Free CDL Study Guide PDF
Get the top 50 exam questions with manual-based explanations and a printable review checklist.
48 Free CDL Video Lessons
The full course, in order, grouped by chapter. No account needed.
Chapter 0: Licensing Basics5 lessons
Course Roadmap and Source Note
- Map the course: licensing basics, safe driving, cargo, endorsements, tests
- Identify preliminary requirements: ELDT, medical cards, exemptions
- See how chapters connect into one guided study sequence
Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) Requirements
- Identify ELDT rules for applicants after February 7, 2022
- Distinguish exemptions: farmers, military, emergency responders
- Apply rules for CDL class determination and medical certification
What Are Endorsements?
- Define CDL endorsements and restrictions and what each enables
- Identify School Bus 'S' endorsement requirements and background check
- Recognize the Social Security number requirement for all applicants
Hazardous Materials 'H' Endorsement
- List H-endorsement requirements: FBI fingerprints, medical card, knowledge test
- Identify farm-service CDL restrictions and 210-day employment limit
- Know which grandfathered drivers are exempt from federal medical standards
Federal Medical Standards FAQ
- Apply medical standards by age (under 21 = intrastate only)
- Recall the 8-year maximum CDL renewal frequency
- Recognize disqualifications: 2+ texting or handheld phone convictions
Chapter 1: CDL Tests1 lesson
Commercial Driver License Tests
- Identify three commerce types: excepted/non-excepted interstate and intrastate
- Distinguish medical certification tiers and what each restricts
- Map required tests: knowledge, air brakes, tank, school bus, hazmat
Chapter 2: Driving Safely15 lessons
Vehicle Inspection (Part 1)
- Walk through the seven-step vehicle-inspection method
- Identify required emergency gear: 3 triangles or 6 fusees or 3 flares
- Check fluid levels and tire tread: 4/32" front, 2/32" other tires
Vehicle Inspection (Part 2)
- Run pre-trip and during-trip cargo checks: first 50 mi, then 150 mi / 3 hr
- Apply the one-tiedown-per-10-feet-of-cargo minimum rule
- Verify weight compliance against GVWR, GCWR, and axle limits
Basic Control of Your Vehicle
- Match speed to stopping distance (60 mph = ~4x the distance at 30 mph)
- Recognize hydroplaning risk above 30 mph in standing water
- Memorize perception time 1.75s and reaction time 0.75-1s
Seeing
- Apply 1 second of space per 10 ft of vehicle below 40 mph
- Add one second when traveling over 40 mph
- Calculate proper distance: a 40-ft truck = 4 seconds minimum
Controlling Speed
- Spot hazards: children, confused drivers, slow-moving vehicles
- Read clues: weaving, sudden speed changes, blocked vision
- Plan escape routes before hazards become emergencies
Managing Space
- Eliminate distractions: texting raises crash risk 23.2x, dialing 6x
- Recognize penalties: first texting violation $2,750; employers $11,000
- Recall eye-off-road time: texting 4.6s, dialing 3.8s
Seeing Hazards
- Identify aggressive-driver warning signs: speeding, weaving, blocking
- Recognize fatigue indicators (60% of US drivers admit driving sleepy)
- Apply countermeasures: 8-9 hrs sleep, breaks every 100 miles
Distracted Driving
- State fog rules: reduce speed, use low beams and fog lights
- Apply winter tread requirements: 4/32" front, 2/32" other tires
- Remember bridges freeze before open road surfaces
Aggressive Drivers and Road Rage
- Use engine braking as the primary control on mountain grades
- Downshift to the proper gear before steep descents
- Hold 20-35 mph on long downgrades to prevent brake fade
Driving in Fog
- Prevent jackknife by steering gently and avoiding quick lane changes
- Name rearward amplification: doubles 2.0x, triples 3.5x
- Recognize rollover causes: sharp turns, speed, light or empty loads
Driving in Very Hot Weather
- Verify ABS: lamp on then off; no lamp = normal braking only
- Understand ABS limits: it stops wheel lockup, not loss of traction
- Brake normally in emergencies; ABS engages when wheels would lock
Mountain Driving
- Apply the four crash steps: protect scene, assist, get medical help, notify
- Pick the right extinguisher: A:B:C for most CMVs
- Recognize drink equivalents: 12oz beer = 5oz wine = 1.5oz liquor
Antilock Braking Systems (ABS)
- Apply placard rules: 9.8" diamond minimum, readable on all four sides
- Identify the two purposes: warn of hazards and inform responders
- Keep shipping papers on top of other papers and within driver reach
Crash Procedures
- Inspect cargo: no overload, balanced weight, proper securement
- Apply four cargo duties: weight, balance, securement, and obstruction
- Verify tiedowns are correct type, strength, and attachment
Hazmat Rules for All Commercial Drivers
- Verify bus safety gear: extinguisher, 3 triangles, working emergency exits
- Confirm interior safety: clear aisles, secure seating, working intercom
- Follow approved loading procedure and monitor student behavior
Chapter 3: Cargo1 lesson
Inspecting Cargo
- Name the air-brake parts: compressor, governor, reservoirs, foot valve
- Memorize PSI thresholds: 120 cut-out, 100 cut-in, 60 warning
- Distinguish service, parking, and emergency brake systems
Chapter 4: Passenger Transport1 lesson
Vehicle Inspection (Passenger)
- Drain air tanks daily to remove moisture and oil buildup
- Test air pressure buildup: 85-100 PSI in 45 seconds (dual systems)
- Verify the low-pressure warning activates before 60 PSI
Chapter 5: Air Brakes3 lessons
Parts of an Air Brake System
- Run an air brake test: pump foot brake, hold 1 minute, watch for rise
- Account for ~32 ft brake lag at 55 mph before brakes engage
- Use engine braking on downgrades; service brakes only supplement
Dual Air Brakes
