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Free New Jersey CDL Permit Practice Test: General Knowledge 2025

Part of mandatory Entry-Level Driver Training Course Based on 2025 NJ commercial driver's license manualAvailable in EN, ES
50questions
10mistakes allowed
80%passing score

Here is a free New Jersey CDL permit practice test! This practice test, one of several we offer, will help you prepare to pass the official CDL General Knowledge test.

We’re sure that you were advised to study the official New Jersey Commercial Driver License Manual (New Jersey CDL Handbook 2025) to get ready for the official knowledge test. This manual contains all the material on which you’ll be tested. Now that you’ve read a lot of it, do you think you can pass the official knowledge test? If so, great! We want to wish you the best of luck. But if you feel you could use a little more help to pass it – well, that’s what we’re here for.

Answering the questions on this practice test will help reinforce what you read in the CDL manual and make the material easier to remember. The practice test is based on the official state CDL manual, just like the official knowledge test. It is up to date as of January, 2025. There are 50 multiple-choice questions, which will assess your understanding of such topics as emergency preparedness, 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 become eligible for a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP). Your CLP will allow you to practice commercial driving under the supervision of a CDL holder. When you’ve sufficiently mastered commercial driving, you can take the official skills test for a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). The skills test has three parts: basic vehicle maneuvers, a pre-trip inspection of your vehicle, and a road test.

Once you have a CDL in hand, the world of commercial driving will be open to you. There are many economic opportunities to explore in New Jersey. The state’s proximity to New York City and Philadelphia, its warehousing and distribution centers, and its seaports (notably the Port of Newark, one of the busiest in America) create a high demand for truckers.

Driving in New Jersey can be pleasant, but it isn’t always easy or efficient because of heavy traffic congestion. Interstate 95 (known in the state as the New Jersey Turnpike) is the most important north-south superhighway on the Eastern seaboard for both commuter and commercial traffic. But it is routinely plagued by heavy traffic congestion, not only in the New Jersey area but also in Connecticut, the Washington, DC area, and south Florida.

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Perfect for

  • First-time NJ CDL and CLP applicants
  • CDL holders adding endorsements
  • NJ CDL renewal applicants
NJ commercial driver's license

What to expect on the actual exam

How many questions50
How many correct answers to pass40
Passing score80%
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FAQs

How can I obtain a CDL in New Jersey?

To get a CDL in New Jersey, start by obtaining a CDL permit by passing the required knowledge test and vision screening. Then, complete CDL training, if necessary, and pass the skills test. Ensure you meet all age, medical, and residency requirements.

What is the cost of getting a CDL?

The cost to get a CDL in New Jersey includes a $125 fee for the CDL permit and license, plus additional fees for endorsements. CDL training costs vary by school and program.

How long is the CDL permit test?

The New Jersey CDL permit test duration varies based on your preparation and test-taking speed. The general knowledge test has 50 questions, with additional endorsement tests varying in length.

Is CDL school mandatory?

CDL school is not mandatory in New Jersey, but it's highly recommended for proper training and to increase the likelihood of passing the skills test. Some employers may also require CDL school completion.

Who needs a CDL in New Jersey?

In New Jersey, you need a CDL to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) such as tractor-trailers, semi-trucks, buses, and hazardous materials transporters. This applies if the vehicle has a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more, is designed to transport 16 or more passengers, or is transporting hazardous materials in quantities requiring placards.

List of questions (classic view)

  1. An anti-lock braking system (ABS) will
  2. What will help a drunk sober up?
  3. If you feel drowsy while driving, what should you do?
  4. If you are traveling at 55 mph in a 30-foot vehicle, you should leave how many seconds of following distance?
  5. Letting the air out of hot tires
  6. Why should you use a helper when you are backing?
  7. If you are confronted by an aggressive driver, what should you do?
  8. To maintain alertness on your trips, you should
  9. If you double your speed, how much more distance will it take to brake to a stop?
  10. What might happen if you swing wide to the left before you turn right?
  11. To transport cargo safely, which of the following are you NOT responsible for?
  12. Where should you place your warning devices if you must stop on a one-way road or divided highway?
  13. Total stopping distance equals
  14. If your brakes get wet, they may
  15. How can you determine if your vehicle is equipped with an anti-lock braking system (ABS)?
  16. How many tie-downs are required for a 20-foot load?
  17. How can you start moving without rolling backward?
  18. For how long will you lose your CDL driving privileges if you are convicted of a second DUI offense?
  19. What is the best way to figure out how many seconds of following distance you have?
  20. How long does it take a typical tractor-trailer to clear a double railroad track?
  21. Which of the following CMVs are most likely to get stuck at a raised railroad crossing?
  22. If you are being tailgated, you should do all of the following EXCEPT
  23. You don't want to be a distracted driver, so you
  24. If you're driving a vehicle with an automatic transmission, when should you downshift?
  25. The minimum tire tread depth for front tires is
  26. It has just reached freezing. Which of the following areas may be slippery?
  27. What is the best way to check what is going on behind and to the sides of your vehicle?
  28. In which of the following two situations should you downshift?
  29. Which of the following are parts of the suspension system?
  30. How many reflective warning triangles must you carry with you for emergencies?
  31. What is the main reason to perform a vehicle inspection?
  32. The most important hand signal you should agree on with a helper is
  33. Which of the following can cause a vehicle fire?
  34. Which of the following are safe ways to communicate your presence?
  35. Which of the following is NOT a key steering component?
  36. When you're about to start down a steep downgrade, what should you do?
  37. You should put the starter switch key into your pocket while you perform the pre-trip inspection because
  38. What is the definition of a hazard?
  39. You will lose your CDL for at least 60 days if you are convicted of two serious traffic violations involving a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) within a three-year period. Such violations include which of the following?
  40. Always try to back toward the driver's side because
  41. Which of the following should you check during your trip?
  42. When you start to drive down a steep downgrade, which of the following should influence your choice of speed?
  43. Which of these is NOT part of the basic method for shifting up?
  44. Which of the following statements about retarders are correct?
  45. You should inspect wheel bearing seals for
  46. If the engine is not overheated, is it completely safe to remove the radiator cap?
  47. What are the main differences between aggressive driving and road rage?
  48. Do empty trucks have the best braking?
  49. What is the gross vehicle weight (GVW)?
  50. How do you test a vehicle's hydraulic brakes for leaks?

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