Free New Jersey CDL practice test online
Take a free New Jersey 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 New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission.
New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission gives the general knowledge test as 50 questions, and federal law sets the bar at 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
New Jersey 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 New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission is New Jersey’s own, and may be stricter than the federal floor. Test length, fees, and scheduling are set by New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (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 New Jersey 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 New Jersey non-commercial knowledge test runs 50 questions and needs 40 correct, with permits issued from age 16.
New Jersey 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 New Jersey CDL practice questions
Try these New Jersey 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. Why should a driver avoid repeatedly pumping air brakes on a long downgrade?
- Each application uses air, and pressure can drop too low
- BIt causes the governor to cut in early
- CIt disables the trailer brakes
- DIt wears the brake pedal linkage
Answer: Each application uses air, and pressure can drop too low. Fanning the brakes releases air faster than the compressor can replace it, risking loss of braking on the descent.
Source: Commercial Driver License Manual — Air brakes — downgrade braking
2. When hauling hazardous materials, a driver must examine each tire:
- At the beginning of each trip and each time the vehicle is parked
- BOnly after a tire warning light
- CEvery 500 miles
- DOnce a week
Answer: At the beginning of each trip and each time the vehicle is parked. Frequent checks catch a leaking or overheating tire before it can ignite near a hazardous load.
Source: Commercial Driver License Manual — Hazardous materials — tires (49 CFR 397.17(a))
3. You may drive a vehicle carrying hazardous materials without an H endorsement if:
- AThe tanks are empty
- BAny amount is aboard
- The load does not require placards
- DYou stay on secondary roads
Answer: The load does not require placards. Not every hazmat shipment requires placards. If placards are required, the endorsement is required.
Source: Commercial Driver License Manual — Hazardous materials — placarding
4. If forced back onto the pavement before you can stop on the shoulder:
- AAccelerate to climb the edge
- BEdge gradually so tires grab slowly
- Hold the wheel tightly, turn sharply enough to remount the pavement, then countersteer immediately as one movement
- DBrake hard while half on and half off
Answer: Hold the wheel tightly, turn sharply enough to remount the pavement, then countersteer immediately as one movement. Edging gradually can make tires grab unexpectedly. Steer-countersteer as a single recovery.
Source: Commercial Driver License Manual — Driving emergencies — returning to the road
5. A tractor jackknife is often started when:
- Drive wheels lock or lose traction and the tractor swings under the trailer
- BThe fifth wheel is freshly greased
- CLanding gear is fully raised
- DThe trailer tires are overinflated slightly
Answer: Drive wheels lock or lose traction and the tractor swings under the trailer. Release brakes to restore drive-wheel grip, then countersteer carefully as the combination straightens.
Source: Commercial Driver License Manual — Combination vehicles — skid control
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 New Jersey 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
More northeast practice
Nearby CDL practice tests
Jump to another northeast state hub, or browse every jurisdiction.
Common questions
What this practice can—and cannot—tell you.