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CDL Written Test: How to Pass First Try (CLP Knowledge Tests, Air Brakes, ELDT)

October 17, 2026 · 8 min

Chapters

  1. The Short Answer
  2. Classes and the CLP
  3. Which Tests You Need
  4. The CLP Rules
  5. Training and the DOT Physical
  6. Following Distance
  7. Air Brake Numbers
  8. Hazmat and Hours of Service
  9. Try a Question
  10. A Study Plan
  11. Test Day
  12. Recap

Audio from the Open Exam Hub video of the same name; the video shows the numbers and practice questions on screen.

How to pass the CDL written test for your commercial learner's permit the first time: which knowledge tests you need by class and endorsement, the 80% passing score on every test, the CLP rules (14 days before the skills test, valid up to one year), Entry-Level Driver Training and the DOT physical, plus the highest-yield manual facts: following distance and the air brake numbers. Question counts vary by state; facts checked against FMCSA rules and Washington State's DOL as of October 2026.

Full guide
CDL air brakes practice test
CDL combination vehicles practice test
CDL cheat sheet
CDL study plan
Free practice questions, study guides and cheat sheets, no signup

Chapters
0:00 The Short Answer
0:44 Classes and the CLP
1:36 Which Tests You Need
2:31 The CLP Rules
3:11 Training and the DOT Physical
4:09 Following Distance
4:52 Air Brake Numbers
5:44 Hazmat and Hours of Service
6:20 Try a Question
6:54 A Study Plan
7:35 Test Day
7:57 Recap

Exam facts are from the official FMCSA pages as of 2026-10-20. Fees and rules can change, so confirm on the official site before you enroll. Open Exam Hub is an independent study resource, not affiliated with the FMCSA or any state licensing agency. Practice questions are not from a real exam. Narration is an AI-generated voice.

Music
"Fresh Air" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

"Carefree" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

"Reminiscing" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

"Friday Morning" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

"Almost Bliss" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

Sound effects: Kenney (kenney.nl), CC0.

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