CDL Practice Test Maryland
Going commercial? This CDL practice test Maryland page has four quizzes that mirror the general knowledge, air brakes and combination topics on the commercial learner’s permit tests, with a mock exam to finish.
CDL Practice Test Maryland: 4 Free Quizzes
Explanations follow every answer. Treat any score under 80 percent as a topic to review before your visit.
What the Maryland CDL permit tests cover
You earn a commercial learner’s permit (CLP) by passing a vision exam and the knowledge tests for your class and endorsements. In Maryland, commercial licensing is handled by Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA), and the tests are written from the official commercial driver manual.
Quiz 1: Maryland CDL classes and permit rules
Classes, endorsements, disqualifications and alcohol limits, with a couple of Maryland-specific questions.
Quiz 2: Driving safely
Seeing far ahead, following distance, curves, grades, skids and backing.
Quiz 3: Air brakes and vehicle inspection
Air brake pressures, leak tests, tire tread and pre-trip checks.
Full mock exam
50 mixed questions with combination vehicles, cargo, hours of service and emergencies.
CDL classes at a glance
Which class you need depends on the weight of the vehicle and what it carries.
| Class | Covers | Typical vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Class A | Combination vehicles with a GCWR of 26,001 lbs or more, towing a unit over 10,000 lbs | Tractor-trailers, tanker combinations |
| Class B | A single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 lbs or more, towing 10,000 lbs or less | Straight trucks, large buses, dump trucks |
| Class C | Vehicles not in A or B that carry 16 or more people or placarded hazardous materials | Small buses, hazmat vans |
Federal rules set the minimum standards for CDLs, and Maryland MVA issues them. Check the agency’s CDL pages for fees, forms and testing locations.
From CLP to CDL: the road ahead
Before you test
- Complete required entry-level driver training (ELDT) if this is your first CDL.
- Get a current medical examiner’s certificate.
- Confirm the class and endorsements you need.
- Study the commercial driver manual.
At Maryland MVA
- Complete the application and pay the fee.
- Pass the vision exam.
- Pass the knowledge tests to earn your CLP.
- Hold the CLP at least 14 days before the skills test.
CDL endorsements at a glance
Endorsements add special cargo or passenger privileges to your license.
| Code | Endorsement | What it allows |
|---|---|---|
| H | Hazardous materials | Carrying placarded loads of hazardous materials |
| N | Tank vehicle | Driving vehicles that haul liquids or gases in tanks |
| P | Passenger | Driving a vehicle that carries passengers |
| S | School bus | Driving a school bus |
| T | Doubles and triples | Pulling more than one trailer |
Each endorsement has its own knowledge test, and some also require a skills test.
CDL numbers to memorize
General knowledge and air brake tests reward exact numbers.
Three CDL questions to try
Cover the answer, decide, then check.
What is the following distance for a 60-foot vehicle under 40 mph?
One second for each 10 feet of vehicle length.
At what pressure do spring brakes apply automatically?
The parking brake knob pops out as pressure drops.
How should you slow for a curve?
Braking in a curve can cause a skid or rollover.
A study approach that fits a work schedule
CDL study time is often squeezed between shifts. Take one quiz a day, read the explanations for every miss, and return to the manual only for the sections that match your errors. Air brakes need the most memorization, so drill those numbers until you can write them from memory.
Save the mock exam for the day before your test, and treat a score under 80 percent as a sign to review, not a reason to cancel.
Who takes the CDL permit test
Truck drivers
Class A and B permits open the door to freight and construction work.
Bus and passenger drivers
Passenger and school bus endorsements add extra tests on top of general knowledge.
Career changers
New to commercial driving? The general knowledge and air brakes quizzes build the base.
Drivers adding an endorsement
Tank, hazmat and doubles each have their own knowledge test.
Where CDL applicants lose points
Mixing up air brake numbers
Cut-in, cut-out, warning and leak limits look alike. Drill them.
Guessing following distances
One second per 10 feet, plus one over 40 mph, is a frequent question.
Skipping inspection steps
Tread depth, wheels, springs and leaks come up in several forms.
Overlooking federal limits
Alcohol limits, disqualification periods and hours of service are federal and come up often.
Study guides and articles
Read a little more before you test.
CDL Classes Explained: Class A, Class B and Class C
Weight and cargo decide which commercial license you need. Here is how the three classes differ.
ReadCDL Air Brakes Test: The Numbers You Need to Memorize
The pressures and leak limits that show up again and again on CDL air brake questions.
ReadWhat Is ELDT? Entry-Level Driver Training for a CDL
Since 2022, first-time CDL applicants must complete required training before certain tests. Here is what that means.
ReadCDL practice test
Choose your state and take four free CDL permit quizzes.
ReadMore Maryland practice tests
Keep going with another exam, or check a neighboring state.
Maryland CDL permit test FAQ
What do I need to get a Maryland CDL permit?
You complete an application, pay the fee, pass a vision exam and pass the knowledge tests for your class and endorsements. First-time applicants must also complete entry-level driver training and hold a medical certificate.
How many questions are on the CDL general knowledge test?
The count and pass mark are set by the state. Confirm them with Maryland MVA.
Do I need the air brakes test?
Yes, if you plan to drive a vehicle with air brakes. If you skip it or fail it, your license carries an L restriction that bars air-braked vehicles.
How long do I hold the CLP before the skills test?
At least 14 days under federal rules.
What is the alcohol limit for a commercial driver?
0.04 percent while driving a commercial vehicle.
What is an endorsement?
An endorsement adds a specific privilege to your CDL, such as passenger (P), school bus (S), tank (N), hazardous materials (H) or doubles and triples (T).
Which agency issues CDLs in Maryland?
Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA).
Are these questions the real CDL test?
No. They mirror the topics and style of the permit tests, but the wording is our own.
Sources: federal CDL standards and the official Maryland commercial driver manual. Confirm requirements with Maryland MVA.