CDL driver qualifications practice questions
20 free practice questions from 49 CFR Part 391. Each answer is explained and linked to the rule it comes from.
CDL Driver qualifications
20 questions across 8 topics. After each answer you see why it is right, with a link to the official source.
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General qualifications
1. Under 391.11(b)(3), on what basis must a person be able to safely operate the type of commercial motor vehicle he/she drives?
- A. By reason of experience, training, or both
- B. By holding a degree in transportation
- C. By having driven for the same motor carrier for at least 1 year
- D. By passing a written test given by the motor carrier
Show answer
Answer: A. By reason of experience, training, or both
A person is qualified to drive if he/she "Can, by reason of experience, training, or both, safely operate the type of commercial motor vehicle he/she drives".
Source: eCFR: 49 CFR 391.11, General qualifications of drivers (as of Nov 3, 2026)
2. A driver can converse with the general public in English and respond to official inquiries, but cannot read English well enough to make entries on reports and records. How does 391.11(b)(2) apply to this driver?
- A. The driver meets it, because speaking English is enough
- B. The driver meets it, as long as a co-worker makes the entries on reports and records
- C. The driver does not meet it, because it also requires reading and speaking English sufficiently to make entries on reports and records
- D. It does not apply, because it covers only highway traffic signs and signals
Show answer
Answer: C. The driver does not meet it, because it also requires reading and speaking English sufficiently to make entries on reports and records
A person is qualified to drive only if he/she "Can read and speak the English language sufficiently to converse with the general public, to understand highway traffic signs and signals in the English language, to respond to official inquiries, and to make entries on reports and records".
Source: eCFR: 49 CFR 391.11, General qualifications of drivers (as of Nov 3, 2026)
Disqualification
3. Under 391.15(b)(1), how long is a driver disqualified after losing the privilege to operate a CMV on public highways because the operator's license was suspended?
- A. For 30 days, whenever the privilege is restored
- B. For the duration of the loss, until the privilege is restored by the authority that suspended it
- C. For 1 year after the date of suspension
- D. Until the motor carrier decides to reinstate the driver
Show answer
Answer: B. For the duration of the loss, until the privilege is restored by the authority that suspended it
"A driver is disqualified for the duration of the driver's loss of his/her privilege to operate a commercial motor vehicle on public highways" and this lasts "until that operator's license, permit, or privilege is restored by the authority that revoked, suspended, withdrew, or denied it."
Source: eCFR: 49 CFR 391.15, Disqualification of drivers (as of Nov 3, 2026)
4. Under 391.15(c)(1), a driver employed by a motor carrier who is convicted of a disqualifying offense listed in (c)(2) is disqualified if the offense was committed when?
- A. Only while the CMV was moving on an interstate highway
- B. Only during a trip that crossed State lines
- C. At any time at all, on or off duty
- D. During on-duty time as defined in 395.2, or as otherwise specified
Show answer
Answer: D. During on-duty time as defined in 395.2, or as otherwise specified
The disqualification applies if "The offense was committed during on-duty time as defined in § 395.2 of this subchapter or as otherwise specified" and the driver "is employed by a motor carrier or is engaged in activities that are in furtherance of a commercial enterprise".
Source: eCFR: 49 CFR 391.15, Disqualification of drivers (as of Nov 3, 2026)
5. What makes a driver a subsequent offender, disqualified for 3 years, under 391.15(c)(3)(ii)?
- A. Having any traffic conviction in the past 10 years
- B. Having been convicted of, or having forfeited bond or collateral upon a charge of, a disqualifying offense during the 3 years preceding the date of the new conviction
- C. Having two parking violations in 1 year
- D. Having failed a road test with the motor carrier
Show answer
Answer: B. Having been convicted of, or having forfeited bond or collateral upon a charge of, a disqualifying offense during the 3 years preceding the date of the new conviction
"A driver is disqualified for 3 years after the date of his/her conviction or forfeiture of bond or collateral if, during the 3 years preceding that date, he/she was convicted of, or forfeited bond or collateral upon a charge of, an offense that would disqualify him/her under the rules in this section."
Source: eCFR: 49 CFR 391.15, Disqualification of drivers (as of Nov 3, 2026)
6. The special rule in 391.15(d)(2)(iv) for out-of-service order violations applies when the driver was doing what at the time of the violation?
- A. Transporting hazardous materials required to be placarded, or operating a CMV designed to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver
- B. Driving between midnight and 6 a.m.
- C. Operating within 150 air miles of the work reporting location
- D. Driving a vehicle with a GVWR under 10,001 pounds
Show answer
Answer: A. Transporting hazardous materials required to be placarded, or operating a CMV designed to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver
The special rule covers a first violation "while transporting hazardous materials required to be placarded under the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (49 U.S.C. 5101 et seq.), or while operating commercial motor vehicles designed to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver."
