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NC CDL General Knowledge Practice Questions - North Carolina CDL General Knowledge Test Exam
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Question
1
of 25
QUESTION 1 / 25
Before a North Carolina applicant can receive a commercial learner permit, what testing must they pass?
Choose one answer below.
A
Only a road skills test
✓
B
The required vision, traffic sign recognition, and CDL knowledge tests
✓
C
Only a DOT physical
✓
D
Only an employer road evaluation
✓
QUESTION 2 / 25
What is the minimum age to apply for a North Carolina CDL or CLP for intrastate operation?
Choose one answer below.
A
16 years old
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B
18 years old
✓
C
19 years old
✓
D
21 years old
✓
QUESTION 3 / 25
When is a North Carolina CDL applicant generally required to be at least 21 years old?
Choose one answer below.
A
When driving only within North Carolina
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B
When operating in interstate commerce or seeking a hazardous materials endorsement
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C
When taking the traffic sign recognition test
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D
When renewing a regular Class C license
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QUESTION 4 / 25
After getting a North Carolina commercial learner permit, how long must the applicant hold it before taking the CDL skills test?
Choose one answer below.
A
At least 24 hours
✓
B
At least 7 days
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C
At least 14 days
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D
At least 90 days
✓
QUESTION 5 / 25
How long is a North Carolina commercial learner permit valid according to NCDMV?
Choose one answer below.
A
30 days with no renewal
✓
B
90 days with one renewal
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C
180 days and eligible for one 180-day renewal
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D
One year with unlimited renewals
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QUESTION 6 / 25
Which agency administers North Carolina CDL licensing and testing?
Choose one answer below.
A
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration only
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B
North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles
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C
Transportation Security Administration only
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D
County clerk offices
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QUESTION 7 / 25
Under FMCSA standards, what score is required to pass a CDL knowledge test?
Choose one answer below.
A
60 percent
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B
70 percent
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C
75 percent
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D
At least 80 percent correct
✓
QUESTION 8 / 25
What does FMCSA say each basic CDL knowledge test must cover?
Choose one answer below.
A
Only vehicle size and state fees
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B
The 20 general areas in 49 CFR 383.111(a)
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C
Only endorsement-specific topics
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D
Only North Carolina road signs
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QUESTION 9 / 25
What is the federal minimum number of items for a basic CDL knowledge test?
Choose one answer below.
A
10 items
✓
B
20 items
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C
At least 30 items
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D
Exactly 100 items
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QUESTION 10 / 25
A North Carolina CDL applicant is preparing for the knowledge test. Which manual should be the primary study source?
Choose one answer below.
A
An unofficial online quiz page
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B
The N.C. Commercial Driver License Manual
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C
A passenger-car owner manual only
✓
D
An insurance company brochure
✓
QUESTION 11 / 25
Which applicants are subject to FMCSA Entry-Level Driver Training before certain CDL skills or endorsement tests?
Choose one answer below.
A
Only drivers renewing an unchanged CDL
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B
First-time Class A or B applicants and certain upgrade or first-time P, S, or H endorsement applicants
✓
C
Only applicants under age 18
✓
D
Only farm-vehicle operators exempt from CDL rules
✓
QUESTION 12 / 25
What must a North Carolina CLP holder have while practicing in a commercial motor vehicle?
Choose one answer below.
A
A licensed CDL operator of the same or higher class in the front seat with needed endorsements
✓
B
Only a passenger with any driver license
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C
No accompanying driver if driving under 25 mph
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D
Only a printed copy of the CDL manual
✓
QUESTION 13 / 25
For North Carolina CDL medical certification, which commerce types require certified medical status?
Choose one answer below.
A
Only excepted interstate and excepted intrastate
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B
Interstate non-excepted and intrastate non-excepted
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C
Only private passenger vehicle use
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D
No CDL commerce type ever requires certification
✓
QUESTION 14 / 25
Effective June 28, 2025, how does North Carolina receive Medical Examiner Certificates for CDL/CLP holders?
Choose one answer below.
