Free Nebraska CDL Permit Practice Test: General Knowledge 2025

Part of mandatory Entry-Level Driver Training Course Based on 2025 NE commercial driver's license manualAvailable in EN, ES

50questions

10mistakes allowed

80%passing score

Need to obtain a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP)? Need some help to pass the CDL General Knowledge test? You’ve certainly come to the right place! Don’t feel bad if you haven’t mastered your knowledge of commercial driving theory just by reading the official Nebraska Commercial Driver License Manual. It’s not unusual. That’s why it’s wise to supplement the manual with other study tools.

This free Nebraska CDL permit practice test is also based on the official manual and is up to date as of January, 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 practice 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 cargo management, following distance, stopping distance, and vehicle components. Keep practicing your knowledge with as many of our practice tests as you can, as often as you can, until you feel confident that you’ve mastered the material and can ace the official General Knowledge test.

OK, so you passed the official test. Congratulations! Now what? Well, make sure you passed your medical examination and received your Medical Examiner’s Certificate proving that you passed. Depending on the types of vehicles you’ll be driving in your career, you may need to pass additional knowledge tests to have certain endorsements added to your CDL or certain restrictions removed from your CDL. Now it’s time to start practicing for the skills test for your CDL.

The skills test consists of three parts: basic vehicle maneuvers (such as backing), a pre-trip inspection of the vehicle, and a road test. You must perform the skills test in a vehicle that’s consistent with the class of CDL you’re applying for and the types of vehicles you’ll be driving in your career. If you’ve decided to get a Class A or Class B CDL, federal regulations require you to obtain formal training from a training provider listed in the federal Training Provider Registry (TPR).

Once you get your CDL, most of the major roads of Nebraska will be open to your commercial vehicle, so you can start earning money as a commercial driver. Interstate 80 is a major transcontinental route for trucks and buses, running from San Francisco through Nebraska, all the way to Teaneck, New Jersey. Nebraska doesn’t have a north-south interstate highway, but it does have U.S. Route 81, which runs from the northern border of North Dakota, connecting with I-80 in Nebraska to Fort Worth, Texas. This is a major route for trucks carrying agricultural products from Nebraska’s important agricultural sector.

4.38 out of 5 • 40 votes.

Perfect for

• First-time NE CDL and CLP applicants
• CDL holders adding endorsements
• NE CDL renewal applicants

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What to expect on the actual exam

List of questions (classic view)

1. Which of the following is NOT part of the basic method for shifting up?
2. What is the best way to figure out how many seconds of following distance you have?
3. Always try to back toward the driver's side because
4. How long does it take a typical tractor-trailer to clear a double railroad track?
5. For how long will you lose your CDL driving privileges if you are convicted of a second DUI offense in either a CMV or your private vehicle?
6. Which of the following is a key steering component?
7. How often must you stop to check your cargo while on the road?
8. Starting the engine and inspecting the cab involves each of the following tasks EXCEPT
9. What will help a drunk sober up?
10. When you are backing, it is important to use a helper
11. You don't want to be a distracted driver, so you
12. How can you determine if your vehicle is equipped with an anti-lock braking system (ABS)?
13. What is a common cause of tire fires?
14. The minimum tread depth for front tires is
15. To transport cargo safely, which of the following are you NOT responsible for?
16. An anti-lock braking system (ABS) will
17. You should put the starter switch key into your pocket while you perform the pre-trip inspection because
18. Where should you place your warning devices if you must stop on a one-way road or divided highway?
19. Hazardous materials placards are
20. Which of the following statements about retarders are correct?
21. Truck drivers are in an ideal position to spot and report human trafficking occurring at truck stops and rest areas. Which of the following trafficking red flags should you look for?
22. It has just reached freezing. Which of the following areas may be slippery?
23. While driving at night, which lights should you use as often as you can?
24. How can you start moving without rolling backward?
25. In which of the following two situations should you downshift?
26. What is the gross vehicle weight (GVW)?
27. Which is NOT one of the four basic skills that operating a commercial vehicle requires?
28. How many tie-downs are required for a 20-foot load?
29. Which of the following is NOT something you should check during a trip?
30. If you are confronted by an aggressive driver, you should
31. When you start down a steep downgrade, which of the following should influence your choice of speed?
32. What can you do at an accident scene to help avoid another accident?
33. Which of the following should you NOT do if you experience a tire failure?
34. What might happen if you swing wide to the left before you turn right?
35. Do empty trucks have the best braking?
36. Total stopping distance equals
37. If you are traveling at 55 mph in a 30-foot vehicle, you should leave how many seconds of following distance?
38. On which of the following types of fires should you NOT use a B:C fire extinguisher?
39. What is the definition of a hazard?
40. To prevent drowsiness during your trip, you should
41. To help you stay alert and safe while driving, you should
42. Letting the air out of hot tires
43. On wet roads, you should reduce your speed by
44. Why should you cover your cargo?
45. If you double your speed, how much more distance will it take to brake to a stop?
46. During your pre-trip test, when examining hoses with the instructor, you need to look for
47. Before transporting a sealed load, you must check
48. If the engine is not overheated, is it completely safe to remove the radiator cap?
49. You should inspect wheel bearing seals for
50. The most important hand signal that you should agree on with a helper is

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