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Pennsylvania CDL practice test

Getting a commercial driver's licence in Pennsylvania starts with the CDL knowledge tests. The content is federal: every state, Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania driver licensing agency administers the test; the rules behind it are published by the FMCSA. Try the free Pennsylvania CDL practice questions below, then pick a full test.

Free Pennsylvania CDL practice questions

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

  1. In an emergency stop with ABS, you should:

    • Brake as you always would, pressing the pedal as hard as the situation needs
    • Pump the pedal rapidly
    • Press lightly so ABS does not activate
    • Use only the parking brake
    Show answer
    Answer: A. Brake as you always would, pressing the pedal as hard as the situation needs

    ABS works on its own at the wheels that are about to lock. Pumping defeats it. Keep steady pressure and steer around the hazard if you need to.

    Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 5.1.14 (Antilock Braking Systems)

  2. On a trailer, the ABS malfunction lamp is:

    • A red lamp in the tractor cab
    • A yellow lamp on the left side, at the front or rear corner
    • A green lamp on the right rear
    • A blue lamp under the trailer
    Show answer
    Answer: B. A yellow lamp on the left side, at the front or rear corner

    Tractors and trucks show ABS faults with a yellow lamp on the dash. Trailers have their own yellow lamp on the left side so the driver can check it in the mirror or on a walk-around.

    Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 5.1.14 (Antilock Braking Systems)

  3. In a dual air brake system, the primary system usually operates:

    • The brakes on the front axle
    • The trailer brakes only
    • The brakes on the rear axle or axles
    • The parking brakes only
    Show answer
    Answer: C. The brakes on the rear axle or axles

    Most newer heavy vehicles have two separate air systems sharing one compressor. The primary system runs the rear brakes and the secondary the front, so a leak in one leaves the other to stop you.

    Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 5.2 (Dual Air Brake Systems)

  4. While driving a vehicle with a dual air system, the low air warning comes on for one of the systems. You should:

    • Keep driving since the second system is a full backup
    • Speed up so the compressor builds pressure faster
    • Ignore it unless both warnings come on
    • Stop and have the system fixed; the other system can still stop you, but not as well
    Show answer
    Answer: D. Stop and have the system fixed; the other system can still stop you, but not as well

    One working system will stop the vehicle, but stopping distance grows. A warning in either system means stop as soon as it is safe and get the fault repaired.

    Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 5.2 (Dual Air Brake Systems)

  5. Before you check the manual slack adjusters, you should:

    • Park on level ground, chock the wheels, and release the parking brakes
    • Set the parking brakes and leave the engine running
    • Raise the vehicle on a jack
    • Drain all air from the tanks
    Show answer
    Answer: A. Park on level ground, chock the wheels, and release the parking brakes

    The parking brakes must be released so the slack adjusters can move freely, which is why you chock the wheels first. Then pull hard on each adjuster; more than about one inch of travel means it needs adjustment.

    Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 5.3.2 (Manual Slack Adjusters)

Every CDL test for Pennsylvania drivers

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

How the Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania 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.

Pennsylvania CDL test questions

How many questions are on the Pennsylvania CDL test?

The Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania?

At the Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania CDL practice questions?

Yes. Pick Pennsylvania 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.

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