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Kansas CDL Practice Test

Free, full Kansas 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 Kansas CDL general knowledge test questions

  1. At highway speed in this loaded truck, the space you most need to manage is:

    • A. The space ahead, because a heavy truck needs a long distance to stop
    • B. The space above the cab
    • C. The space behind only
    • D. No space management is needed
    Show answer

    A. The space ahead, because a heavy truck needs a long distance to stop — A loaded truck needs much more distance to stop, so keeping ample space ahead is the most important space to manage.

  2. How should landing gear be operated to prevent damage?

    • A. Always operate at maximum speed using the high gear
    • B. Start in low gear until the trailer weight is taken up, then switch to high gear for faster cranking
    • C. Always operate in high gear only
    • D. Use electric motors rather than manual crank whenever possible
    Show answer

    B. Start in low gear until the trailer weight is taken up, then switch to high gear for faster cranking — Landing gear cranks have two speeds. Use low gear to take up the weight of the trailer. Once the landing gear is bearing the trailer weight, switch to high gear to raise or lower quickly. Using high gear to take up weight can damage the gears.

  3. What is the purpose of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG)?

    • A. To list all approved HazMat carriers
    • B. To help first responders identify and respond to HazMat emergencies during the first 30 minutes
    • C. To document shipping weights and dimensions
    • D. To certify drivers for HazMat transport
    Show answer

    B. To help first responders identify and respond to HazMat emergencies during the first 30 minutes — The ERG is designed to aid first responders in quickly identifying hazards and protecting themselves and the public during the initial phase (first 30 minutes) of a HazMat incident.

  4. After coupling the second trailer and dolly, you should:

    • A. Drive without testing the brakes
    • B. Leave the air lines disconnected
    • C. Connect and secure the air and electrical lines and supply air before driving
    • D. Disconnect the safety chains
    Show answer

    C. Connect and secure the air and electrical lines and supply air before driving — Connecting and charging the air and light lines, then testing, ensures the rear trailer's brakes and lights work before you move.

  5. What is a 'defect correction' entry on a DVIR (Driver Vehicle Inspection Report)?

    • A. A note explaining why the driver chose not to fix a defect
    • B. Written documentation by the motor carrier that all reported defects have been repaired or that no repair was necessary before the next driver certifies the vehicle as safe
    • C. The driver's signature confirming the vehicle is defect-free
    • D. A state trooper's notation after a roadside inspection
    Show answer

    B. Written documentation by the motor carrier that all reported defects have been repaired or that no repair was necessary before the next driver certifies the vehicle as safe — Before the next driver can sign the DVIR to accept the vehicle, the motor carrier must certify that defects reported on the previous DVIR were repaired (or were not safety hazards requiring repair). This is the 'defect correction' entry.

  6. The correct color coding for air brake glad hands (couplings) is:

    • A. Blue for service brakes, red for emergency (supply) brakes
    • B. Red for service, blue for emergency
    • C. Yellow for service, green for emergency
    • D. Both couplings are the same color
    Show answer

    A. Blue for service brakes, red for emergency (supply) brakes — Air supply (emergency) glad hands are red; service brake glad hands are blue. Cross-connecting them will charge the emergency line with service brake air and disable the trailer brakes.

  7. When parking a CMV on a downhill grade, the wheels should be turned:

    • A. Toward the curb
    • B. Away from the curb
    • C. Straight ahead
    • D. Depends on which side is facing the road
    Show answer

    A. Toward the curb — When parking downhill, turn the front wheels toward the curb (or shoulder). If the brakes fail, the curb stops the vehicle. When parking uphill with a curb, turn wheels away from the curb.

  8. When making a turn in a doubles combination, drivers must be especially careful because:

    • A. The air lines may pull out when turning sharply
    • B. The additional trailer extends the tail swing and off-tracking significantly further than a single trailer combination
    • C. The engine torque increases in turns, causing acceleration
    • D. The converter dolly may disengage on tight turns
    Show answer

    B. The additional trailer extends the tail swing and off-tracking significantly further than a single trailer combination — Additional trailers increase both the tail swing (rear trailer swings outward in turns) and off-tracking (rear axles cut the inside of a turn). Extra width and clearance must be maintained throughout any turn.

  9. Off-tracking in a doubles combination means:

    • A. When one trailer follows a different GPS route than the tractor
    • B. The tendency for the rear trailer's wheels to track inside the front trailer's path in turns
    • C. When brakes apply unevenly across trailers
    • D. The second trailer's speedometer reading differs from the tractor's
    Show answer

    B. The tendency for the rear trailer's wheels to track inside the front trailer's path in turns — Off-tracking occurs when rear wheels in a combination take a shorter path than the front wheels during a turn. In a doubles or triples combination, off-tracking is greater, requiring wider turns.

  10. The minimum tread depth required for the front (steering) tires of a commercial vehicle is:

    • A. 4/32 inch
    • B. 2/32 inch
    • C. 1/32 inch
    • D. 8/32 inch
    Show answer

    A. 4/32 inch — Steering tires must have at least 4/32 inch of tread, while other tires need at least 2/32 inch, to maintain grip and control.

Frequently asked questions

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

The Kansas 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 Kansas 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 Kansas 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 Kansas CDL general knowledge test in Spanish?

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

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