Free Indiana CDL Permit Practice Test: General Knowledge 2025

For trucks and buses, Indiana provides important connections between the Midwest and other parts of the country. In particular, Interstate 65 passes through Indiana, connecting the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico. Interstate 69 runs from Evansville, Indiana to Port Huron, Michigan. Interstate 70 and Interstate 74 connect Indianapolis to Ohio and Illinois. To drive commercial vehicles on any of these routes, you’ll need a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).

There are three classes of CDLs. A Class A CDL allows you to operate combination vehicles with a Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) of 26,001 pounds or more in which the towed vehicle weighs more than 10,000 pounds. To drive semi-trucks or tractor-trailers, this is the class of CDL you want. A Class B CDL allows you to operate a single vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more, or to tow a vehicle that does not exceed 10,000 pounds. This license is suitable for buses and straight trucks, including box trucks and most dump trucks. A Class C CDL allows you to operate relatively smaller vehicles designed to transport hazardous materials or 16 or more occupants (including the driver). Decide which class of CDL you want to apply for, based on the types of vehicles you expect to be driving in your career.

To obtain a CDL, there are a bunch of requirements you must meet. One of the most important is to pass a skills test, showing that you have mastered the skills of commercial driving. Mastering those skills will take a lot of practice. To practice commercial driving under supervision, you need a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP). To obtain a CLP, you must pass a written General Knowledge test and meet some other requirements, including passing a medical examination.

The General Knowledge test will assess your understanding of commercial driving theory, based on the official Indiana Commercial Driver’s License Manual. But it’s not easy to pass this test just by reading the manual, no matter how many times you read it. There are better study tools. This free Indiana CDL permit practice test is also based on the official manual, and it’s up to date as of March, 2025. Practicing with it will enable you to think about what you read in the manual, reinforcing it in your mind. To make your study easier, each of the 50 questions comes with a helpful hint and an explanation of the correct answer. The practice questions contained in this test will assess your knowledge of such topics as distracted driving, cargo management, driving emergencies, and stopping distance.