California (CA) 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

   Passenger capacity threshold: 16 or more passengers including the driver.

   How quickly must you tell your employer that your license has been suspended?

   1. AWithin two business days
   2. BBefore your next dispatch
   3. CWithin seven days
   4. DWithin 30 days

   What is the penalty for a second alcohol or felony offense of the kind that costs a year for the first?

   1. ALoss of the CDL for ten years
   2. BLoss of the CDL for three years
   3. CLoss of the CDL for five years
   4. DLoss of the CDL for life
   This chapter has 26 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.
2. 2

   Driving Safely

   Everyone

   An injured person should not be moved unless a hazard such as fire or passing traffic makes leaving them in place more dangerous.

   You cannot avoid driving through a stretch of dense fog. Which headlight setting should you use?

   1. ALow beams, so light is not reflected back into your eyes
   2. BHigh beams, so the light reaches farther into the fog
   3. CParking lights, to reduce the glare for other drivers
   4. DFour-way flashers only, with the headlights switched off

   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

   Tire Load is the maximum safe weight a tire can carry at a specified pressure; this rating is stated on the side of each tire.

   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

   Which of these is named as proper tie-down equipment?

   1. ABungee cords and elastic cargo netting
   2. BWooden wedges and rubber floor mats
   3. CRopes, straps, chains, and tensioners
   4. DShrink wrap and heavy packing tape
   This chapter has 26 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.
4. 4

   Transporting Passengers

   P endorsement (bus)

   A bus must have the fire extinguisher and emergency reflectors required by law: three reflective triangles, or at least six fuses, or three liquid burning flares.

   What does the manual say about the seat belt at the driver's position?

   1. AIt is required only when passengers are aboard
   2. BThe seat should have one, and you should always use it
   3. CIt is optional if the seat has an air suspension
   4. DIt is required only on interstate charter runs

   During your pre-trip inspection of a bus interior, which of these items must be in safe working condition before you drive?

   1. AOnboard entertainment screens and charging ports
   2. BHandholds, railings, and rider signaling devices
   3. CPassenger reading lamps and window shades
   4. DAir conditioning vents at every seat row
   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

   Tanks with automatic drains still include manual drain valves that should be operated to verify moisture removal.

   How may the parking brakes be operated on an older air-braked vehicle?

   1. ABy a key-operated switch on the dash
   2. BBy a foot-operated ratchet pedal
   3. CBy a lever
   4. DBy a cable running to the rear axle

   What does the manual identify as the most common problem found in roadside inspections?

   1. AMissing or inoperative lamps
   2. BBrakes out of adjustment
   3. CCargo securement violations
   4. DTires below minimum tread depth
   This chapter has 148 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.
6. 6

   Combination Vehicles

   Class A

   Raise the trailer landing gear slightly off the ground, then pull the tractor gently forward with the trailer brakes locked to check the coupling.

   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

   After the fifth wheel jaws lock during coupling, how do you confirm the connection with a tug test?

   1. APull forward gently in low gear with the trailer brakes locked
   2. BBack up firmly once more to reseat the kingpin
   3. CShake the release handle while a helper watches the jaws
   4. DRock the trailer sideways using the steering axle
   This chapter has 118 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.
7. 7

   Doubles and Triples

   T endorsement

   Slowing in advance and steering gently prevents rearward amplification from tipping the last trailer.

   When hooking air lines between the first trailer and the converter dolly, how do you avoid crossing them?

   1. ATrace both lines back to the tractor before each trip segment
   2. BConnect only the emergency line, since the service line is optional
   3. CConnect whichever glad hand physically reaches its mate first
   4. DMatch service to service and emergency to emergency by color code

   A converter dolly has no spring brakes. How do you release its brakes so it can be moved into position?

   1. AOpen the petcock on the dolly air tank
   2. BPull the release arm on the dolly's fifth wheel
   3. CPush in the trailer air supply knob on the tractor dash
   4. DCrank the dolly landing gear to its fully raised stop
   This chapter has 98 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.
8. 8

   Tank Vehicles

   N endorsement

   Controlled braking is applying the brakes as hard as possible without locking the wheels while keeping steering movements very small.

   Compared with most other kinds of cargo, why does a load of liquid in a tank make a truck easier to roll over?

   1. ALiquid cargo gradually lowers the air pressure in the tires
   2. BMuch of the load's weight is carried high above the roadway
   3. CLiquid loads are always heavier than dry freight loads
   4. DTank trailers ride on narrower axles than flatbed trailers

   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 regulations require that hazardous materials employees be trained and tested at least once every three years.

   What makes a container a cargo tank rather than a portable tank?

   1. AIt holds more than 1,000 gallons
   2. BIt carries only hazardous materials
   3. CIt is fitted with internal baffles
   4. DIt is permanently attached to a vehicle

   On a portable tank holding less than 1,000 gallons, how tall must the shipping name letters be?

   1. AAt least one inch
   2. BAt least three inches
   3. CAt least two inches
   4. DThere is no minimum for tanks that small
   This chapter has 234 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.
10. 10

    School Buses

    S endorsement

    The blind spot behind the bus extends 50 to 150 feet and could extend up to 400 feet depending on the length and width of the bus.

    Compared with flat mirrors, what is the main advantage of the convex mirrors mounted on the sides of a school bus?

    1. AThey give a much wider view along the side of the bus than flat mirrors do
    2. BThey show objects at their true size and their actual distance
    3. CThey reveal the area hidden directly behind the rear bumper
    4. DThey remove any need to check the flat mirrors before moving

    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 95 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.
11. 11

    Pre-Trip Vehicle Inspection

    Everyone (skills test)

    The operation of all external lights must be inspected from outside the vehicle, including lights activated by an automated light check system.

    What do rust streaks or shiny metal trails radiating out from a wheel's lug nuts usually indicate?

    1. ANormal cosmetic wear from routine tire rotations
    2. BSurface corrosion caused by winter road salt
    3. COver-tightening by a shop's impact wrench
    4. DLug nuts that have worked themselves loose

    What is the consequence of performing the hydraulic brake check incorrectly on the inspection test?

    1. AA point deduction from the total score
    2. BA warning noted on the score sheet
    3. CAn automatic failure of the test
    4. DA required retest of that item only
    This chapter has 200 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.

The official California CDL manual