Free Illinois CDL Permit Practice Test: General Knowledge 2025

We’re glad you decided to take our free Illinois CDL permit practice test! This practice test will help you prepare to pass the official CDL General Knowledge test. By now, you’ve probably read a good deal of the official Illinois Commercial Driver’s License Study Guide (Illinois CDL Handbook 2025) at least once. By taking this practice test, you’ll absorb the relevant material and become more accustomed to being tested on it. The practice test is based on the official state CDL Study Guide, just like the official knowledge test. It is up to date as of March, 2025 and has 50 multiple-choice questions. The questions on this practice test will assess your understanding of such topics as cargo management, driving emergencies, vehicle components, and driving in various situations. However, this practice test differs from the official knowledge test in the extra features it provides to help you learn, including a hint and an explanation of the correct answer for each question, and an automated assistant for even more help.

By passing the official knowledge test, submitting to a medical examination, and meeting a few other requirements, you’ll be eligible to obtain a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP). This credential will allow you to practice commercial driving under the supervision of someone who already holds a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).

By practicing commercial driving, you’ll become sufficiently good at it to pass the official skills test, a necessary step for you to obtain a CDL. The skills test will evaluate you on performing basic vehicle maneuvers, a pre-trip inspection, and a road test.

There are three classes of CDLs: Class A is typically for large combination vehicles, such as semi-trucks and tractor-trailers. Class B is typically for single-unit vehicles, such as large buses and straight trucks, including box trucks and most dump trucks. Class C is typically for smaller commercial vehicles that transport hazardous materials or at least 16 occupants (including the driver), such as shuttle buses and small trucks carrying hazardous materials. Decide which class you want, based on the types of vehicles you expect to be driving commercially in your career.

Once you obtain a CDL and all endorsements you need, you can start earning money as a commercial driver. Illinois’ economy depends heavily on truck and bus traffic. Illinois has one of the greatest intermodal transportation hubs in America, including huge rail and highway networks and airports for air freight. Interstate 90 and Interstate 94, which intersect in Chicago, make up one of the busiest trucking routes in the country. Interstate 80 is another major commercial route.

But that future starts with you studying hard to pass that General Knowledge test and earn that CLP. Good luck!