Class B is the fastest path to a commercial license - just 3 written tests stand between you and your CLP. Get ready with 2026 exam-like questions.
Three knowledge exams at the DMV: General Knowledge, Air Brakes, and Pre-Trip Inspection. No Combination Vehicles test (that's Class A only). Below are 968 practice questions covering all three, with scoring and explanations built in.
Practice tests for all 3 knowledge exams. Select your state to begin.
You take these at your state DMV to get your Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP). You need 80% or higher on each one.
The big one - same test whether you're going for Class A or B. Vehicle inspection, basic control, hazard perception, night driving, emergencies, cargo handling. One thing that catches people off guard: empty trucks are harder to stop than loaded ones (brakes are designed for full weight). Know your cargo inspection schedule too - first check within 25 miles, then every 150 miles. 50 questions, 80% to pass.
Most Class B vehicles run on air brakes, so skipping this gives you an L restriction that locks you out of most jobs. The test covers how the system builds pressure, dual air brakes, failure modes, and inspections. Key difference from Class A: single-vehicle leakage max is 2 psi per minute (vs 3 psi for combinations). 25 questions on the real exam.
On skills test day, you walk around the vehicle and call out what you're checking. No fifth wheel or coupling inspection like Class A, but if you're testing in a bus, add emergency exits, wheelchair lift, and stop arm to the list. Shorter than the Class A pre-trip, but you still need to know every component on your vehicle type.
Bus routes, construction sites, delivery runs. Most Class B jobs qualify for the 100 Air-Mile Radius exemption, which means no electronic logbook required. You sleep in your own bed.
One fewer written test than Class A, less behind-the-wheel training. The fastest way into a commercial driving job.
Cities always need transit operators and delivery drivers. Construction doesn't stop either. These jobs don't disappear.
Union transit drivers in cities can do better. Garbage and ready-mix concrete drivers often clear $55K+. School bus drivers earn less but get summers off and solid benefits.
Think of Class B as the single-vehicle CDL. Buses, straight trucks, dump trucks, cement mixers - anything with a GVWR over 26,001 lbs that doesn't involve towing a heavy trailer. (You can tow up to 10,000 lbs, just nothing bigger.)
Compared to Class A, there's no Combination Vehicles test and the training period is shorter. Most Class B jobs are local, which means regular hours and sleeping at home. For a full side-by-side, see the CDL class comparison.
Salary range is $40,000-$60,000+ depending on the job. Union transit drivers in bigger cities do better. And if you decide you want more options later, you can always upgrade to Class A by passing one more written test.
| CDL Class | Vehicle Type | Weight Requirements | Common Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class A | Combination vehicles (tractor + trailer) | GCWR 26,001+ lbs, towed vehicle 10,000+ lbs | Long-haul trucking, tankers, flatbeds |
| Class B | Single vehicles or small trailers | GVWR 26,001+ lbs, towed vehicle under 10,000 lbs | Buses, delivery trucks, dump trucks |
| Class C | Vehicles not meeting A or B criteria | Under 26,001 lbs with 16+ passengers or hazmat | Small buses, hazmat vans |
Study and pass 3 knowledge exams at your state DMV: General Knowledge, Air Brakes, Pre-Trip Inspection. Score 80% or higher on each test. Select your state above to start practicing with our free tests.
Once you pass the written tests, you get your CLP. It's a learner's permit for commercial vehicles - you can drive, but only with a licensed CDL holder in the passenger seat. You have to hold it for at least 14 days before you can take the skills test.
Federal law requires ELDT (Entry-Level Driver Training) for all first-time CDL applicants. You'll need two parts: theory training, which you can do online, and behind-the-wheel training with a registered provider. Our ELDT theory course is FMCSA-registered and 100% online - finish it whenever works for you.
Three parts here. Pre-Trip Inspection: you walk around the vehicle and explain what you're checking. Basic Control: backing up, parking, that kind of thing. Road Test: actual driving in traffic. Pro tip for backing maneuvers: use GOAL (Get Out And Look) - examiners actually want to see you do it. Clear all three and your CLP becomes a full Class B CDL. More on CDL requirements and classifications.
Once you pass the written exams and get your CLP, there's one more step before the skills test: ELDT (Entry-Level Driver Training). We offer the theory portion online - no classroom required.