Virginia CDL Practice Test

Virginia CDL Resources

Here are more resources related to getting your CDL in Virginia:

• Learn what is required for getting your CDL in Virginia

  Virginia CDL Requirements

• Download the Virginia CDL manual for free right here.

  Virginia CDL Manual

• Find Paid CDL Training In Virginia

  Paid CDL Training In Virginia

CDL Permit Requirements

The fee for a Commercial Learner's Permit is $3.00. If you fail the exam, you may return to take it, you must pay a $2 re-examination fee if you retake the exam within 15 days. If you use a cell phone while taking an exam, the exam will be terminated and you must wait until the next day to re-test.

To obtain a CDL Permit in Virginia you must meet all of the requirements needed for a Virginia Driver's License, as well as the following:

• Be at least 18 years of age for Intrastate commerce and 21 years of age for Interstate Commerce.
• All CDL applicants must certify either that they are in compliance with the federal and Virginia motor carrier safety regulations or that they do not have to comply with them. If you must meet the federal or Virginia motor carrier safety regulations, you must provide a valid Department of Transportation Medical Examiner's Certificate. This form must be completed by an examiner on the National Registry of Medical Examiners.
• Applicants for a Hazardous Materials Endorsement (HAZMAT) must be fingerprinted for a background check. The non-refundable fee is $83.00.
• Pass a vision exam
• Provide official documentation proving identity, legal presence or lawful permanent residence, social security number and proof of Virginia residency.

Testing locations and hours

Hours of operation vary by location, it is important to find your local DMV by visiting Virginia's DMV Locator page. Some sites do not issue permits and offices may be closed to observe holidays.

General Knowledge Exam

To prepare for the General Knowledge Exam, it is recommended you take a certified course in CDL Training as well as CDL Practice Tests in Virginia. Use the official Virginia Commercial Driver's Manual as a study guide. The manual covers the following topics, which will be on the exam:

• Driving Safely - Covers vehicle inspection, basic control of your vehicle, shifting gears, fires, crash procedures, skid control and recovery, seeing hazards, controlling speed, managing space, driving in various conditions including night, fog, winter, hot weather, mountains and more.
• Transporting Cargo Safely - Covers inspecting cargo, weight and balance, securing cargo, and cargo needing special attention.
• Transporting Passengers - Covers when a passenger endorsement is required, vehicle inspection, loading and trip start, on the road, after trip vehicle inspection, prohibited practices, use of brake door interlocks.
• Air Brakes - Covers the parts of an air brake system, dual air brake, inspecting air brake systems, and using air brakes.
• Combination Vehicles - Covers driving combination vehicles safely, combination vehicle air brakes, antilock brake systems, coupling and uncoupling, and inspecting a combination vehicle.
• Doubles and Triples - Covers pulling double and triple trailers, coupling and uncoupling, inspecting doubles and triples, doubles and triples air brake check.
• Tank Vehicles - Covers inspecting tank vehicles, driving tank vehicles and safe driving rules.
• Hazardous Materials - Covers the intent of the regulations, hazardous materials transportation, communication rules, loading and unloading, bulk packaging marking, driving and parking rules, emergencies and glossary.
• School Bus - Covers danger zones and use of mirrors, loading and unloading, emergency exit and evacuation, railroad-highway grade crossings, student management, antilock braking systems, and special safety considerations.

Military Exemptions

The skills test portion of the State CDL Testing process may be waived for individuals who have experience driving commercial motor vehicles for military purposes. Military personnel must meet the following requirements:

• Currently possess a Virginia driver’s license
• Complete an Application for CDL Skills Test Waiver Military form
• Military Letter (page 2 of application) must be completed by Commanding Officer or appropriate administrative office within the last 30 days
• Clean driving record for the past 2 years
• Currently employed or have been employed within the last 12 months in a military position (requiring CMV operation)
• Exempted from the CDL licensing requirements due to active duty military status
• Have been operating a CMV in the military for at least the last two years (or two years immediately preceding discharge from the military)

CLP Test

The knowledge exams determine your familiarity with the operation of commercial vehicles, motor vehicle laws and safe driving techniques. Exam questions are taken from the information in the Virginia Commercial Driver's Manual, which is available at all DMV customer service centers.

To pass the exam, you must answer at least 80% of the general knowledge questions correctly. When taking the knowledge exams, select one best answer. Once you pass the required knowledge exams, you can take the CDL skills tests.

Endorsements that require additional questions on the knowledge exam include:

• H - Hazardous materials
• N - Tank vehicle
• P - Passenger vehicle
• S - School bus
• T - Double-triple trailer

Facts About Commercial Learners Permit in Virginia

• Commercial learner's permits are issued for a period of 180 days and may be renewed one time without testing. Individuals temporarily authorized to be in the U.S. and who have fewer than 180 days remaining, will receive a commercial learner's permit with the same expiration date as shown on the document used to prove legal presence.
• A CLP is considered a valid CDL for behind-the-wheel training
• While you possess a CLP, you are only permitted to drive with a full CDL holder in the vehicle, and driver's must stay on public roads.
• CLP holder must hold a valid driver's license from the same state as the CLP until the applicant possesses a valid CDL
• Driver's must possess a CLP for 14 days before applying for a full CDL.
• If you fail the general knowledge exam three times at a customer service center, you must complete the classroom portion of a Virginia approved Driver Training School program for commercial motor vehicles and bring the certificate of completion to a customer service center to satisfy eligibility requirements for re-examination. You must have completed the course after the date of the third exam failure.
• Except for the HAZMAT knowledge exam (given only in English), the CDL knowledge exams are offered in several languages. All exams are taken on a computer.