Free North Carolina CDL practice test online
Take a free North Carolina 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 North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles.
CDL knowledge tests are federally regulated, so the passing score in North Carolina 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
North Carolina 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 North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles is North Carolina’s own, and may be stricter than the federal floor. Test length, fees, and scheduling are set by North Carolina Division 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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina non-commercial knowledge test runs 25 questions and needs 20 correct, with permits issued from age 15.
North Carolina 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 North Carolina CDL practice questions
Try these North Carolina 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. Overdriving your headlights means:
- ALeaving the headlights on during the day
- BFollowing too closely at night
- CUsing high beams in fog
- Driving so fast you cannot stop within the lit distance ahead
Answer: Driving so fast you cannot stop within the lit distance ahead. If your stopping distance exceeds the distance your headlights illuminate, a hazard will appear too late to avoid.
Source: Commercial Driver License Manual — Night driving — speed and visibility
2. Outage is the space left in a tank for:
- ATire chains
- BExtra passengers
- Liquid expansion as temperature rises
- DAir-brake reservoirs
Answer: Liquid expansion as temperature rises. Different liquids need different outage amounts. Never load totally full.
Source: Commercial Driver License Manual — Tank vehicles — outage
3. In bad weather or on mountains, doubles and triples need extra caution because:
- AThey cannot use engine brakes
- BTire rules do not apply
- CThey are shorter than other CMVs
- They have greater length and more dead axles to pull, raising skid and traction risk
Answer: They have greater length and more dead axles to pull, raising skid and traction risk. More axles and length mean more chance for skids and loss of traction when conditions are poor.
Source: Commercial Driver License Manual — Doubles and triples — adverse conditions
4. When driving at night, dim your high beams within how many feet of an oncoming vehicle?
- A100 feet
- B200 feet
- 500 feet
- D1,000 feet
Answer: 500 feet. Dim high beams to low beams within 500 feet of an approaching vehicle or within 300 feet when following another vehicle.
Source: Commercial Driver License Manual — Night driving — headlight management
5. Matches and some other easily ignitable solids fall under Hazard Class:
- A9
- B3
- 4 (flammable solids)
- D6
Answer: 4 (flammable solids). Class 4 includes flammable solids, spontaneously combustible materials, and dangerous-when-wet materials in its divisions.
Source: Commercial Driver License Manual — Hazardous materials — hazard classes
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 North Carolina 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.