Tennessee (TN) 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 two violations of an out-of-service order in a ten-year period, and at least three years for three or more in a ten-year period.

   How long do you lose your CDL for three or more serious traffic violations in three years?

   1. AAt least 90 days
   2. BAt least three years
   3. CAt least 60 days
   4. DAt least 120 days

   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

   Approximately 5,500 people are killed each year on U.S. roadways and an estimated 448,000 are injured in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted driving.

   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

   Placards are diamond-shaped hazard warning signs placed on vehicles to identify the hazard class of the cargo being transported.

   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)

   Most hazardous materials cannot be carried on a bus.

   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

   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
   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

   A low air pressure warning signal is required on vehicles with air brakes, and a signal you can see must come on before pressure falls below the specified level.

   Your air compressor is belt-driven. What should you check about the belt during the pre-trip inspection?

   1. AThat the belt is in good condition and properly tight
   2. BThat the belt slips slightly to protect the compressor
   3. CThat the belt is loose enough to remove by hand
   4. DThat the belt has been coated with belt dressing

   How do the brake lights come on when you apply the brakes on a vehicle with air brakes?

   1. AAn air-operated electric switch closes when brake air pressure flows
   2. BThe driver must flip a separate brake lamp switch
   3. CA cable from the pedal pulls a mechanical contact closed
   4. DThe application gauge sends a signal to the lamps
   This chapter has 148 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.
6. 6

   Combination Vehicles

   Class A

   Inspection of the lower fifth wheel covers secure mounting, no missing or cracked parts, and proper lubrication of the plate.

   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

   Your combination vehicle is equipped with ABS. How should you apply the brakes in a normal stop?

   1. ABrake the same way you would without ABS
   2. BUse the hand valve first and then the foot brake
   3. CPump the pedal lightly to keep the ABS cycling
   4. DPress harder than usual so the ABS engages sooner
   This chapter has 118 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.
7. 7

   Doubles and Triples

   T endorsement

   Inspection of the pintle area covers hook latch engagement and secured safety chains.

   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

   Among common commercial combinations, which is generally the most likely to whip and roll its rearmost trailer during a sudden maneuver?

   1. AA set of triples
   2. BA tractor pulling a single 28-foot trailer
   3. CA tractor with one 53-foot semitrailer
   4. DA tractor pulling a set of doubles
   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 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

   Besides leaks, what condition of the tank's body or shell does the inspection cover?

   1. ACondensation on the upper surface
   2. BDents
   3. CChalk marks left by the loading rack
   4. DFading of the painted shipping name
   This chapter has 62 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.
9. 9

   Hazardous Materials

   H endorsement

   The RQ marking identifies a reportable quantity, meaning any spill of that amount must be reported.

   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

   On a portable tank holding less than 1,000 gallons, how tall must the shipping name letters be?

   1. AAt least one inch
   2. BAt least three inches
   3. CAt least two inches
   4. DThere is no minimum for tanks that small
   This chapter has 234 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.
10. 10

    School Buses

    S endorsement

    In strong winds a bus driver should slow down, grip the wheel firmly, and pull off the road to wait out severe conditions.

    Where are the outside convex mirrors mounted relative to the flat mirrors?

    1. AAbove them
    2. BOn the opposite front corner
    3. CBelow them
    4. DInboard of them, nearer the windshield

    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)

    Inspect that the air ride suspension is secure, not damaged, and not leaking, if equipped.

    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

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

The official Tennessee CDL manual