To get a Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) in Illinois, you must meet several requirements set by the Secretary of State (DMV) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The licensing process begins by obtaining a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP), which requires passing the official general knowledge written exam and two additional written tests, depending on your goals. For a Class A CDL, aspiring commercial drivers must also score 80% or higher on the official combination vehicles knowledge exam. Since most commercial vehicles are equipped with an air braking system, you should also consider passing the official air brakes knowledge test to remove the L restriction from your CDL. The passing score for this test is also 80%.
You must also complete Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) from a provider listed in the Training Provider Registry (TPR). This training includes both theory and behind-the-wheel instruction. Once you’ve completed the training and gained enough experience, you can schedule a CDL skills test, which includes a pre-trip inspection, a basic control test, and an on-road driving exam.
Our Illinois CDL Class A Practice Test can help you learn the theory behind safe commercial driving. This intuitive tool has been designed to boost your learning potential. It consists of 95 multiple-choice questions based on the official Illinois Commercial Driver’s License Study Guide (Illinois CDL Handbook 2025). You must score 80% or higher to pass, leaving little room for error.
Do not get discouraged by a failed attempt. Mistakes are a natural part of the learning journey, and we help you learn from them. Each question you get wrong will be automatically added to your personal Challenge Bank™, where you’ll find detailed explanations and helpful insight. Questions in your Challenge Bank will remain there until you answer them correctly, so we recommend visiting this section regularly.
Your dream career is within reach. Every hour you spend learning commercial driving theory brings you closer to getting your Class A CDL. Use our Illinois CDL Class A Practice Test alongside the official commercial driver’s license study guide to master this subject and ace the official written knowledge exam on your first attempt.