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Free New York CDL practice test online

Take a free New York 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 York Department of Motor Vehicles.

CDL knowledge tests are federally regulated, so the passing score in New York 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.

Start practice Exam-style run

New to the knowledge test? CDL endorsements explained · One-week study plan

Practice coverage
Complete a run to establish your baseline.
600questions
23topics
80%federal pass mark

49 CFR 383.135(a)(1) sets the CDL knowledge-test passing score at 80%. Reaching it here is not a prediction of your official result.

Requirements before you test

New York CDL test requirements

80%
Passing score
49 CFR 383.135(a)(1)
14 days
CLP held before skills test
New York Department of Motor Vehicles
18
Min. age (in-state)
New York Department of Motor Vehicles
21
Min. age (interstate)
49 CFR 391.11(b)(1)

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 York Department of Motor Vehicles is New York’s own, and may be stricter than the federal floor. Test length, fees, and scheduling are set by New York Department 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 Registry

You need a New York 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 York non-commercial knowledge test runs 20 questions and needs 14 correct, with permits issued from age 16.

New York permit practice test
Quick practice
10 balanced questions with feedback after every answer.
Practice now
Topic review
Focus on one knowledge area before returning to mixed practice.
See topics
Exam-style run
Answer the full starter bank before seeing your results.
Take the run

What you will practice

Build coverage topic by topic.

Each question carries a topic, difficulty, explanation, and source section so your review has context.

General knowledge29 reviewed questionsMountain driving12 reviewed questionsAir brakes61 reviewed questionsCombination vehicles54 reviewed questionsVehicle systems9 reviewed questionsCargo18 reviewed questionsTank vehicles47 reviewed questionsDoubles and triples43 reviewed questionsHazardous materials71 reviewed questionsSchool bus48 reviewed questionsPassenger vehicles45 reviewed questionsSafe driving6 reviewed questionsSpace management14 reviewed questionsVehicle inspection15 reviewed questionsEmergencies23 reviewed questionsHours of service14 reviewed questionsBasic control11 reviewed questionsSeeing hazards15 reviewed questionsWeather18 reviewed questionsNight driving7 reviewed questionsDriver fitness8 reviewed questionsSpeed management17 reviewed questionsCommunication15 reviewed questions

Sample questions

5 New York CDL practice questions

Try these New York 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. 1. Ammonium nitrate and hydrogen peroxide as oxidizers are Hazard Class:

    • 5
    • B8
    • C2
    • D3

    Answer: 5. Class 5 covers oxidizers and organic peroxides that can make other materials burn more intensely.

    Source: Commercial Driver License Manual — Hazardous materials — hazard classes

  2. 2. Before starting a new driving shift, a property-carrying driver must take:

    • A14 consecutive hours off duty
    • B6 consecutive hours off duty
    • C8 consecutive hours off duty
    • 10 consecutive hours off duty

    Answer: 10 consecutive hours off duty. 49 CFR 395.3(a)(1) requires 10 consecutive hours off duty before driving.

    Source: Commercial Driver License Manual — Hours of service — start of work shift (49 CFR 395.3(a)(1))

  3. 3. School bus drivers should practice evacuation procedures:

    • AOnly after an actual fire occurs
    • BOnly when adults are riding along
    • CNever, because drills frighten students
    • Early in the school year, with periodic reviews afterward

    Answer: Early in the school year, with periodic reviews afterward. Teach every student how exits work and to follow instructions; train older assistants when they are available.

    Source: Commercial Driver License Manual — School buses — evacuation planning

  4. 4. If you miss a student’s unloading stop, you should:

    • AOpen the rear emergency door
    • BBack up to the stop
    • Not back up; follow local procedures for a safe alternative
    • DDischarge the student at the next driveway

    Answer: Not back up; follow local procedures for a safe alternative. Backing a school bus is hazardous. Local policy covers how to correct a missed stop without reversing into the danger zone.

    Source: Commercial Driver License Manual — School buses — unloading

  5. 5. What is the minimum tread groove depth allowed on the front wheels of a truck or truck tractor?

    • A6/32 of an inch
    • B8/32 of an inch
    • C2/32 of an inch
    • 4/32 of an inch

    Answer: 4/32 of an inch. Federal rules require at least 4/32 inch of tread in a major groove on front tires, measured away from tie bars, humps, or fillets.

    Source: Commercial Driver License Manual — Vehicle inspection — tires (49 CFR 393.75(b))

Practice all 600 questions

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 York just like everywhere else — the endorsement guide explains how the codes fit together.

General knowledge

The foundation for commercial driving: inspections, space, speed, communication, hazards, and safe operation.

  • Pre-trip inspection
  • Space and speed management
  • Railroad crossings
  • Emergency procedures
Practice general knowledge
Air brakes

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
Practice air brakes
Combination vehicles

Prepare for safe coupling, inspection, turning, backing, and handling of tractor-trailer combinations.

  • Fifth-wheel inspection
  • Coupling and uncoupling
  • Off-tracking
  • Trailer skid prevention
Practice combination vehicles
Hazardous materialsEndorsement H

Study hazard communication, shipping papers, placards, loading rules, parking, and emergency response responsibilities.

  • Hazard classes
  • Placards and labels
  • Shipping papers
  • Loading and segregation
Practice hazardous materials
Tank vehiclesEndorsement N

Learn how liquid surge, outage, bulkheads, and high centers of gravity change vehicle handling.

  • Liquid surge
  • Outage requirements
  • Smooth braking
  • Rollover prevention
Practice tank vehicles
Doubles & triplesEndorsement T

Practice converter-dolly inspection, coupling order, rearward amplification, and stability principles.

  • Coupling sequence
  • Converter dollies
  • Rearward amplification
  • Space management
Practice doubles & triples
Passenger vehiclesEndorsement P

Prepare to inspect, load, and operate buses while keeping passengers, aisles, and exits safe.

  • Vehicle inspection
  • Passenger loading
  • Emergency exits
  • Prohibited practices
Practice passenger vehicles
School busEndorsement S

Review student loading, danger zones, mirrors, emergency procedures, and special railroad-crossing duties.

  • Danger zones
  • Student loading
  • Mirror use
  • Railroad crossings
Practice school bus
Official source hub
Verify current rules before your test.

QuizLane’s starter material points learners back to the agency responsible for licensing in New York. Rules and manuals can change; the official agency remains authoritative.

Visit New York Department of Motor Vehicles
Our accuracy promise
Original wording—not scraped competitor questions
A source section attached to every reviewed item
A correction path when something looks wrong
Read our methodology

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Common questions

What this practice can—and cannot—tell you.