PassRigGet early access

Hawaii CDL practice test

Getting a commercial driver's licence in Hawaii starts with the CDL knowledge tests. The content is federal: every state, Hawaii included, writes its tests from the FMCSA CDL manual, so the general knowledge test has 50 questions, the endorsement tests have 20 to 30, and the passing score is 80% on each. The Hawaii driver licensing agency administers the test; the rules behind it are published by the FMCSA. Try the free Hawaii CDL practice questions below, then pick a full test.

Free Hawaii CDL practice questions

Five questions from the general knowledge, air brakes and combination vehicles banks, the three tests most Hawaii Class A applicants take first. Show the answer to read the explanation.

  1. Why should you not wave or signal other drivers that it is safe for them to pass you?

    • It wastes fuel
    • It is only allowed for police officers
    • It makes other drivers slow down too much
    • You could cause a crash and be blamed for it
    Show answer
    Answer: D. You could cause a crash and be blamed for it

    Directing traffic is not your job. The other driver may rely on your signal when it is not actually safe, and you could be held responsible for the crash that follows.

    Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 2.5.1 (Don't Direct Traffic)

  2. When you stop on the side of the road, you must put out your warning devices within:

    • 10 minutes
    • 2 minutes
    • 30 minutes
    • 1 hour
    Show answer
    Answer: A. 10 minutes

    Turn on your four-way flashers right away and then place the reflective triangles within 10 minutes. This gives approaching drivers warning before they are on top of you.

    Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 2.5.2 (When Parked on the Side of the Road)

  3. On a one-way or divided highway, where should the three warning triangles go?

    • 10 feet ahead, 10 feet behind, and 100 feet behind
    • 10, 100, and 200 feet behind the vehicle, toward the approaching traffic
    • One at each corner of the vehicle
    • 50 feet ahead and 50 and 100 feet behind
    Show answer
    Answer: B. 10, 100, and 200 feet behind the vehicle, toward the approaching traffic

    On a one-way or divided road, traffic comes from only one direction, so all three go behind the vehicle at 10, 100, and 200 feet. On a two-way road, one triangle goes about 100 feet ahead instead.

    Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 2.5.2 (When Parked on the Side of the Road)

  4. You stop just beyond a hill or curve that blocks drivers' view of your vehicle. The rear triangle should be placed:

    • Directly behind the bumper
    • Exactly 10 feet behind the vehicle
    • 100 to 500 feet back, so drivers can see it before they reach the hill or curve
    • On top of the hill, not behind the vehicle
    Show answer
    Answer: C. 100 to 500 feet back, so drivers can see it before they reach the hill or curve

    If a hill or curve hides your vehicle, move the rearmost triangle back far enough, between 100 and 500 feet, that drivers see it in time to stop.

    Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 2.5.2 (When Parked on the Side of the Road)

  5. At 55 mph, the average driver's perception distance is about 142 feet and reaction distance is about 61 feet. Adding a braking distance of about 216 feet, the total stopping distance is about:

    • 216 feet
    • 290 feet
    • 600 feet
    • 419 feet
    Show answer
    Answer: D. 419 feet

    Total stopping distance is perception distance plus reaction distance plus braking distance. At 55 mph on dry pavement that adds up to roughly 419 feet, more than the length of a football field.

    Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 2.6.1 (Stopping Distance)

Every CDL test for Hawaii drivers

Each page has ten free sample questions, the real question count, the 80% pass mark and what the test covers.

How the Hawaii CDL knowledge test works

You take the general knowledge test first; it is required for every CDL class. Class A drivers add the combination vehicles test. Almost everyone takes the air brakes test, because skipping it puts an air brake restriction on the licence. Endorsements (hazmat, tanker, doubles/triples, passenger, school bus) each have their own knowledge test. Pass the tests and you hold a commercial learner's permit; the skills test in a truck comes later.

Fees, appointment rules and test centre locations are set by Hawaii and change over time, so check the state driver licensing agency before you go. What does not change is the content, and that is what PassRig drills.

Hawaii CDL test questions

How many questions are on the Hawaii CDL test?

The Hawaii CDL general knowledge test follows the federal model: 50 questions, 40 correct to pass. Endorsement tests are shorter: air brakes 25, hazmat 30, and combination vehicles, tanker, doubles/triples, passenger and school bus 20 each.

What is the passing score on the Hawaii CDL permit test?

80% on every knowledge test, the same pass mark used across the United States.

Where do I take the CDL knowledge test in Hawaii?

At the Hawaii state driver licensing agency (the DMV, DOT or equivalent). Check its website for locations, appointments and current fees; the test content itself comes from the FMCSA CDL manual.

Does PassRig have Hawaii CDL practice questions?

Yes. Pick Hawaii in the app and you get practice sets and mock exams built from the knowledge test content your state uses, with the real counts and the 80% line.

Other states