A
Directly from commercial drivers as paper originals only
✓
B
Electronically from medical examiner providers through the FMCSA National Registry portal
✓
C
Only by fax from employers
✓
D
Only during road skills testing
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QUESTION 15 / 25
Which vehicle generally requires a North Carolina Commercial Class A CDL?
Choose one answer below.
A
Any motorcycle with a sidecar
✓
B
A combination with GCWR 26,001 pounds or more if the towed unit is over 10,000 pounds GVWR
✓
C
A single vehicle under 10,001 pounds
✓
D
Only a taxi carrying fewer than 8 passengers
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QUESTION 16 / 25
What is the first step in the seven-step pre-trip inspection method?
Choose one answer below.
A
Approach the vehicle and check its general condition
✓
B
Check under the hood
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C
Start the engine and inspect inside the cab
✓
D
Walk around and inspect the entire vehicle
✓
QUESTION 17 / 25
During a pre-trip inspection, what should you check in the engine compartment?
Choose one answer below.
A
Only the oil level
✓
B
Oil level, coolant level, power steering fluid, belts, and hoses
✓
C
Only the coolant level and belts
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D
Only items visible without opening any caps
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QUESTION 18 / 25
When performing a pre-trip inspection, the driver should ensure that the steering wheel free play (lash) does not exceed what limit?
Choose one answer below.
A
5 degrees in either direction
✓
B
10 degrees in either direction (approximately 2 inches on a 20-inch wheel)
✓
C
15 degrees in either direction
✓
D
20 degrees in either direction
✓
QUESTION 19 / 25
During the cab check portion of a pre-trip inspection, you should test the parking brake by:
Choose one answer below.
A
Driving forward slowly and applying the parking brake
✓
B
Putting the vehicle in gear with the parking brake set and gently pressing the accelerator to see if the vehicle holds
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C
Visually checking that the parking brake handle is in the correct position
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D
Checking the parking brake cable under the vehicle
✓
QUESTION 20 / 25
Which emergency equipment is required to be on a commercial motor vehicle?
Choose one answer below.
A
Fire extinguisher, spare fuses, and three red reflective triangles
✓
B
First aid kit, fire extinguisher, and flares only
✓
C
Fire extinguisher and road flares only
✓
D
Spare tire, jack, and reflective vest
✓
QUESTION 21 / 25
A post-trip inspection report is important because:
Choose one answer below.
A
It is only required for vehicles carrying hazardous materials
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B
It alerts the carrier to vehicle defects that may need repair before the vehicle is driven again
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C
It replaces the need for the next driver to do a pre-trip inspection
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D
It is optional but recommended by the FMCSA
✓
QUESTION 22 / 25
During a pre-trip inspection, the driver notices a coolant leak near the water pump. What should the driver do?
Choose one answer below.
A
Note it on the report and drive carefully to the next service stop
✓
B
Add more coolant and continue the trip
✓
C
Do not drive the vehicle until the leak is repaired
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D
Drive only short distances and monitor the temperature gauge
✓
QUESTION 23 / 25
Which of the following is an out-of-service condition that would prevent a vehicle from being driven?
Choose one answer below.
A
A small crack in the windshield that does not obstruct the driver's view
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B
A missing mud flap on a rear wheel
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C
Brake lining thickness below the minimum allowed by regulations
✓
D
A broken antenna on the CB radio
✓
QUESTION 24 / 25
During the pre-trip inspection, which of the following should a driver check regarding the exhaust system?
Choose one answer below.
A
Only that the muffler is present
✓
B
That the exhaust system is secure, not leaking, and not in contact with fuel lines, wiring, or air lines
✓
C
Only that exhaust fumes are not entering the cab
✓
D
That the catalytic converter is functioning properly by checking emissions color
✓
QUESTION 25 / 25
What is the minimum tread depth required for steer axle tires on a commercial motor vehicle?
Choose one answer below.
A
2/32 of an inch
✓
B
4/32 of an inch
✓
C
6/32 of an inch
✓
D
1/32 of an inch
✓
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