Pennsylvania CDL practice test

Getting a commercial driver's licence in Pennsylvania starts with the CDL knowledge tests. The content is federal: every state, Pennsylvania 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. Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Driver and Vehicle Services administers the test; the rules behind it are published by the FMCSA. Try the free Pennsylvania CDL practice questions below, then pick a full test.

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

Free Pennsylvania CDL practice quiz

Five questions from the general knowledge, air brakes and combination vehicles banks, the three tests most Pennsylvania 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

When you drive a tractor-trailer combination with ABS, how should you brake?
On a trailer, the ABS malfunction lamp is:
In a dual air brake system, the primary system usually operates:
While driving a vehicle with a dual air system, the low air warning comes on for one of the systems. You should:
Before you check the manual slack adjusters, you should:

Every CDL test for Pennsylvania drivers

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

How the Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania; the current ones from PennDOT are in the next section. What does not change is the content, and that is what PassRig drills.

Pennsylvania CDL fees and rules

In Pennsylvania the CDL is issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Driver and Vehicle Services. 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: Pennsylvania Commercial Driver's Manual (PUB 223). PassRig's questions are written from the same FMCSA manual it is based on.

What	PA	Source
Learner's permit fee	No separate permit fee: one permit and photo come with the upgrade fee below; extra permits cost more	pa.gov
CDL fee	Upgrade to commercial $43.50 to $109.50 depending on time left on your licence; renewal $127.50 for four years	pa.gov
Permit valid for	Knowledge test authorisation valid one year, with one year to pass all knowledge and skills tests	pa.gov
Minimum age	18 within Pennsylvania; 21 for interstate driving	pa.gov
Appointment	Take the knowledge test at a driver licence centre as soon as the authorisation is issued, same day	pa.gov
Attempts allowed	Three tries per knowledge test authorisation	pa.gov
Test languages	Knowledge tests in several languages, written and audio; hazmat in English only	pa.gov
Medical certificate	Non-excepted drivers submit a medical examiner's certificate before the permit is issued	pa.gov
Entry-level driver training	Required since 7 February 2022 for a first Class A or B, upgrades, and a first passenger, school bus or hazmat endorsement	pa.gov
Also worth knowing	Skills test no sooner than 15 days after the permit; three tries per permit	pa.gov

6 official pages from PennDOT were read for this section. Nothing on it is estimated.

Pennsylvania CDL test questions

How many questions are on the Pennsylvania CDL test?

The Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Driver and Vehicle Services gives the test. Take the knowledge test at a driver licence centre as soon as the authorisation is issued, same day The test content itself comes from the FMCSA CDL manual.

How much does a CDL permit cost in Pennsylvania?

PennDOT lists the commercial learner's permit fee as No separate permit fee: one permit and photo come with the upgrade fee below; extra permits cost more. Fees change, so check the agency's fee page before you go.

Does PassRig have Pennsylvania CDL practice questions?

Yes. Pick Pennsylvania 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.