TEXAS CDL TEST – PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
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*CORE DOMAINS*
*• Texas Commercial Driver License Laws*
*• General Knowledge and Safe Driving*
*• Air Brakes and Brake System Safety*
*• Combination Vehicles and Coupling*
*• Hazardous Materials Regulations*
*• Pre-Trip Inspection and Maintenance*
*• Cargo Security and Weight Limits*
*• Tank Vehicles and Liquid Surge*
*• Transporting Passengers Safely*
*• Emergency Maneuvers and Hazard Perception*
*INTRODUCTION*
*The purpose of this comprehensive practice assessment is to prepare candidates for the rigorous Texas Commercial Driver License
1. What is the maximum height allowed for all vehicles, including load, on Texas highways?
A. 13 feet
B. 14 feet
🟢 C. 13 feet 6 inches
D. 14 feet 6 inches
🔴 RATIONALE: According to the Texas Commercial Motor Vehicle Drivers Handbook, the maximum height for all vehicles and their loads is 13
feet 6 inches to ensure safe passage under bridges and overpasses.
2. When driving on a two-lane road, if you must pass another vehicle, you should:
A. Blow your horn and stay in the left lane as long as possible
🟢 B. Only pass to the left and ensure you have enough clear distance to return to the right lane
,C. Pass on the right if the shoulder is paved
D. Accelerate to at least 20 mph over the limit to clear the vehicle quickly
🔴 RATIONALE: Safe passing requires ensuring the road ahead is clear and returning to the lane only when there is sufficient space to avoid
cutting off the passed vehicle.
3. At what blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is a commercial driver considered legally intoxicated under Texas law?
A. 0.08%
B. 0.01%
🟢 C. 0.04%
D. 0.10%
🔴 RATIONALE: For commercial drivers, the legal limit for BAC is 0.04%. Operating a vehicle at or above this level results in immediate
disqualification.
4. You are checking your tires during a pre-trip inspection. Which of the following is true?
A. Tread depth should be at least 2/32 inch on all tires
🟢 B. Front tires must have at least 4/32 inch of tread depth
C. Mismatched tire sizes are acceptable on the same axle
D. Regrooved tires are allowed on the steering axle of buses
🔴 RATIONALE: Federal and Texas regulations require a minimum of 4/32 inch tread depth on steering axle tires for safety and traction; all other
tires require 2/32 inch.
5. Which of these is a sign of tire failure?
A. A loud "bang" or "pop"
B. Strong vibration in the steering wheel
C. The vehicle fishtailing or pulling to one side
🟢 D. All of the above
🔴 RATIONALE: Tire failure can manifest as auditory cues (blowouts), physical vibrations, or handling changes. Recognizing these immediately is
critical for maintaining control.
6. When backing a trailer, you should turn the steering wheel:
, 🟢 A. In the opposite direction you want the trailer to go
B. In the same direction you want the trailer to go
C. Only after the trailer has started to move
D. As quickly as possible to maintain momentum
🔴 RATIONALE: To back a trailer, you must turn the wheel opposite to the desired direction. Once the trailer starts to turn, you must "follow" it by
turning the wheel the other way.
7. What is "black ice"?
A. Ice that has been covered by dirt or soot
🟢 B. A thin, transparent layer of ice on the road surface
C. Ice that only forms on bridges during the day
D. Frozen slush found in tire tracks
🔴 RATIONALE: Black ice is dangerous because it is transparent and makes the road look wet rather than frozen, leading drivers to maintain
unsafe speeds.
8. Under Texas law, if your load extends more than 4 feet beyond the rear of the vehicle, you must:
A. Drive only during daylight hours
🟢 B. Attach a red flag at least 12 inches square during the day
C. Paint the end of the load bright orange
D. Only use the right-hand lane of the highway
🔴 RATIONALE: Loads extending more than 4 feet rearward must be marked with a red flag during the day and a red light at night for visibility.
9. The "Controlled Braking" method involves:
A. Slamming on the brakes and locking the wheels
B. Pumping the brakes rapidly
🟢 C. Applying the brakes as hard as possible without locking the wheels
D. Using the emergency brake in conjunction with the foot brake
🔴 RATIONALE: Controlled braking allows the driver to maintain steering control while slowing down as quickly as possible without causing a skid.
10. You are driving a 60-foot vehicle at 45 mph. What is the recommended following distance in seconds?
DOWNLOAD PDF.
