Indiana (IN) 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.

   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 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

   Before you back into an area, get out and check for overhanging objects such as trees, branches, or electric wires; it is easy to miss seeing them while you are backing.

   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

   How often should you take a break on a long trip?

   1. AAbout every 100 miles or 2 hours
   2. BAbout every 250 miles or 4 hours
   3. COnly when you begin to feel drowsy
   4. DAbout every 400 miles or 6 hours
   This chapter has 290 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.
3. 3

   Transporting Cargo Safely

   Everyone

   Only drivers holding a hazardous materials endorsement may operate a vehicle that is required to display hazmat placards.

   On a flatbed, what additional risk comes with a high center of gravity?

   1. AThe deck will flex and crack over time
   2. BThe trailer will ride nose-high when loaded
   3. CThe load may shift to the side or fall off
   4. DThe tie-downs will loosen as the trip continues

   Which cargo responsibility remains yours even when someone else loads the vehicle?

   1. ADetermining the freight class for billing
   2. BRecognizing overloads and poorly balanced weight
   3. CChoosing the route the shipment will take
   4. DSelecting the packaging the freight travels in
   This chapter has 26 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.
4. 4

   Transporting Passengers

   P endorsement (bus)

   A transit coach brake-door interlock applies the brakes and holds the throttle at idle while the rear door is open, releasing when the door closes.

   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

   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
   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

   The air compressor pumps air into storage tanks and is driven by the engine via gears or a v-belt.

   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

   Your air compressor is belt-driven. What should you check about the belt during the pre-trip inspection?

   1. AThat the belt is in good condition and properly tight
   2. BThat the belt slips slightly to protect the compressor
   3. CThat the belt is loose enough to remove by hand
   4. DThat the belt has been coated with belt dressing
   This chapter has 148 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.
6. 6

   Combination Vehicles

   Class A

   Make sure air lines are safely supported where they will not be crushed or caught while the tractor is backing under the trailer.

   The trailer wheels lock and the trailer begins to swing around. What is this kind of jackknife called?

   1. AA rearward amplification event
   2. BAn off-tracking skid
   3. CA tractor jackknife
   4. DA trailer jackknife

   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

   Charge the air system to normal pressure before checking air flow to the rear trailers.

   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

   How should you adjust your driving when pulling doubles in rain or snow?

   1. ASlow down and drive with extra caution
   2. BDrive the same as with a single trailer
   3. CFollow other trucks closely to use their tire tracks
   4. DIncrease speed slightly to keep the trailers pulled taut
   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.

   A driver's CDL shows an X endorsement. What does that code allow the driver to haul?

   1. AHazardous materials transported in a tank vehicle
   2. BOversize and overweight loads that need special travel permits
   3. CPassengers in addition to liquid cargo in the same vehicle
   4. DLivestock and other live animal loads in bulk trailers

   What is the best overall driving style for keeping liquid surge under control in a loaded tank vehicle?

   1. AMake quick steering corrections to break up the liquid wave
   2. BDownshift rapidly so the engine can absorb the surge forces
   3. CBrake hard and early so the liquid settles before every stop
   4. DAccelerate, brake, and steer as smoothly and gradually as you can
   This chapter has 62 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.
9. 9

   Hazardous Materials

   H endorsement

   Each placard must be kept clear of attachments or devices such as ladders, doors, and tarpaulins.

   Within what period must carriers make detailed written reports of a hazardous materials incident?

   1. AWithin 90 days
   2. BWithin 5 days
   3. CWithin 30 days
   4. DWithin 10 days

   How do you make hazardous materials shipping papers stand out from the rest?

   1. AMark the reverse side with a hazard symbol
   2. BFold them lengthwise inside the others
   3. CTab them or keep them on top of the stack
   4. DStore them separately in the sleeper
   This chapter has 234 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.
10. 10

    School Buses

    S endorsement

    Correctly set flat side mirrors let the driver view the side of the bus, the rear tires where they meet the ground, and the road behind.

    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

    How far upwind should students be led if spilled hazardous materials are a risk?

    1. AAt least 300 feet
    2. BAt least 500 feet
    3. CAt least 100 feet
    4. DAt least 200 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)

    When exiting the vehicle, you must set the parking brake(s) and place the vehicle in neutral.

    What must be true of the lug nuts on every wheel?

    1. AAll fitted with locking washers
    2. BAll of the same manufacturer
    3. CAll present and not loose
    4. DAll torqued within the past 30 days

    What is the stated function of the lug nuts?

    1. ATo retain the brake drum on the hub
    2. BTo center the tire on the rim
    3. CTo seal the hub against water entry
    4. DTo hold the wheel on the axle
    This chapter has 200 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.

The official Indiana CDL manual