All commercial motor vehicle drivers (class A, B and C vehicles) must take the general knowledge exam.
General Test Information
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 prepare for the knowledge exam, familiarize yourself with all information in the Virginia Commercial Driver's Manual. Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) must be completed before completing the HAZMAT knowledge exam.
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.
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.
You may take the CDL knowledge exam(s) only once per business day. 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.
Additional Knowledge Tests
See the following chart to find out which exams you must take in addition to the general knowledge exam.
| To drive this class of vehicle | Study these sections of the Virginia Commercial Driver's Manual |
|---|---|
| Class A, B and C | Section 2-1: Driving Safely Section 3-1: Transporting Cargo Safely The Virginia Supplement to the CDL Manual |
| Vehicles with Air Brakes | Section 5-1: Air Brakes If you do not take the air brakes exam, you will be restricted to driving vehicles without air brakes (K restriction) |
| Class A Combination Vehicle | Section 6-1: Combination Vehicles |
In addition to the exams listed above, you must take special knowledge exams for EACH endorsement:
| Endorsement | Study these sections of the Virginia Commercial Driver's Manual |
|---|---|
| H - Hazardous Materials | Section 9-1: Hazardous Materials The hazard materials endorsement test cannot be taken using a translator. This test cannot be administered orally. |
| N - Tank Vehicle | Section 8-1: Tank Vehicles |
| P - Passenger Vehicle | Section 4-1: Transporting Passengers Safely |
| S - School Bus | Section 10-1: School Buses The Virginia School Bus Drivers section of the Virginia Supplement to the CDL Manual |
| T - Double-Triple Trailer | Section 7-1: Doubles and Triples |
Three-Time Failure
If you have failed the general knowledge exam three times, before February 7, 2022, 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.
Notice
It is unlawful to:
- Attempt to get or provide to others a copy of any knowledge exam or any questions or answers on the exams
- Have assistance or assist others while taking an exam
- Have unauthorized possession of an examination or exam answers.