North Carolina General Knowledge practice test
50 questions · 80% to pass · Required for every CDL applicant.
How to use this practice test
Read each question, click an answer, and the correct choice is highlighted with a short explanation referencing the underlying CDL Manual concept. Your live score appears at the top of the page. Refresh to reset.
This test runs entirely in your browser. Nothing is uploaded; no account is required. Pages refresh to a new randomized cut from the bank.
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1. A driver placing reflective triangles after a breakdown on a divided highway should place them at:
Explanation. On a one-way or divided road, place triangles at 10, 100, and 200 feet toward approaching traffic.
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2. When taking the CDL knowledge exam, when checking lights during the pre-trip, you should turn the key on and:
Explanation. Have someone else watch, or turn lights on and off and walk around to verify each lamp is working. (Reinforcement variant — same underlying CDL Manual concept.)
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3. When driving in fog, you should:
Explanation. High beams reflect off fog and reduce vision; low beams and slower speed are correct.
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4. Retarders should usually be turned off when:
Explanation. On slick surfaces a retarder can cause drive wheels to skid; turn it off in those conditions.
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5. Communicating presence with the horn is appropriate when:
Explanation. Use the horn only to warn others of your presence when there is a real risk they have not seen you.
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6. In real-world commercial driving, hours-of-service property-carrying drivers may drive a maximum of how many hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty?
Explanation. The federal HOS rule allows up to 11 hours of driving after 10 consecutive hours off duty. (Reinforcement variant — same underlying CDL Manual concept.)
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7. When you double your speed, your stopping distance:
Explanation. Stopping distance increases roughly with the square of speed, so doubling speed nearly quadruples the distance.
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8. Carbon monoxide poisoning may be a hazard if:
Explanation. A cracked exhaust manifold or rusted-through pipe can leak CO into the cab, causing drowsiness or death.
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9. Stab braking is used:
Explanation. Stab braking is an emergency technique for non-ABS vehicles: brake hard until wheels lock, release, brake again.
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10. The 14-hour rule means a driver may not drive after the:
Explanation. After 14 consecutive hours on duty following 10 hours off, no further driving is allowed even if some of those 14 hours were not driving.
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11. You should signal a lane change for at least:
Explanation. Signal early and continuously enough for surrounding traffic to see your intent.
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12. A driver may use a hand-held mobile phone while driving a CMV:
Explanation. Federal rules prohibit hand-held mobile phone use by CMV drivers except in emergencies.
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13. A vehicle is most likely to roll over when:
Explanation. High center of gravity plus sudden steering or braking is the recipe for rollovers.
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14. When merging onto a highway, you should:
Explanation. Match traffic speed and yield; stopping is dangerous and can cause rear-end collisions.
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15. Cargo should be inspected:
Explanation. You must inspect cargo within the first 50 miles, then every 150 miles or 3 hours, whichever is sooner.
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16. A driver who is convicted of DUI in any vehicle while holding a CDL faces:
Explanation. A first DUI conviction in any vehicle disqualifies a CDL for at least one year.
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17. In real-world commercial driving, hydroplaning is most likely when:
Explanation. Hydroplaning can occur at speeds as low as 30 mph if there is enough water and the tires cannot channel it away. (Reinforcement variant — same underlying CDL Manual concept.)
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18. According to the FMCSA CDL Manual, the best way to recover from a drive-wheel skid is to:
Explanation. Releasing the accelerator and disengaging the clutch removes power from the drive wheels so they can regain traction. (Reinforcement variant — same underlying CDL Manual concept.)
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19. Brake fade is caused by:
Explanation. Brakes lose effectiveness when overheated; this is why low gears are essential on grades.
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20. You should warm up the engine before driving because:
Explanation. Allowing the engine to warm circulates oil and reduces wear before load is applied.
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21. According to the FMCSA CDL Manual, total stopping distance equals:
Explanation. Total stopping distance is perception + reaction + braking distance combined. (Reinforcement variant — same underlying CDL Manual concept.)
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22. A retarder helps the driver by:
Explanation. Retarders slow the vehicle without using service brakes, reducing brake wear and overheating risk.
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23. You must use low beams within how many feet of an oncoming vehicle?
Explanation. Switch to low beams within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle to avoid blinding the other driver.
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24. Which is the best way to handle a tire failure?
Explanation. Hard braking after a tire failure can cause loss of control. Hold the wheel firmly, ease off the throttle, and brake gently after slowing.
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25. According to the FMCSA CDL Manual, most pre-trip inspections begin with which step?
Explanation. The CDL Manual lists "review last inspection report" as the first step in the seven-step pre-trip inspection. (Reinforcement variant — same underlying CDL Manual concept.)
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26. Per federal regulations, controlled braking means:
Explanation. Controlled braking is firm pressure that does not lock the wheels, allowing you to continue steering. (Reinforcement variant — same underlying CDL Manual concept.)
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27. Per federal regulations, you should warm up the engine before driving because:
Explanation. Allowing the engine to warm circulates oil and reduces wear before load is applied. (Reinforcement variant — same underlying CDL Manual concept.)
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28. According to the FMCSA CDL Manual, hydroplaning is most likely when:
Explanation. Hydroplaning can occur at speeds as low as 30 mph if there is enough water and the tires cannot channel it away. (Reinforcement variant — same underlying CDL Manual concept.)
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29. In real-world commercial driving, you should NOT drive when taking which of these?
Explanation. Drowsiness-causing medications, even legal ones, can disqualify you from driving. (Reinforcement variant — same underlying CDL Manual concept.)
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30. During a pre-trip inspection, the most common cause of serious skids is:
Explanation. Driving too fast for road and weather conditions is the leading cause of skids. (Reinforcement variant — same underlying CDL Manual concept.)
