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Utah CDL Practice Test

Free, full Utah 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 DLD knowledge exam.

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

Sample Utah CDL general knowledge test questions

  1. During a pre-trip, you should check that the parking brake:

    • A. Will hold the vehicle on a grade
    • B. Is painting yellow
    • C. Makes a clicking sound
    • D. Is located near the passenger door
    Show answer

    A. Will hold the vehicle on a grade — Test the parking brake by setting it and gently trying to move the vehicle in a low gear. It should hold the vehicle.

  2. What is 'rearward amplification' in a doubles or triples combination?

    • A. The amplification of engine noise in the rear trailer
    • B. The tendency for the rear trailer to swing wider than the front trailer in an emergency maneuver
    • C. The increase in braking distance caused by having extra trailers
    • D. The backward force applied to the kingpin when braking
    Show answer

    B. The tendency for the rear trailer to swing wider than the front trailer in an emergency maneuver — Rearward amplification means that a swerve or steering correction causes each successive trailer to move further sideways than the one ahead of it. The last trailer can swerve several times more than the tractor.

  3. The 'S-cam' in an air brake system:

    • A. Regulates air pressure
    • B. Controls the parking brake
    • C. Connects the trailer air lines
    • D. Forces the brake shoes away from each other
    Show answer

    D. Forces the brake shoes away from each other — The S-cam is shaped like the letter S. When rotated by the slack adjuster, it pushes brake shoes outward against the drum.

  4. The air pressure gauge in the cab tells you:

    • A. The temperature of the brakes
    • B. How hard you are pressing the brake
    • C. How much pressure is in the air tanks
    • D. The speed of the compressor
    Show answer

    C. How much pressure is in the air tanks — The supply pressure gauge shows how much air remains in the tanks, warning you before pressure drops too low to brake safely.

  5. CDL safety scenario 68: 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.

  6. When a tanker is completely full of liquid, surge is minimal because:

    • A. Full tanks are heavier and more stable on the road
    • B. There is no free space for liquid to move, so there is little to no surge
    • C. The baffles are more effective when the tank is full
    • D. Pressure builds up preventing movement
    Show answer

    B. There is no free space for liquid to move, so there is little to no surge — A completely full tank has no space for liquid to move. With no free movement possible, surge is eliminated. This is why full and truly empty tanks are easier to handle than partially filled ones.

  7. When checking coupling during a pre-trip on a combination vehicle, what is the 'tug test'?

    • A. Testing the air brake connection by activating the trailer brakes
    • B. Moving forward slowly with the trailer brakes applied to check for proper coupling
    • C. Pulling the air line connections to check they are secure
    • D. Checking the kingpin by pushing the landing gear up and down
    Show answer

    B. Moving forward slowly with the trailer brakes applied to check for proper coupling — The tug test involves applying the trailer brakes (using the hand valve), then gently moving the tractor forward to ensure the trailer does not separate from the fifth wheel — confirming the coupling is locked.

  8. You are driving a placarded hazmat truck approaching this railroad crossing. You must:

    • A. Slow but keep rolling
    • B. Stop only if a train is visible
    • C. Stop within 15 to 50 feet, look and listen, then cross if clear
    • D. Speed up to clear the tracks
    Show answer

    C. Stop within 15 to 50 feet, look and listen, then cross if clear — Placarded and certain other commercial vehicles must stop, look, and listen at railroad crossings before proceeding when clear.

  9. What is a 'reportable quantity' (RQ) as it relates to hazardous materials shipping papers?

    • A. Any amount over 1 lb
    • B. The minimum quantity that requires placarding
    • C. A quantity that, if released, must be reported to the National Response Center
    • D. The maximum allowed load per axle
    Show answer

    C. A quantity that, if released, must be reported to the National Response Center — RQ designates the threshold above which a release of the hazardous substance must be reported to the National Response Center under 49 CFR 171.15.

  10. When transporting hazmat, placards must be placed:

    • A. Only on the front of the vehicle
    • B. Only on the rear of the vehicle
    • C. Only on the driver's door
    • D. On all four sides of the vehicle
    Show answer

    D. On all four sides of the vehicle — Placards must be displayed on all four sides of the vehicle (front, rear, and both sides) so they're visible from any direction.

Frequently asked questions

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

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

In Utah, driver licensing is handled by the Driver License Division (DLD), so you'll often see the exam called the DLD CDL general knowledge test. The practice tests on this page match the official DLD knowledge exam format.

Is this Utah 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 Utah 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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