Montana General Knowledge practice test
50 questions · 80% to pass · Required for every CDL applicant.
How to use this practice test
Read each question, click an answer, and the correct choice is highlighted with a short explanation referencing the underlying CDL Manual concept. Your live score appears at the top of the page. Refresh to reset.
This test runs entirely in your browser. Nothing is uploaded; no account is required. Pages refresh to a new randomized cut from the bank.
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1. Brake fade is caused by:
Explanation. Brakes lose effectiveness when overheated; this is why low gears are essential on grades.
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2. Hydroplaning is most likely when:
Explanation. Hydroplaning can occur at speeds as low as 30 mph if there is enough water and the tires cannot channel it away.
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3. When approaching a railroad crossing, you should:
Explanation. Always slow, look, listen, and prepare to stop. A full stop is required only for buses, hazmat, and certain placarded vehicles.
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4. What does the term "perception distance" mean?
Explanation. Perception distance is the distance traveled while your brain identifies a hazard, typically about 1.5 seconds at highway speed.
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5. When taking the CDL knowledge exam, what does the term "perception distance" mean?
Explanation. Perception distance is the distance traveled while your brain identifies a hazard, typically about 1.5 seconds at highway speed. (Reinforcement variant — same underlying CDL Manual concept.)
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6. According to the FMCSA CDL Manual, when you double your speed, your stopping distance:
Explanation. Stopping distance increases roughly with the square of speed, so doubling speed nearly quadruples the distance. (Reinforcement variant — same underlying CDL Manual concept.)
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7. When driving down a long, steep grade, you should:
Explanation. Always select a low gear before descending so engine compression helps hold speed and brakes do not overheat.
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8. You should NOT drive when taking which of these?
Explanation. Drowsiness-causing medications, even legal ones, can disqualify you from driving.
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9. According to the FMCSA CDL Manual, total stopping distance equals:
Explanation. Total stopping distance is perception + reaction + braking distance combined. (Reinforcement variant — same underlying CDL Manual concept.)
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10. A driver loses their CDL for life if convicted of:
Explanation. Using a CMV to commit a controlled-substance felony is grounds for a lifetime CDL disqualification.
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11. Hours-of-service property-carrying drivers may drive a maximum of how many hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty?
Explanation. The federal HOS rule allows up to 11 hours of driving after 10 consecutive hours off duty.
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12. Most state DMV CDL handbooks state that the most common cause of serious skids is:
Explanation. Driving too fast for road and weather conditions is the leading cause of skids. (Reinforcement variant — same underlying CDL Manual concept.)
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13. Experienced commercial drivers know that a driver loses their CDL for life if convicted of:
Explanation. Using a CMV to commit a controlled-substance felony is grounds for a lifetime CDL disqualification. (Reinforcement variant — same underlying CDL Manual concept.)
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14. Most pre-trip inspections begin with which step?
Explanation. The CDL Manual lists "review last inspection report" as the first step in the seven-step pre-trip inspection.
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15. The eye-lead time recommended for highway driving is at least:
Explanation. Look 12-15 seconds ahead so you can identify hazards in time to react smoothly.
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16. A retarder helps the driver by:
Explanation. Retarders slow the vehicle without using service brakes, reducing brake wear and overheating risk.
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17. Which is the best way to handle a tire failure?
Explanation. Hard braking after a tire failure can cause loss of control. Hold the wheel firmly, ease off the throttle, and brake gently after slowing.
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18. Most state DMV CDL handbooks state that when approaching a railroad crossing, you should:
Explanation. Always slow, look, listen, and prepare to stop. A full stop is required only for buses, hazmat, and certain placarded vehicles. (Reinforcement variant — same underlying CDL Manual concept.)
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19. During a pre-trip inspection, drivers must complete a written post-trip inspection report when:
Explanation. Federal rules require a report whenever defects are found, and many carriers require one for every trip. (Reinforcement variant — same underlying CDL Manual concept.)
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20. Retarders should usually be turned off when:
Explanation. On slick surfaces a retarder can cause drive wheels to skid; turn it off in those conditions.
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21. Most state DMV CDL handbooks state that you should signal a lane change for at least:
Explanation. Signal early and continuously enough for surrounding traffic to see your intent. (Reinforcement variant — same underlying CDL Manual concept.)
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22. Empty trucks need:
Explanation. Empty trucks have less traction and brakes designed for the loaded weight, so they can actually take longer to stop and lock up more easily.
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23. Carbon monoxide poisoning may be a hazard if:
Explanation. A cracked exhaust manifold or rusted-through pipe can leak CO into the cab, causing drowsiness or death.
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24. When operating a CMV in interstate commerce, when checking your vehicle, the engine should be off and the wheels chocked because:
Explanation. Chocking wheels and shutting down the engine prevents the vehicle from rolling away while you are underneath or alongside it. (Reinforcement variant — same underlying CDL Manual concept.)
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25. When driving at night, you should adjust your speed so you can stop within:
Explanation. You must be able to stop within the distance you can see, which at night is the range of your low or high beam headlights.
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26. When checking lights during the pre-trip, you should turn the key on and:
Explanation. Have someone else watch, or turn lights on and off and walk around to verify each lamp is working.
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27. When merging onto a highway, you should:
Explanation. Match traffic speed and yield; stopping is dangerous and can cause rear-end collisions.
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28. Convex (curved) mirrors:
Explanation. Convex mirrors widen the view but make objects appear smaller and farther away than they actually are.
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29. When making a right turn in a large vehicle, you should:
Explanation. Stay in the right lane and watch the trailer; swinging left first invites a same-direction driver to squeeze in on your right.
