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Washington CDL Practice Test

Free, full Washington 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 DOL knowledge exam.

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

Sample Washington CDL general knowledge test questions

  1. Hazmat Table 1 lists materials that:

    • A. Always require placards for any amount being transported
    • B. Are only shipped by rail
    • C. Never need placards
    • D. Can be carried without shipping papers
    Show answer

    A. Always require placards for any amount being transported — Materials in Table 1 are so dangerous they must be placarded for any quantity, while Table 2 materials are placarded only above 1,001 pounds.

  2. What is the 'personal conveyance' exemption for ELD drivers?

    • A. An off-duty exemption that allows a driver to use the CMV for personal use, provided it is not transporting cargo and the driver is off-duty
    • B. A 2-hour extension for drivers who need to reach a personal destination after delivery
    • C. An exemption from ELD for family-owned farms
    • D. Only available for drivers with fewer than 3 violations in the previous year
    Show answer

    A. An off-duty exemption that allows a driver to use the CMV for personal use, provided it is not transporting cargo and the driver is off-duty — Personal conveyance (PC) allows a driver to move a CMV (without cargo) for personal, non-work purposes (like reaching a motel or going to a restaurant) while off-duty. It does not affect HOS limits and the time is recorded as off-duty.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. During the applied leakage test, air loss for a combination vehicle should not exceed:

    • A. 2 PSI per minute
    • B. 3 PSI per minute
    • C. 5 PSI per minute
    • D. 4 PSI per minute
    Show answer

    D. 4 PSI per minute — Combination vehicles can leak up to 4 PSI per minute with service brakes applied; single vehicles up to 3 PSI per minute.

  6. A converter dolly is used to:

    • A. Carry extra fuel
    • B. Adjust the fifth wheel height
    • C. Store the spare tire
    • D. Connect a second or third trailer to the combination
    Show answer

    D. Connect a second or third trailer to the combination — A converter dolly is an axle assembly with a fifth wheel that lets you couple an additional trailer behind the first.

  7. On a long downgrade, excessive use of service brakes can cause:

    • A. Better stopping power
    • B. Brake fade from overheating
    • C. The engine to overheat
    • D. Tire blowouts only
    Show answer

    B. Brake fade from overheating — Continuous braking on a long downgrade overheats the brakes, causing brake fade — the brakes become less effective or fail entirely.

  8. What is the maximum number of trailers that may be pulled in a combination vehicle in most states?

    • A. 1
    • B. 2
    • C. 3
    • D. 4
    Show answer

    C. 3 — Most states allow a maximum of 3 trailers in a combination vehicle ('triples'). Some states restrict combinations to doubles only.

  9. When pulling double trailers, which trailer should be placed directly behind the tractor?

    • A. The lighter trailer
    • B. The longer trailer
    • C. The heavier trailer
    • D. The trailer with the higher center of gravity
    Show answer

    C. The heavier trailer — The heavier trailer should always be placed directly behind the tractor. A heavy rear trailer creates a 'crack-the-whip' effect and increases jackknife risk.

  10. If your drive wheels begin to skid, you should:

    • A. Turn the wheel opposite your path
    • B. Brake harder
    • C. Stop accelerating, push in the clutch, and steer in the direction you want to go
    • D. Accelerate to straighten out
    Show answer

    C. Stop accelerating, push in the clutch, and steer in the direction you want to go — Easing off the accelerator and clutching removes power from the spinning wheels, while steering where you want to go corrects the skid.

Frequently asked questions

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

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

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

Is this Washington 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 Washington 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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