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Minnesota CDL Practice Test

Free, full Minnesota 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 DVS knowledge exam.

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

Sample Minnesota CDL general knowledge test questions

  1. What is the legal CDL blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit while operating a CMV?

    • A. 0.08% (same as passenger car drivers)
    • B. 0.04%
    • C. 0.02%
    • D. 0.00% — any detectable amount
    Show answer

    B. 0.04% — The CDL BAC limit is 0.04% — half the 0.08% limit for passenger car drivers. Any CMV driver with a BAC of 0.04% or higher is in violation of federal law.

  2. CDL safety scenario 80: What is the greatest risk when pulling doubles or triples?

    • A. Increase speed to finish the route sooner
    • B. Ignore it until the next terminal
    • C. Rearward amplification and rollover from quick steering
    • D. Ask traffic behind you to go around
    Show answer

    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.

  3. Which of the following liquids requires the MOST outage space in a tanker?

    • A. Water
    • B. Gasoline
    • C. Diesel
    • D. Liquid nitrogen (cryogenic)
    Show answer

    B. Gasoline — Petroleum products like gasoline expand significantly with temperature increases. Gasoline requires more outage space than water because it has a higher coefficient of thermal expansion.

  4. CDL safety scenario 81: During an en-route inspection, what should you check after the first 50 miles?

    • A. Ask traffic behind you to go around
    • B. Ignore it until the next terminal
    • C. Increase speed to finish the route sooner
    • D. Cargo securement, tires, brakes, lights, and coupling devices
    Show answer

    D. Cargo securement, tires, brakes, lights, and coupling devices — Cargo securement, tires, brakes, lights, and coupling devices. 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.

  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. What does 'segregation' mean in the context of loading hazardous materials?

    • A. Separating HazMat cargo from general freight by weight class
    • B. Keeping incompatible hazardous materials apart from each other to prevent dangerous reactions if a leak or spill occurs
    • C. Dividing the trailer into sections with fireproof barriers
    • D. Keeping HazMat in a separate trailer from passengers
    Show answer

    B. Keeping incompatible hazardous materials apart from each other to prevent dangerous reactions if a leak or spill occurs — Segregation requirements prevent incompatible materials from being loaded together. For example, oxidizers and flammables must be kept separated, as they can create dangerous reactions if containers are damaged.

  7. What does 'off-tracking' mean for large trucks?

    • A. The truck drifts outside its lane on curves
    • B. The trailer slides sideways during braking
    • C. The steering wheels lose traction
    • D. The rear wheels follow a shorter path than the front wheels when turning
    Show answer

    D. The rear wheels follow a shorter path than the front wheels when turning — Off-tracking (also called 'cheating') occurs when the rear wheels of a long vehicle take a tighter, shorter path than the front wheels when turning. Drivers must swing wide to prevent the rear from hitting curbs or pedestrians.

  8. What is the minimum fine for a CDL holder convicted of operating a CMV with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.04% or more?

    • A. $500
    • B. No minimum fine — penalties vary by state
    • C. Loss of CDL for 1 year on first offense; the fine amount is set by each state
    • D. $2,500
    Show answer

    C. Loss of CDL for 1 year on first offense; the fine amount is set by each state — Under 49 CFR 383.51, a first-offense DUI/DWI conviction (BAC ≥ 0.04% in a CMV) results in disqualification of CDL for at least 1 year. A second offense results in lifetime disqualification. Fines are state-determined.

  9. What is the correct order for a systematic pre-trip inspection?

    • A. Exterior only — interior is optional
    • B. Interior first, then exterior
    • C. Engine compartment, cab interior, front of vehicle, driver side, rear, passenger side
    • D. Any order as long as all components are checked
    Show answer

    C. Engine compartment, cab interior, front of vehicle, driver side, rear, passenger side — A systematic pre-trip follows a consistent path around the vehicle: engine compartment → cab → front of truck → left (driver) side → rear → right (passenger) side → back into cab. Consistency prevents missed items.

  10. What does GVWR stand for?

    • A. Gross Vehicle Wheel Ratio
    • B. Gross Vehicle Weight Restriction
    • C. General Vehicle Weight Regulation
    • D. Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
    Show answer

    D. Gross Vehicle Weight Rating — GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) is the maximum weight a vehicle is rated to carry, including its own weight plus cargo and all passengers. It is set by the manufacturer.

Frequently asked questions

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

The Minnesota 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 Minnesota 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 the Minnesota CDL general knowledge test taken at the DMV?

In Minnesota, driver licensing is handled by the Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS), so you'll often see the exam called the DVS CDL general knowledge test. The practice tests on this page match the official DVS knowledge exam format.

Is this Minnesota 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 Minnesota 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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