CDL Introduction
The Commercial Driver's License Test is required for anyone interested in becoming a professional commercial driver. When you decide to try a career as a commercial driver, you can't depend on your previous driving experience alone.
Many people are intimidated by the thought of taking a standardized test such as the Commercial Driver's License test. To better prepare yourself, you should learn all you can about the CDL exam. This website was created to help people to prepare for the CDL exam and to start a new career as a commercial driver.
The Commercial Driver's License Test is broken down into sections:
- General Knowledge
- Endorsements
- Air Brakes
- Cargo Vehicles
- Combination Vehicles
- Hazardous Materials
- Passenger Vehicles
- Tank Vehicles
- School Bus Endorsement
- Doubles and Triples
- Pre-Trip Inspection
- On-Road Driving
The General Knowledge and Endorsement tests are written tests. The Pre-Trip and On-Road Driving test for the CDL are hands on tests.
On the left side of the page, you will see CDL articles that have been written to help you prepare for the Commercial Driver's License test. Hopefully you will benefit from the information provided as a student preparing for the CDL test and as a commercial driver.
On-Road Driving Test
You will drive over a test route that has a variety of traffic situations. At all times during the test, you must drive in a safe and responsible manner.
During the driving test, the examiner will be scoring on specific driving maneuvers as well as on your general driving behavior. You will follow the directions of the examiner. Directions will be given to you so you will have plenty of time to do what the examiner has asked. You will not be asked to drive in an unsafe manner.
If your test route does not have certain traffic situations, you may be asked to simulate a traffic situation. You will do this by telling the examiner what you are or would be doing if you were in that traffic situation.
CDL Preparation Techniques
Time is an important aspect in your preparation for the CDL exam. It is important to set a schedule for your studying and to stick with it as best you can. This will allow you to maximize your studying. One good schedule is to plan on studying an hour before work and an hour at night. Your mind is fresh and ready to go for the morning hour, and then you are able to review and quiz yourself during the night hour.
A final thing to help in your CDL preparation is a positive attitude. If you look forward to obtaining your commercial driver’s license and maintain a good attitude while you study and prepare, you will be much more successful when it comes time to take your CDL exam.
Pre-Trip Inspection
During the pre-trip inspection, you must show that the vehicle is safe to drive. You may have to walk around the vehicle and point to or touch each item and explain to the examiner what you are checking and why. You will not have to crawl under the hood or under the vehicle.
Make sure you are familiar with the vehicle you will be using during the CDL skills test.
When studying for the pre-trip vehicle inspection test try to memorize the vehicle parts focusing only on the parts that apply to the type of vehicle you will be using during the CDL skills test.
CDL General Knowledge Exam
The two-part knowledge exam determines your knowledge of road signs and your familiarity with safe driving techniques for commercial vehicles. Test questions are taken from the information on the following areas:
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To pass the exam, you must answer all road sign questions correctly before going on to the general knowledge portion. Make sure that you pick up a copy of the road sign booklet for your state and memorize them. You must answer at least 80% of the general knowledge questions correctly to pass the general knowledge exam.
CDL Practice Test
It is important to obtain good CDL practice tests as part of your studying strategy. These practice tests will help build your self confidence by simulating what you will be experiencing on your actual CDL test day.
Practice tests will help you determine how ready you are to take the actual CDL test. They will point out what your strengths and weaknesses are and help direct or redirect your studying patterns. Some good practice tests are available at the website www.cdlpractice.com
CDL Test
The Commercial Driver’s License Exam is a standardized test that must be taken before a person can drive a commercial vehicle. There are several steps involved in taking the CDL test:
- You must be 21 years of age (with a few exceptions).
- You must pass a physical exam.
- You must pass the written portion of the test.
- You must pass the Pre-Trip Inspection Test.
- You must pass the On-Road Driving test.
The good thing about the CDL exam is that you can take one part of the exam at a time allowing you to focus on one section of the CDL exam at a time.
One thing to remember about taking the CDL exam is that if you do not do well the first time, it is not the end of the world. You can take the CDL exam over many times if necessary.
Here are a few helpful tips for studying and taking the CDL test:
- When preparing to take the CDL exam, do not wait until the last minute to start studying.
- Give yourself two to four weeks of study time.
- Prepare for only one section of the exam at a time.
- Get a good study guide to prepare with.
- When you take your CDL test, make sure you are well rested the night before the exam.
- Eat a good breakfast before you go to take your CDL test.
- Show up at the exam site a few minutes early. It will help you settle down.
Even the little things like the issues just mentioned could make a huge difference in your test performance.
CDL Endorsements
- An air brakes endorsement is required to operate any vehicle with air brakes. These types of vehicles include school buses and trailers. In your studying, it is important to get a comprehensive look at the parts of air brakes, how to use your air brakes, and how to inspect your air brakes.
- A hazardous materials endorsement is required to operate any vehicle transporting hazardous materials. It is important to learn how to safely and securely carry these materials.
- A passenger endorsement is required for the operation of a vehicle designed to seat 16 or more persons including the driver. It is important to learn information on safely loading and unloading these passengers.
- A cargo endorsement is required for those individuals who will be hauling cargo. You must understand basic cargo safety rules to get a CDL.
- A combination vehicle endorsement is required for those interested in driving combination vehicles such as tractors and trailers.
- A school bus endorsement will be required in all fifty states by November 1, 2005 for all school bus driver.
- A doubles and triples endorsement is required for anyone pulling two or three trailer combinations, this driving requires special skills.
- A tank vehicle endorsement is required when hauling liquids. This requires special skills because of the high center of gravity and liquid movement. Tank vehicles have to be driven with special care because they are top and and could roll over more easily.
CDL Exam Overcoming Fear
A lot of people decide to take the CDL exam, while working a full-time job and trying to provide for their families. With a busy schedule, the thought of studying for the CDL exam can seem overwhelming.
Studying and taking the CDL exam can provide you with more self-confidence in your abilities than you have ever had before. Most people are most scared of the written portion of the exam, but after using techniques that you learn in a good study guide, you can pass the exam with flying colors.
Do not let the CDL exam be a source of frustration to you. With the right resources (like this web page) you too can attain your Commercial Driver’s License.
Whether it’s the Written, Pre-Trip, or On Road Driving, sections of the CDL exam, a good study guide and strategic thinking about your goal of becoming a Commercial Driver can really help ease the stress and make a frustrating experience tolerable, possibly even positive. In the end, your experience with the CDL exam will make you a better Commercial Driver’s License holder making you aware of all laws, regulations, and rules pertaining to CDL driving