New York (NY) 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 are not a lawful permanent resident of the United States.

   What is the penalty for a third railroad crossing violation within three years?

   1. AAt least one year
   2. BAt least three years
   3. CAt least 180 days
   4. DAt least 120 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

   You are in conflict when you have to change speed and/or direction to avoid hitting someone.

   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

   What must be confirmed before you open the engine compartment in Step 2?

   1. AThat the parking brakes are on or wheels chocked
   2. BThat the engine has cooled for ten minutes
   3. CThat the transmission is in its highest gear
   4. DThat the battery has been disconnected
   This chapter has 289 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.
3. 3

   Transporting Cargo Safely

   Everyone

   Stopping distance increases with overloading, and brakes can fail when forced to work too hard.

   What do suspension systems carry from the manufacturer, like tires and coupling devices?

   1. AA recommended service interval
   2. BA maximum travel specification
   3. CA weight capacity rating
   4. DA minimum operating temperature

   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)

   No standing rider may be forward of the standee line while the bus is moving.

   Crash records show that buses are involved in collisions at one location type far more than others. Where should you be especially defensive?

   1. AAt intersections, even when you have the right of way
   2. BOn one-way streets that have no cross traffic
   3. COn long rural straightaways with light traffic
   4. DIn depot parking areas while out of service

   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
   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

   Pushing the brake pedal down harder applies more air pressure.

   How is supply pressure displayed on a vehicle with a dual air brake system?

   1. AA gauge for the primary system and a warning lamp for the secondary
   2. BOne gauge showing the lower of the two systems
   3. CA gauge for each half, or one gauge with two needles
   4. DOne gauge showing the combined total of both systems

   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
   This chapter has 146 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.

   While listening to the trailer brakes during coupling, what should you hear?

   1. AAir escaping continuously from both glad hand seals
   2. BA steady hiss that slowly fades as the tanks fill up
   3. CThe brakes move on application, air escapes on release
   4. DThe relay valve clicking once and then staying silent

   Your trailer is hung up on a railroad crossing and will not move. What is the first thing you do?

   1. AGet out of the vehicle and away from the tracks
   2. BStay in the cab and keep trying to rock it free
   3. CSet out warning triangles along the roadway
   4. DUncouple the tractor and pull it clear alone
   This chapter has 118 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.
7. 7

   Doubles and Triples

   T endorsement

   Lane changes in long combinations must be planned early and made gradually with ample space.

   Your tractor has a sliding fifth wheel. What must be true of its locking pins during inspection?

   1. AThe pins greased and free to move
   2. BAll pins withdrawn so the slide can float
   3. CAt least one pin engaged on each rail
   4. DAll pins present and locked in place

   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

   Forward liquid surge after a stop can push a tank vehicle ahead, so extra stopping room must be left.

   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

   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

   Division 1.3 is Fire Hazard, with display fireworks as an example.

   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

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

    School Buses

    S endorsement

    The rear of a school bus swings outward during turns, so drivers must check mirrors to keep the tail swing path clear.

    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

    Compared with flat mirrors, what is the main advantage of the convex mirrors mounted on the sides of a school bus?

    1. AThey give a much wider view along the side of the bus than flat mirrors do
    2. BThey show objects at their true size and their actual distance
    3. CThey reveal the area hidden directly behind the rear bumper
    4. DThey remove any need to check the flat mirrors before moving
    This chapter has 93 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.
11. 11

    Pre-Trip Vehicle Inspection

    Everyone (skills test)

    Belts should be checked for tightness; play beyond about 3/4 inch at the belt center means the belt is loose.

    Which lights should you turn on before starting the exterior walk-around portion of your inspection?

    1. AParking lights and the interior dome light
    2. BHigh beam headlights and the front fog lamps
    3. CLow beam headlights and the four-way flashers
    4. DLeft turn signal and all the clearance lights

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

The official New York CDL manual