Hawaii (HI) 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 cannot have more than one license; if you break this rule, a court may fine you up to $5,000 or put you in jail and keep your home state license and return any others.

   How long do you lose your CDL for two serious traffic violations in a three-year period?

   1. AAt least 30 days
   2. BAt least 60 days
   3. CAt least 120 days
   4. DAt least one year

   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
   This chapter has 26 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.
2. 2

   Driving Safely

   Everyone

   En-route inspection includes watching gauges, checking mirrors, and using sight, hearing, smell, and feel to detect problems.

   You are the first driver to stop at a crash scene on a busy highway. After parking your vehicle safely, what should you do first?

   1. APhotograph the damaged vehicles for the insurance companies
   2. BProtect the area with warning devices so another crash does not happen
   3. CCollect statements from witnesses while their memories are fresh
   4. DMove the damaged vehicles off the roadway onto the shoulder

   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
   This chapter has 290 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.
3. 3

   Transporting Cargo Safely

   Everyone

   Distribute the cargo so it is as low as possible; put the heaviest parts of the cargo under the lightest parts.

   What happens when there is too little weight on the driving axles?

   1. APoor traction, and drive wheels that spin easily
   2. BExcessive wear on the steering axle tires
   3. CIncreased stopping distance on dry roads
   4. DReduced braking on the trailer axles

   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)

   The rules require shippers to mark containers of hazardous material with the material's name, identification number, and hazard label.

   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

   A rider stacks several suitcases against a window marked as an emergency exit on your intercity bus. Why must you have the bags moved?

   1. ARiders must be able to reach and use every emergency exit
   2. BThe stack will block the climate control airflow
   3. CBags stored there are not covered by the carrier
   4. DWindow glass could scratch the luggage in transit
   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

   Brake drums are located on each end of the vehicle's axles, and the wheels are bolted to the drums with the braking mechanism inside.

   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

   Trailer jackknifes are usually caused by trailer wheels locking up under hard braking, most often when the trailer is empty or lightly loaded.

   What rearward amplification figure does the manual give for triples?

   1. A1.5
   2. B3.5
   3. C2.5
   4. D2.0

   Your trailer is hung up on a railroad crossing and will not move. What is the first thing you do?

   1. AGet out of the vehicle and away from the tracks
   2. BStay in the cab and keep trying to rock it free
   3. CSet out warning triangles along the roadway
   4. DUncouple the tractor and pull it clear alone
   This chapter has 118 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.
7. 7

   Doubles and Triples

   T endorsement

   Closed shut-off valves between units cut off all brake air to trailers behind them.

   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

   What must you verify about the light cords when inspecting a set of doubles or triples?

   1. AThey are disconnected at the rear of the last trailer
   2. BThey are routed alongside the safety chains
   3. CThey are firmly seated in the sockets on the trailers
   4. DThey are long enough to reach across two trailers
   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 depends on the product's expansion in transit, its weight, 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

   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
   This chapter has 62 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.
9. 9

   Hazardous Materials

   H endorsement

   The most common cargo tanks are MC306 for liquids and MC331 for gases.

   Special cargo heater rules apply when loading which three classes?

   1. AClasses 1, 2.1, and 3
   2. BClasses 4.1, 4.2, and 4.3
   3. CClasses 6, 7, and 9
   4. DClasses 2.2, 5, and 8

   Hazardous materials rules are built around three broad goals. Which set below matches the intent of those rules?

   1. AContainment, risk communication, and safe drivers and equipment
   2. BDelivery speed, fuel efficiency, and the lowest shipping cost
   3. CRecycling, disposal, and long-term storage of hazardous waste
   4. DRoadside inspection, fuel taxation, and vehicle registration
   This chapter has 234 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.
10. 10

    School Buses

    S endorsement

    The driver holds primary responsibility for the evacuation decision unless incapacitated.

    While a school bus is being driven on its route, what is the rule for the emergency exit doors?

    1. AThey must be securely closed whenever the bus is being operated
    2. BThey only need to be closed when students are actually on board
    3. CThey may stay open whenever an adult monitor rides in the back
    4. DThey may be latched half-open to help cool the bus in hot weather

    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
    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 for cracked, worn or frayed hoses or lines.

    How many parts make up the air brake check, and what happens if you get one wrong?

    1. AFour parts; failing any one fails the whole test
    2. BFour parts; you may retry the part you missed
    3. CFive parts; only the leakage test is mandatory
    4. DThree parts; a deduction is taken for each error

    With the engine in what state are the critical fluid levels inspected?

    1. AEngine at fast idle
    2. BEngine off
    3. CEngine warmed and then shut down
    4. DEngine at normal idle
    This chapter has 200 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.

The official Hawaii CDL manual