California CDL practice test
To get a commercial learner's permit in California you pass the California DMV knowledge tests for your vehicle class and endorsements. The tests are based on the state's commercial driver manual; our CDL practice tests follow the same national model manual that California's manual is based on.
California CDL knowledge tests
| Test | Questions | To pass |
|---|---|---|
| General Knowledge (all applicants) | – | – |
| Passenger Transport (bus drivers) | – | – |
| Air Brakes | – | – |
| Combination Vehicles | – | – |
| Hazardous Materials (plus TSA background check) | – | – |
| Tank Vehicle | – | – |
| Doubles/Triples (triples not legal in California) | – | – |
| School Bus | – | – |
| Firefighter endorsement | – | – |
"–" means the DMV doesn't publish the figure.
Getting a CDL in California
- Decide your class (A, B or C) and endorsements, and read those sections of the manual.
- Pass the knowledge tests at the DMV to get your commercial learner's permit (CLP). Federal rules also require a medical certificate for most drivers.
- Hold the CLP for at least 14 days. First-time Class A and B applicants, and anyone adding the passenger, school bus or hazmat endorsement, must finish entry-level driver training with a provider on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry before the skills test.
- Pass the skills test: pre-trip inspection, basic control and an on-road drive.
You must be at least 21 to drive a commercial vehicle across state lines or carry hazardous materials that need placards. More about CDL classes and tests.
Practise for each test
- General knowledgeRequired for every CDL: inspection, vehicle control, space and speed, hazards, emergencies, cargo.
- Air brakesNeeded to drive vehicles with air brakes; without it you get an air brake restriction.
- Combination vehiclesFor tractor-trailers and other combinations (Class A).
- Hazardous materialsFor the H endorsement; also needs a TSA background check.
- Tanker vehiclesFor the N endorsement: liquids and gases in bulk.
- Passenger transportFor the P endorsement: buses and vehicles for 16 or more people.
- School busFor the S endorsement, together with the passenger endorsement.
- Doubles and triplesFor the T endorsement: pulling two or three trailers.
Which tests do you need?
- Everyone: general knowledge.
- Tractor-trailers and other Class A combinations: combination vehicles, plus air brakes if the vehicle has them.
- Buses: passenger transport, and school bus for school buses.
- Endorsements: hazardous materials (H), tank vehicles (N) and doubles/triples (T) each have their own test.
If you don't pass the air brakes test, your CDL gets an air brake restriction.
The California CDL manual
Download the official commercial driver manual from the California Department of Motor Vehicles. Read the sections for the tests you're taking.
Knowledge tests are given on Automated Knowledge Testing equipment in English, Arabic, Chinese, Punjabi, Russian and Spanish. You get three attempts per knowledge test, with no waiting period to retake, and three total skills-test attempts (vehicle inspection, basic control skills, road test). You must hold the CLP 14 days before the skills test. The CLP is valid 180 days and can be renewed once for 180 days within a year of application. Fees: $100 original Class A/B, $59 Class C commercial, $46 skills retest.
Source: California Department of Motor Vehicles, checked 2026-10-27.