48 Free CDL Video Lessons

The full course, in order, grouped by chapter. No account needed.

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Chapter 0: Licensing Basics5 lessons

Course 1 of 48

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
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Course 2 of 48

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
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Course 3 of 48

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
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Course 4 of 48

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
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Course 5 of 48

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
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Chapter 1: CDL Tests1 lesson

Course 6 of 48

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
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Chapter 2: Driving Safely15 lessons

Course 7 of 48

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
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Course 8 of 48

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
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Course 9 of 48

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
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Course 10 of 48

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
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Course 11 of 48

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
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Course 12 of 48

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
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Course 13 of 48

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
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Course 14 of 48

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
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Course 15 of 48

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
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Course 16 of 48

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
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Course 17 of 48

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
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Course 18 of 48

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
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Course 19 of 48

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
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Course 20 of 48

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
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Course 21 of 48

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
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Chapter 3: Cargo1 lesson

Course 22 of 48

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
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Chapter 4: Passenger Transport1 lesson

Course 23 of 48

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
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Chapter 5: Air Brakes3 lessons

Course 24 of 48

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
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Course 25 of 48

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
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Course 26 of 48

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
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Chapter 6: Combination Vehicles4 lessons

Course 27 of 48

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
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Course 28 of 48

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
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Course 29 of 48

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
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Course 30 of 48

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
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Chapter 7: Doubles and Triples1 lesson

Course 31 of 48

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
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Chapter 8: Tank Vehicles1 lesson

Course 32 of 48

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
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Chapter 9: Hazardous Materials6 lessons

Course 33 of 48

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
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Course 34 of 48

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
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Course 35 of 48

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
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Course 36 of 48

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
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Course 37 of 48

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
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Course 38 of 48

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
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Chapter 10: School Buses8 lessons

Course 39 of 48

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
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Course 40 of 48

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
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Course 41 of 48

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
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Course 42 of 48

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
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Course 43 of 48

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
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Course 44 of 48

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+)
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Course 45 of 48

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
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Course 46 of 48

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
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Chapter 11: Vehicle Inspection Test1 lesson

Course 47 of 48

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
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Chapter 12: Skills and Road Test1 lesson

Course 48 of 48

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
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