California CDL Practice Test 2026

Practice question bank

Sample questions

1. While doing the pre-trip inspection on your vehicle’s steering and exhaust system you found the following problems. Which one, if any, should be fixed before you drive the vehicle?

   • Too many vertical stacks.
   • Oil on the tie rod.
   • Play in the steering wheel of more than 10 degrees (2 inches on a 20-inch steering wheel). ✓

   Vehicle Equipment & Safe Operation · Answer: C · Source: dmv.ca.gov, retrieved 2026-10-17

2. Which of the following statements is true about overhead clearance?

   • Posted signs for overhead clearance are always correct.
   • Paving a road does not affect the clearance height under bridges or overpasses.
   • Cargo weight may change the height of your vehicle. ✓

   General Driving Knowledge · Answer: C · Source: dmv.ca.gov, retrieved 2026-10-17

3. Which of the following is the correct term for a long commercial vehicle’s tendency to swing wide on turns?

   • Sidetracking.
   • Offtracking. ✓
   • Fishtailing.

   Sharing the Road · Answer: B · Source: dmv.ca.gov, retrieved 2026-10-17

4. What should you do when you are driving at night?

   • Make sure you are driving slow enough so you can stop within the range of your headlights in an emergency. ✓
   • Roll down your window so that the fresh air will help keep you awake.
   • If you are sleepy, drink coffee or other caffeine products.

   Bad Weather & Night Driving · Answer: A · Source: dmv.ca.gov, retrieved 2026-10-17

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