California General Knowledge Test — Quick Facts
FormatWritten knowledge test
Questions50 questions
Passing score80% (40/50)
Min. age (intrastate / interstate)18 / 21
CLP hold before skills test14 days min
Government feeSee California DMV →
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50 questions · one per page · your progress saves automatically
California General Knowledge Practice Tests
6 full practice tests, each with 50 questions drawn from the California CDL question bank. Your score and progress save as you go.
About the California General Knowledge Test
The General Knowledge test is required for every CDL applicant in California, no matter the class or endorsement. It pulls from the California CDL handbook and covers vehicle control, managing speed and space, hazard awareness, and safe-driving fundamentals.
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From Pedro, behind the wheelWhen I tested, General Knowledge was the section that decided everything. People walk in cold and get buried by the space-management and hazard questions. Read the handbook's space-management section twice.
What Test-Takers Miss Most
- 1Managing space and following distance
- 2Controlling speed on downgrades
- 3Seeing and reacting to hazards early
California CDL Requirements & Fees
California follows the federal CDL framework: a minimum age of 18 for intrastate driving and 21 for interstate, a commercial learner's permit you must hold at least 14 days before the skills test, and the 80% passing standard. License fees and retake rules are set by California and change from time to time, so check the official source below for current amounts before you go in.
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Official California CDL Handbook & FeesCurrent requirements, fees, and the manual this test is based on
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many questions are on the California CDL General Knowledge test?
The General Knowledge test has 50 questions, and you need 40 correct to pass at the 80% threshold used across the U.S. under FMCSA standards. Exact counts can vary slightly by state, so confirm with the California CDL handbook.
What score do I need to pass in California?
You need 80% — that's 40 of 50 questions correct on the General Knowledge test.
How much does a California CDL cost?
CDL fees are set by California's licensing agency and change periodically, so we don't quote a figure that could go stale. Check current amounts on the official California CDL page.
Is this California practice test free and accurate?
Yes — it's completely free, based on the California CDL handbook, and written and verified by Pedro Marin, an active CDL holder. No registration required.
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