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31. During a pre-trip inspection, what is the standard color of a placard for a Class 2 (gases) hazardous material?
Explanation. Class 2 placards are red for flammable gas, green for non-flammable, and yellow/white for poison/oxygen subdivisions. (Reinforcement variant — same underlying CDL Manual concept.)
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32. Per federal regulations, when driving down a long, steep grade, you should:
Explanation. Always select a low gear before descending so engine compression helps hold speed and brakes do not overheat. (Reinforcement variant — same underlying CDL Manual concept.)
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33. Most state DMV CDL handbooks state that you should signal continuously when turning because:
Explanation. Continuous signaling keeps other drivers informed and prevents the signal from cancelling before the turn is complete. (Reinforcement variant — same underlying CDL Manual concept.)
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34. When approaching a railroad crossing, you should:
Explanation. Always slow, look, listen, and prepare to stop. A full stop is required only for buses, hazmat, and certain placarded vehicles.
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35. During a pre-trip inspection, a driver loses their CDL for life if convicted of:
Explanation. Using a CMV to commit a controlled-substance felony is grounds for a lifetime CDL disqualification. (Reinforcement variant — same underlying CDL Manual concept.)
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36. In real-world commercial driving, convex (curved) mirrors:
Explanation. Convex mirrors widen the view but make objects appear smaller and farther away than they actually are. (Reinforcement variant — same underlying CDL Manual concept.)
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37. Per federal regulations, when backing a commercial vehicle, you should:
Explanation. Backing toward the driver side gives the driver a direct line of sight, which is much safer than blind-side backing. (Reinforcement variant — same underlying CDL Manual concept.)
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38. A safe following distance for a 40-foot vehicle at 50 mph is at least:
Explanation. Use 1 second per 10 feet of vehicle length under 40 mph, plus 1 extra second above 40 mph: 4 + 1 = 5 seconds for a 40-foot truck at 50 mph.
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39. The eye-lead time recommended for highway driving is at least:
Explanation. Look 12-15 seconds ahead so you can identify hazards in time to react smoothly.
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40. During a pre-trip inspection, most pre-trip inspections begin with which step?
Explanation. The CDL Manual lists "review last inspection report" as the first step in the seven-step pre-trip inspection. (Reinforcement variant — same underlying CDL Manual concept.)
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41. When making a right turn in a large vehicle, you should:
Explanation. Stay in the right lane and watch the trailer; swinging left first invites a same-direction driver to squeeze in on your right.
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42. Drivers must complete a written post-trip inspection report when:
Explanation. Federal rules require a report whenever defects are found, and many carriers require one for every trip.
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43. When operating a CMV in interstate commerce, a retarder helps the driver by:
Explanation. Retarders slow the vehicle without using service brakes, reducing brake wear and overheating risk. (Reinforcement variant — same underlying CDL Manual concept.)
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44. Per federal regulations, carbon monoxide poisoning may be a hazard if:
Explanation. A cracked exhaust manifold or rusted-through pipe can leak CO into the cab, causing drowsiness or death. (Reinforcement variant — same underlying CDL Manual concept.)
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45. A driver loses their CDL for life if convicted of:
Explanation. Using a CMV to commit a controlled-substance felony is grounds for a lifetime CDL disqualification.
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46. What does the term "perception distance" mean?
Explanation. Perception distance is the distance traveled while your brain identifies a hazard, typically about 1.5 seconds at highway speed.
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47. According to the FMCSA CDL Manual, a safe following distance for a 40-foot vehicle at 50 mph is at least:
Explanation. Use 1 second per 10 feet of vehicle length under 40 mph, plus 1 extra second above 40 mph: 4 + 1 = 5 seconds for a 40-foot truck at 50 mph. (Reinforcement variant — same underlying CDL Manual concept.)
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48. Hydroplaning is most likely when:
Explanation. Hydroplaning can occur at speeds as low as 30 mph if there is enough water and the tires cannot channel it away.
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49. Most state DMV CDL handbooks state that when driving in fog, you should:
Explanation. High beams reflect off fog and reduce vision; low beams and slower speed are correct. (Reinforcement variant — same underlying CDL Manual concept.)
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50. Which of these is NOT a sign of a tired driver?
Explanation. A "second wind" is a brief, deceptive boost. All of the others, including the second wind, are warning signs of fatigue.
About the General Knowledge exam
The General Knowledge exam is required for every Class A, B, and C CDL applicant. It covers vehicle inspection, basic control, shifting, backing, communicating with other drivers, distracted driving, fatigue, hazard perception, emergency maneuvers, skid control, accident procedures, hazardous materials awareness, and federal hours-of-service rules.
This North Carolina-specific edition uses the same federal source material every U.S. state adopts. The North Carolina DMV administers the actual exam at its service centers. Bring your CDL handbook for any last-minute reference; it’s free at every North Carolina DMV office.
Once you’re consistently scoring above 90% on this practice set, you’re well above the 80% required to pass the official North Carolina exam. Drill the questions you miss most often, then take the test cold once a day for a week leading up to your appointment.
Tips that actually work
- Read every answer choice before clicking. CDL questions are famous for "best answer" wording where two choices look right.
- Don’t memorize question text — learn the underlying rule. The DMV reshuffles wording constantly.
- Keep a list of the questions you miss. Re-drill them in isolation until you can’t miss them.
- Practice in short, frequent sessions. Two 20-minute sessions per day beats one two-hour cram.
What happens after I pass?
Passing the knowledge test earns you a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP). You must hold the CLP for at least 14 days before you can take the road skills test, and you must drive with a CDL-holding instructor in the cab during that period. Once you pass the road skills test, your CDL is issued.