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Mississippi CDL Practice Test

Free, full Mississippi 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 DPS knowledge exam.

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

Sample Mississippi CDL general knowledge test questions

  1. Hazmat Class 8 covers:

    • A. Corrosives
    • B. Flammable solids
    • C. Explosives
    • D. Miscellaneous
    Show answer

    A. Corrosives — Class 8 covers corrosives — substances that destroy living tissue or corrode metals (acids, battery fluid, etc.).

  2. To avoid distracted driving in a CMV, you should:

    • A. Eat and review paperwork while driving to save time
    • B. Watch videos during slow traffic
    • C. Use a hand-held phone for short calls only
    • D. Set up navigation and complete tasks before you start driving
    Show answer

    D. Set up navigation and complete tasks before you start driving — Handling navigation, food, and paperwork before driving keeps your eyes and attention on the road where they belong.

  3. What is 'sliding the tandems' on a trailer, and what does it achieve?

    • A. Changing the tire type on the tandem axles
    • B. Moving the tandem axle assembly forward or rearward to redistribute weight between the drive axles and trailer axles, bringing them into legal compliance
    • C. Replacing the tandem axles with a tri-axle configuration
    • D. Adjusting the tandem suspension pressure
    Show answer

    B. Moving the tandem axle assembly forward or rearward to redistribute weight between the drive axles and trailer axles, bringing them into legal compliance — Most trailers have sliding tandem axles that can be moved forward or backward in slots. Moving them forward shifts weight onto the trailer axles (reducing drive axle weight); moving them rearward shifts weight to the drive axles. This allows fine-tuning to meet legal axle weight limits.

  4. During the engine compartment check, you should verify the alternator belt is:

    • A. Any color
    • B. Made of rubber only
    • C. Not cracked, frayed, or too loose/tight
    • D. Connected to the air compressor
    Show answer

    C. Not cracked, frayed, or too loose/tight — Check the alternator/serpentine belt for cracks, fraying, and proper tension. A broken belt causes charging and cooling system failure.

  5. Combination vehicles need more following distance than single vehicles mainly because:

    • A. They accelerate faster and need more room to decelerate
    • B. They take significantly longer to stop due to greater mass and require more time to communicate brake signals through the air lines
    • C. Their mirrors are harder to see in
    • D. Air suspension makes stops feel shorter than they are
    Show answer

    B. They take significantly longer to stop due to greater mass and require more time to communicate brake signals through the air lines — The greater mass of a loaded combination vehicle dramatically increases stopping distance. Additionally, there is a slight delay in air pressure reaching the trailer brakes. More following distance allows more reaction and stopping time.

  6. When should a CDL driver use stab braking on a vehicle without ABS?

    • A. For normal stopping on wet roads
    • B. In emergency stops — apply full pressure until the wheels lock, release, and reapply
    • C. Only on dry pavement
    • D. Only when descending steep grades
    Show answer

    B. In emergency stops — apply full pressure until the wheels lock, release, and reapply — Stab braking is an emergency technique for vehicles without ABS: apply brakes fully until wheels are about to lock, release until wheels roll freely, then reapply. Releasing prevents complete lockup and maintains steering control.

  7. You are driving a 40-foot vehicle at 35 mph. What is the minimum following distance you should maintain?

    • A. 2 seconds
    • B. 3 seconds
    • C. 4 seconds
    • D. 5 seconds
    Show answer

    C. 4 seconds — At speeds below 40 mph, use one second for each 10 feet of vehicle length. A 40-foot vehicle requires at least 4 seconds.

  8. CDL safety scenario 35: When driving a long commercial vehicle, why should you make turns slowly?

    • A. Ignore it until the next terminal
    • B. Off-tracking can cause the rear wheels to cut across curbs or lanes
    • C. Increase speed to finish the route sooner
    • D. Ask traffic behind you to go around
    Show answer

    B. Off-tracking can cause the rear wheels to cut across curbs or lanes — Off-tracking can cause the rear wheels to cut across curbs or lanes. 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.

  9. What should you check when inspecting the tractor's front axle area during a pre-trip?

    • A. Only the tire pressure with a gauge
    • B. Leaf springs or other spring mounts, shock absorbers, U-bolts, steering tie rod and drag link connections, and condition of the steer tires
    • C. Only the wheel lug nuts and hub caps
    • D. Only that the wheel covers are properly secured
    Show answer

    B. Leaf springs or other spring mounts, shock absorbers, U-bolts, steering tie rod and drag link connections, and condition of the steer tires — Front axle inspection includes: spring hangers and mounting bolts, shock absorbers, U-bolts, steering linkage (tie rod ends, drag links, steering arm), and steer tire condition (tread, inflation, sidewall, valve stems).

  10. The purpose of the hours-of-service rules is to:

    • A. Limit how far a company can ship goods
    • B. Reduce crashes caused by tired drivers by limiting driving and on-duty time
    • C. Increase fuel taxes
    • D. Set minimum wages
    Show answer

    B. Reduce crashes caused by tired drivers by limiting driving and on-duty time — Hours-of-service limits exist to keep fatigued drivers off the road by capping driving and on-duty hours and requiring rest.

Frequently asked questions

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

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

In Mississippi, driver licensing is handled by the Department of Public Safety (DPS), so you'll often see the exam called the DPS CDL general knowledge test. The practice tests on this page match the official DPS knowledge exam format.

Is this Mississippi 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 Mississippi 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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