Pennsylvania (PA) 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 a first offense for refusing to undergo blood alcohol testing.

   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

   Because of slow acceleration and the space large vehicles require, you may need a much larger gap to enter traffic than you would in a car.

   Why is a stopped bus a hazard to you?

   1. AIt blocks your view of the traffic signal
   2. BIt may pull out without signaling first
   3. CPassengers may cross in front of or behind it
   4. DIts mirrors extend into the passing lane

   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.

   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

   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)

   School and mass transit buses sometimes scrape off mirrors or hit passing vehicles when pulling out from a bus stop.

   A standee line is painted on the floor of buses that allow standing riders. What does this line mark?

   1. AThe point behind which all standing riders must stay
   2. BWhere riders should line up to pay their fares
   3. CThe area reserved for riders with disabilities
   4. DThe rear boundary of the luggage storage area

   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

   Some older vehicles made before 1975 have a front brake limiting valve and a control in the cab.

   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"

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

   Combination Vehicles

   Class A

   Make sure air lines are safely supported where they will not be crushed or caught while the tractor is backing under the trailer.

   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

   What happens when you push in the trailer air supply knob before starting a trip?

   1. AThe service line vents and the trailer brakes apply
   2. BAir flows to the trailer and the trailer emergency brakes release
   3. CThe spring brakes on the tractor apply immediately
   4. DThe tractor parking brakes set and hold the drive axles
   This chapter has 118 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.
7. 7

   Doubles and Triples

   T endorsement

   When uncoupling twin trailers, disconnect all dolly air and electric lines and secure them.

   Which air lines must continue past the converter dolly to reach the second trailer of a set of doubles?

   1. ANeither; the dolly's tank supplies the rear trailer
   2. BBoth the service line and the emergency line
   3. COnly the service line
   4. DOnly the emergency line

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

   Tank Vehicles

   N endorsement

   Inspection includes verifying manhole covers seal properly and vents are open and free of debris.

   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

   Do not uncouple a trailer and leave it with hazardous materials on a public street.

   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 bus is not itself in danger, students are usually safer inside it than standing exposed near traffic.

    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 98 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.
11. 11

    Pre-Trip Vehicle Inspection

    Everyone (skills test)

    Once the air gauge is stabilized after the initial drop from applying the brakes, hold the foot brake for one minute.

    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

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

The official Pennsylvania CDL manual