Maryland (MD) 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 120 days for three or more serious traffic violations within a three-year period involving a CMV.

   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

   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

   Fatigue is physical or mental tiredness that can be caused by physical or mental strain, repetitive tasks, illness or lack of sleep.

   When does the manual tell you to be especially alert for drunk and sleepy drivers?

   1. ALate at night
   2. BOn weekend afternoons
   3. CIn the hour after sunset
   4. DDuring the morning commute

   Why do experienced drivers avoid backing their commercial vehicle whenever they can?

   1. ABacking uses far more fuel than moving the same distance forward
   2. BBacking is prohibited on most public roadways by state law
   3. CBacking wears out the clutch and transmission very quickly
   4. DYou cannot see everything behind you, so backing is always dangerous
   This chapter has 290 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.
3. 3

   Transporting Cargo Safely

   Everyone

   Too little weight on the driving axles can cause poor traction; the drive wheels may spin easily and during bad weather the truck may not be able to keep going.

   Which term describes the combined weight of a powered vehicle, its trailer, and all of the cargo being carried?

   1. AGross vehicle weight rating (GVWR)
   2. BGross vehicle weight (GVW)
   3. CAxle weight at the scales
   4. DGross combination weight (GCW)

   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
   This chapter has 26 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.
4. 4

   Transporting Passengers

   P endorsement (bus)

   Do not tow or push a bus with riders aboard unless getting off would be unsafe, and then only to the nearest safe location to discharge them.

   Your coach is low on fuel mid-trip and a truck stop is ahead. What is the general rule about refueling while your passengers remain in their seats?

   1. AIt is required so that riders can be counted easily
   2. BIt is fine whenever the stop lasts under ten minutes
   3. CAvoid it unless doing so is absolutely necessary
   4. DIt is allowed if at least one exit door stays open

   While checking the outside of your bus, you find an emergency exit standing open. What should you do?

   1. ALeave it open for ventilation
   2. BNote it and report it after the run
   3. CTape it in position and continue
   4. DClose it before driving
   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 large buses it is common for the low pressure warning devices to signal at 80 to 85 psi.

   How long a crack in a brake drum or disc is acceptable during inspection?

   1. ANone longer than one inch measured across the surface
   2. BNone longer than one half the width of the friction area
   3. CNone longer than one quarter of the drum circumference
   4. DAny crack that does not pass fully through the drum

   What are the two halves of a dual air brake system called?

   1. AThe service system and the reserve system
   2. BThe front circuit and the emergency circuit
   3. CThe supply system and the application system
   4. DThe primary system and the secondary system
   This chapter has 148 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.
6. 6

   Combination Vehicles

   Class A

   When more cargo is piled up in a truck, the center of gravity moves higher up from the road and the truck becomes easier to turn over.

   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

   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

   Sliding fifth wheel check: slide not damaged or missing parts, properly greased, all locking pins present and locked in place.

   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

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

   Tank Vehicles

   N endorsement

   Side-to-side surge in curves adds lateral force that raises rollover risk in tank vehicles.

   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

   What does the manual say is required of anyone who drives a liquid tanker?

   1. AHolding at least two years of combination experience
   2. BCompleting a surge simulator course each year
   3. CBeing very familiar with how the vehicle handles
   4. DCarrying the product's safety data sheet in the cab
   This chapter has 62 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.
9. 9

   Hazardous Materials

   H endorsement

   Bulk packaging is a single container with a capacity greater than 119 gallons.

   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

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

    School Buses

    S endorsement

    Drivers of ABS-equipped buses should brake normally with steady pedal pressure and let the system prevent lockup.

    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

    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
    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)

    Reflective tape is only required for trailers; some jurisdictional laws may require reflective tape for school buses.

    At what speed is the service brake check performed?

    1. A15 mph
    2. B10 mph
    3. C20 mph
    4. D5 mph

    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 Maryland CDL manual