TEXAS CDL GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TEST – PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF.
Core Domains
Vehicle Inspection Procedures
Basic Control of Your Vehicle
Shifting Gears and Braking
Seeing, Communicating, and Managing Space
Driving in Hazards and Emergencies
Railroad-Highway Grade Crossings
Mountain Driving and Braking
Antilock Braking Systems (ABS)
Skid Control and Recovery
Accident Procedures and Fire Fighting
Introduction
The purpose of this comprehensive practice assessment is to prepare candidates for the
Texas Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) General Knowledge examination. This exam
evaluates the fundamental skills and technical knowledge required to operate
commercial motor vehicles safely on public roadways. The assessment is comprised of
multiple-choice and scenario-based questions designed to mirror the complexity of the
,official state test. There is a strong emphasis on real-world application, regulatory
compliance, and critical decision-making under pressure. Candidates will be tested on
their ability to recognize hazards, understand vehicle physics, and adhere to the legal
standards set by the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Section One: Questions 1–100
1. Which of these is the most important reason for being alert to hazards?
A. You can help other drivers who are in trouble.
B. You will have more time to plan your escape if the hazard becomes an
emergency.
C. It will help you avoid being cited for an accident.
D. It keeps you from becoming bored on long trips.
🟢 B. You will have more time to plan your escape if the hazard becomes an
emergency.
🔴 RATIONALE: Identifying hazards early allows a driver to anticipate potential
problems and formulate a defensive response, reducing the need for sudden,
dangerous maneuvers.
2. You are checking your tires during a pre-trip inspection. Which of these
statements is true?
A. Dual tires should be touching each other.
B. Radial and bias-ply tires can be used together on the same axle.
C. A tread depth of 2/32 inch is required for front tires.
D. Tires of different sizes should not be used on the same vehicle.
,🟢 D. Tires of different sizes should not be used on the same vehicle.
🔴 RATIONALE: Mismatched tire sizes can cause handling instability and uneven load
distribution; additionally, front tires require 4/32 inch tread depth, and duals must
never touch.
3. What is the proper way to hold a steering wheel?
A. With both hands close together at the top of the wheel.
B. With both hands on opposite sides of the wheel.
C. With one hand at the bottom of the wheel.
D. With your dominant hand at the 12 o'clock position.
🟢 B. With both hands on opposite sides of the wheel.
🔴 RATIONALE: Placing hands on opposite sides (such as 9 and 3 or 8 and 4) provides
the best control and leverage to respond to road shocks or tire blowouts.
4. You are driving a heavy vehicle and must exit a highway using an off-ramp that
curves downhill. You should:
A. Slow down to the posted speed limit for the curve.
B. Slow down to a safe speed before you enter the curve.
C. Wait until you are in the curve before downshifting.
D. Accelerate slightly to maintain traction in the curve.
🟢 B. Slow down to a safe speed before you enter the curve.
🔴 RATIONALE: Braking in a curve can lock the wheels and cause a skid. Commercial
vehicles should reach a safe speed while still traveling in a straight line before entering
the turn.
, 5. Which of these is a good thing to do when driving at night?
A. Keep your instrument lights bright so you can see the gauges clearly.
B. Look directly at the high beams of oncoming vehicles.
C. Keep your speed slow enough that you can stop within the range of your
headlights.
D. Wear tinted glasses to reduce glare from oncoming lights.
🟢 C. Keep your speed slow enough that you can stop within the range of your
headlights.
🔴 RATIONALE: "Overdriving" your headlights is a major cause of nighttime accidents;
you must be able to see an object and stop before hitting it based on the distance
your lamps illuminate.
6. While driving, you see a small cardboard box in your lane. You should:
A. Hit it to avoid a lane change.
B. Stop immediately to remove it.
C. Steer around it without making a sudden or unsafe move.
D. Aim for the center of the box to keep it under your vehicle.
🟢 C. Steer around it without making a sudden or unsafe move.
🔴 RATIONALE: Even small objects can be hazardous or conceal larger, heavier items.
If it is safe to do so, steer around the object rather than risking damage to the vehicle.
7. High beams should be:
A. Used whenever it is safe and legal to do so.
B. Used only when there are no other vehicles on the road.
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF.