- Identify coupler types: fifth wheel, pintle hook, drawbar
- Verify coupling height: trailer slightly lower than fifth-wheel center
- Test emergency brakes by gently pulling against trailer spring brakes
Using Air Brakes
- Distinguish dual air lines: service (blue) and emergency (red)
- Know the tractor protection valve: closes at 20-45 PSI, supplies trailer
- Match glad-hand colors: blue service, red emergency
Chapter 6: Combination Vehicles4 lessons
Driving Combination Vehicles Safely
- Couple doubles correctly: lighter trailer goes to the rear
- Set shut-off valves: all open except rear of last trailer (closed)
- Confirm air reaches every trailer's brake system
Combination Vehicle Air Brakes
- Recognize tank centers of gravity and surge effects
- Apply outage requirement: never fill a tank totally (liquid expansion)
- Avoid rollover: slow before curves, smooth acceleration and braking
Antilock Brake Systems (Combination)
- List hazmat classes 1-9 plus ORM-D
- Read shipping papers: proper name, class, ID number
- Place placards: 4 identical, readable from 4 sides, 9.8" minimum
Coupling and Uncoupling
- Memorize hazmat communication rules: papers accessible, placards visible
- Use the segregation table to prevent loading incompatible materials
- Apply Division 1.1/1.2/1.3 rule: written route plan required
Chapter 7: Doubles and Triples1 lesson
Pulling Double and Triple Trailers
- Load hazmat safely: closed cargo space, secured containers, no overhang
- Prevent contact: never load corrosives above Division 6.1/2.3 poisons
- Apply class rules: explosives off, poison gas separated, cyanides isolated
Chapter 8: Tank Vehicles1 lesson
Inspecting Tank Vehicles
- Respond to hazmat emergencies: call 911 and NRC at 800-424-8802
- Avoid touching spilled material; contact dispatcher or supervisor first
- Use ChemTREC at 800-424-9300 for 24-hour emergency information
Chapter 9: Hazardous Materials6 lessons
Hazardous Materials Overview
- Define hazmat key terms: placards, shipping papers, ID numbers
- Recognize the hazardous materials table's classes and divisions
- Understand reportable quantity (RQ) and marine pollutant marking
Communication Rules
- Confirm school bus endorsements: 'S' plus 'P' both required
- Memorize danger zones: 30 ft front (10 worst), 10 ft sides, 10 ft rear
- Adjust mirrors: flat plus convex for overlap coverage
Loading and Unloading
- Operate flashing reds and stop arm during loading and unloading
- Hold students 10-12 ft in front of the bus before crossing
- Keep students seated until near the door, then in the safe zone
Bulk Packaging Marking, Loading and Unloading
- At rail crossings: stop 15-50 ft before the tracks and check clearance
- Verify train safety: look, listen, ensure all tracks clear
- Manage students: seated before moving, exit safely
Hazmat Emergencies
- Apply school-bus ABS: brake normally, do not pump in emergencies
- Recognize the ABS lamp: on then off is normal
- Avoid backing the bus unless necessary, with a lookout assisting
Hazmat Glossary
- Inspect the school bus against the full CDL safety checklist
- Test air brakes: governor cut-in 100 PSI, cut-out 125 PSI
- Verify functional extinguisher and emergency exit doors
Chapter 10: School Buses8 lessons
State License Requirements
- Identify school-bus features: stop arm, safety arm, student lights
- Demonstrate emergency exits: operable, closable, undamaged
- Confirm passenger seating is secure and student-safe
Loading and Unloading (School Bus)
- Run lights operations check from outside the bus
- Test emergency lights: 4-way flashers and student loading lights
- Verify reflectors are clean, correctly colored, and intact
Emergency Exit and Evacuation
- Execute four basic-control exercises: forward stop, straight back, offsets
- Score yourself: 1-2 free pull-ups; encroachments count as errors
- Keep the vehicle inside boundaries except mirrors and unique parts
Railroad-Highway Crossings
- Drive safely: no crashes, no pedal rollback, proper lane usage
- Perform required maneuvers: lane changes, turns, smooacceleration / braking
- Follow examiner instructions exactly or risk immediate test termination
Antilock Braking Systems (School Bus)
- Tour the three CDL test parts: vehicle inspection, basic control, road test
- Demonstrate safe operation: following distance, observing signals
- Apply road-test knowledge: railroad procedures and load/unload
Vehicle Inspection for School Bus
- Pass road test: signaling, smooth operation, safe maneuvers
- Perform specific maneuvers: lane changes, turns, identify bridges
- Avoid disqualifications: starting in wrong lane (1) or twice (2+)
Passenger and School Bus Only
- Score basic-control: final position is critical on straight backing
- Master forward stop in 3-ft box and straight backing
- Demonstrate vehicle control: offset tracking and reverse offset
Combination Vehicles (School Bus)
- Complete the road test through a varied traffic route
- Maintain safe following distance and smooth driving throughout
- Respond to examiner directions without unsafe behavior
Chapter 11: Vehicle Inspection Test1 lesson
Scoring
- Map the three-part CDL skills test sequence and scoring
- Execute basic-control exercises with proper vehicle position
- Show road-test readiness with safe, attentive driving habits
Chapter 12: Skills and Road Test1 lesson
How You Will Be Tested
- Understand the full CDL test: knowledge, vehicle inspection, skills
- Prepare for road test: bridges, overpasses, railroad crossings
- Apply manual knowledge: safe operation, hazards, emergency response
Where should you verify the official rules?
Use these official sources to verify definitions and regulations. PassMyCDL lessons map directly to this material.
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