For anyone looking to start a career in trucking, earning your Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) is the first real step. Before you can get behind the wheel for training, you need to pass a series of written tests that prove you understand the laws, safety procedures, and equipment involved in commercial driving.

These tests are more than just a formality, they’re the foundation of becoming a safe, confident, and skilled professional driver. At Pride Transport, we know how big this decision is, and we’re here to help you start off right. Here’s what you should know about the three written tests you’ll need to pass to earn your CDL permit and get on the road to success.

What Is a CDL Permit and Why Is It Important?

A Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) is a required credential that allows you to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) while accompanied by a licensed CDL holder. It is not a full commercial driver’s license, but it is a necessary step in the process. Holding a CLP gives you the ability to legally gain supervised, hands-on driving experience with commercial equipment before taking the CDL skills test.

Every state follows federal regulations set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), so. While some state-specific rules may vary, the general structure and content of CDL permit testing is consistent across the country, following the same core guidelines. 

Passing the CDL permit tests demonstrates that you have the core understanding needed to operate a CMV safely and begin formal driver training. Without this permit, it is illegal to drive a commercial vehicle for training or employment purposes.

The 3 CDL Permit Tests You Must Pass

To obtain a Class A CDL permit, applicants must successfully pass three core knowledge tests, all of which are administered in written, multiple-choice format:

1. General Knowledge Test
   
   
2. Air Brakes Test
   
   
3. Combination Vehicles Test
   
   

These tests are designed to assess your familiarity with commercial driving laws, vehicle mechanics, and best safety practices, all of which are critical before moving into behind-the-wheel instruction.

General Knowledge Test

The General Knowledge Test lays the groundwork for everything you’ll encounter as a commercial driver. It covers a broad spectrum of topics that apply to all CDL drivers, regardless of what kind of freight they haul or what routes they run. It covers a broad range of topics like safe driving practices, vehicle inspections, control techniques, traffic laws, cargo securement, and hazard awareness. From adjusting speed for road conditions to understanding how to inspect your rig before a trip, this test checks whether you grasp the basics that every professional driver needs to know. 

Safe Driving Practices

This section tests your knowledge of how to safely operate a commercial vehicle under various conditions. This includes maintaining proper following distance, adjusting speed based on road or weather conditions, using mirrors to monitor traffic, and preparing for emergency situations.

In the trucking industry, poor driving habits can lead to serious accidents, cargo damage, and injury. Professional drivers must anticipate risks before they happen. Understanding and applying safe driving practices helps reduce collisions, improve CSA scores, and ensures both personal and public safety, especially when operating large vehicles that require more space and stopping time than passenger cars.

Pre-Trip Vehicle Inspections

You’ll be tested on how to perform thorough pre-trip inspections, which involve checking key systems such as brakes, lights, tires, suspension, coupling devices, and fluid levels. The test focuses on your ability to identify signs of wear, damage, or leaks that could affect safety or cause a breakdown.

Daily inspections are required by law and help prevent mechanical failures on the road. Detecting a problem before departure can save hours of downtime and reduce the risk of a serious crash. As a driver, knowing how to spot issues protects your equipment, your safety, and your delivery schedule, all of which are vital in maintaining good standing with your carrier.

Vehicle Control Techniques

This area covers critical driving skills, including gear shifting (especially in manual transmissions), controlled braking, turning safely, accelerating smoothly, and backing up correctly. It also includes how to maintain vehicle stability under varying load conditions.

Vehicle control is a core skill in the daily life of a truck driver. When you’re maneuvering a vehicle that weighs up to 80,000 pounds, smooth control is essential to prevent rollovers, jackknifing, or collisions. Whether you’re navigating city streets or mountain passes, mastering control techniques allows you to operate efficiently and safely, which protects your driving record and cargo.

Traffic Laws and Commercial Vehicle Regulations

You will be quizzed on how local and federal traffic laws apply to commercial vehicles. This includes speed limits for trucks, weight restrictions, HOS (Hours of Service) rules, signage, lane usage, and bridge height clearances.

Compliance with traffic laws is non-negotiable in commercial driving. Violations can result in steep fines, increased insurance rates, points against your CDL, or even loss of driving privileges. Being well-versed in the rules keeps you legal and helps you avoid costly mistakes on the road.

Cargo Handling and Securement

This section addresses how to safely load and secure cargo using tie-downs, straps, chains, and other equipment. It also covers how to balance loads to prevent shifting during transport and ensure weight is distributed properly on axles.

Improper cargo securement is a major cause of accidents and roadside violations. If freight shifts during transit, it can affect your ability to steer and brake, or even cause a rollover. Proper loading also ensures you meet FMCSA cargo securement regulations and avoid being put out of service. Being skilled in cargo securement protects your load and helps build a reputation for reliability and professionalism.

Hazard Perception and Accident Prevention

You’ll be tested on how to identify potential road hazards, such as sudden traffic changes, road debris, or unsafe drivers, and respond effectively. This includes scanning techniques, use of mirrors, and maintaining escape routes in case of emergencies.

