Knowledge Test Class B
This license is required for driving a single vehicle with a GVWR of more than 26,001 pounds, and a trailer not to exceed 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating, or a vehicle designed to transport 24 or more people (including the driver). To receive this license, applicants must pass a 50-question test. To pass, applicants must answer 40 questions correctly. Each question has two, three or four possible answer choices. Test questions come from the Minnesota Commercial Driver’s Manual. Questions come from chapters covering: Introduction, Driving Safely, Transporting Cargo Safely, Air Brakes (if applicable), Pre-Trip Vehicle Inspection Test, Basic Vehicle Control Skills Test and On-Road Driving.. Endorsements that may be used with a Class B CDL are: Hazardous materials, Tank, Passenger, HazMat and Tank, Air Brakes and School bus.
15. Header boards:
Front-end header boards, also known as "headache racks," protect the driver from cargo moving in the event of a crash or emergency stop.
16. How should you check your hydraulic brakes?
To test hydraulic brakes, you should pump the brake pedal three times, then apply firm pressure to the brake pedal and hold for five seconds. The pedal should not move. If it does, there may be a leak.
17. On low bridges:
Height warnings are often, but not always, posted on low bridges. If you are unsure if you will be able to clear an overhead object, go slowly.
18. When carrying a wide load, you should:
Over-sized loads require special permits, may be allowed on the roads only at certain times, and may require special warning signs or equipment.
19. When traveling long distances, you should:
To avoid becoming fatigued on a long trip, you should take a break after every 100 miles or two hours of driving. Driving through the night, or during any other time when you would normally be asleep, raises the danger of fatigue.
20. ____ are the most likely to be affected by strong winds.
Strong winds can make it difficult for a driver to maintain control of their vehicle. Usually, this is especially true for drivers of lighter CMVs.
21. If an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) malfunctions:
On a vehicle with ABS, a yellow malfunction lamp on the instrument panel will illuminate to alert you if the braking system is not working.
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Frequently Asked Questions
To obtain a Class B CDL license in Minnesota, you must meet the following requirements:
1. Be at least 18 years old for intrastate (within Minnesota) driving and 21 years old for interstate (across state lines) driving.
2. Hold a valid Minnesota driver’s license.
3. Pass a written knowledge test and obtain a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP).
4. Hold the CLP for at least 14 days before taking the driving skills test.
5. Pass a pre-trip vehicle inspection, basic control skills test, and road test in a vehicle that meets the Class B CDL requirements.
6. Provide proof of your citizenship or lawful permanent residency status in the United States.
7. Pass a medical examination and obtain a valid Medical Examiner’s Certificate.
Once you have met all of these requirements, you can apply for your Class B CDL license at any Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) office by submitting the required documents and paying the appropriate fees.
Examples of vehicles you can operate with a Class B CDL license include:
- Straight trucks (such as delivery trucks and dump trucks) with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more.
- Buses designed to transport more than 15 passengers (including the driver) and with a GVWR of less than 26,001 pounds.
- A combination of vehicles where the towing vehicle (such as a tractor) has a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more and the towed vehicle has a GVWR of less than 10,000 pounds.
It's important to note that if you want to drive a combination of vehicles where the towed vehicle has a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or more, you will need to obtain a Class A CDL license.
1. Be at least 18 years old for intrastate (within Minnesota) driving and 21 years old for interstate (across state lines) driving.
2. Hold a valid Minnesota driver’s license.
3. Pass a written knowledge test and obtain a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP).
4. Hold the CLP for at least 14 days before taking the driving skills test.
5. Pass a pre-trip vehicle inspection, basic control skills test, and road test in a vehicle that meets the Class B CDL requirements.
6. Provide proof of your citizenship or lawful permanent residency status in the United States.
7. Pass a medical examination and obtain a valid Medical Examiner’s Certificate.
The written knowledge test covers topics such as safe driving practices, road signs and signals, and commercial vehicle regulations. The driving skills test includes a pre-trip inspection of the vehicle, basic control skills such as backing up and turning, and an on-road driving test.
Once you have met all of these requirements, you can apply for your Class B CDL license at any Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) office by submitting the required documents and paying the appropriate fees.
However, there are some exceptions to this rule. If you are between 18 and 21 years old, you may be eligible for a Class B CDL license if you:
1. Are a member of the military and have completed military commercial driver training.
2. Have a CLP (Commercial Learner's Permit) and have completed a CDL skills test.
3. Are a farmer or farm worker operating within 150 miles of your farm.
4. Are transporting hazardous materials within Minnesota only.
It's important to note that even if you meet one of these exceptions, you may still be subject to additional requirements or restrictions.
