Free Louisiana CDL practice test online
Take a free Louisiana CDL practice exam online with clear explanations—no sign-up. Coverage includes general knowledge, vehicle systems, combination vehicles, cargo, and endorsements. Then verify current requirements with Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles.
CDL knowledge tests are federally regulated, so the passing score in Louisiana is the same as everywhere else: 80% correct on every knowledge test. You must also hold a commercial learner’s permit for 14 days before the skills test.
New to the knowledge test? CDL endorsements explained · One-week study plan
Requirements before you test
Louisiana CDL test requirements
Commercial licensing is largely federal. Any figure above credited to a 49 CFR section applies in every state — see 49 CFR 383.135(a)(1) and 49 CFR 383.25(e). A figure credited to Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles is Louisiana’s own, and may be stricter than the federal floor. Test length, fees, and scheduling are set by Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (official source).
Entry-Level Driver Training comes first
Since February 7, 2022, a new Class A or Class B CDL, a class upgrade, or a first passenger, school bus, or hazardous materials endorsement requires training from a provider on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry (49 CFR 380.600). Practice questions are study material and do not satisfy that requirement.
FMCSA Training Provider RegistryYou need a Louisiana licence first
A commercial learner’s permit only counts if you already hold an ordinary licence from the same state (49 CFR 383.25(a)(2)). The Louisiana non-commercial knowledge test runs 40 questions and needs 32 correct, with permits issued from age 15.
Louisiana permit practice testWhat you will practice
Build coverage topic by topic.
Each question carries a topic, difficulty, explanation, and source section so your review has context.
Sample questions
5 Louisiana CDL practice questions
Try these Louisiana sample questions now — each shows the correct answer with a plain-language explanation and a source section. The full 600-question bank is in the practice run.
1. Before evacuating, secure the bus in Park or Neutral, set the parking brake, shut off the engine, remove the key, and:
- AAccelerate slightly to clear the lane
- BRelease the stop arm only
- COpen every window fully
- Activate the hazard warning lights
Answer: Activate the hazard warning lights. Notify dispatch if time allows; otherwise use radio or phone, or send responsible people for help.
Source: Commercial Driver License Manual — School buses — evacuation procedures
2. Compared with a single trailer, triples require:
- AHigher speeds in curves
- BLess following distance
- More room to manoeuvre and greater care in turns
- DNo change in technique
Answer: More room to manoeuvre and greater care in turns. Each added trailer increases rearward amplification and off-tracking, so lane changes, turns, and stopping all need more space.
Source: Commercial Driver License Manual — Doubles and triples — space management
3. If you must drive onto the shoulder in an emergency, you should generally:
- AEdge back onto the road gradually without countersteering
- BStop in the travel lane first
- CBrake hard immediately on the loose surface
- Avoid braking until about 20 mph, then brake gently; keep one set of wheels on pavement if possible
Answer: Avoid braking until about 20 mph, then brake gently; keep one set of wheels on pavement if possible. Hard braking on gravel can cause a skid. Stay on a clear shoulder until stopped when you can, then signal and check mirrors before returning.
Source: Commercial Driver License Manual — Driving emergencies — leaving the road
4. If you cannot account for a student outside the bus, the correct action is to:
- AWait thirty seconds and then depart
- BCreep forward while sounding the horn
- Secure the bus, take the key, and check around and underneath
- DAsk nearby traffic to search for you
Answer: Secure the bus, take the key, and check around and underneath. Taking the ignition key ensures nobody can move the bus while you search the danger zone.
Source: Commercial Driver License Manual — School buses — student loading
5. Before disconnecting the air lines while uncoupling, you should:
- Chock the trailer wheels or ensure its brakes are holding
- BRelease the fifth-wheel lock
- CDrain the trailer air tank
- DRaise the landing gear
Answer: Chock the trailer wheels or ensure its brakes are holding. Once the emergency line is disconnected the trailer relies on its spring brakes. Chocks stop it rolling if that pressure has bled away.
Source: Commercial Driver License Manual — Combination vehicles — uncoupling
CDL knowledge areas
Classes and endorsements, organized.
Each area below scopes the reviewed question bank to one knowledge test. The material is federal, so it applies in Louisiana just like everywhere else — the endorsement guide explains how the codes fit together.
The foundation for commercial driving: inspections, space, speed, communication, hazards, and safe operation.
- Pre-trip inspection
- Space and speed management
- Railroad crossings
- Emergency procedures
Understand air-brake components, inspections, warning devices, stopping distance, and controlled braking.
- Dual air systems
- Low-air warnings
- Brake lag and fade
- Applied-leak and static checks
Prepare for safe coupling, inspection, turning, backing, and handling of tractor-trailer combinations.
- Fifth-wheel inspection
- Coupling and uncoupling
- Off-tracking
- Trailer skid prevention
Study hazard communication, shipping papers, placards, loading rules, parking, and emergency response responsibilities.
- Hazard classes
- Placards and labels
- Shipping papers
- Loading and segregation
Learn how liquid surge, outage, bulkheads, and high centers of gravity change vehicle handling.
- Liquid surge
- Outage requirements
- Smooth braking
- Rollover prevention
Practice converter-dolly inspection, coupling order, rearward amplification, and stability principles.
- Coupling sequence
- Converter dollies
- Rearward amplification
- Space management
Prepare to inspect, load, and operate buses while keeping passengers, aisles, and exits safe.
- Vehicle inspection
- Passenger loading
- Emergency exits
- Prohibited practices
Review student loading, danger zones, mirrors, emergency procedures, and special railroad-crossing duties.
- Danger zones
- Student loading
- Mirror use
- Railroad crossings
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Common questions
What this practice can—and cannot—tell you.