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Alaska CDL Practice Test

Free, full Alaska CDL general knowledge test practice right here in your browser — real exam format (50 questions, 80% to pass), diagnostic and adaptive modes, spaced-repetition review, and a readiness dashboard. No signup, no paywall — your progress is saved automatically on this device.

50
Real exam questions
80%
Passing score
750+
CDL questions

Sample Alaska CDL general knowledge test questions

  1. During a pre-trip inspection of the exhaust system, what should you be concerned about?

    • A. Only that the exhaust stack is straight
    • B. Loose or leaking joints, cracks, holes, or missing parts — exhaust leaks can fill the cab with carbon monoxide
    • C. Only the muffler mounting
    • D. That the exhaust pipe points away from the trailer
    Show answer

    B. Loose or leaking joints, cracks, holes, or missing parts — exhaust leaks can fill the cab with carbon monoxide — Exhaust system leaks (cracks, loose joints, holes) allow carbon monoxide (CO) and other combustion gases to enter the cab. CO is colorless and odorless and can cause driver incapacitation without warning.

  2. If your brakes fail on a long downgrade, your best escape is usually to:

    • A. Jump from the vehicle
    • B. Use an escape ramp if one is available
    • C. Turn off the engine
    • D. Steer into oncoming traffic
    Show answer

    B. Use an escape ramp if one is available — An escape ramp is designed to stop a runaway vehicle safely, making it the best option when brakes fail on a long downgrade.

  3. When stopping a tanker, you should brake:

    • A. Gently and well in advance
    • B. Hard and quickly
    • C. Only at the last moment
    • D. Using only the parking brake
    Show answer

    A. Gently and well in advance — Brake gently and early when driving a tanker. Hard braking causes liquid to surge forward, pushing the vehicle and extending stopping distance.

  4. The trailer emergency line is typically colored:

    • A. Green
    • B. Blue
    • C. Red
    • D. Black
    Show answer

    C. Red — The emergency line (red) supplies air to the trailer air tank and controls the emergency brakes.

  5. What is the 'yard move' (YM) ELD special driving category?

    • A. Driving within a 1-mile radius of the terminal only
    • B. An on-duty (not driving) special category for moving a CMV on private property (like a yard or facility), recorded on the ELD without counting as driving time in traffic
    • C. A short-haul exemption for trips under 10 miles
    • D. An unregulated personal conveyance within 5 miles of the terminal
    Show answer

    B. An on-duty (not driving) special category for moving a CMV on private property (like a yard or facility), recorded on the ELD without counting as driving time in traffic — Yard moves (YM) involve operating a CMV within a private facility. ELDs record YM as on-duty (not driving), because the vehicle is not operating on public roads. It does count as on-duty time but not against the driving hours limit.

  6. The Federal Bridge Formula limits the weight on any set of axles to prevent:

    • A. Fuel waste
    • B. Cargo from shifting
    • C. Road and bridge damage from concentrated weight
    • D. Brake overheating
    Show answer

    C. Road and bridge damage from concentrated weight — The Federal Bridge Formula limits the weight per axle group to prevent roads and bridges from being damaged by concentrated loads. Violations can result in fines and out-of-service orders.

  7. Your safe speed on a downgrade depends on the grade's steepness and length, the weather, and:

    • A. The total weight of the vehicle and cargo
    • B. The radio station you are using
    • C. The color of your truck
    • D. The brand of your tires
    Show answer

    A. The total weight of the vehicle and cargo — Heavier loads build more momentum downhill, so total weight, along with grade and road conditions, determines a safe descent speed.

  8. If a passenger becomes seriously ill or disruptive during a trip, what should you do?

    • A. Continue driving and call ahead to the terminal
    • B. Stop the bus at a safe location and deal with the situation; contact dispatcher if needed
    • C. Alert other passengers to help manage the situation while driving
    • D. Increase speed to reach the destination faster
    Show answer

    B. Stop the bus at a safe location and deal with the situation; contact dispatcher if needed — Driver safety and passenger safety require that you stop the bus at a safe location to deal with a serious illness or disruptive passenger situation rather than trying to manage it while driving.

  9. The greatest danger when driving a liquid tanker is:

    • A. Liquid surge, which can push the vehicle and affect control
    • B. The tank being too clean
    • C. Running out of fuel
    • D. Driving uphill
    Show answer

    A. Liquid surge, which can push the vehicle and affect control — Liquid moving back and forth (surge) can shove the truck forward or sideways, especially when stopping, so anticipate it and brake early.

  10. To avoid a trailer jackknife, the MOST important action is:

    • A. Steer sharply to realign the trailer
    • B. Avoid locking the trailer brakes; brake only as hard as traction allows
    • C. Apply the parking brake first, then the service brakes
    • D. Accelerate to straighten the trailer
    Show answer

    B. Avoid locking the trailer brakes; brake only as hard as traction allows — Trailer jackknifes are usually caused by locking the trailer wheels under hard braking. Avoiding locked trailer wheels (brake only as hard as the traction allows, or use ABS) is the primary prevention.

Frequently asked questions

How many questions are on the Alaska CDL general knowledge test?

The Alaska CDL general knowledge test has 50 questions, and you need 80% to pass — at least 40 correct answers. The practice tests on this page use the same format. The 80% passing score is a federal FMCSA standard used by every state.

What score do I need to pass the Alaska CDL general knowledge test?

80%. You can miss at most 10 of the 50 questions. The readiness dashboard on this page tracks whether you're consistently scoring above that bar.

Is this Alaska CDL general knowledge test practice really free?

Yes. Every practice test on this page and everything in the DMVPrep iPhone app is free — no ads, no paywall, no account.

Where do these CDL general knowledge test questions come from?

Federal motor carrier safety regulations (FMCSA) — the same rules every state's CDL exam is drawn from. Every question in the DMVPrep app cites the regulation or handbook section it comes from.

Can I study for the Alaska CDL general knowledge test in Spanish?

Yes — the DMVPrep app includes all 3,745+ questions in Spanish, and the whole app works in Spanish.

Prefer the iPhone app? Get offline mode, iCloud sync across devices, and an on-device AI coach that explains every mistake. Download DMVPrep

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