California CDL practice test

Getting a commercial driver's licence in California starts with the CDL knowledge tests. The content is federal: every state, California included, writes its tests from the FMCSA CDL manual, so the general knowledge test has 50 questions, the endorsement tests have 20 to 30, and the passing score is 80% on each. California Department of Motor Vehicles administers the test; the rules behind it are published by the FMCSA. Try the free California CDL practice questions below, then pick a full test.

50general knowledge questions
80%passing score on every test
8knowledge tests covered
CApick your state once in the app

Free California CDL practice quiz

Five questions from the general knowledge, air brakes and combination vehicles banks, the three tests most California Class A applicants take first. Tap an answer to see if you were right and read the explanation.

0 of 5 right0 of 5 answered

What is the most important reason to inspect your vehicle before a trip?
After you begin a trip, when should you first re-check your cargo and its securing devices?
During a trip, how often should you re-check cargo and tie-downs after the first check?
A written inspection report says the vehicle has a safety defect. Before that vehicle is driven again, the motor carrier must:
How much free play in the steering wheel is too much?

Every CDL test for California drivers

Each page has a free ten-question quiz, the real question count, the 80% pass mark and what the test covers.

How the California CDL knowledge test works

You take the general knowledge test first; it is required for every CDL class. Class A drivers add the combination vehicles test. Almost everyone takes the air brakes test, because skipping it puts an air brake restriction on the licence. Endorsements (hazmat, tanker, doubles/triples, passenger, school bus) each have their own knowledge test. Pass the tests and you hold a commercial learner's permit; the skills test in a truck comes later.

Fees, appointment rules and test centre locations are set by California; the current ones from California DMV are in the next section. What does not change is the content, and that is what PassRig drills.

California CDL fees and rules

In California the CDL is issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles. The figures below are taken from its own pages and were last checked on 2 November 2026. Fees and rules change, so confirm with the agency before you go.

Study from the state's own book: California Commercial Driver Handbook (DL 650). PassRig's questions are written from the same FMCSA manual it is based on.

What	CA	Source
Learner's permit fee	No separate permit fee; one application fee covers 12 months	dmv.ca.gov
CDL fee	$100 for an original Class A or B ($59 renewal); $59 for Class C	dmv.ca.gov
Retest fee	None listed for knowledge tests; a skills retest is $46	dmv.ca.gov
Permit valid for	180 days, renewable once for another 180 days	dmv.ca.gov
Minimum age	18 within California; 21 for interstate driving or hazardous materials	dmv.ca.gov
Appointment	Knowledge tests are not given within 30 minutes of closing; skills tests by appointment only	dmv.ca.gov
If you fail	No waiting period to retake a failed knowledge test	dmv.ca.gov
Attempts allowed	3 per knowledge test; a third fail voids the application and you reapply	dmv.ca.gov
Test languages	Knowledge tests in English, Arabic, Chinese, Punjabi, Russian and Spanish; skills tests in English	dmv.ca.gov
Medical certificate	Medical exam report and certificate required, renewed every two years	dmv.ca.gov
Entry-level driver training	Federal training plus a California-only 15 hours behind the wheel (form DL 1236)	dmv.ca.gov
Also worth knowing	Non-domiciled CDLs for limited-term residents are paused until further notice	dmv.ca.gov

4 official pages from California DMV were read for this section. Nothing on it is estimated.

California CDL test questions

How many questions are on the California CDL test?

The California CDL general knowledge test follows the federal model: 50 questions, 40 correct to pass. Endorsement tests are shorter: air brakes 25, hazmat 30, and combination vehicles, tanker, doubles/triples, passenger and school bus 20 each.

What is the passing score on the California CDL permit test?

80% on every knowledge test, the same pass mark used across the United States.

Where do I take the CDL knowledge test in California?

California Department of Motor Vehicles gives the test. Knowledge tests are not given within 30 minutes of closing; skills tests by appointment only The test content itself comes from the FMCSA CDL manual.

How much does a CDL permit cost in California?

California DMV lists the commercial learner's permit fee as No separate permit fee; one application fee covers 12 months. If you fail a knowledge test: No waiting period to retake a failed knowledge test

Does PassRig have California CDL practice questions?

Yes. Pick California in the app and you get practice sets and mock exams built from the knowledge test content your state uses, with the real counts and the 80% line.