General Knowledge Permit Test

States develop their own tests which must be at least as stringent as the Federal standards. Model driver and examiner manuals and tests have been prepared and distributed to the States to use, if they wish.

* The general knowledge test must contain at least 30 questions.

* To pass the knowledge tests (general and endorsement), applicants must correctly answer at least 80 percent of the questions.

* To pass the skills test, applicants must successfully perform all the required skills. The skills test must be taken in a vehicle representative of the type of vehicle that the applicant operates or expects to operate.

Classes of License:

The Federal standard requires States to issue a CDL to drivers according to the following license classifications:

Class A -- Any combination of vehicles with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds provided the GVWR of the vehicle(s) being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.

Class B -- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing a vehicle not in excess of 10,000 pounds GVWR.

Endorsements and Restrictions: Drivers who operate special types of CMVs also need to pass additional tests to obtain any of the following endorsements on their CDL

* T - Double/Triple Trailers (Knowledge test only)

* P - Passenger (Knowledge and Skills Tests)

* N - Tank Vehicle (Knowledge Test only)

* H - Hazardous Materials (Knowledge Test only)

* X - Combination of Tank Vehicle and Hazardous Materials

* S - School Bus

If a driver either fails the air brake component of the general knowledge test or performs the skills test in a vehicle not equipped with air brakes, the driver is issued an air brake restriction, restricting the driver from operating a CMV equipped with air brakes.