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Florida CDL Knowledge Practice Test

To get a Florida CDL you pass knowledge tests at the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), then the skills tests. This page sums up what FLHSMV says about the knowledge tests and how to practice for them.

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Which tests you need

Class A: General Knowledge, Combination Vehicles, Air Brakes if your vehicle has them, and tests for any endorsements. Class B and Class C: General Knowledge, Air Brakes if needed, and endorsement tests. Every class also takes three skills tests: pre-trip inspection, basic vehicle control and the on-road test.

Languages and the HazMat rule

Effective February 6, 2026, FLHSMV requires all driver license knowledge and skills tests, including CDL tests, in English. Interpreter services are not permitted. This dated announcement supersedes older multilingual language on the CDL application page.

Scoring and the learner permit

Federal rules require 80% correct to pass each knowledge test. After you pass, you get a commercial learner permit and must hold it 14 days before the skills test. You must be at least 18; drivers under 21 are limited to driving within Florida.

Endorsements in Florida

H (HazMat), N (Tank), P (Passenger), S (School Bus, which also needs P), T (Doubles/Triples) and X (HazMat plus Tank). Triple trailers are not allowed on Florida roads.

How passMarker helps

Practice General Knowledge, Air Brakes, Combination and each endorsement topic, with explanations tied to the CDL handbook. Start with the free diagnostic.

Original sample practice questions

Study examples from the learner-approved practice bank. These are not live exam questions. Open each answer to see the explanation and source reference.

1. Before beginning a route, a driver notices fresh fuel dripping beneath the truck during the walk-around. What is the safest action supported by the inspection guidance?

  1. Drive slowly to the first fuel stop and recheck it
  2. Start the engine and wait to see whether the leak stops
  3. Cover the leak with absorbent material and continue
  4. Identify the leak as a defect requiring attention before operating
Show answer and explanation

Answer D. The vehicle overview includes looking under the vehicle for fresh fuel, oil, coolant, or grease leaks. A fuel leak is a safety concern that should be addressed rather than ignored.

Source: Florida CDL Handbook (July 2022), Section 2, PDF pp. 27–33

2. During a pretrip check, a driver sees the air-tank pressure rise to about 125 psi and then stop increasing. Which component is controlling this normal compressor stopping point?

  1. The brake pedal
  2. The spring brake chamber
  3. The air compressor governor
  4. The safety relief valve
Show answer and explanation

Answer C. The governor controls when the compressor pumps. It normally stops compressor pumping at the cut-out level, around 125 psi.

Source: Florida CDL Handbook (July 2022), Section 5, PDF pp. 79–82

3. When positioning a tractor to couple to a semitrailer, why should it be directly in front before backing?

  1. Backing at an angle helps the kingpin align with the fifth wheel
  2. It keeps the trailer brakes released during coupling
  3. Backing in at an angle can push the trailer sideways and damage its landing gear
  4. It eliminates the need to check the trailer's height
Show answer and explanation

Answer C. The handbook instructs drivers to position the tractor directly in front of the trailer. Backing under at an angle can push the trailer sideways and damage the landing gear.

Source: Florida CDL Handbook (July 2022), Section 6.3 — Coupling Tractor-Semitrailers, PDF p. 96

4. During a pre-trip inspection of a tank vehicle, a driver sees liquid dripping from a hose connection joint. What is the best action?

  1. Continue if the tank is less than half full
  2. Tighten the nearest valve and drive only to the next rest area
  3. Cover the joint with an absorbent material and complete the trip
  4. Treat it as a leak and do not carry the liquid until the problem is corrected
Show answer and explanation

Answer D. Leaks, including leaks around pipe, connection, and hose joints, must be checked. Liquids or gases must not be carried in a leaking tank.

Source: Florida CDL Handbook (July 2022), Section 8, PDF pp. 107–107

5. Before accepting a load, a carrier employee notices that several hazardous-material packages have no required hazard labels. What should the carrier do?

