Minnesota (MN) 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 be denied or lose your hazardous materials endorsement if you have been adjudicated as lacking mental capacity or have been involuntarily committed to a mental health facility.

   What penalty may a court impose for holding more than one license?

   1. AA fine of up to $1,000 and no jail time
   2. BA disqualification of exactly 30 days
   3. CA fine of up to $10,000 and no jail time
   4. DA fine of up to $5,000 or a jail term

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

   Driving Safely

   Everyone

   At 55 mph: perception ~142 ft, reaction ~61 ft, braking ~216 ft, total ~419 ft.

   What is the minimum tread depth required in every major groove on a front (steering) tire?

   1. A6/32 inch
   2. B8/32 inch
   3. C4/32 inch
   4. D2/32 inch

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

   Transporting Cargo Safely

   Everyone

   Overloading can have bad effects on steering, braking, and speed control.

   What is the main purpose of the diamond-shaped placards displayed on some trucks and trailers?

   1. ATo mark loads that are overweight or oversized for the route
   2. BTo show that the cargo has cleared a customs inspection
   3. CTo warn others about the hazard class of the cargo on board
   4. DTo identify the motor carrier's operating authority number

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

   Transporting Passengers

   P endorsement (bus)

   Carry-on baggage must be secured so it does not block access to any emergency exit.

   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

   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

   Tanks with automatic drains still include manual drain valves that should be operated to verify moisture removal.

   How is a manually operated air tank drain valve worked?

   1. ABy holding the dash drain switch until air stops
   2. BBy loosening the tank's inspection plate
   3. CBy backing off the fitting with a wrench
   4. DBy turning it a quarter turn or pulling a cable

   How may the parking brakes be operated on an older air-braked vehicle?

   1. ABy a key-operated switch on the dash
   2. BBy a foot-operated ratchet pedal
   3. CBy a lever
   4. DBy a cable running to the rear axle
   This chapter has 148 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.
6. 6

   Combination Vehicles

   Class A

   Drivers of loaded combinations should go slower than posted curve or ramp advisory speeds, which are set for smaller vehicles.

   When you can choose the direction, toward which side should you back a tractor-trailer?

   1. AThe right side, so the curb can guide the trailer
   2. BWhichever side offers the most open pavement
   3. CThe passenger side, to keep the fuel tank protected
   4. DThe driver's side, where you can see the trailer directly

   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
   This chapter has 118 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.
7. 7

   Doubles and Triples

   T endorsement

   The most heavily loaded trailer should be nearest the tractor for combination stability.

   When hooking air lines between the first trailer and the converter dolly, how do you avoid crossing them?

   1. ATrace both lines back to the tractor before each trip segment
   2. BConnect only the emergency line, since the service line is optional
   3. CConnect whichever glad hand physically reaches its mate first
   4. DMatch service to service and emergency to emergency by color code

   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

   Grounding or bonding cables prevent static electricity discharges that could ignite flammable vapors during loading and unloading.

   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

   During a pre-trip inspection of a cargo tank, what is the most important thing to check the tank body, piping, and valves for?

   1. AFresh paint covering all of the placard holders
   2. BDecals that display the carrier's safety rating
   3. CLeaks or any sign of product escaping from the tank
   4. DThe date the tank shell was originally manufactured
   This chapter has 62 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.
9. 9

   Hazardous Materials

   H endorsement

   Portable tanks must display the shipping name of the contents on two opposing sides.

   Which classes may not be carried as overhang or tailgate loads?

   1. AClasses 1, 4, and 5
   2. BClasses 2.2, 6.2, and ORM-D
   3. CClasses 2, 3, and 6
   4. DClasses 7, 8, and 9

   What makes a container a cargo tank rather than a portable tank?

   1. AIt holds more than 1,000 gallons
   2. BIt carries only hazardous materials
   3. CIt is fitted with internal baffles
   4. DIt is permanently attached to a vehicle
   This chapter has 234 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.
10. 10

    School Buses

    S endorsement

    A passive crossing does not have any type of traffic control device; the decision to proceed rests entirely with the driver.

    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

    What does a sign mounted below the cross-buck tell you?

    1. AThe speed limit for crossing the tracks
    2. BThe number of tracks at the crossing
    3. CThe name of the railroad operating the line
    4. DThe distance to the next crossing
    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 mirrors are clean and not cracked and mirror brackets are not bent and are mounted securely with no missing parts.

    What is the consequence of performing the hydraulic brake check incorrectly on the inspection test?

    1. AA point deduction from the total score
    2. BA warning noted on the score sheet
    3. CAn automatic failure of the test
    4. DA required retest of that item only

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

The official Minnesota CDL manual