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Free North Dakota CDL practice test online

Take a free North Dakota 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 Dakota Driver License Division.

CDL knowledge tests are federally regulated, so the passing score in North Dakota 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

North Dakota CDL test requirements

80%
Passing score
49 CFR 383.135(a)(1)
14 days
CLP held before skills test
North Dakota Driver License Division
18
Min. age (in-state)
North Dakota Driver License Division
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 North Dakota Driver License Division is North Dakota’s own, and may be stricter than the federal floor. Test length, fees, and scheduling are set by North Dakota Driver License Division (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 North Dakota 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 Dakota non-commercial knowledge test runs 25 questions and needs 20 correct, with permits issued from age 14.

North Dakota 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 North Dakota CDL practice questions

Try these North Dakota 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. Why must expansion space (outage) be left in liquid tank vehicles?

    • ATo reduce fuel usage
    • BTo allow air brakes to recharge
    • CTo make room for cargo inspection tools
    • Liquids expand when heated and could rupture or leak from a full tank

    Answer: Liquids expand when heated and could rupture or leak from a full tank. Outage allows room for liquid cargo to expand as temperature increases without overflowing or over-pressurizing the tank.

    Source: Commercial Driver License Manual — Tank vehicles — outage requirements

  2. 2. 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

  3. 3. Posted bridge clearance may be wrong after:

    • AA fresh paint job on the sign only
    • Road repaving or packed snow and ice that reduce actual clearance
    • CInstalling new mud flaps
    • DA change in radio stations

    Answer: Road repaving or packed snow and ice that reduce actual clearance. An empty van also sits higher than a loaded one, so a bridge you cleared loaded may not clear empty.

    Source: Commercial Driver License Manual — Managing space — space above

  4. 4. A Class A CDL is generally required for combinations where the towed unit(s) have a GVWR of more than:

    • A1,000 pounds
    • 10,000 pounds and the combination GCWR is 26,001 pounds or more
    • C26,000 pounds on the power unit alone
    • D15 passengers

    Answer: 10,000 pounds and the combination GCWR is 26,001 pounds or more. Class A covers combination vehicles with a GCWR of 26,001 pounds or more if the towed unit(s) exceed 10,000 pounds GVWR.

    Source: Commercial Driver License Manual — Introduction — vehicle classes

  5. 5. The Emergency Response Guidebook is indexed by:

    • AFuel tax account
    • BTrailer VIN only
    • CDriver license number
    • Proper shipping name and identification number

    Answer: Proper shipping name and identification number. Responders use the shipping name and ID number from your papers to find isolation and protection guidance.

    Source: Commercial Driver License Manual — Hazardous materials — ERG

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 North Dakota 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 North Dakota. Rules and manuals can change; the official agency remains authoritative.

Visit North Dakota Driver License Division
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.