Colorado (CO) 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 one year for a first offense for causing a fatality through negligent operation of a CMV.

   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

   How long will you lose your CDL for a first alcohol or felony offense committed while operating a placarded hazmat vehicle?

   1. AAt least three years
   2. BFor life
   3. CAt least one year
   4. DAt least five years
   This chapter has 26 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.
2. 2

   Driving Safely

   Everyone

   Mismatched, bent, or cracked lock rings are dangerous.

   Why is a stopped bus a hazard to you?

   1. AIt blocks your view of the traffic signal
   2. BIt may pull out without signaling first
   3. CPassengers may cross in front of or behind it
   4. DIts mirrors extend into the passing lane

   What should you do about an aggressive driver's gestures?

   1. ARecord them for the incident report
   2. BAcknowledge them so the driver calms down
   3. CReturn them once, to establish a boundary
   4. DIgnore them and refuse to react
   This chapter has 290 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.
3. 3

   Transporting Cargo Safely

   Everyone

   Proper tie-down equipment must be used, including ropes, straps, chains, and tensioning devices such as winches, ratchets, and clinching components.

   What does axle weight measure?

   1. AThe weight of the axle assembly itself
   2. BThe weight of the cargo directly above the axle
   3. CThe maximum load the axle is rated to carry
   4. DThe weight one axle or set of axles puts on the ground

   What can happen to brakes that are forced to work too hard by an overload?

   1. AThey apply more slowly than normal
   2. BThey can fail
   3. CThey wear evenly but faster
   4. DThey pull the vehicle to one side
   This chapter has 26 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.
4. 4

   Transporting Passengers

   P endorsement (bus)

   Baggage must be secured so the driver can move freely, riders can exit by any window or door, and passengers are protected from falling items.

   Crash records show that buses are involved in collisions at one location type far more than others. Where should you be especially defensive?

   1. AAt intersections, even when you have the right of way
   2. BOn one-way streets that have no cross traffic
   3. COn long rural straightaways with light traffic
   4. DIn depot parking areas while out of service

   A standee line is painted on the floor of buses that allow standing riders. What does this line mark?

   1. AThe point behind which all standing riders must stay
   2. BWhere riders should line up to pay their fares
   3. CThe area reserved for riders with disabilities
   4. DThe rear boundary of the luggage storage area
   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

   A safety relief valve is installed in the first tank the air compressor pumps air to, protecting the tank and the rest of the system from too much pressure.

   How is supply pressure displayed on a vehicle with a dual air brake system?

   1. AA gauge for the primary system and a warning lamp for the secondary
   2. BOne gauge showing the lower of the two systems
   3. CA gauge for each half, or one gauge with two needles
   4. DOne gauge showing the combined total of both systems

   How is the cab control for a front brake limiting valve normally marked?

   1. A"On" and "off"
   2. B"Normal" and "slippery"
   3. C"Loaded" and "empty"
   4. D"City" and "highway"
   This chapter has 148 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.
6. 6

   Combination Vehicles

   Class A

   When a vehicle goes around a corner the rear wheels follow a different path than the front wheels; this is called off-tracking or cheating.

   What happens when you push in the trailer air supply knob before starting a trip?

   1. AThe service line vents and the trailer brakes apply
   2. BAir flows to the trailer and the trailer emergency brakes release
   3. CThe spring brakes on the tractor apply immediately
   4. DThe tractor parking brakes set and hold the drive axles

   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
   This chapter has 118 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.
7. 7

   Doubles and Triples

   T endorsement

   Lower the rear trailer's landing gear to support it before removing the dolly.

   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

   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
   This chapter has 98 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.
8. 8

   Tank Vehicles

   N endorsement

   A tank vehicle found leaking must not be driven; the leak has to be dealt with before the vehicle moves.

   You brake to a stop at a red light in a loaded tanker. What can the forward-moving wave of liquid do to your vehicle?

   1. AForce extra fuel into the engine cylinders
   2. BPush the truck forward into the intersection
   3. CCause the trailer brakes to lock automatically
   4. DLift the drive axles off the pavement

   What must you verify about the manhole covers themselves during a tank inspection?

   1. AThat they carry the tank's re-test date
   2. BThat they are painted the same color as the shell
   3. CThat they can be opened without tools
   4. DThat they have gaskets and close correctly
   This chapter has 62 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.
9. 9

   Hazardous Materials

   H endorsement

   Intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) are bulk packages but are not required to have the owner's name or shipping name.

   What equipment must a driver hauling chlorine in cargo tanks carry?

   1. AA self-contained breathing apparatus and a spill berm
   2. BAn approved gas mask and a dome cover leak kit
   3. CA chemical suit and an absorbent pillow kit
   4. DA respirator cartridge set and a neutralizing agent

   Which classes may not be carried as overhang or tailgate loads?

   1. AClasses 1, 4, and 5
   2. BClasses 2.2, 6.2, and ORM-D
   3. CClasses 2, 3, and 6
   4. DClasses 7, 8, and 9
   This chapter has 234 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.
10. 10

    School Buses

    S endorsement

    Turn on the right turn signal indicator about 100 to 300 feet, or approximately 3 to 5 seconds, before pulling over.

    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

    About how far before a railroad crossing should a school bus driver activate the hazard lights?

    1. A500 feet
    2. B100 feet
    3. C50 feet
    4. D200 feet
    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)

    Inspect that all hose or line couplings and fittings are secure.

    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

    What must be true of the light lenses on the front of the vehicle?

    1. ATinted to reduce glare for oncoming drivers
    2. BSealed with silicone around every edge
    3. CProper color, clean, not broken and not missing
    4. DReplaced whenever the bulb is changed
    This chapter has 200 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.

The official Colorado CDL manual