Knowledge Test Class A
This license is required for driving any legal combination of vehicles, including vehicles under Class B and Class C. The GVWR of a trailer is not to exceed 10,000 pounds. To receive this license, applicants must pass a 50-question test. Each question has three answer choices. To pass, applicants must answer 40 questions correctly. Test questions come from the California Commercial Driver Handbook. Questions come from chapters covering: Introduction, Driving Safely, Transporting Cargo Safely, Air Brakes (if applicable), Combination Vehicles, Pre-Trip Vehicle Inspection Test, Basic Vehicle Control Skills Test and On-Road Driving. Endorsemetns that may be used with a Class A CDL are: Hazardous materials, Tank, Passenger, Doubles/Triples, HazMat and Tank, Air Brakes and School bus.
Number of Question
Passing Score
1. You may not consume alcohol within ____ of going on duty.
Explanation
Commercial vehicle drivers are prohibited from consuming any intoxicating beverage, regardless of its alcohol content, within four hours of going on duty.
2. Poor weight balance:
Explanation
Poorly balanced cargo can cause a vehicle to be difficult to handle. Keep weight distribution in mind when loading cargo.
3. Do not operate a vehicle if any brake drums have cracks that are larger than ____ of the width of the friction area.
Explanation
Before beginning a trip, it is important to check the brake drums during your walk-around inspection. It is unsafe to drive if any brake drum has a crack more than one half of the width of the friction area.
4. The radiator cap:
Explanation
Never remove the radiator cap or any part of the pressurized cooling system until it has cooled. Opening the cap while the system is too hot could release steam and boiling water that could severely burn you. If the radiator cap is cool to the touch, the system is likely cool enough for you to open the cap.
5. How should you brake if your vehicle's ABS is not working?
Explanation
Without a working Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), your vehicle will still have normal brake function. Continue to drive and brake as you normally would and have your ABS serviced as soon as possible.
6. When should a driver sign a vehicle inspection report?
Explanation
You must sign a vehicle inspection report only if defects were noted and either certified to have been repaired or certified as not needing to be repaired.
7. Poor weight balance:
Explanation
Poorly balanced loads can lead to unsafe handling. It is important to properly distribute the weight of cargo when loading a vehicle.
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Frequently Asked Questions
A Class A CDL (Commercial Driver's License) is a type of license in California that allows a driver to operate a combination of vehicles with a total weight of 26,001 pounds or more, provided the weight of the vehicle(s) being towed exceeds 10,000 pounds. These vehicles may include tractor-trailers, tanker trucks, and livestock carriers. To obtain a Class A CDL license in California, you must pass a written knowledge test and a skills test. You must also meet other requirements such as being at least 18 years old and having a valid medical certificate.
With a Class A CDL license in California, you can operate a combination of vehicles with a total weight of 26,001 pounds or more, provided the weight of the vehicle(s) being towed exceeds 10,000 pounds. These vehicles may include:
- Tractor-trailers
- Truck and trailer combinations
- Livestock carriers
- Tanker trucks
- Flatbeds
- Dump trucks
- Refrigerated trucks
It's worth noting that there may be additional endorsements required for certain types of vehicles or cargo. For example, you may need a hazardous materials endorsement to transport certain types of hazardous materials.
- Tractor-trailers
- Truck and trailer combinations
- Livestock carriers
- Tanker trucks
- Flatbeds
- Dump trucks
- Refrigerated trucks
It's worth noting that there may be additional endorsements required for certain types of vehicles or cargo. For example, you may need a hazardous materials endorsement to transport certain types of hazardous materials.
To obtain a Class A CDL license in California, you must meet the following requirements:
1. Age: You must be at least 18 years old to operate a commercial vehicle within California and 21 years old to operate a commercial vehicle across state lines or transport hazardous materials.
2. Valid Driver's License: You must have a valid California driver's license.
3. Medical Certificate: You must pass a medical examination and obtain a medical certificate from a licensed medical examiner.
4. Knowledge Test: You must pass a written knowledge test that tests your understanding of general trucking knowledge, safe driving practices, and specific rules and regulations related to Class A CDL vehicles.
5. Skills Test: You must pass a skills test that includes a pre-trip inspection, basic vehicle control, and on-road driving test.
