Rhode Island CDL practice test
Getting a commercial driver's licence in Rhode Island starts with the CDL knowledge tests. The content is federal: every state, Rhode Island 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. Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles administers the test; the rules behind it are published by the FMCSA. Try the free Rhode Island CDL practice questions below, then pick a full test.
- 50general knowledge questions
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Free Rhode Island CDL practice quiz
Five questions from the general knowledge, air brakes and combination vehicles banks, the three tests most Rhode Island 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
Which of these would you check on the brake linings during an inspection?
Answer: B. That they are not loose, soaked with oil or grease, or worn dangerously thinLinings should be at least a quarter inch thick, firmly attached, and dry. Oil or grease on a lining ruins its friction, and loose linings can jam the brake.
Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 5.3.2 (Brake Drums or Discs, Linings)
How do you test the low pressure warning signal?
Answer: C. With the key on, step on and off the brake pedal to fan off air pressure; the warning should come on before pressure drops below 55 psiStart with enough air that the warning is off. The engine may be on or off, but the key must be on. Rapidly apply and release the foot brake to fan off pressure. The buzzer, light or flag must come on before pressure drops below 55 psi, or the level the manufacturer specifies (older manuals say 60 psi). If it does not work, you could lose air and not know it.
Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 5.3.3 (Test Low Pressure Warning Signal)
As you keep fanning off air pressure during the brake test, the parking brake knob should pop out when pressure falls to about:
Answer: D. 20 to 45 psi, or the manufacturer's specified rangeThis shows the spring brakes come on automatically when air gets too low. The knob pops out as the spring brakes apply. If it does not, the automatic emergency braking is not working.
Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 5.3.3 (Check That the Spring Brakes Come On Automatically)
In a dual air system, pressure should build from 85 to 100 psi within:
Answer: A. 45 secondsWith the engine running at normal operating idle, typically 600 to 900 rpm, watch the air gauge. In a dual air system pressure should build from about 85 to 100 psi within 45 seconds. Slow build-up means the vehicle does not meet the standard, and you may run low on air while driving.
Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 5.3.3 (Check Rate of Air Pressure Build-up)
In a single air system (typically an older vehicle), pressure should build from 50 to 90 psi within about:
Answer: B. 3 minutes with the engine at 600 to 900 rpmOlder single-system vehicles have a looser standard: 50 to 90 psi in three minutes with the engine held at 600 to 900 rpm. A dual system must go from 85 to 100 psi in 45 seconds.
Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 5.3.3 (Check Rate of Air Pressure Build-up)
Every CDL test for Rhode Island drivers
Each page has a free ten-question quiz, the real question count, the 80% pass mark and what the test covers.
How the Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island; the current ones from RI DMV are in the next section. What does not change is the content, and that is what PassRig drills.
Rhode Island CDL fees and rules
In Rhode Island the CDL is issued by the Rhode Island Division 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: RI Commercial Driver License Manual. PassRig's questions are written from the same FMCSA manual it is based on.
| What | RI | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Learner's permit fee | $73.50 | dmv.ri.gov |
| Knowledge test fee | $23.50, then $10.00 for each additional test | dmv.ri.gov |
| Permit valid for | One year maximum, non-renewable | dmv.ri.gov |
| Minimum age | 18 for intrastate (within state) travel only; 21 years of age for interstate | dmv.ri.gov |
| Appointment | By appointment only, at the Cranston DMV, 8:30 am to 1:30 pm | dmv.ri.gov |
| If you fail | Seven days | dmv.ri.gov |
| Medical certificate | A DOT medical examination must be passed before the CLP is issued | dmv.ri.gov |
| Entry-level driver training | Must be completed with a registered training provider before the CDL skills test | dmv.ri.gov |
| Also worth knowing | CLP must be held at least 14 days before the CDL skills test | dmv.ri.gov |
5 official pages from RI DMV were read for this section. Nothing on it is estimated. RI DMV's site is not reachable from outside the US, so these were read from archived copies of its pages captured on 2026-04-19.
Rhode Island CDL test questions
How many questions are on the Rhode Island CDL test?
The Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island?
Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles gives the test. By appointment only, at the Cranston DMV, 8:30 am to 1:30 pm The test content itself comes from the FMCSA CDL manual.
How much does a CDL permit cost in Rhode Island?
RI DMV lists the commercial learner's permit fee as $73.50. If you fail a knowledge test: Seven days
Does PassRig have Rhode Island CDL practice questions?
Yes. Pick Rhode Island 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.
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