The most common endorsements for a Class B CDL are:
1. Passenger (P) endorsement: Required if you will be driving a vehicle designed to transport more than 15 passengers, such as a bus or shuttle.
2. School Bus (S) endorsement: Required if you will be driving a school bus.
3. Tank (N) endorsement: Required if you will be transporting liquid or gaseous materials in tanks.
4. Hazardous Materials (H) endorsement: Required if you will be transporting hazardous materials.
5. Doubles/Triples (T) endorsement: Required if you will be driving a combination of two or three trailers.
To obtain an endorsement, you must pass a written knowledge test specific to that endorsement and meet any additional requirements, such as a background check or additional medical certification.
It's important to note that some endorsements may also require additional training or experience before you can obtain them.
1. Pre-trip inspection: You will be asked to inspect your vehicle and identify any potential problems or issues. The inspector will ask you to demonstrate your knowledge of the vehicle's safety equipment, such as brakes, steering, lights, and tires.
2. Basic vehicle controls: You will be asked to demonstrate your ability to control the vehicle in various situations, such as backing up, turning, and shifting gears. You may also be asked to perform an alley dock or parallel park.
3. On-road driving: You will be asked to drive the vehicle on public roads while demonstrating your ability to safely operate the vehicle. The examiner will evaluate your ability to follow traffic laws and signals, maintain proper speed and lane position, and safely interact with other vehicles.
It's important to note that the skills test may vary depending on the type of vehicle you will be driving and any endorsements you may need. For example, if you need a passenger (P) endorsement, you may be asked to demonstrate your ability to load and unload passengers safely. If you need a hazardous materials (H) endorsement, you may be asked additional questions about transporting hazardous materials.
1. Passenger (P) endorsement restriction: If you have a Class B CDL with a P endorsement, you are not allowed to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver.
2. Air brake restriction: If you took the skills test in a vehicle without air brakes, you will have an air brake restriction on your license. This means you are not authorized to drive a vehicle with air brakes.
3. Auto transmission restriction: If you took the skills test in a vehicle with an automatic transmission, you will have an auto transmission restriction on your license. This means you are not authorized to drive a vehicle with a manual transmission.
4. Intrastate-only restriction: If you plan to drive only within Minnesota and do not need to cross state lines, your license may have an intrastate-only restriction. This means your license is not valid for driving outside of Minnesota.
It's important to note that these restrictions and limitations may vary depending on the type of vehicle you will be driving and any endorsements or certifications you may have. Make sure to check with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety for specific information on your license and any restrictions that may apply.
However, it's important to note that the skills test (driving test) is only offered in English. This means that you will need to have a good understanding of English to pass the skills test and obtain your Class B CDL.
If you need assistance with the English language, there are resources available to help you prepare for the skills test. For example, you can take a commercial driver's license training course that includes instruction in English. You can also work with a language tutor or take an English as a Second Language (ESL) course to improve your language skills.
Make sure to check with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety for specific information on testing in other languages and any requirements or restrictions that may apply.
To request accommodations, you will need to fill out the "Request for Accommodation" form, which is available on the Minnesota Department of Public Safety website. You will need to provide documentation of your disability and describe the specific accommodations you are requesting.
Some examples of accommodations that may be available include:
- Extended time for the test
- A separate testing room
- A reader or scribe to assist with the test
- Assistive technology, such as a screen reader
Once you submit your request and documentation, the Department of Public Safety will review your application and determine whether your requested accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.
It's important to note that requests for accommodations may take some time to process, so it's a good idea to submit your request well in advance of your scheduled test date.
If you fail the written test, you will need to wait at least one day before you can retake it. You will also need to pay a fee for each retake. The fee amount may vary depending on the testing location, so check with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety for specific information.
It's important to note that there is a limit to the number of times you can take the written test in a 180-day period. In Minnesota, you are allowed to take the written test up to three times within a 180-day period. If you fail the test three times, you will need to wait at least six months before you can retake it.
To prepare for the retake, it's a good idea to review the information covered on the test and identify areas where you need more study or practice. You may also want to consider taking a commercial driver's license training course or using study materials designed specifically for the Class B CDL written test.
Remember that passing the written test is just one step toward obtaining your Class B CDL. You will also need to pass a skills test (driving test) and meet other requirements before you can get your license.