Alabama (AL) CDL manual 2026

Practice the manual, chapter by chapter

State manuals are built on the same national model, chapter for chapter. One thing to know from each chapter, then real questions from it to answer — tap an option to check yourself.

1. 1

   Introduction

   Everyone

   You will lose your CDL for at least 60 days for your first railroad-highway grade crossing violation.

   Your personal vehicle license is revoked for an alcohol violation. How long do you lose your CDL?

   1. AThree years
   2. BOne year
   3. C120 days
   4. D60 days

   What is the minimum disqualification for a first violation of an out-of-service order?

   1. AOne year
   2. B60 days
   3. C90 days
   4. D30 days
   This chapter has 26 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.
2. 2

   Driving Safely

   Everyone

   There are two main ways to know when to shift: engine speed shown on the tachometer and road speed, learning which speeds each gear covers.

   What must be confirmed before you open the engine compartment in Step 2?

   1. AThat the parking brakes are on or wheels chocked
   2. BThat the engine has cooled for ten minutes
   3. CThat the transmission is in its highest gear
   4. DThat the battery has been disconnected

   What is the final action of the engine compartment step?

   1. ARecord the fluid levels on the report
   2. BWipe down the dipsticks and stow them
   3. CLower and secure the hood, cab, or door
   4. DStart the engine from the fender step
   This chapter has 290 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.
3. 3

   Transporting Cargo Safely

   Everyone

   Too much weight on the steering axle can cause hard steering and can damage the steering axle and tires.

   Which term describes the combined weight of a powered vehicle, its trailer, and all of the cargo being carried?

   1. AGross vehicle weight rating (GVWR)
   2. BGross vehicle weight (GVW)
   3. CAxle weight at the scales
   4. DGross combination weight (GCW)

   When is a high center of gravity most dangerous?

   1. AOn long straight stretches at highway speed
   2. BDuring hard braking from low speed
   3. CWhile backing into a loading dock
   4. DIn curves, or when swerving to avoid a hazard
   This chapter has 26 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.
4. 4

   Transporting Passengers

   P endorsement (bus)

   At railroad crossings requiring a stop, a bus must stop 15 to 50 feet before the nearest track.

   Which safety-related parts does the manual say riders sometimes damage?

   1. ABrake pedals, gauges, and the fare box
   2. BAxle seals, hubs, and suspension airbags
   3. CWiper blades, mirrors, and marker lamps
   4. DHandholds, seats, emergency exits, and windows

   While checking the outside of your bus, you find an emergency exit standing open. What should you do?

   1. ALeave it open for ventilation
   2. BNote it and report it after the run
   3. CTape it in position and continue
   4. DClose it before driving
   This chapter has 98 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.
5. 5

   Air Brakes

   Any vehicle with air brakes

   When brakes equipped with automatic adjusters are found out of adjustment, the driver should take the vehicle to a repair facility as soon as possible to have the problem corrected.

   You climb into an air-braked truck and cannot find an application pressure gauge. What does that mean?

   1. AThe vehicle uses wedge brakes instead of s-cam brakes
   2. BThe vehicle has a single rather than dual air system
   3. CThe gauge is not fitted to all vehicles
   4. DThe gauge has been removed and must be replaced

   Where in the air brake system is the safety relief valve installed?

   1. AIn the tank that feeds the spring brake circuit
   2. BIn the line between the pedal and the front chambers
   3. CIn the first tank the compressor pumps air to
   4. DIn the governor housing on the compressor itself
   This chapter has 148 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.
6. 6

   Combination Vehicles

   Class A

   More than half of truck driver deaths in crashes are the result of truck rollovers.

   While backing into a dock you lose track of how much room remains behind the trailer. What should you do?

   1. AStop, get out, and walk back to look at the space
   2. BRely on the convex mirror to judge the remaining distance
   3. CSound the horn and keep backing at a steady speed
   4. DContinue slowly and stop when you feel light contact

   Why is a fully loaded tractor-trailer more likely to roll over in a curve than a passenger car?

   1. AIts longer wheelbase makes the steering less responsive
   2. BIts brakes take longer to build application pressure
   3. CIts tires are wider and grip the pavement harder
   4. DIts cargo raises the center of gravity far above the road
   This chapter has 118 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.
7. 7

   Doubles and Triples

   T endorsement

   A converter gear on a dolly is a coupling device of one or two axles and a fifth wheel, used to couple a semitrailer behind a tractor-trailer to form a double bottom rig.

   As you fan down the pressure during a tractor protection valve test, in what pressure range should the trailer air supply control normally pop out?

   1. ABetween 20 and 45 psi
   2. BBetween 85 and 100 psi
   3. CBetween 60 and 75 psi
   4. DBetween 5 and 15 psi

   What benefit does a driver get from placing the lightest trailer at the rear of a set of doubles?

   1. AA shorter overall length for the combination vehicle
   2. BBetter fuel economy when driving into strong headwinds
   3. CA lower chance of the rear trailer tipping or whipping over
   4. DFaster brake application at the rear trailer's axles
   This chapter has 98 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.
8. 8

   Tank Vehicles

   N endorsement

   The amount of liquid to load into a tank depends on the amount the liquid will expand in transit, the weight of the liquid, and legal weight limits.

   At a rest stop you notice product dripping from underneath your cargo tank. What should you do?

   1. ADrive slowly to the delivery point so the load is off before repairs
   2. BTighten the nearest fitting and continue the trip if the drip slows down
   3. CKeep the vehicle parked and get the leak handled; never drive a leaking tank
   4. DContinue the trip but stay on rural roads away from heavy traffic

   What does the manual say wet roads do to normal stopping distance?

   1. AIncrease it by about one third
   2. BIncrease it by about half
   3. CDouble it
   4. DTriple it
   This chapter has 62 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.
9. 9

   Hazardous Materials

   H endorsement

   The shipper's signed certification states the shipment was prepared in accordance with the regulations.

   Which division number covers explosives with a mass explosion hazard?

   1. ADivision 1.5
   2. BDivision 1.1
   3. CDivision 1.3
   4. DDivision 1.6

   When your vehicle must be placarded, where on the vehicle do the placards belong?

   1. AOn the rear doors and the driver's door only
   2. BOn both sides only, mounted near the axles
   3. COn the front, rear, and both sides of the vehicle
   4. DOn the roof and the rear of the trailer
   This chapter has 234 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.
10. 10

    School Buses

    S endorsement

    The dome light should be on while loading in the dark.

    How should students board the bus?

    1. AIn any order, once the door is fully open
    2. BSlowly, in single file, using the handrail
    3. CYoungest first, with older students holding back
    4. DQuickly, two at a time, to shorten the stop

    During an emergency on the route, who is primarily responsible for deciding whether students evacuate the bus or stay on board?

    1. AThe first police officer who happens to arrive at the scene
    2. BThe bus driver, as long as he or she is able to make the decision
    3. CThe oldest student seated closest to the emergency door
    4. DThe dispatcher, once contacted over the two-way radio
    This chapter has 98 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.
11. 11

    Pre-Trip Vehicle Inspection

    Everyone (skills test)

    Rims with welding repairs are unsafe and must not be used.

    Which kit, besides the first aid kit, must a school bus carry?

    1. AA window breakage kit
    2. BA body fluid cleanup kit
    3. CA tire repair kit
    4. DA spill containment kit

    What color must the reflectors mounted on the rear of a trailer be during your inspection?

    1. ABlue reflectors
    2. BRed reflectors
    3. CWhite reflectors
    4. DAmber reflectors
    This chapter has 200 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.

The official Alabama CDL manual