Core Domains
Vehicle Inspection Procedures
Basic Control of Your Vehicle
Shifting Gears and Braking
Seeing, Communicating, and Managing Space
Driving in Hazards and Emergencies
Railroad-Highway Grade Crossings
Mountain Driving and Braking
Antilock Braking Systems (ABS)
Skid Control and Recovery
Accident Procedures and Fire Fighting
Introduction
The purpose of this comprehensive practice assessment is to prepare candidates for the
Texas Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) General Knowledge examination. This exam
evaluates the fundamental skills and technical knowledge required to operate
commercial motor vehicles safely on public roadways. The assessment is comprised of
multiple-choice and scenario-based questions designed to mirror the complexity of the
,official state test. There is a strong emphasis on real-world application, regulatory
compliance, and critical decision-making under pressure. Candidates will be tested on
their ability to recognize hazards, understand vehicle physics, and adhere to the legal
standards set by the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Section One: Questions 1–100
1. Which of these is the most important reason for being alert to hazards?
A. You can help other drivers who are in trouble.
B. You will have more time to plan your escape if the hazard becomes an
emergency.
C. It will help you avoid being cited for an accident.
D. It keeps you from becoming bored on long trips.
🟢 B. You will have more time to plan your escape if the hazard becomes an
emergency.
🔴 RATIONALE: Identifying hazards early allows a driver to anticipate potential
problems and formulate a defensive response, reducing the need for sudden,
dangerous maneuvers.
2. You are checking your tires during a pre-trip inspection. Which of these
statements is true?
A. Dual tires should be touching each other.
B. Radial and bias-ply tires can be used together on the same axle.
C. A tread depth of 2/32 inch is required for front tires.
D. Tires of different sizes should not be used on the same vehicle.
,🟢 D. Tires of different sizes should not be used on the same vehicle.
🔴 RATIONALE: Mismatched tire sizes can cause handling instability and uneven load
distribution; additionally, front tires require 4/32 inch tread depth, and duals must
never touch.
3. What is the proper way to hold a steering wheel?
A. With both hands close together at the top of the wheel.
B. With both hands on opposite sides of the wheel.
C. With one hand at the bottom of the wheel.
D. With your dominant hand at the 12 o'clock position.
🟢 B. With both hands on opposite sides of the wheel.
🔴 RATIONALE: Placing hands on opposite sides (such as 9 and 3 or 8 and 4) provides
the best control and leverage to respond to road shocks or tire blowouts.
4. You are driving a heavy vehicle and must exit a highway using an off-ramp that
curves downhill. You should:
A. Slow down to the posted speed limit for the curve.
B. Slow down to a safe speed before you enter the curve.
C. Wait until you are in the curve before downshifting.
D. Accelerate slightly to maintain traction in the curve.
🟢 B. Slow down to a safe speed before you enter the curve.
🔴 RATIONALE: Braking in a curve can lock the wheels and cause a skid. Commercial
vehicles should reach a safe speed while still traveling in a straight line before entering
the turn.
, 5. Which of these is a good thing to do when driving at night?
A. Keep your instrument lights bright so you can see the gauges clearly.
B. Look directly at the high beams of oncoming vehicles.
C. Keep your speed slow enough that you can stop within the range of your
headlights.
D. Wear tinted glasses to reduce glare from oncoming lights.
🟢 C. Keep your speed slow enough that you can stop within the range of your
headlights.
🔴 RATIONALE: "Overdriving" your headlights is a major cause of nighttime accidents;
you must be able to see an object and stop before hitting it based on the distance
your lamps illuminate.
6. While driving, you see a small cardboard box in your lane. You should:
A. Hit it to avoid a lane change.
B. Stop immediately to remove it.
C. Steer around it without making a sudden or unsafe move.
D. Aim for the center of the box to keep it under your vehicle.
🟢 C. Steer around it without making a sudden or unsafe move.
🔴 RATIONALE: Even small objects can be hazardous or conceal larger, heavier items.
If it is safe to do so, steer around the object rather than risking damage to the vehicle.
7. High beams should be:
A. Used whenever it is safe and legal to do so.
B. Used only when there are no other vehicles on the road.
