Free, full Maryland 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. Matched to the official MVA knowledge exam.
CDL safety scenario 7: When driving a bus, when should riders be counted?
B. After each stop where passengers board or leave — After each stop where passengers board or leave. Commercial drivers are expected to manage this situation before it becomes a crash risk. The CDL manual emphasizes controlling the vehicle, inspecting safety-critical systems, and correcting hazards promptly.
What is the purpose of the 'emergency air line' (red air line) in a tractor-trailer?
A. To provide air pressure that keeps the trailer spring brakes released; if it disconnects, the trailer brakes apply automatically — The emergency air line (red) supplies air pressure to the trailer's spring brake relay valve, which keeps the trailer spring brakes released during normal operation. If it disconnects or loses pressure, the spring brakes automatically apply.
What does GCWR stand for?
C. Gross Combination Weight Rating — GCWR is the Gross Combination Weight Rating — the total rated weight of the power unit plus the trailer and cargo together.
CDL safety scenario 32: What is the greatest risk when pulling doubles or triples?
C. Rearward amplification and rollover from quick steering — Rearward amplification and rollover from quick steering. Commercial drivers are expected to manage this situation before it becomes a crash risk. The CDL manual emphasizes controlling the vehicle, inspecting safety-critical systems, and correcting hazards promptly.
An Electronic Logging Device (ELD) is used to:
D. Automatically record a driver's hours of service and driving time — An ELD connects to the engine and automatically records driving time and duty status, making hours-of-service records more accurate.
The crack-the-whip effect is strongest on:
B. The last trailer in a combination — Rearward amplification causes the last trailer in doubles or triples to sway the most during turns or evasive maneuvers.
What is the 'static electricity' hazard when unloading flammable liquids from a tanker?
B. Static electricity can build up during liquid transfer and discharge as a spark, igniting flammable vapors — When transferring flammable liquids, static electricity can accumulate. A static spark can ignite vapors. Bonding wires and proper grounding of equipment are used to dissipate static charge safely during loading/unloading.
Before starting a trip, a CMV driver must inspect the vehicle. The pre-trip inspection is required:
A. Before every trip — FMCSA regulations require a pre-trip inspection before every trip. The driver must report any defects and ensure they are corrected before operating the vehicle.
CDL safety scenario 27: If the low air pressure warning activates while driving a commercial vehicle, what should you do?
B. Stop safely as soon as possible — Stop safely as soon as possible. Commercial drivers are expected to manage this situation before it becomes a crash risk. The CDL manual emphasizes controlling the vehicle, inspecting safety-critical systems, and correcting hazards promptly.
An ELD (Electronic Logging Device) is required for:
B. Most CMV drivers who are required to maintain records of duty status — Most CMV drivers who must maintain records of duty status are required to use an ELD to track hours of service electronically.
The Maryland 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.
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.
In Maryland, driver licensing is handled by the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA), so you'll often see the exam called the MVA CDL general knowledge test. The practice tests on this page match the official MVA knowledge exam format.
Yes. Every practice test on this page and everything in the DMVPrep iPhone app is free — no ads, no paywall, no account.
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.
Yes — the DMVPrep app includes all 3,745+ questions in Spanish, and the whole app works in Spanish.