Free practice questions, official CA DMV fees (from $44), testing-office list, and state-specific rules — all cited to primary sources.
Last reviewed 2026-04-26 · cdltest.com Editorial Team
California is the largest CDL-issuing jurisdiction in the country, and the California Department of Motor Vehicles runs a dedicated network of Commercial Drive Test Centers (CDTCs) rather than dispatching skills exams from every field office. If you are testing in California, the rules, the paperwork, and the logistics diverge from the generic FMCSA model in a few specific places, and those are the places where out-of-state applicants most often get tripped up.
The license pathway itself is familiar. You apply for a Class A, B, or commercial Class C, hold a Commercial Learner Permit (CLP) for the federally mandated 14 days, and then pass three exams: the knowledge test on the Automated Knowledge Testing Equipment (AKTE), the pre-trip inspection, and the behind-the-wheel skills test. What is less familiar is that California does not price the CLP as a separate line item. The $100 original Class A or B application fee is a bundle; it covers CLP issuance, up to three knowledge attempts, and one skills attempt inside a 12-month window. Retests after that first skills attempt are $46 each. Third-party fee pages still circulating on the web quote numbers like $73, $82, or $85 for a California CLP. Those are wrong. See the fees table below for the full, DMV-sourced breakdown.
The first piece of genuinely California-specific paperwork is the DL 694 self-certification. California only issues Non-Excepted CDLs, meaning you self-certify either Non-Excepted Interstate (NI, full federal medical standards, valid nationwide) or Non-Excepted Intrastate (NA, California operations only, Restriction 40/K stamped on the license). If you arrive expecting to check an Excepted Interstate or Excepted Intrastate box, there is no such box to check here.
The knowledge test is administered on the AKTE in six languages: English, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Punjabi, and Russian. Punjabi availability is meaningful; California's Central Valley is home to one of the largest Punjabi-speaking trucking workforces in the United States, and the AKTE supports it without an interpreter. The noncommercial Class C written test is offered in more than 30 languages, so the commercial menu is narrower than many bilingual first-time applicants expect.
Military applicants have a separate path. California's Troops to Trucks program accepts the DL 965 Commercial Military Waiver, which substitutes qualifying military CMV experience for the state-administered skills test. The waiver saves a trip to a CDTC for the driving portion, but it does not cover the School Bus (S) or Passenger (P) endorsement skills tests; those still have to be taken in person. Separately, California layers a state-specific ELDT requirement on top of federal behind-the-wheel training: at least 15 hours of BTW with a minimum of 10 hours on public roads, documented on the DL 1236 certification.
The testing offices listed below are the five canonical CDTCs used by most candidates (West Sacramento, Fresno, Fontana, Gardena, Salinas). Commercial drive test appointments at these locations are booked by phone at 1-800-777-0133; the DMV's standard online appointment system does not handle commercial skills tests. Other Commercial Drive Test Centers exist across the state; these five are the ones we have verified directly against their official DMV field-office pages.
We review this page against the California Commercial Driver Handbook and the DMV licensing-fees schedule. The last review date is shown at the bottom of the page, next to the full source list.
Fees
Fee
Amount
Source
Class A or B CDL — original application
Bundle: covers CLP issuance, up to three knowledge test attempts, and one skills test within a 12-month period. California does not charge a separate CLP fee.
California only issues Non-Excepted CDLs (NI and NA)
California does not issue Excepted Interstate (EI) or Excepted Intrastate (EA) CDLs. Applicants self-certify on form DL 694 as either Non-Excepted Interstate (NI, full federal medical standards, valid nationwide) or Non-Excepted Intrastate (NA, California-only). NA drivers carry Restriction 40/K — "CDL Intrastate Only."
California's commercial knowledge tests — general knowledge, combination, air brakes, and endorsement-specific exams — are administered on Automated Knowledge Testing Equipment (AKTE) in English, Arabic, Chinese, Punjabi, Russian, and Spanish. The noncommercial Class C knowledge test supports 30+ languages, so the commercial test menu is notably narrower.
Employer Testing Program (ETP) is California's third-party tester framework
Qualified employers can become ETP-certified to administer the CDL skills test in-house and issue a DL 170 ETP Certificate of Driving Skill that the DMV accepts in lieu of a state skills test. DMV does not publish a public roster of approved employers and randomly selects a subset of ETP-certified drivers for validation re-testing within 30 days; failure can cancel or downgrade the license.
Troops to Trucks military skills test waiver (DL 965) excludes S and P endorsements
Qualifying veterans and active-duty service members can waive the CDL skills test with the Commercial Military Waiver (DL 965) if they operated a CMV-equivalent military vehicle for at least two years in the year before discharge and meet clean-record requirements. The waiver does not apply to the School Bus (S) or Passenger (P) endorsement skills tests — those must still be taken in person.
