New Jersey General Knowledge CDL Practice Test
Below are 25 exam-style questions for the New Jersey General Knowledge CDL knowledge test, modeled on the FMCSA-aligned content used by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission. 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 40,000 lbs or more
- B 10,001 lbs or more
- C 26,001 lbs or more
- D 20,000 lbs or more
- A Back fast to get it over with
- B Back to the right whenever possible
- C Use a helper and walk around the vehicle first
- D Back without using mirrors so you can watch out the window
- A Gross Combination Weight Rating
- B General Carrier Weight Rating
- C Government Combination Weight Reading
- D Gross Cargo Weight Rating
- A Move to the left lane only
- B Increase your following distance from the vehicle in front to give both of you more room
- C Brake suddenly to teach a lesson
- D Speed up to get away
- A Government Vehicle Weight Regulation
- B General Vehicle Weight Reading
- C Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
- D Gross Vehicle Width Rating
- A Within the first 25 miles, then about every 150 miles or every 3 hours
- B At the end of the trip
- C Only if a warning light comes on
- D Only when the load is hazardous
- A Fills the trailer floor edge to edge
- B Looks neat from the outside
- C Is loaded in the order it will be delivered
- D Cannot shift on stops, starts, or turns and is within axle weight limits
- 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 Roads in direct sunlight
- B Concrete pavement only
- C Gravel surfaces
- D Bridges and overpasses
- A It increases brake pressure automatically
- B It prevents wheel lockup so the driver can keep steering
- C It always stops the vehicle in a shorter distance
- D It applies the parking brake
- A The bridge is closed in winter
- B The pavement under the bridge is reinforced
- C Bridge surfaces freeze first because of air circulation underneath
- D Bridges are inspected only in winter
- A A type of cargo strap
- B A fuel-saving switch
- C A trailer hitch component
- D A low-air pressure warning device that drops a flag in front of the driver
- A Vehicles designed to carry 16+ passengers including the driver, or that require hazmat placards
- B Tractor-trailers under 26,001 lbs GCWR
- C Any vehicle over 26,001 lbs
- D Class A combinations only
- A Cargo is the shipper's responsibility, not yours
- B You must inspect cargo and securement before driving and within the first 50 miles
- C Federal rules do not apply to cargo securement
- D Tying a load down once at the start is enough
- A Coasting in neutral
- B Locking the wheels
- C Applying the brakes as hard as possible without locking the wheels
- D Pumping the brakes hard and fast
- A Powertrain wear and possible loss of control on slippery surfaces
- B Annoying passengers
- C Engine damage
- D Wasting fuel only
- A Brake immediately and pull off the road
- B Hold the steering wheel firmly, ease off the accelerator, and let the vehicle slow down
- C Shift to neutral and coast
- D Steer sharply toward the shoulder
- A 2/32 inch
- B 4/32 inch
- C 1/32 inch
- D 6/32 inch
- A Engine braking helps keep speed under control
- B Brakes alone are not designed to hold a heavy vehicle on a long downgrade
- C Heavy vehicles can slow down sharply on grades
- D All of the above
- A Pumping the brakes
- B Releasing the parking brake on a flat surface and tugging gently against it
- C Setting the parking brake, releasing the service brakes, and gently trying to move the vehicle in low gear
- D Driving over a speed bump
- A Test the parking brake then the service brake
- B Test only the air-leak rate
- C Test the service brake then the parking brake
- D Test the low-air warning then drive
- A One reflective triangle within 10 feet
- B A spotter walking 1,000 ft up the road
- C A flare burning constantly
- D Three reflective triangles: 10 ft, 100 ft, and 200 ft toward approaching traffic
- A Slow down before entering and accelerate gently through it
- B Brake while in the curve
- C Stay at the same speed
- D Downshift in the curve
- A To save brake pads and reduce drag
- B So the brake lights don't mislead following drivers and so the brakes don't overheat
- C To rest the right leg
- D To save fuel and improve mileage
- A A reasonable time, before going off duty
- B 7 days
- C 1 hour
- D 24 hours
Study tips for the New Jersey General Knowledge exam
The General Knowledge portion of the New Jersey CDL exam is graded out of the bank of questions the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission draws from each year. While the exact bank is not published, every question is sourced from the General Knowledge chapter of the New Jersey 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 New Jersey 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 New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission 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 New Jersey 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 New Jersey 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 New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission office.
Already comfortable with this endorsement? Drill another: NJ Air Brakes · NJ Combination Vehicles · NJ Hazardous Materials · NJ Passenger · NJ School Bus · NJ Tank Vehicle · NJ Doubles / Triples
New to the CDL process in New Jersey? Read How to apply for a CDL in New Jersey for the document checklist and step-by-step timeline.