Massachusetts (MA) 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 90 days if you have committed your first violation of an out-of-service order.

   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

   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

   Check the area around the vehicle for hazards to vehicle movement: people, other vehicles, objects, low-hanging wires, limbs.

   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

   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.

   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

   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)

   Drivers should look for leaking, damaged, or missing parts on handicap lifts and must not use a lift that appears defective.

   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

   Which sections of the manual does the knowledge test for the passenger endorsement cover?

   1. ASections 3 and 4
   2. BSections 2 and 4
   3. CSection 4 alone
   4. DSections 1 and 4
   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

   Wedge brakes may have a single brake chamber, or two brake chambers pushing wedges in at both ends of the brake shoes.

   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

   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
   This chapter has 148 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.
6. 6

   Combination Vehicles

   Class A

   The final coupling step is to remove the trailer wheel chocks and store them in a safe place.

   What steering habit best protects a doubles driver from tipping the rear trailer through rearward amplification?

   1. AMaking small, smooth steering corrections
   2. BTurning the wheel quickly to clear hazards early
   3. CCountersteering sharply after every lane change
   4. DHolding the wheel loosely so it can self-center

   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

   The last trailer in a combination is most likely to turn over due to the crack-the-whip effect.

   How does the walkaround inspection of a set of doubles differ from inspecting a tractor with one trailer?

   1. AOnly the converter dolly tires are an extra item
   2. BThere are more tires, lights, reflectors, and coupling points to check
   3. CThe rear trailer can be skipped if it was inspected yesterday
   4. DIt does not differ in any meaningful way

   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

   Tank vehicles have a high center of gravity, which makes them more prone to rollover.

   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

   Inside cargo tanks, what is the key structural difference between a bulkhead and a baffle?

   1. AA bulkhead is removable for cleaning, while a baffle is welded in place
   2. BA bulkhead is solid and seals off compartments; a baffle has holes that let liquid pass
   3. CA bulkhead runs lengthwise along the tank, while a baffle runs across it
   4. DA bulkhead strengthens the tank shell, while a baffle only supports the piping
   This chapter has 62 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.
9. 9

   Hazardous Materials

   H endorsement

   Hazard Class 2 is the class for gases.

   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

   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

    Never discipline students while the bus is moving because it diverts attention from safe driving.

    A student who just exited your bus drops a book, and it slides underneath the bus. What should the student have been taught to do?

    1. ALeave the item, move away from the bus, and get the driver's attention for help
    2. BCrawl under the bus quickly while the red lights are still flashing
    3. CWait quietly beside the rear wheels until the driver finishes the route
    4. DKnock on the service door and reach beneath the bumper for the item

    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)

    You will NOT have to crawl under the vehicle.

    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

    Which kit, besides the first aid kit, must a school bus carry?

    1. AA window breakage kit
    2. BA body fluid cleanup kit
    3. CA tire repair kit
    4. DA spill containment kit
    This chapter has 200 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.

The official Massachusetts CDL manual