How to Pass the CDL Exam

Passing the CDL exam can lead to many employment opportunities.

There are two components to passing the exam for a commercial driver's license: the written test and the driving test. Both parts must be passed in order to obtain your CDL. Having a CDL means that you can drive big semi trucks or other commercial vehicles, including school buses, fire trucks and ambulances. Many companies and employers require employees to have a CDL license in order to perform the duties of their jobs.

Things You'll Need

• Commercial vehicle
• Commercial Driver's License Study Guide for your state

Instructions

1. Download a copy of the Commercial Driver's License Study Guide from the Department of Motor Vehicles Web site for your state. This document is the key to passing both parts of your CDL exam.

2. Read the manual carefully and take any practice tests that are included. You will need to read the manual several times to ensure that you know the material and can answer questions about it. Have someone ask you questions from material in the manual.

3. Locate a vehicle that you can use to practice the driving portion of the CDL test. Begin with the vehicle inspection. All the items that need to be inspected are listed in the CDL manual for your state. Walk around the vehicle, checking each item on the list until you have it memorized.

4. Drive the commercial vehicle to practice for the driving portion of your test. Make right turns and left turns; park driving forward, backward and parallel; and drive on the highway and on city roads.

5. Walk around the vehicle when you are finished with your driving practice. You need to check for anything wrong with the vehicle, as you did for the inspection before you drove. Have a friend watch you do the inspections to ensure that you are not forgetting any areas. He or she can use the checklist in the manual.

Tips & Warnings

• When you take the written portion of the test, it will be multiple choice. If you are unsure of an answer, look carefully at the choices for the answer. Typically, one answer is obviously wrong, two answers are almost the same, and one is correct. Use the process of elimination to choose your answer when you are unsure.

• You could also consider enrolling in a school that teaches people to drive commercial vehicles and helps them prepare for the written test.

References

• Jim the Trucker
• Truck Driver Tips

Resources

• Test Answers