*CORE DOMAINS*
*• Texas Commercial Driver License Laws*
*• General Knowledge and Safe Driving*
*• Air Brakes and Brake System Safety*
*• Combination Vehicles and Coupling*
*• Hazardous Materials Regulations*
*• Pre-Trip Inspection and Maintenance*
*• Cargo Security and Weight Limits*
*• Tank Vehicles and Liquid Surge*
*• Transporting Passengers Safely*
*• Emergency Maneuvers and Hazard Perception*
*INTRODUCTION*
*The purpose of this comprehensive practice assessment is to prepare candidates for the rigorous Texas Commercial Driver License
1. What is the maximum height allowed for all vehicles, including load, on Texas highways?
A. 13 feet
B. 14 feet
🟢 C. 13 feet 6 inches
D. 14 feet 6 inches
🔴 RATIONALE: According to the Texas Commercial Motor Vehicle Drivers Handbook, the maximum height for all vehicles and their loads is 13
feet 6 inches to ensure safe passage under bridges and overpasses.
2. When driving on a two-lane road, if you must pass another vehicle, you should:
A. Blow your horn and stay in the left lane as long as possible
🟢 B. Only pass to the left and ensure you have enough clear distance to return to the right lane
,C. Pass on the right if the shoulder is paved
D. Accelerate to at least 20 mph over the limit to clear the vehicle quickly
🔴 RATIONALE: Safe passing requires ensuring the road ahead is clear and returning to the lane only when there is sufficient space to avoid
cutting off the passed vehicle.
3. At what blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is a commercial driver considered legally intoxicated under Texas law?
A. 0.08%
B. 0.01%
🟢 C. 0.04%
D. 0.10%
🔴 RATIONALE: For commercial drivers, the legal limit for BAC is 0.04%. Operating a vehicle at or above this level results in immediate
disqualification.
4. You are checking your tires during a pre-trip inspection. Which of the following is true?
A. Tread depth should be at least 2/32 inch on all tires
🟢 B. Front tires must have at least 4/32 inch of tread depth
C. Mismatched tire sizes are acceptable on the same axle
D. Regrooved tires are allowed on the steering axle of buses
🔴 RATIONALE: Federal and Texas regulations require a minimum of 4/32 inch tread depth on steering axle tires for safety and traction; all other
tires require 2/32 inch.
5. Which of these is a sign of tire failure?
A. A loud "bang" or "pop"
B. Strong vibration in the steering wheel
C. The vehicle fishtailing or pulling to one side
🟢 D. All of the above
🔴 RATIONALE: Tire failure can manifest as auditory cues (blowouts), physical vibrations, or handling changes. Recognizing these immediately is
critical for maintaining control.
6. When backing a trailer, you should turn the steering wheel:
, 🟢 A. In the opposite direction you want the trailer to go
B. In the same direction you want the trailer to go
C. Only after the trailer has started to move
D. As quickly as possible to maintain momentum
🔴 RATIONALE: To back a trailer, you must turn the wheel opposite to the desired direction. Once the trailer starts to turn, you must "follow" it by
turning the wheel the other way.
7. What is "black ice"?
A. Ice that has been covered by dirt or soot
🟢 B. A thin, transparent layer of ice on the road surface
C. Ice that only forms on bridges during the day
D. Frozen slush found in tire tracks
🔴 RATIONALE: Black ice is dangerous because it is transparent and makes the road look wet rather than frozen, leading drivers to maintain
unsafe speeds.
8. Under Texas law, if your load extends more than 4 feet beyond the rear of the vehicle, you must:
A. Drive only during daylight hours
🟢 B. Attach a red flag at least 12 inches square during the day
C. Paint the end of the load bright orange
D. Only use the right-hand lane of the highway
🔴 RATIONALE: Loads extending more than 4 feet rearward must be marked with a red flag during the day and a red light at night for visibility.
9. The "Controlled Braking" method involves:
A. Slamming on the brakes and locking the wheels
B. Pumping the brakes rapidly
🟢 C. Applying the brakes as hard as possible without locking the wheels
D. Using the emergency brake in conjunction with the foot brake
🔴 RATIONALE: Controlled braking allows the driver to maintain steering control while slowing down as quickly as possible without causing a skid.
10. You are driving a 60-foot vehicle at 45 mph. What is the recommended following distance in seconds?
