1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
All tests
/
 
 
 
 
 
Advertisement

Free Colorado CDL Permit Practice Test: General Knowledge 2026

Avg. pass rate on our CO tests: 62%.
Average pass rate for this test: 56%.
Moderate
72% fail this test first try • Better here than at DMV
Score distribution:
90-100=>15%
80-89=>20%
70-79=>30%
60-69=>23%
<60%=>13%
Avg. first-try score: 72%

Welcome! You’re probably here because you want to pass the official General Knowledge test on commercial driving theory, which you must do to obtain a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP). We hope you’ve been reading the official Colorado Commercial Driver License Manual (Colorado CDL Handbook 2026) because the official knowledge test questions are based on it. But are you also looking for some additional help to further improve your chances of passing the test?

Well, that’s what we’re here for! We’ve helped thousands of aspiring car drivers and commercial drivers pass their respective knowledge exams, and we’re going to help you too.

This free Colorado CDL permit practice test, one of several we offer, is based on the official manual, just like the official General Knowledge test. The practice test is up to date as of January, 2026. As you practice answering questions about the stuff you’ve been reading in the manual, that material will get easier to remember, increasing your chances of passing the official exam. To make your studying easier, each of the 50 practice questions comes with a helpful hint and an explanation of the correct answer. The practice questions on this test will assess your knowledge of such topics as basic vehicle maneuvers, cargo management, emergency preparedness, and pre-trip inspections. If you need help to answer a question, our automated assistant can give you a hint. If you still miss the question, the assistant can provide you with an explanation of the correct answer.

Tricky exam topics covered here:
Wet & Slippery Roads
Towing & Trailers
Safe Following Distance
Free Colorado CDL Permit Practice Test: General Knowledge 2026
Commercial Driver's License
Original questions by our team Based on 2026 CO CDL Handbook

Reviewed for legal and handbook accuracy

Steven Litvintchouk

M.S., Chief Educational Researcher (ACES member)

Last verified for accuracy on

Test design and learning experience oversight

Andrei Zakhareuski

Co-founder & CEO, Driving-Tests.org

Questions are created and maintained by the Driving-Tests.org content team following our multi-layer editorial process and updated whenever the Colorado DMV changes its handbook or website information. Official sources we check: 

About the Colorado CDL

Once you obtain a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP), you can start practicing for the official skills test. Passing the skills test is a necessary step toward obtaining a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).

Once you hold a CDL, you can start earning real money as a licensed commercial driver. Economic sectors in Colorado’s diversified economy include agriculture (hay, corn, wheat, and beef), high-tech industries such as aerospace, manufacturing, and gold mining and production. All these sectors need truck drivers to transport their products. High-tech industries also need truck drivers to deliver equipment and supplies to them. Bus drivers are employed by public transportation services, both intra-city and inter-city. The state’s tourism industry also employs bus drivers to transport visitors to ski resorts and on tours through mountain towns.

You’ll soon become familiar with Colorado’s major commercial routes. Interstate 25, heavily used by truckers, runs from Wyoming through Denver and then to New Mexico. Interstate 70 runs from Utah to Maryland. Interstate 76 and U.S. Route 285 are used by truckers to transport agricultural products.

Real users who passed the exam first try

Verified student reviews • Shared with permission

We know what it takes to pass. And we’ve got the proof.

Driver’s Ed is - nobody wants to set foot inside the DMV. That’s why millions of learners trust us for simple, visual, effective prep.

An official & trusted partner in driver education

We are an officially recognized FMCSA Entry-Level Driver Training provider and a proud partner to over 2,500 libraries. We work with safety organizations like GHSA and the National Safety Council to help create safer roads for everyone.

A smarter way to study

Challenge Bank™

Our trademarked system automatically saves questions you miss, creating personalized tests that target your weak spots until you’ve mastered the material.

AI-powered feedback

Get smarter as you study. Our new AI-powered feedback provides detailed, question-level insights to help you understand the why behind each answer.

Interactive handbook

Go beyond the boring black-and-white manual. Our interactive handbook lets you read, listen with an MP3 audio version, or even chat with it to find the information you need, faster.

FAQs

What are the requirements you need to know?

To get a CDL license in Colorado, you need to obtain a commercial learner's permit (CLP) by passing knowledge tests. Hold the CLP for at least 14 days before taking the skills test. You also need to meet age, medical, and residency requirements. CDL training, while not mandatory, is highly recommended.

What is the associated cost?

The cost for a CDL in Colorado includes a $16.80 fee for the CLP and varying fees for the skills test, typically around $275. The CDL license fee is $35. Additional costs for medical exams and training programs vary.

What can get you disqualified from being eligible?

In Colorado, disqualifications include major traffic offenses like DUIs or reckless driving, criminal convictions involving motor vehicles, and failing the medical examination required for CDL holders.

How long does the process take?

The time to get a CDL in Colorado varies. After holding a CLP for 14 days, the duration depends on your readiness and the length of any CDL training program you choose to enroll in.

How many times are you allowed to fail?

In Colorado, you can retake the CDL test if you fail, but after two failed attempts, additional fees will be required for subsequent tests. There is no set limit on the number of retakes.

4.35/5
186 votes
Click a star to add your vote
Ask AI Coach
Hi there! I'm Officer Frank