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West Virginia CDL practice test

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

Free West Virginia CDL practice questions

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

  1. The air tanks on a trailer are filled through the:

    • Service line
    • Electrical cord
    • Trailer hand valve
    • Emergency (supply) line
    Show answer
    Answer: D. Emergency (supply) line

    The red emergency line charges the trailer air tanks and holds the trailer emergency brakes released. Like the tractor's tanks, trailer tanks collect water and oil and must be drained.

    Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 6.2.6 (Trailer Air Tanks)

  2. The shut-off valves (cut-out cocks) at the rear of a trailer should be:

    • Closed on the last trailer and open between trailers in a combination
    • Open on every trailer, including the last one
    • Closed on every trailer
    • Removed before driving
    Show answer
    Answer: A. Closed on the last trailer and open between trailers in a combination

    Shut-off valves let you close the air lines when another trailer is not being towed. If the valves on the last trailer are left open, the air escapes and you may have no trailer brakes.

    Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 6.2.7 (Shut-off Valves)

  3. A trailer built before 1975 that has no spring brakes stops in an emergency using:

    • Mechanical springs that apply when air is lost
    • Electric brakes powered by the tractor
    • Air stored in its own tank, so the brakes can leak off if air pressure is lost
    • The tractor brakes only
    Show answer
    Answer: C. Air stored in its own tank, so the brakes can leak off if air pressure is lost

    Without spring brakes, the trailer's emergency brakes work only as long as there is air pressure in the trailer tank. If the air leaks away, there are no brakes at all.

    Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 6.2.8 (Trailer Service, Parking and Emergency Brakes)

  4. When you park a trailer that has no spring brakes, you should:

    • Leave the trailer hand valve applied
    • Rely on the parking brake, which cannot leak
    • Leave the engine running all night
    • Use wheel chocks, because the emergency brakes can release as air leaks out
    Show answer
    Answer: D. Use wheel chocks, because the emergency brakes can release as air leaks out

    Trailer emergency brakes that depend on stored air will let go once the air leaks off. Chocks are the only sure way to hold a trailer without spring brakes.

    Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 6.2.8 (Trailer Service, Parking and Emergency Brakes)

  5. A fifth wheel that is not properly greased can cause:

    • Steering problems because of friction between the tractor and the trailer
    • The trailer brakes to drag
    • The air lines to freeze
    • The kingpin to break off
    Show answer
    Answer: A. Steering problems because of friction between the tractor and the trailer

    The fifth wheel plate must be greased so the trailer can pivot smoothly as the tractor turns. Dry plates bind, and the tractor fights the trailer when steering.

    Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 6.4.1 (Coupling: Inspect Fifth Wheel)

Every CDL test for West Virginia drivers

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

How the West Virginia 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 West Virginia 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.

West Virginia CDL test questions

How many questions are on the West Virginia CDL test?

The West Virginia 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 West Virginia 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 West Virginia?

At the West Virginia 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 West Virginia CDL practice questions?

Yes. Pick West Virginia 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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