Indiana General Knowledge CDL Practice Test
Below are 25 exam-style questions for the Indiana General Knowledge CDL knowledge test, modeled on the FMCSA-aligned content used by the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Try to answer each question on your own before reading the answer key directly under it. The questions and answer choices are shuffled deterministically per state and endorsement, so the order will stay the same on repeat visits — that lets you genuinely measure your improvement.
- A Frequent yawning
- B All of the above
- C Drifting in your lane
- D Trouble remembering the last few miles
- A It wastes brake pads
- B It triggers the ABS warning light
- C It cools the brakes too much
- D Brake fade can leave you with reduced or no braking power
- A Yellow tape only
- B A green flag
- C Nothing — federal rules do not require marking
- D A red flag (or red light at night) at the extreme rear
- A Brakes self-adjust forever
- B Drum brakes never need adjustment
- C Brake adjustment is the dispatcher's responsibility
- D Slack adjusters need periodic checking; pushrod travel beyond limits is out-of-service
- A To save brake pads and reduce drag
- B To save fuel and improve mileage
- C So the brake lights don't mislead following drivers and so the brakes don't overheat
- D To rest the right leg
- A Power steering fluid is at the proper level
- B Engine oil level is safe to operate
- C All of the above
- D Coolant level is above LOW and the cap is secure
- A Downshift in the curve
- B Stay at the same speed
- C Brake while in the curve
- D Slow down before entering and accelerate gently through it
- A Coast in neutral
- B Use the parking brake intermittently
- C Stay in high gear
- D Select a lower gear before starting down
- A Only on the highway
- B When you are stopped or moving slowly enough to be a hazard
- C Only at night
- D Whenever you feel like it
- A It increases brake pressure automatically
- B It always stops the vehicle in a shorter distance
- C It applies the parking brake
- D It prevents wheel lockup so the driver can keep steering
- A Properly working brakes
- B Manual transmissions
- C Old tires
- D Driving too fast for conditions
- A 10 and 2 (or 9 and 3)
- B One hand at 12
- C 12 and 6
- D Both hands at the bottom
- A Back fast to get it over with
- B Use a helper and walk around the vehicle first
- C Back to the right whenever possible
- D Back without using mirrors so you can watch out the window
- A Move to the right lane
- B Honk and accelerate
- C Maintain speed
- D Cover the brake and slow down
- A Class A combinations only
- B Tractor-trailers under 26,001 lbs GCWR
- C Any vehicle over 26,001 lbs
- D Vehicles designed to carry 16+ passengers including the driver, or that require hazmat placards
- A Tap the horn lightly or flash lights to signal your presence
- B Honk loudly to warn other drivers
- C Never communicate; just drive
- D Make eye contact only when stopped
- A Government Vehicle Weight Regulation
- B Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
- C Gross Vehicle Width Rating
- D General Vehicle Weight Reading
- A It is safe to drive at the posted speed limit
- B Tire chains are required by federal law
- C High beams improve visibility in heavy rain
- D Roads are most slippery just after rain begins, when water mixes with road oil
- A It would make you exceed federal hours-of-service rules
- B It would push your weight over legal limits
- C The cargo is not properly secured or placarded
- D All of the above
- A Annoying passengers
- B Wasting fuel only
- C Engine damage
- D Powertrain wear and possible loss of control on slippery surfaces
- A 24 hours
- B 7 days
- C A reasonable time, before going off duty
- D 1 hour
- A A trailer hitch component
- B A low-air pressure warning device that drops a flag in front of the driver
- C A type of cargo strap
- D A fuel-saving switch
- A Allowed if the driver feels fine
- B Allowed off-duty only
- C Considered driving under the influence for CDL purposes
- D A traffic violation, but not a CDL disqualification
- A The fuel tank area
- B The area immediately next to it where other drivers are hidden in your blind spots
- C The area in front of the steer axle
- D A federal speed restriction
- A 6 seconds
- B 1 second
- C 4 seconds
- D 10 seconds
Study tips for the Indiana General Knowledge exam
The General Knowledge portion of the Indiana CDL exam is graded out of the bank of questions the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles draws from each year. While the exact bank is not published, every question is sourced from the General Knowledge chapter of the Indiana CDL handbook, which itself is derived from the FMCSA Model Commercial Driver's License Manual. That means studying our practice tests, reading the corresponding handbook chapter, and re-reading the parts you got wrong is genuinely the most efficient route to a first-time pass.
Most successful applicants follow a simple cycle: take the practice test cold, write down every question you missed, open the matching chapter of the official Indiana handbook, re-read the section that contains the right answer, then re-take the practice test 24 to 48 hours later. The 24-hour delay matters — sleep is when your brain commits new information to long-term memory, and CDL knowledge questions reward that kind of consolidated learning rather than cramming.
Pay particular attention to questions that include qualifier words like always, never, only, primary, or most. CDL test writers love to flip the right answer with a single qualifier. When two answer choices look almost identical, pay attention to the verb (is it must, should, or may?) and to any numbers (14 days, 100 air miles, 8 hours, 70/8 split). On endorsement tests in particular, watch for trick framing where a true statement about a different endorsement is offered as the "correct" answer to a question that is actually about General Knowledge.
Test-day logistics matter too. Bring photo ID, your Social Security card or birth certificate, your medical examiner's certificate (DOT card), and proof of state residency if you haven't already submitted those documents. The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles will not let you sit for the knowledge exam without your documentation, and most offices charge an additional fee for re-attempts. Arrive early — the wait at most CDL testing offices runs 30 to 60 minutes — and silence your phone before the exam begins.
Finally, keep your General Knowledge fundamentals sharp even when you're focused on the General Knowledge exam. Many states administer multiple knowledge tests in a single sitting, and questions on weight definitions (GVWR, GCWR, GAWR), stopping distance, and the pre-trip inspection routine show up across endorsements. If you're unsure on the basics, sit a fresh Indiana General Knowledge practice test before scheduling the real exam.
Next steps
Missed more than four questions? Re-read the General Knowledge study guide and the matching chapter in the official Indiana CDL handbook. Then come back and re-take the test. Once you can score 22 of 25 or higher on three runs in a row, you're in good shape to schedule the real exam at your local Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles office.
Already comfortable with this endorsement? Drill another: IN Air Brakes · IN Combination Vehicles · IN Hazardous Materials · IN Passenger · IN School Bus · IN Tank Vehicle · IN Doubles / Triples
New to the CDL process in Indiana? Read How to apply for a CDL in Indiana for the document checklist and step-by-step timeline.