Vermont (VT) 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

   Class A: GCWR 26,001+ lbs with towed vehicle GVWR in excess of 10,000 lbs.

   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

   Do not focus on the mirrors for too long; otherwise you will travel quite a distance without knowing what is happening ahead.

   Which wheel components does the manual say are dangerous when missing?

   1. AHub caps and trim rings
   2. BBalance weights and stems
   3. CValve caps and dust shields
   4. DClamps, spacers, studs, or lugs

   You cannot avoid driving through a stretch of dense fog. Which headlight setting should you use?

   1. ALow beams, so light is not reflected back into your eyes
   2. BHigh beams, so the light reaches farther into the fog
   3. CParking lights, to reduce the glare for other drivers
   4. DFour-way flashers only, with the headlights switched off
   This chapter has 290 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.
3. 3

   Transporting Cargo Safely

   Everyone

   Too little weight on the driving axles can cause poor traction; the drive wheels may spin easily and during bad weather the truck may not be able to keep going.

   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

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

   Transporting Passengers

   P endorsement (bus)

   Buses must never carry explosives in the space occupied by people, except small arms ammunition.

   You are driving a bus toward a railroad crossing where a stop is required. Within what distance range before the nearest rail must you stop?

   1. A100 to 200 feet
   2. B50 to 100 feet
   3. C15 to 50 feet
   4. D5 to 10 feet

   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
   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

   On belt-driven compressors, check the belt's condition and tightness during inspection.

   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

   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

   Once the trailer wheels grip the road again, the trailer will start to follow the tractor and straighten out.

   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

   Whenever you back with a trailer, how should you try to position the vehicle first?

   1. ASo the tractor is jackknifed about 30 degrees
   2. BSo the trailer tandems are slid fully forward
   3. CSo you can back in a straight line
   4. DSo the trailer is angled toward the passenger side
   This chapter has 118 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.
7. 7

   Doubles and Triples

   T endorsement

   The trailer must be slightly lower than the dolly fifth wheel before backing under.

   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

   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

   Pre-trip inspection includes making sure intank, discharge, and cutoff valves are closed and in the proper operating position.

   You brake to a stop at a red light in a loaded tanker. What can the forward-moving wave of liquid do to your vehicle?

   1. AForce extra fuel into the engine cylinders
   2. BPush the truck forward into the intersection
   3. CCause the trailer brakes to lock automatically
   4. DLift the drive axles off the pavement

   A driver's CDL shows an X endorsement. What does that code allow the driver to haul?

   1. AHazardous materials transported in a tank vehicle
   2. BOversize and overweight loads that need special travel permits
   3. CPassengers in addition to liquid cargo in the same vehicle
   4. DLivestock and other live animal loads in bulk trailers
   This chapter has 62 more questions. Practice them in the app and see your pass chance.
9. 9

   Hazardous Materials

   H endorsement

   Table 2 lists 2.1 Flammable Gases with the placard name Flammable Gas.

   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

   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

    Backing a school bus should be avoided; when unavoidable, use an outside lookout to monitor the blind area behind the bus.

    How far upwind should students be led if spilled hazardous materials are a risk?

    1. AAt least 300 feet
    2. BAt least 500 feet
    3. CAt least 100 feet
    4. DAt least 200 feet

    How should students board the bus?

    1. AIn any order, once the door is fully open
    2. BSlowly, in single file, using the handrail
    3. CYoungest first, with older students holding back
    4. DQuickly, two at a time, to shorten the stop
    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)

    Damage to the batteries, electrical system or electric motor can cause vehicle breakdowns or electrical shortage leading to a fire onboard 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

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

The official Vermont CDL manual