  1. Transport it only during daylight
  2. Refuse the improper shipment
  3. Accept it if the driver has an H endorsement
  4. Add placards to the tractor and accept the load
Show answer and explanation

Answer B. The carrier checks that a shipment was correctly described, marked, labeled, and otherwise prepared before transportation, and refuses improper shipments.

Source: Florida CDL Handbook (July 2022), Section 9, PDF pp. 109–116

6. Before starting a scheduled route, a bus driver reviews the previous driver's inspection report and sees a listed defect. The report does not say the defect was repaired or that repair was unnecessary. What should the driver do?

  1. Drive only if the bus will carry fewer than 16 passengers
  2. Erase the defect entry and complete a new report
  3. Do not sign the previous driver's report until the defect is certified as repaired or not needing repair
  4. Sign the report because the previous driver already documented the defect
Show answer and explanation

Answer C. A driver should sign the previous driver's report only when earlier defects have been certified as repaired or not needing repair.

Source: Florida CDL Handbook (July 2022), Section 4, PDF pp. 75–76

7. Before starting a school bus route, a driver notices the outside flat mirrors do not provide the widest useful view. What should the driver do?

  1. Use only the overhead inside rearview mirror instead
  2. Check each mirror before operating and have them adjusted if needed
  3. Begin the route and adjust them at the first stop
  4. Wait until students board before checking mirror coverage
Show answer and explanation

Answer B. The handbook says each mirror should be checked before operating the bus to obtain maximum viewing area, and adjusted if necessary.

Source: Florida CDL Handbook (July 2022), Section 10, PDF pp. 131–136

8. While pulling doubles, a driver approaches a highway exit ramp that could be taken comfortably in a straight truck. What is the safest approach?

  1. Slow down and steer gently before entering the ramp
  2. Maintain the straight-truck speed and brake only if the trailers begin to lean
  3. Steer sharply toward the inside of the ramp
  4. Accelerate slightly to keep the trailers stretched out
Show answer and explanation

Answer A. A curve or ramp speed that is safe for a straight truck or single trailer may be too fast for doubles. Gentle steering and slow speeds help prevent rollover.

Source: Florida CDL Handbook (July 2022), Section 7, PDF pp. 103–104

9. Before a modernized walk-around inspection, a truck driver is preparing to step down from the truck cab. What action best follows the inspection guidance?

  1. Face the vehicle and maintain three points of contact while exiting
  2. Exit facing away from the vehicle so the ground is visible
  3. Leave the transmission in drive to prevent rollback
  4. Hold the steering wheel with one hand and jump to the ground
Show answer and explanation

Answer A. For the truck-cab scenario, face the vehicle and maintain three points of contact while exiting, with the transmission in neutral and parking brakes set. The supplement separately describes bus entry and exit as facing forward while maintaining a firm grasp on the handrail; this question does not apply the truck-cab method to bus steps.

Source: Florida modernized supplement (October 2023), Section 11M — modernized vehicle inspection, PDF pp. 4–7

10. Before leaving with a loaded cargo-carrying vehicle, what is the driver's responsibility even when another person loaded the freight?

  1. Check only whether the cargo is covered
  2. Inspect the cargo and verify it is balanced and properly secured
  3. Accept the loader's statement that the cargo is secure
  4. Inspect cargo only if the trip is more than 150 miles
Show answer and explanation

Answer B. The driver is responsible for inspecting cargo and recognizing overloads, poor balance, and improper securement.

Source: Florida CDL Handbook (July 2022), Section 3, PDF pp. 71–72

Frequently asked questions

What score do I need to pass the Florida CDL test?

80% on each knowledge test, the federal standard in 49 CFR 383.135.

Can I take the Florida CDL test in Spanish?

No. FLHSMV’s English-only testing policy took effect February 6, 2026 and applies to CDL knowledge and skills tests.

How old do I have to be?

At least 18. Under 21, you can only drive within Florida.

Can I pull triples in Florida?

No. FLHSMV says triple trailers are not allowed on Florida roads.

Official sources

Source information reviewed November 11, 2026. Policies can change; confirm requirements with the licensing agency before booking.

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