PA CDL Pre-Trip Inspection Practice Test 2025

Federal regulations require all commercial drivers to pass the Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) General Knowledge Exam and the CDL Pre-Trip Inspection Test to obtain a CDL. These tests ensure that drivers can properly inspect critical vehicle components to prevent mechanical failures on the road. Failing the knowledge exam results in a mandatory one-day waiting period before retesting and paying an additional fee. Federal law (49 CFR § 392.7 and 49 CFR § 396.13) mandates the pre-trip inspection as part of the CDL skills exam, which includes basic control skills and a road test. Our Pennsylvania CDL Pre-Trip Inspection Practice Tests are designed to cover all necessary topics, ensuring you ace all the pre-trip inspection questions on your General Knowledge exam on the first attempt.
To obtain a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP), you must pass the General Knowledge Exam. Once you’ve held your CLP for at least 15 days, you must pass all three sections of the CDL Skills Test within your CLP’s 180-day validity period (with one renewal allowed). According to the Pennsylvania Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Manual (Pennsylvania CDL Handbook 2025), if you fail any section of the skills test, you must retake only the failed section. In Pennsylvania, if you fail the road/skills test twice, a fee will be charged for additional attempts. According to the Pennsylvania CDL Manual, committing an unsafe act, such as forgetting to set the parking brake or opening the door while the vehicle is moving, may result in an automatic failure and test termination. Additionally, a vehicle with faulty brakes, severely worn tires, unresponsive steering, fuel leaks, or missing safety equipment may be deemed unsafe, preventing the road test from proceeding.
The Pennsylvania’s required pre-trip inspection process involves pointing to, touching, and thoroughly checking the vehicle’s engine compartment, cab controls, lights, tires, brakes, suspension, and cargo securement. Your examiner must declare that you can ensure all parts are in good working condition and defect-free.

This Pennsylvania CDL Pre-Trip Practice Test is based on the most recent version of the Pennsylvania CDL manual and contains 20 multiple-choice questions to assess your knowledge of pre-trip inspections. It includes immediate explanations for each response, ensuring you pass the official knowledge test on your first attempt.
Check out our three other Pre-Trip Inspection practice tests too!