Free Virginia CDL practice test online
Take a free Virginia 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 Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.
CDL knowledge tests are federally regulated, so the passing score in Virginia 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
Virginia 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 Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles is Virginia’s own, and may be stricter than the federal floor. Test length, fees, and scheduling are set by Virginia 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 RegistryYou need a Virginia 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 Virginia non-commercial knowledge test runs 40 questions and needs 34 correct, with permits issued from age 15 years, 6 months.
Virginia 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 Virginia CDL practice questions
Try these Virginia 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. Students who live on the right side of the road should move:
- AUnderneath the passenger steps
- BInto the leftmost traffic lane
- CToward the rear tires of the bus
- Away from the bus immediately after exiting, not toward the rear
Answer: Away from the bus immediately after exiting, not toward the rear. Right-side students must clear the danger zone quickly without crossing unless the stop requires a cross.
Source: Commercial Driver License Manual — School buses — unloading
2. Which tire condition alone makes a commercial vehicle unsafe to operate?
- AA tire from a different manufacturer than the others
- BA tire inflated 2 psi above the others
- CA tire with uneven wear across the tread
- Body ply or belt material exposed through the tread or sidewall
Answer: Body ply or belt material exposed through the tread or sidewall. Exposed ply or belt material, tread or sidewall separation, an audible leak, or a flat tire all prohibit operation.
Source: Commercial Driver License Manual — Vehicle inspection — tires (49 CFR 393.75(a))
3. When turning a commercial vehicle, you should signal:
- AOnly if traffic is behind you
- BWith the horn instead of lights
- COnly after you begin the turn
- Well before you turn, continuously through the turn, then cancel
Answer: Well before you turn, continuously through the turn, then cancel. Signal early so others do not try to pass, keep the signal on through the turn, and cancel it afterward if it does not self-cancel.
Source: Commercial Driver License Manual — Driving safely — signaling
4. The standee line on a bus marks:
- AThe emergency exit only
- BThe fare box queue
- CWhere baggage may be stacked
- Where standing riders must stay behind (no standing forward of the rear of the driver’s seat)
Answer: Where standing riders must stay behind (no standing forward of the rear of the driver’s seat). Buses that allow standing use a floor line or equivalent so riders do not block the driver.
Source: Commercial Driver License Manual — Passenger vehicles — standee line
5. After a tug test, you still must look to confirm fifth-wheel jaws are:
- Closed around the shank of the kingpin, not sitting on top of it
- BResting behind the mud flap
- CGreased on the trailer doors
- DOpen with the release handle out
Answer: Closed around the shank of the kingpin, not sitting on top of it. Jaws on top of the kingpin can look engaged but will release under load. Visual confirmation is required.
Source: Commercial Driver License Manual — Combination vehicles — coupling inspection
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 Virginia 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.