Source: eCFR: 49 CFR 391.15, Disqualification of drivers (as of Nov 3, 2026)
7. Which of these convictions, in separate incidents during any 3-year period, leads to a 60-day disqualification under 391.15?
- A. One violation of the hand-held mobile telephone restriction in 392.82(a)
- B. Two parking violations
- C. One violation of the texting prohibition in 392.80(a)
- D. Two violations of the hand-held mobile telephone restriction in 392.82(a)
Show answer
Answer: D. Two violations of the hand-held mobile telephone restriction in 392.82(a)
"A driver is disqualified for 60 days if the driver is convicted of two violations of § 392.82(a) of this chapter in separate incidents committed during any 3-year period." The texting rule in 391.15(e) likewise starts at a second violation.
Source: eCFR: 49 CFR 391.15, Disqualification of drivers (as of Nov 3, 2026)
Application and investigations
8. Under 391.21(b), on what form must the driver's application for employment be made, and who must complete and sign it?
- A. A form furnished by FMCSA, completed and signed by the motor carrier
- B. A form furnished by the State licensing agency, signed by a medical examiner
- C. A form furnished by the motor carrier, completed and signed by the applicant
- D. Any form, completed by the motor carrier and signed by the previous employer
Show answer
Answer: C. A form furnished by the motor carrier, completed and signed by the applicant
"The application for employment shall be made on a form furnished by the motor carrier. Each application form must be completed by the applicant, must be signed by him/her".
Source: eCFR: 49 CFR 391.21, Application for employment (as of Nov 3, 2026)
9. Under 391.23(b), what must a motor carrier do if a driver's licensing authority that is required to respond sends no motor vehicle record?
- A. Document a good faith effort to obtain such information
- B. Hire the driver with no further record
- C. Treat the driver as disqualified for 1 year
- D. Have the driver write out his or her own driving record
Show answer
Answer: A. Document a good faith effort to obtain such information
"If no motor vehicle record is received from a driver's licensing authority required to submit this response, the motor carrier must document a good faith effort to obtain such information."
Source: eCFR: 49 CFR 391.23, Investigation and inquiries (as of Nov 3, 2026)
10. Under 391.23(f)(1), what must a prospective motor carrier employer do if a driver refuses to provide consent for release of the alcohol and controlled substances information from previous employers?
- A. Let the driver operate a CMV for up to 30 days while it asks again
- B. Not permit the driver to operate a commercial motor vehicle for that motor carrier
- C. Let the driver operate a CMV if the driver passes a road test
- D. Ask the State licensing agency to give consent on the driver's behalf
Show answer
Answer: B. Not permit the driver to operate a commercial motor vehicle for that motor carrier
"If the driver refuses to provide this consent, the prospective motor carrier employer must not permit the driver to operate a commercial motor vehicle for that motor carrier."
Source: eCFR: 49 CFR 391.23, Investigation and inquiries (as of Nov 3, 2026)
Annual inquiry and review
11. After the annual review of a driver's motor vehicle record, what does 391.25(c)(2) require the motor carrier to keep in the driver's qualification file?
- A. A signed statement from the State licensing agency
- B. A copy of the driver's medical certificate, which serves as the review record
- C. Nothing; the review needs no written record
- D. A note including the name of the person who performed the review and the date of the review
Show answer
Answer: D. A note including the name of the person who performed the review and the date of the review
"A note, including the name of the person who performed the review of the driving record required by paragraph (b) of this section and the date of such review, shall be maintained in the driver's qualification file."
Source: eCFR: 49 CFR 391.25, Annual inquiry and review of driving record (as of Nov 3, 2026)
12. In the annual review of a driver's record, to which violations does 391.25(b)(2) say the motor carrier must give great weight?
- A. Parking violations
- B. Violations committed in a personal vehicle more than 10 years ago only
- C. Violations, such as speeding, reckless driving, and operating while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, that indicate a disregard for the safety of the public
- D. Equipment violations found at roadside inspections only
Show answer
Answer: C. Violations, such as speeding, reckless driving, and operating while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, that indicate a disregard for the safety of the public
The carrier "must give great weight to violations, such as speeding, reckless driving, and operating while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, that indicate that the driver has exhibited a disregard for the safety of the public."
Source: eCFR: 49 CFR 391.25, Annual inquiry and review of driving record (as of Nov 3, 2026)
Road test and its equivalent
13. Under 391.31(b), who must give the road test to a driver who is also a motor carrier?
- A. The driver himself or herself, as long as the road test form is signed
- B. Nobody; a driver who is a motor carrier is exempt from the road test
- C. Any passenger, whether or not competent to evaluate the driver
- D. A person other than himself or herself
Show answer
Answer: D. A person other than himself or herself
"However, a driver who is a motor carrier must be given the test by a person other than himself/herself." The tester must also be "competent to evaluate and determine" the driver's ability.