6. Background Check: You must pass a background check which includes your driving record and criminal record.
7. Fees: You must pay the appropriate fees for your CDL application, testing, and license issuance.
1. Age: You must be at least 18 years old to operate a commercial vehicle within California and 21 years old to operate a commercial vehicle across state lines or transport hazardous materials.
2. Valid Driver's License: You must have a valid California driver's license.
3. Medical Certificate: You must pass a medical examination and obtain a medical certificate from a licensed medical examiner.
4. Knowledge Test: You must pass a written knowledge test that tests your understanding of general trucking knowledge, safe driving practices, and specific rules and regulations related to Class A CDL vehicles.
5. Skills Test: You must pass a skills test that includes a pre-trip inspection, basic vehicle control, and on-road driving test.
6. Background Check: You must pass a background check which includes your driving record and criminal record.
7. Fees: You must pay the appropriate fees for your CDL application, testing, and license issuance.
The minimum age requirement for a Class A CDL license in California is 18 years old. However, if you plan to transport hazardous materials or operate a commercial vehicle across state lines, you must be at least 21 years old. It's important to note that some employers may have their own age requirements that exceed the legal minimum, so it's a good idea to check with potential employers for their specific requirements.
Yes, depending on the type of cargo you plan to transport, you may need certain endorsements added to your Class A CDL license. Here are some of the most common endorsements:
1. Hazmat (H): Needed if you plan to transport hazardous materials.
2. Tanker (N): Needed if you plan to transport liquids or gases in bulk.
3. Double/Triple Trailers (T): Needed if you plan to pull double or triple trailers.
4. Passenger (P): Needed if you plan to transport passengers for hire, such as a bus or a limousine.
To obtain an endorsement, you must pass a knowledge test specific to that endorsement and meet other requirements such as age and experience. Keep in mind that there may be additional fees associated with adding endorsements to your CDL license.
1. Hazmat (H): Needed if you plan to transport hazardous materials.
2. Tanker (N): Needed if you plan to transport liquids or gases in bulk.
3. Double/Triple Trailers (T): Needed if you plan to pull double or triple trailers.
4. Passenger (P): Needed if you plan to transport passengers for hire, such as a bus or a limousine.
To obtain an endorsement, you must pass a knowledge test specific to that endorsement and meet other requirements such as age and experience. Keep in mind that there may be additional fees associated with adding endorsements to your CDL license.
The Class A CDL skills test consists of three parts:
1. Pre-Trip Inspection: You will be asked to do a walk-around inspection of your vehicle and explain to the examiner what you're checking and why.
2. Basic Vehicle Control: You will be asked to demonstrate your ability to control the vehicle in a confined area. This includes backing up, turning around, and parking.
3. Road Test: You will be asked to demonstrate your ability to safely operate the vehicle on public roads. This includes obeying traffic laws, making turns, changing lanes, and merging onto highways.
During the skills test, you will be graded on your ability to perform each task safely and correctly. You must pass all three parts of the test in order to obtain your Class A CDL license. It's important to note that the skills test is conducted in a larger vehicle than what you may have trained on, so it's important to prepare accordingly.
1. Pre-Trip Inspection: You will be asked to do a walk-around inspection of your vehicle and explain to the examiner what you're checking and why.
2. Basic Vehicle Control: You will be asked to demonstrate your ability to control the vehicle in a confined area. This includes backing up, turning around, and parking.
3. Road Test: You will be asked to demonstrate your ability to safely operate the vehicle on public roads. This includes obeying traffic laws, making turns, changing lanes, and merging onto highways.
During the skills test, you will be graded on your ability to perform each task safely and correctly. You must pass all three parts of the test in order to obtain your Class A CDL license. It's important to note that the skills test is conducted in a larger vehicle than what you may have trained on, so it's important to prepare accordingly.
Yes, there are several restrictions and limitations for drivers with a Class A CDL license. Here are some of the most common ones:
1. Air brake restriction: If you took your skills test in a vehicle without air brakes, you will be restricted to driving vehicles without air brakes.
2. Automatic transmission restriction: If you took your skills test in a vehicle with an automatic transmission, you will be restricted to driving vehicles with automatic transmissions.
3. Intrastate-only restriction: If you do not meet the federal medical requirements or are not at least 21 years old, you may be restricted to driving within the state of California only.