California ELDT requires 15 hours behind the wheel (minimum 10 on public roads)
On top of federal ELDT, California requires applicants for an original Class A or B CDL, a Class B-to-A upgrade, or an S/P/H endorsement addition (for CDLs issued on or after 2022-02-07) to complete at least 15 hours of behind-the-wheel training, with a minimum of 10 of those hours on public roads. The training provider must submit the California Commercial Driver Behind The Wheel Training Certification (DL 1236).
Implements of Husbandry — Class C license sufficient for certain farm operations
Under the California Vehicle Code, implements of husbandry (farm equipment used exclusively in agricultural operations) do not require a CDL. A noncommercial Class C driver's license is sufficient to operate qualifying implement-of-husbandry combinations — including loads above typical CDL weight thresholds — when the operator stays at or below 25 mph or tows implements under the specific subdivisions of Vehicle Code §36005. This exemption is narrow and vehicle-type-specific, not a blanket farm-worker exception.
15 questions from the FMCSA CDL Manual. Click to reveal each answer.
What is the most important reason to inspect your vehicle before a trip?
A. To satisfy your dispatcher that the vehicle has been checked in
B. Safety, for yourself and for other road users
C. To make the vehicle look clean before delivery
D. To qualify for a fuel-economy bonus
Correct: B. Safety, for yourself and for other road users
The manual states plainly that safety — both yours and that of other road users — is the most important reason you inspect your vehicle. A defect caught at inspection can prevent a breakdown or a crash on the road.
Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 2.1.1
Why does the manual recommend doing the seven-step pre-trip inspection the same way every time?
A. Federal law requires the exact sequence to be followed
B. The DMV examiner grades you on the order alone
C. You will learn all the steps and be less likely to forget something
D. Different sequences wear out different vehicle parts
Correct: C. You will learn all the steps and be less likely to forget something
The seven-step method works because consistency builds memory. The manual says to do the pre-trip the same way each time so you will learn all the steps and be less likely to forget something.
Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 2.1.5
While driving, which of the following is NOT one of the manual’s recommended ways to watch for vehicle problems during a trip?
A. Watch your gauges for signs of trouble
B. Use your senses to check for problems — look, listen, smell, feel
C. Check critical items when you stop, such as tires, brakes, and lights
D. Rely on the engine-control-module logs to surface any problems after the trip
Correct: D. Rely on the engine-control-module logs to surface any problems after the trip
The manual’s during-trip checks are all active and in-the-moment: watch gauges, use your senses, and inspect critical items at stops. Waiting until after the trip to review ECM logs misses the point — the during-trip inspection exists precisely so you catch problems before they turn into crashes.
Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 2.1.2
When you must back a commercial vehicle, the manual says you should back toward the driver’s side. Why?
A. Backing toward the driver’s side is required by federal regulation
B. So you can see the rear of your vehicle by looking out the side window
C. So the exhaust stack will blow away from pedestrians
D. So the trailer brakes receive more air pressure
Correct: B. So you can see the rear of your vehicle by looking out the side window
Backing to the driver’s side lets you see the rear of your vehicle directly out the side window, which the manual presents as far safer than relying only on a blind-side mirror.
Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 2.2
According to the manual, when should you downshift before entering a curve?
A. While you are in the curve, at the apex
B. After the curve, as you accelerate out
C. Before entering the curve, after slowing to a safe speed
D. Only if the curve is posted below 25 mph
Correct: C. Before entering the curve, after slowing to a safe speed
The manual says to slow to a safe speed and downshift to the right gear before entering the curve. Being in the right gear before the curve lets you apply some power through the turn, which keeps the vehicle more stable.
Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 2.3.1
Which three components add up to total stopping distance for a commercial vehicle with hydraulic brakes?
A. Perception distance, reaction distance, and braking distance
B. Following distance, reaction distance, and braking distance
C. Perception distance, braking distance, and skid distance
D. Reaction distance, braking distance, and off-tracking distance
Correct: A. Perception distance, reaction distance, and braking distance
The manual gives the formula Perception Distance + Reaction Distance + Braking Distance = Total Stopping Distance. At 55 mph those add up to roughly 419 feet under ideal conditions.
Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 2.6.1
You are driving a 40-foot vehicle at 35 mph. Under the manual’s following-distance rule, how much space should you keep between you and the vehicle ahead?
A. At least 2 seconds
B. At least 4 seconds
C. At least 5 seconds
D. At least 7 seconds
Correct: B. At least 4 seconds
The rule is one second per 10 feet of vehicle length at speeds below 40 mph. A 40-foot vehicle needs at least 4 seconds. You would add 1 second for speeds above 40 mph, which does not apply here.
Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 2.7.1
At night, how does the manual say you should match your speed to your headlights?
A. Drive fast enough that your headlights stay on the brightest setting
B. Drive at whatever speed the traffic around you is driving
C. Adjust your speed so you can stop within the range your headlights illuminate
D. Drive at the posted speed limit regardless of how far your lights reach
Correct: C. Adjust your speed so you can stop within the range your headlights illuminate
The manual says you must adjust your speed to keep your stopping distance within your sight distance — in other words, slow enough to stop within the range of your headlights (about 250 feet on low beams, 350–500 feet on high).
Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 2.11.4
How far ahead does the manual say good drivers of large commercial vehicles typically look?
A. 2 to 4 seconds ahead
B. 6 to 8 seconds ahead
C. 12 to 15 seconds ahead
D. 30 to 45 seconds ahead
Correct: C. 12 to 15 seconds ahead
Most good drivers look at least 12 to 15 seconds ahead — about one block at city speeds and about a quarter of a mile at highway speeds. Looking that far ahead lets you change speed or lanes smoothly instead of reacting suddenly.
Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 2.4.1
You don’t have enough room to stop before hitting an obstacle in your lane. What does the manual say about steering around it?
A. Stopping is always safer than steering, even when space is short
B. You can almost always turn to miss an obstacle more quickly than you can stop
C. You should apply the brakes hard while turning to scrub off speed
D. You should lock the brakes fully and let the vehicle skid to a stop rather than turning
Correct: B. You can almost always turn to miss an obstacle more quickly than you can stop
The manual explicitly says you can almost always turn to miss an obstacle more quickly than you can stop. Stopping is not always the safest response when space is short — but top-heavy vehicles and multi-trailer combinations may flip if turned too sharply.
Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 2.17.1
Your rear drive wheels begin a braking skid. What is the first action the manual tells you to take?
A. Press harder on the brake pedal to slow the vehicle faster
B. Stop braking, so the rear wheels can roll again and regain traction
C. Pull the parking brake to lock the rear wheels and stop the slide
D. Shift into neutral and coast until the skid ends
Correct: B. Stop braking, so the rear wheels can roll again and regain traction
The manual’s first step to correct a drive-wheel braking skid is to stop braking. Locked wheels have less traction than rolling wheels, so releasing the brakes lets the rear wheels roll and keeps them from sliding further sideways.
Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 2.19.2
Even when you did not load the cargo yourself, you are still responsible for all of the following EXCEPT:
A. Inspecting your cargo
B. Recognizing overloads and poorly balanced weight
C. Knowing the cargo is properly secured and does not block your view
D. Determining the final retail price of the cargo
Correct: D. Determining the final retail price of the cargo
The manual lists the driver’s cargo responsibilities as inspecting cargo, recognizing overloads and bad weight distribution, confirming secure loading with unobstructed view, and keeping access to emergency equipment clear. Retail pricing is not a driver duty.
Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 3.1
Under the federal rule repeated in the manual, what is the minimum number of tiedowns for a piece of flatbed cargo, no matter how small?
A. One tiedown
B. Two tiedowns
C. Three tiedowns
D. Four tiedowns
Correct: B. Two tiedowns
The manual requires at least one tiedown for every 10 feet of cargo, and specifies that no matter how small the piece of cargo is, it must have at least two tiedowns.
Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 3.3.2
Compared with the hydraulic brakes on a car, what extra factor adds to stopping distance when a vehicle has air brakes?
A. Perception distance is longer because the driver sits higher
B. Reaction distance is longer because of the heavier steering wheel
C. Brake lag — the time (about half a second) it takes for air to flow through the lines to the brakes
D. Air brakes shorten stopping distance, they do not add to it
Correct: C. Brake lag — the time (about half a second) it takes for air to flow through the lines to the brakes
With hydraulic brakes the brakes work instantly, but with air brakes it takes about a half second or more for the air to flow through the lines. This brake-lag distance is added to perception, reaction, and braking distance — at 55 mph it adds roughly 32 feet.
Source: FMCSA CDL Manual, Section 5.4.4
You are offered a load whose shipping papers require the vehicle to display hazardous materials placards. You do not have a HazMat endorsement on your CDL. What does the manual say?
A. You may drive the load if you keep the placards off until you reach the highway
B. You may drive the load as long as another endorsed driver rides along
C. You may not drive a vehicle that requires placards unless your license has the hazardous materials endorsement
D. You may drive the load because the General Knowledge test already covers HazMat
Correct: C. You may not drive a vehicle that requires placards unless your license has the hazardous materials endorsement
The manual states that if a vehicle requires placards, you cannot drive it unless your license has the hazardous materials endorsement — doing so is a crime. All drivers should be able to recognize HazMat cargo, but driving a placarded vehicle requires the H endorsement.