CDL Written Test: Passing Score (80%), Format & What's on It (2026)
Chapters
- The Short Answer
- What the Tests Are
- Who Can Take Them
- The Tests You Take
- What's Covered
- The Passing Score
- Cost and Signing Up
- Try a Question
- How to Study
- If You Don't Pass
- The Recap
Audio from the Open Exam Hub video of the same name; the video shows the numbers and practice questions on screen.
The CDL written knowledge tests in plain English: the federal 80 percent passing score on each test, the three core tests (general knowledge, air brakes, combination vehicles), who can take them, entry-level driver training, what is covered, a practice question, and a study approach. Question counts, fees and retests vary by state, so always check your state's manual. Federal rules checked as of October 2026. Independent study guide, not affiliated with FMCSA or any state agency.
Full guide
Free CDL practice test
CDL cheat sheet
CDL study plan
Air brakes practice test
Combination vehicles practice test
Free practice questions, study guides and cheat sheets, no signup
Chapters
0:00 The Short Answer
0:33 What the Tests Are
1:26 Who Can Take Them
1:55 The Tests You Take
2:21 What's Covered
3:02 The Passing Score
3:30 Cost and Signing Up
4:02 Try a Question
4:25 How to Study
4:55 If You Don't Pass
5:13 The Recap
Exam facts are from the official FMCSA pages as of 2026-10-18. 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 FMCSA. Practice questions are not from a real exam. Narration is an AI-generated voice.
Music
"Carefree" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
"Fresh Air" 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
"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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