4. Passenger endorsement restriction: If you have a passenger endorsement but do not meet certain requirements such as being at least 21 years old and passing a background check, you may be restricted from transporting passengers.
It's important to know and follow any restrictions or limitations on your CDL license to avoid penalties or fines.
1. Air brake restriction: If you took your skills test in a vehicle without air brakes, you will be restricted to driving vehicles without air brakes.
2. Automatic transmission restriction: If you took your skills test in a vehicle with an automatic transmission, you will be restricted to driving vehicles with automatic transmissions.
3. Intrastate-only restriction: If you do not meet the federal medical requirements or are not at least 21 years old, you may be restricted to driving within the state of California only.
4. Passenger endorsement restriction: If you have a passenger endorsement but do not meet certain requirements such as being at least 21 years old and passing a background check, you may be restricted from transporting passengers.
It's important to know and follow any restrictions or limitations on your CDL license to avoid penalties or fines.
Yes, it is possible to take the Class A CDL written test in a language other than English in California. The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) offers the exam in several languages including Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and more.
However, it's important to note that you must still be able to read and understand English. You will be given an English-only version of the test to read and then a version of the test in your chosen language. You must pass both versions to pass the exam.
If you need a translator for the exam, you must provide your own. The translator must be at least 18 years old and cannot be a family member or anyone who has a financial interest in the outcome of the exam.
It's important to check with your local DMV office for availability and requirements for taking the CDL written test in a language other than English.
However, it's important to note that you must still be able to read and understand English. You will be given an English-only version of the test to read and then a version of the test in your chosen language. You must pass both versions to pass the exam.
If you need a translator for the exam, you must provide your own. The translator must be at least 18 years old and cannot be a family member or anyone who has a financial interest in the outcome of the exam.
It's important to check with your local DMV office for availability and requirements for taking the CDL written test in a language other than English.
Yes, if you have a disability that may impact your ability to take the Class A CDL written test, you can request accommodations from the California DMV.
The DMV provides special accommodations for individuals with disabilities, such as extra time to complete the exam, a reader or scribe, or a private testing area. To request accommodations, you will need to complete a "Request for Accommodations for Disabilities" form (Form DL 309) and submit it to the DMV along with documentation from a licensed medical professional.
It's important to note that you must submit your request and documentation at least 14 days in advance of your scheduled testing appointment. The DMV will review your request and notify you of their decision.
If you have any questions or need assistance with requesting accommodations for the CDL written test, you can contact your local DMV office for more information.
The DMV provides special accommodations for individuals with disabilities, such as extra time to complete the exam, a reader or scribe, or a private testing area. To request accommodations, you will need to complete a "Request for Accommodations for Disabilities" form (Form DL 309) and submit it to the DMV along with documentation from a licensed medical professional.
It's important to note that you must submit your request and documentation at least 14 days in advance of your scheduled testing appointment. The DMV will review your request and notify you of their decision.
If you have any questions or need assistance with requesting accommodations for the CDL written test, you can contact your local DMV office for more information.
If you fail the Class A CDL written test in California, you are allowed to retake the test. However, you must wait at least one day before taking the test again. You will need to pay the testing fee each time you take the exam.
It's important to review and study the materials provided by the DMV before retaking the test. You can also take practice tests to help you prepare for the exam. The DMV provides a handbook that covers all of the information needed for the exam, and it's recommended that you review this material thoroughly.
If you fail the test three times, you will be required to wait 14 days before taking the test again. If you fail the test seven times, you will be required to wait 30 days before taking it again.
It's essential to prepare thoroughly for the Class A CDL written test in California to avoid failing and having to retake it multiple times. If you have any questions or need assistance with preparing for the exam, you can contact your local DMV office for more information.
It's important to review and study the materials provided by the DMV before retaking the test. You can also take practice tests to help you prepare for the exam. The DMV provides a handbook that covers all of the information needed for the exam, and it's recommended that you review this material thoroughly.
If you fail the test three times, you will be required to wait 14 days before taking the test again. If you fail the test seven times, you will be required to wait 30 days before taking it again.
It's essential to prepare thoroughly for the Class A CDL written test in California to avoid failing and having to retake it multiple times. If you have any questions or need assistance with preparing for the exam, you can contact your local DMV office for more information.