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30. When operating a CMV in interstate commerce, texting while driving a CMV is:
Explanation. Texting is banned for all CMV drivers under federal law. (Reinforcement variant — same underlying CDL Manual concept.)
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31. Total stopping distance equals:
Explanation. Total stopping distance is perception + reaction + braking distance combined.
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32. Which of these is NOT a sign of a tired driver?
Explanation. A "second wind" is a brief, deceptive boost. All of the others, including the second wind, are warning signs of fatigue.
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33. Texting while driving a CMV is:
Explanation. Texting is banned for all CMV drivers under federal law.
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34. In real-world commercial driving, total stopping distance equals:
Explanation. Total stopping distance is perception + reaction + braking distance combined. (Reinforcement variant — same underlying CDL Manual concept.)
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35. Per federal regulations, when making a right turn in a large vehicle, you should:
Explanation. Stay in the right lane and watch the trailer; swinging left first invites a same-direction driver to squeeze in on your right. (Reinforcement variant — same underlying CDL Manual concept.)
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36. When operating a CMV in interstate commerce, a retarder helps the driver by:
Explanation. Retarders slow the vehicle without using service brakes, reducing brake wear and overheating risk. (Reinforcement variant — same underlying CDL Manual concept.)
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37. When taking the CDL knowledge exam, a driver who is convicted of DUI in any vehicle while holding a CDL faces:
Explanation. A first DUI conviction in any vehicle disqualifies a CDL for at least one year. (Reinforcement variant — same underlying CDL Manual concept.)
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38. During a pre-trip inspection, when driving in the mountains, gravity will:
Explanation. Going downhill, gravity adds to your speed and the distance needed to stop. (Reinforcement variant — same underlying CDL Manual concept.)
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39. Drivers must complete a written post-trip inspection report when:
Explanation. Federal rules require a report whenever defects are found, and many carriers require one for every trip.
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40. In real-world commercial driving, hydroplaning is most likely when:
Explanation. Hydroplaning can occur at speeds as low as 30 mph if there is enough water and the tires cannot channel it away. (Reinforcement variant — same underlying CDL Manual concept.)
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41. When operating a CMV in interstate commerce, empty trucks need:
Explanation. Empty trucks have less traction and brakes designed for the loaded weight, so they can actually take longer to stop and lock up more easily. (Reinforcement variant — same underlying CDL Manual concept.)
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42. Most state DMV CDL handbooks state that when merging onto a highway, you should:
Explanation. Match traffic speed and yield; stopping is dangerous and can cause rear-end collisions. (Reinforcement variant — same underlying CDL Manual concept.)
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43. When taking the CDL knowledge exam, when checking your vehicle, the engine should be off and the wheels chocked because:
Explanation. Chocking wheels and shutting down the engine prevents the vehicle from rolling away while you are underneath or alongside it. (Reinforcement variant — same underlying CDL Manual concept.)
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44. According to the FMCSA CDL Manual, cargo securement standards require tiedowns capable of supporting at least:
Explanation. The aggregate working load limit of all tiedowns must equal at least one-half the weight of the cargo. (Reinforcement variant — same underlying CDL Manual concept.)
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45. A driver who is convicted of DUI in any vehicle while holding a CDL faces:
Explanation. A first DUI conviction in any vehicle disqualifies a CDL for at least one year.
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46. Per federal regulations, convex (curved) mirrors:
Explanation. Convex mirrors widen the view but make objects appear smaller and farther away than they actually are. (Reinforcement variant — same underlying CDL Manual concept.)
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47. In real-world commercial driving, when driving down a long, steep grade, you should:
Explanation. Always select a low gear before descending so engine compression helps hold speed and brakes do not overheat. (Reinforcement variant — same underlying CDL Manual concept.)
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48. Aggressive driving by other motorists is best handled by:
Explanation. The safest response is to disengage and report when safe; never engage an aggressive driver.
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49. The 14-hour rule means a driver may not drive after the:
Explanation. After 14 consecutive hours on duty following 10 hours off, no further driving is allowed even if some of those 14 hours were not driving.
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50. Experienced commercial drivers know that when backing a commercial vehicle, you should:
Explanation. Backing toward the driver side gives the driver a direct line of sight, which is much safer than blind-side backing. (Reinforcement variant — same underlying CDL Manual concept.)
About the General Knowledge exam
The General Knowledge exam is required for every Class A, B, and C CDL applicant. It covers vehicle inspection, basic control, shifting, backing, communicating with other drivers, distracted driving, fatigue, hazard perception, emergency maneuvers, skid control, accident procedures, hazardous materials awareness, and federal hours-of-service rules.
This Montana-specific edition uses the same federal source material every U.S. state adopts. The Montana MVD administers the actual exam at its service centers. Bring your CDL handbook for any last-minute reference; it’s free at every Montana MVD office.
Once you’re consistently scoring above 90% on this practice set, you’re well above the 80% required to pass the official Montana exam. Drill the questions you miss most often, then take the test cold once a day for a week leading up to your appointment.
Tips that actually work
- Read every answer choice before clicking. CDL questions are famous for "best answer" wording where two choices look right.
- Don’t memorize question text — learn the underlying rule. The DMV reshuffles wording constantly.
- Keep a list of the questions you miss. Re-drill them in isolation until you can’t miss them.
- Practice in short, frequent sessions. Two 20-minute sessions per day beats one two-hour cram.
What happens after I pass?
Passing the knowledge test earns you a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP). You must hold the CLP for at least 14 days before you can take the road skills test, and you must drive with a CDL-holding instructor in the cab during that period. Once you pass the road skills test, your CDL is issued.