14. Under 391.33(a)(2), a motor carrier may accept as equivalent to the road test a copy of a valid certificate of driver's road test issued under 391.31. What issue period does the rule set for that certificate?
- A. The preceding 3 years
- B. The preceding 5 years
- C. The preceding 10 years
- D. Any time, with no limit
Show answer
Answer: A. The preceding 3 years
The carrier may accept "A copy of a valid certificate of driver's road test issued to him/her pursuant to § 391.31 within the preceding 3 years."
Source: eCFR: 49 CFR 391.33, Equivalent of road test (as of Nov 3, 2026)
Physical qualifications
15. Under 391.41(b)(10)(ii), how may a person who does not satisfy, with the worse eye, the distant visual acuity standard with corrective lenses or the field of vision standard still meet the vision requirement?
- A. By wearing tinted lenses while driving
- B. By meeting the requirements in 391.44
- C. By agreeing to drive only in daylight
- D. By getting a written waiver from the motor carrier
Show answer
Answer: B. By meeting the requirements in 391.44
The vision standard is met if the person "Meets the requirements in § 391.44, if the person does not satisfy, with the worse eye, either the distant visual acuity standard with corrective lenses or the field of vision standard, or both".
Source: eCFR: 49 CFR 391.41, Physical qualifications for drivers (as of Nov 3, 2026)
16. A driver wears a hearing aid. How does 391.41(b)(11) treat the hearing aid for the forced whispered voice test and for the audiometric device test?
- A. It must be removed for both tests
- B. It may be worn only for the forced whispered voice test
- C. Either test may be passed with or without a hearing aid
- D. A driver who needs a hearing aid cannot meet the hearing standard
Show answer
Answer: C. Either test may be passed with or without a hearing aid
The standard is met if the person perceives a forced whispered voice in the better ear "at not less than 5 feet with or without the use of a hearing aid" or, if tested by audiometric device, has no average hearing loss in the better ear greater than 40 decibels at 500 Hz, 1,000 Hz, and 2,000 Hz "with or without a hearing aid".
Source: eCFR: 49 CFR 391.41, Physical qualifications for drivers (as of Nov 3, 2026)
17. How does 391.41(b)(6) state the physical qualification standard for high blood pressure?
- A. Any blood pressure reading above 120/80 disqualifies the driver
- B. The person has no current clinical diagnosis of high blood pressure likely to interfere with his/her ability to operate a CMV safely
- C. High blood pressure is not mentioned in the physical qualification standards
- D. The driver must take blood pressure medication before every trip
Show answer
Answer: B. The person has no current clinical diagnosis of high blood pressure likely to interfere with his/her ability to operate a CMV safely
A person is physically qualified if he or she "Has no current clinical diagnosis of high blood pressure likely to interfere with his/her ability to operate a commercial motor vehicle safely".
Source: eCFR: 49 CFR 391.41, Physical qualifications for drivers (as of Nov 3, 2026)
Medical examination and certificate
18. Under 391.43(b)(1), which part of the driver medical examination may a licensed ophthalmologist or licensed optometrist perform?
- A. The hearing test
- B. The blood pressure check
- C. The entire examination, including the certificate
- D. The part that involves visual acuity, field of vision, and the ability to recognize colors
Show answer
Answer: D. The part that involves visual acuity, field of vision, and the ability to recognize colors
"A licensed ophthalmologist or licensed optometrist may perform the part of the medical examination that involves visual acuity, field of vision, and the ability to recognize colors as specified in § 391.41(b)(10)."
Source: eCFR: 49 CFR 391.43, Medical examination; certificate of physical examination (as of Nov 3, 2026)
19. Apart from the regular examination schedule, which driver does 391.45(g) list as one who must be medically examined and certified?
- A. Any driver whose ability to perform his or her normal duties has been impaired by a physical or mental injury or disease
- B. Any driver who changes motor carriers within the same State
- C. Any driver who adds a hazardous materials endorsement
- D. Any driver who receives a speeding ticket
Show answer
Answer: A. Any driver whose ability to perform his or her normal duties has been impaired by a physical or mental injury or disease
The persons who must be examined and certified include "Any driver whose ability to perform his or her normal duties has been impaired by a physical or mental injury or disease".
Source: eCFR: 49 CFR 391.45, Persons who must be medically examined and certified (as of Nov 3, 2026)
Driver qualification files
20. What does 391.51(a) allow a motor carrier to do with a driver's qualification file?
- A. Keep it only at the driver's home
- B. Keep one shared file for all of its drivers
- C. Combine it with the driver's personnel file
- D. Replace it with a copy of the driver's CDL
Show answer
Answer: C. Combine it with the driver's personnel file
"Each motor carrier shall maintain a driver qualification file for each driver it employs. A driver's qualification file may be combined with his/her personnel file."
Source: eCFR: 49 CFR 391.51, General requirements for driver qualification files (as of Nov 3, 2026)