. Your truck has ABS. May you follow other vehicles more closely?
1. A. Yes, ABS always stops the truck sooner
2. B. No, ABS does not allow closer following
3. C. Yes, but only on dry roads
Show answer
Answer: B. No, ABS does not allow closer following
ABS will not let you drive faster, follow closer, or drive less carefully.
From the official CDL manual, section 6.3.2.
19. What do trailers without spring brakes have for a parking brake?
1. A. A mechanical hand brake on the landing gear
2. B. The trailer hand valve held on
3. C. Nothing; they have no parking brake
4. D. The service brakes locked with air
Show answer
Answer: C. Nothing; they have no parking brake
These trailers have emergency brakes that work from tank air and no parking brake, so use chocks.
From the official CDL manual, section 6.2.8.
20. You shut the engine off to hear the trailer brakes. When do you start it again?
1. A. Before you apply and release the trailer brakes
2. B. After you back under the trailer
3. C. After you raise the landing gear
4. D. When you are sure the trailer brakes are working
Show answer
Answer: D. When you are sure the trailer brakes are working
The manual says to start the engine when you are sure the trailer brakes are working.
From the official CDL manual, section 6.4.1.

Wisconsin CDL Combination Vehicles questions

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

Wisconsin says you need 80% to pass the Combination Vehicles test.

Is the Wisconsin 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. Wisconsin uses its own handbook: https://wisconsindot.gov/Documents/dmv/shared/bds356-cdl-manual.pdf

How much does a CDL permit cost in Wisconsin?

CLP fee: $30, valid 180 days (Class A, B or C).

What languages is the Wisconsin CDL knowledge test offered in?

General knowledge, combination, air brakes, doubles and triples, passenger and tanker tests are offered in English, American Sign Language (video), Burmese, Croatian, Polish, Russian, Serbian and Spanish. The hazmat and school bus tests are English only. Translators and audio assist are not allowed on CDL tests.

Sources

https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/dmv/com-drv-vehs/rqts-for-cdl/cdl-requirements.aspx
https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/dmv/vehicles/title-plates/dmv-fees.aspx
https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/dmv/teen-driver/teen-hw-aply/knowledge.aspx
https://wisconsindot.gov/Documents/dmv/shared/bds356-cdl-manual.pdf
Manual sections used in this test: 6.1.1; 6.1.3; 6.1.4; 6.1.7; 6.2.1; 6.2.5; 6.2.8; 6.3.2; 6.4.1; 6.4.2; 6.4.7; 6.5.1; 6.5.2

Combination Vehicles practice test in nearby states