Louisiana (LA) 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 two violations of an out-of-service order in a ten-year period, and at least three years for three or more in a ten-year period.

   How far above the posted limit counts as excessive speeding for a serious traffic violation?

   1. A10 mph or more
   2. B5 mph or more
   3. C15 mph or more
   4. D20 mph or more

   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

   You must make sure the truck is not overloaded and the cargo is balanced and secured before each trip.

   Why should you never change gears while your vehicle is moving across railroad tracks?

   1. AA missed shift could leave you stalled or stuck on the tracks
   2. BShifting can damage the transmission on the rough rail surface
   3. CIt is illegal to change speed anywhere inside a crossing zone
   4. DThe extra engine noise could drown out an approaching train horn

   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

   Axle Weight is the weight transmitted to the ground by one axle or one set of 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

   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)

   If your bus has air brakes, you must also pass a knowledge test on Section 5.

   On buses designed to allow standing, how is the standee line marked?

   1. AA painted stripe on the ceiling
   2. BA four-inch line on the floor
   3. CA row of studs across the aisle
   4. DA two-inch line on the floor

   You have finished loading at a curbside stop and are ready to rejoin traffic in your transit bus. What should you do first?

   1. ASound the horn twice to warn the vehicles behind you
   2. BTurn on the interior lights so riders can see the aisle
   3. CAccelerate briskly to match the speed of passing cars
   4. DCheck your mirrors for traffic, cyclists, and pedestrians
   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

   On older vehicles, the parking brakes may be controlled by a lever.

   How do the brake lights come on when you apply the brakes on a vehicle with air brakes?

   1. AAn air-operated electric switch closes when brake air pressure flows
   2. BThe driver must flip a separate brake lamp switch
   3. CA cable from the pedal pulls a mechanical contact closed
   4. DThe application gauge sends a signal to the lamps

   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 147 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.
6. 6

   Combination Vehicles

   Class A

   The trailer air supply knob pops out automatically when air pressure falls into the 20 to 45 psi range.

   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

   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

   Couple the second and third trailers first, then attach the tractor and first trailer.

   You are finishing the coupling of a set of doubles. What is the correct final position of the rear trailer's landing gear?

   1. ARaised completely
   2. BLeft wherever it sat when the dolly went under
   3. CLowered until it just touches the pavement
   4. DLowered enough to take weight off 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
   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 tanker driver wants to avoid skids, which are especially dangerous when a liquid load is pushing on the tank. What causes most skids?

   1. ADriving too fast for the road and weather conditions
   2. BWorn steering components that let the front wheels wander
   3. CBrake systems that apply unevenly from one side to the other
   4. DSudden gusts of wind striking the tall sides of the tank

   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 use of "Drive Safely" and other slogans is prohibited.

   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

   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
   This chapter has 234 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.
10. 10

    School Buses

    S endorsement

    When the ABS malfunction lamp is lit, normal service braking remains available; only the antilock function may be lost.

    What should be switched on while loading students in the dark?

    1. AThe stepwell heater lamp
    2. BThe dome light
    3. CThe high beam headlights
    4. DThe rear cargo lamp

    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)

    Inspect that there are no bent, broken, or missing studs.

    When you check your seat belt during the in-cab inspection, what are you looking for?

    1. AThat it is long enough to wrap around the seat frame twice
    2. BThat the belt retracts fast enough to snap back on its own
    3. CThat the shoulder strap can be tucked behind your back easily
    4. DThat it mounts securely, latches properly, and is not frayed

    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
    This chapter has 200 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.

The official Louisiana CDL manual