Truck drivers operate in a high-risk environment. Spotting and reacting to hazards early reduces the likelihood of crashes and equipment damage. It also improves fuel economy, minimizes downtime, and enhances overall safety, all of which are critical in maintaining long-term success in the industry.

Air Brakes Test

This test digs deep into the operation and inspection of air brake systems used on most commercial trucks. It covers components like compressors and slack adjusters, dual air systems, inspection routines, leak checks, and braking techniques such as stab or controlled braking. Passing this test is essential because a failure results in a CDL restriction that prohibits you from driving most Class A vehicles.

Air Brake System Components

You’ll be tested on your understanding of the parts of the air brake system, including the air compressor, governor, reservoirs, brake chambers, slack adjusters, and valves.

A solid understanding of how each component functions allows you to recognize warning signs of failure and perform routine inspections. If any part malfunctions, it could affect your ability to stop safely, which poses a major risk on the road.

Dual Air Brake Systems

Many modern trucks use dual air brake systems, one for the rear axle and one for the front, to provide redundancy in the event of a failure. This section ensures you know how these systems work together and how to test them.

If one system fails, the second may still provide partial braking. Knowing how to test and monitor both systems is critical in preventing brake loss and managing risk when descending grades or making emergency stops.

Brake Inspections and Leak Testing

You’ll be expected to understand how to check for air leaks, measure proper pressure levels, and verify that the system builds and maintains air pressure within safe limits. This includes using air pressure gauges, listening for leaks, and performing timed leak-down tests.

Brake failures are among the most dangerous issues on the road. Catching a leak or pressure loss before driving can prevent deadly outcomes. Daily brake system inspections are not only required by DOT law but are also a core part of your job as a safety-conscious driver.

Proper Braking Techniques

This includes methods like controlled braking and stab braking, especially when traveling on slippery roads or down steep hills. You’ll also need to know when to apply the parking brakes and how to avoid brake fade.

Knowing how and when to apply brakes correctly protects you and everyone else on the road. Improper braking can lead to overheated brakes, jackknifing, or complete brake failure. This knowledge directly impacts your ability to maintain control of the vehicle under pressure.

Combination Vehicles Test

This test applies to drivers operating tractor-trailer setups, which are the most common configuration in over-the-road trucking.

Coupling and Uncoupling Procedures

You’ll need to demonstrate knowledge of how to connect and disconnect the tractor from the trailer, including inspecting fifth wheels, verifying connections, and managing landing gear.

Incorrectly coupled trailers can separate while driving, leading to catastrophic accidents. Understanding these procedures keeps you, your cargo, and others on the road safe and prevents costly equipment damage.

Driving Characteristics of Combination Vehicles

This section tests your understanding of how a connected trailer changes the dynamics of driving, including the effects on turning radius, rearward amplification, and trailer swing.

The trailer you’re pulling can sway or whip unpredictably during lane changes, curves, or sudden maneuvers. Knowing how to anticipate and manage these movements is essential to staying in control of the vehicle, particularly in high winds or at highway speeds.

Trailer Brake Usage and Inspections

You’ll learn how to properly test trailer service brakes and emergency brakes during a pre-trip inspection and while driving. This also includes knowledge of the trailer hand valve and spring brake systems.

If the trailer brakes don’t work correctly, the entire rig’s braking ability is compromised. This makes it harder to stop and increases the chance of a trailer pushing the tractor forward. Regular brake checks are critical to operational safety.

Avoiding Jackknifing and Rollovers

You’ll be tested on how to control your combination vehicle to prevent rollovers when turning or jackknifing when braking. These situations typically occur when the trailer moves independently of the tractor due to poor traction or incorrect handling.

Jackknifing and rollovers are some of the most dangerous accidents involving tractor-trailers. They can happen in seconds and often result in serious injury or loss of freight. Understanding how to prevent them keeps you safe and protects your driving career.

Inspection Requirements for Coupled Units

Combination vehicles require more thorough inspections than single-unit trucks. You must inspect both the tractor and trailer, as well as the coupling connections in between.

An issue with either part of your vehicle, or the connection between them, can affect braking, turning, and overall stability. A well-documented inspection is not just best practice, it's also your legal responsibility.

After You Pass: What’s Next?

After you pass the General Knowledge, Air Brakes, and Combination Vehicles tests, your state will issue your Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP). This permit is valid for 180 days in most states and allows you to practice driving a CMV with a qualified CDL driver sitting in the passenger seat.

During this period, you should:

• Log supervised driving hours on a variety of roads and in different conditions.
  
  
• Enroll in a CDL training program if you haven’t already.
  
  
• Study for your CDL Skills Test, which includes a pre-trip inspection, basic vehicle control test, and on-the-road driving exam.
  
  

Once you pass the skills test, you’ll receive your Class A CDL and be fully licensed to drive commercially.

For more insight into what happens after the permit, check out our blog on how long it takes to get a CDL.

Ready to Launch Your Trucking Career?

Getting your CDL permit is a major milestone and it’s one that opens the door to a rewarding, stable career in transportation. At Pride Transport, we’re proud to help new drivers get started, and join a fleet that values safety, professionalism, and driver success.

Apply to drive for Pride and join a company that’s been putting drivers first for over 40 years.