Virginia General Knowledge CDL Practice Test
Below are 25 exam-style questions for the Virginia General Knowledge CDL knowledge test, modeled on the FMCSA-aligned content used by the Virginia Department 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 Government Combination Weight Reading
- B General Carrier Weight Rating
- C Gross Combination Weight Rating
- D Gross Cargo Weight Rating
- A Coast in neutral
- B Use the parking brake hard
- C Shift into reverse
- D Look for an escape ramp
- A Increase your following distance from the vehicle in front to give both of you more room
- B Brake suddenly to teach a lesson
- C Move to the left lane only
- D Speed up to get away
- A Did not take the test, with no consequence
- B Need to take it again later
- C Took the test and failed
- D Took the test and passed
- A Engine oil level is safe to operate
- B All of the above
- C Power steering fluid is at the proper level
- D Coolant level is above LOW and the cap is secure
- A Slow down before entering and accelerate gently through it
- B Stay at the same speed
- C Downshift in the curve
- D Brake while in the curve
- A 40,000 lbs or more
- B 10,001 lbs or more
- C 20,000 lbs or more
- D 26,001 lbs or more
- A All of the above
- B Trouble remembering the last few miles
- C Drifting in your lane
- D Frequent yawning
- A Perception distance + reaction distance + brake-lag distance + braking distance
- B Reaction distance only
- C Brake-lag distance only
- D Speed times weight
- A It would push your weight over legal limits
- B It would make you exceed federal hours-of-service rules
- C The cargo is not properly secured or placarded
- D All of the above
- A Annoying passengers
- B Powertrain wear and possible loss of control on slippery surfaces
- C Wasting fuel only
- D Engine damage
- A Pumping the brakes
- B Driving over a speed bump
- C Releasing the parking brake on a flat surface and tugging gently against it
- D Setting the parking brake, releasing the service brakes, and gently trying to move the vehicle in low gear
- A Fills the trailer floor edge to edge
- B Cannot shift on stops, starts, or turns and is within axle weight limits
- C Looks neat from the outside
- D Is loaded in the order it will be delivered
- A Test the low-air warning then drive
- B Test the parking brake then the service brake
- C Test the service brake then the parking brake
- D Test only the air-leak rate
- A Any detectable amount above 0.00%
- B 0.10% or higher
- C 0.04% or higher
- D 0.08% or higher
- A Select a lower gear before starting down
- B Use the parking brake intermittently
- C Stay in high gear
- D Coast in neutral
- A Make smooth steering and braking inputs
- B All of the above
- C Slow down
- D Increase following distance
- A Concrete pavement only
- B Bridges and overpasses
- C Roads in direct sunlight
- D Gravel surfaces
- A Brakes self-adjust forever
- B Slack adjusters need periodic checking; pushrod travel beyond limits is out-of-service
- C Brake adjustment is the dispatcher's responsibility
- D Drum brakes never need adjustment
- A Honk and accelerate
- B Maintain speed
- C Move to the right lane
- D Cover the brake and slow down
- A The bridge is closed in winter
- B Bridges are inspected only in winter
- C Bridge surfaces freeze first because of air circulation underneath
- D The pavement under the bridge is reinforced
- A Tap the horn lightly or flash lights to signal your presence
- B Make eye contact only when stopped
- C Honk loudly to warn other drivers
- D Never communicate; just drive
- A A fine only
- B A warning
- C No federal consequence
- D CDL disqualification for at least one year for a first offense
- A Yellow tape only
- B A red flag (or red light at night) at the extreme rear
- C A green flag
- D Nothing — federal rules do not require marking
- A Signal only when other vehicles are present
- B Signal early, signal continuously, and cancel after the turn
- C Use the four-way flashers instead of signals at intersections
- D Signal only at the moment you start turning
Study tips for the Virginia General Knowledge exam
The General Knowledge portion of the Virginia CDL exam is graded out of the bank of questions the Virginia Department 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 Virginia 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 Virginia 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 Virginia Department 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 Virginia 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 Virginia 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 Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles office.
Already comfortable with this endorsement? Drill another: VA Air Brakes · VA Combination Vehicles · VA Hazardous Materials · VA Passenger · VA School Bus · VA Tank Vehicle · VA Doubles / Triples
New to the CDL process in Virginia? Read How to apply for a CDL in Virginia for the document checklist and step-by-step timeline.