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North Carolina CDL practice tests

Free practice exams aligned with the North Carolina DMV commercial driver handbook. Capital: Raleigh. State code: NC.

North Carolina CDL requirements & eligibility →

GK

General Knowledge

Required for every CDL applicant.

50 questions · 80% to pass

 AB

Air Brakes

Required to operate any vehicle with air brakes.

25 questions · 80% to pass

 CV

Combination Vehicles

Required for Class A combination drivers.

25 questions · 80% to pass

 H

Hazardous Materials (H)

Required to haul placarded hazardous loads.

30 questions · 80% to pass

 N

Tanker (N)

Required to haul liquid or gas in bulk tanks.

20 questions · 80% to pass

 T

Doubles / Triples (T)

Required to pull more than one trailer.

20 questions · 80% to pass

 P

Passenger (P)

Required to drive a vehicle designed for 16+ riders.

20 questions · 80% to pass

 S

School Bus (S)

Required to drive a school bus.

20 questions · 80% to pass

How CDLs work in North Carolina

In North Carolina, commercial driver licensing is administered by the North Carolina DMV. Like every U.S. jurisdiction, North Carolina follows the federal CDL standards published by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which means the rules you study using LicenseReady apply directly to the test you’ll take. The handbook your DMV office issues is essentially the FMCSA CDL Manual with a state cover and a few jurisdiction-specific notes added at the front and back. For step-by-step eligibility, fees, and the application process, see the North Carolina CDL requirements page.

To earn a CDL in North Carolina, candidates begin with the General Knowledge exam, which every Class A, B, and C applicant must pass. From there, additional endorsement exams unlock specific privileges: Air Brakes for any vehicle with a compressed-air braking system, Combination Vehicles for Class A applicants pulling a trailer, Hazmat (H) for placarded loads, Tanker (N) for bulk liquids, Doubles/Triples (T) for multi-trailer combinations, Passenger (P) for vehicles built for 16+ riders, and School Bus (S) on top of P for student transport.

Deep study guides for North Carolina

Every endorsement exam has a dedicated North Carolina-framed study guide that breaks the federal source material into bite-sized topic articles. Read the guide for any endorsement before you drill the practice test:

The exam in North Carolina

The General Knowledge exam in North Carolina is a multiple-choice test of roughly 50 questions; you must score at least 80% to pass. Endorsement exams range from 20 to 30 questions depending on the category, also at the 80% mark. Tests are typically administered on a touchscreen at a North Carolina DMV service center, though some locations still use paper forms. You may take the test as many times as needed to pass, although most DMVs charge a small re-test fee and require a 24-hour wait between attempts.

What to bring to the North Carolina CDL exam

Bring proof of identity, proof of North Carolina residency, your Social Security number, and your current driver’s license. Hazmat applicants additionally need to complete a TSA threat assessment and pay the federal background-check fee before the endorsement is added. Most candidates arrive with their CDL handbook tabbed to the air-brake and inspection sections so they have a quick reference on the way in. Allow at least two hours at the DMV office: most of that time is lines.

Practice tips for North Carolina drivers

The fastest path to a passing score is to drill the General Knowledge exam until you can finish a full set above 90% in under fifteen minutes. Once that’s solid, move on to Air Brakes and Combination Vehicles — the two endorsements nearly every Class A applicant in North Carolina ends up taking. Hazmat is the longest exam at 30 questions and the only one that requires a federal background check, so plan accordingly if your job requires it. Use the study guides for a quick refresher between practice runs.