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  • Updated for January 2025
  • Based on 2025 IL commercial driver's license manual

Free Illinois CDL Permit Practice Test: General Knowledge 2025

We’re glad you decided to take our free Illinois CDL permit practice test! This practice test will help you prepare to pass the official CDL General Knowledge test. By now, you’ve probably read a good deal of the official Illinois Commercial Driver’s License Study Guide (Illinois CDL Handbook 2025) at least once. By taking this practice test, you’ll absorb the relevant material and become more accustomed to being tested on it. The practice test is based on the official state CDL Study Guide, just like the official knowledge test. It is up to date as of January, 2025 and has 50 multiple-choice questions. The questions on this practice test will assess your understanding of such topics as cargo management, driving emergencies, vehicle components, and driving in various situations. However, this practice test differs from the official knowledge test in the extra features it provides to help you learn, including a hint and an explanation of the correct answer for each question, and an automated assistant for even more help.

By passing the official knowledge test, submitting to a medical examination, and meeting a few other requirements, you’ll be eligible to obtain a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP). This credential will allow you to practice commercial driving under the supervision of someone who already holds a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).

By practicing commercial driving, you’ll become sufficiently good at it to pass the official skills test, a necessary step for you to obtain a CDL. The skills test will evaluate you on performing basic vehicle maneuvers, a pre-trip inspection, and a road test.

There are three classes of CDLs: Class A is typically for large combination vehicles, such as semi-trucks and tractor-trailers. Class B is typically for single-unit vehicles, such as large buses and straight trucks, including box trucks and most dump trucks. Class C is typically for smaller commercial vehicles that transport hazardous materials or at least 16 occupants (including the driver), such as shuttle buses and small trucks carrying hazardous materials. Decide which class you want, based on the types of vehicles you expect to be driving commercially in your career.

Once you obtain a CDL and all endorsements you need, you can start earning money as a commercial driver. Illinois’ economy depends heavily on truck and bus traffic. Illinois has one of the greatest intermodal transportation hubs in America, including huge rail and highway networks and airports for air freight. Interstate 90 and Interstate 94, which intersect in Chicago, make up one of the busiest trucking routes in the country. Interstate 80 is another major commercial route.

But that future starts with you studying hard to pass that General Knowledge test and earn that CLP. Good luck!

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IL commercial driver's license
  • Perfect for first-time and renewal CDL/CLP applicants, and those adding endorsements
  • Triple-checked for accuracy

What you need to know

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What to expect on the actual IL DMV exam

30

questions

24

correct answers to pass

80%

passing score

List of questions (classic view)

  1. The aggregate working load limit of your cargo tiedowns must be at least ______ times the weight of the cargo.
  2. When you first approach your vehicle, which of these should you look out for?
  3. When beginning a long downgrade, which of the following should NOT influence your choice of speed?
  4. When is it safe to remove the radiator cap?
  5. As you approach a work crew on the highway, you should
  6. Which of these statements about a spare tire is FALSE?
  7. What is the minimum tread depth for tires that are not front tires?
  8. Why might your brakes start to fade going downhill?
  9. When checking your vehicle's load, you must make sure it conforms to
  10. A GPS device
  11. What is the safest way to control your speed on a downgrade?
  12. Which of the following should make you reject a vehicle until it is corrected?
  13. If you smell exhaust fumes in the cab, what should you do?
  14. If you're driving a 30-foot vehicle below 40 miles per hour, how much following distance should you leave between you and the vehicle in front?
  15. What are blocking and bracing?
  16. What is the most important reason for your pre-trip inspection?
  17. Who is responsible for making sure all lights and mirrors are clean?
  18. If your vehicle catches fire, where should you pull over?
  19. What is the most important reason to signal well before you turn?
  20. Which of the following will not prevent distracted driving?
  21. If you start to become sleepy while driving, what should you do?
  22. Why do vehicles hauling hazardous materials need warning placards?
  23. Your truck's stopping distance will be shortest when it is
  24. Where can you find the maximum weight loading for a given tire pressure?
  25. How far into your trip should you make your first inspection of your cargo?
  26. When you check your tires, which of the following should NOT cause you concern?
  27. How should you check for leaks in hydraulic brakes?
  28. If there are two left turn lanes for you to choose from, you should
  29. Before performing Step 2 (Check Engine Compartment) of the seven-step inspection, you must check that
  30. How do you calculate the distance between your vehicle and the one ahead of you?
  31. Before descending a hill, you must be in the right gear because
  32. What is the best way to know what another driver is doing?
  33. You should NOT use your low-beam headlights
  34. When backing up, which side should you back toward?
  35. How many times should you shift gears while crossing railroad tracks?
  36. How often should you check your gauges (air pressure, temperature, etc.)?
  37. When you see a hazard ahead, what should you do?
  38. When double clutching, what should you do if you have difficulty getting into the next gear?
  39. How should you care for conscious accident victims?
  40. What's the most important tool you have for monitoring the condition of your vehicle on the road?
  41. You should have at least one tie-down for every ____ feet of cargo.
  42. You should NOT use water on a _______ fire.
  43. To pull away in snow or icy conditions, you should
  44. As you approach on- and off-ramps, you should remember
  45. Both federal and state law require __________ to inspect a commercial motor vehicle before a trip.
  46. Why should you make sure to keep your vehicle in the middle of your lane?
  47. Which of these substances can impair your ability to drive safely?
  48. You should downshift in advance before
  49. In very hot weather, how often should you inspect your tires?
  50. Your hands should be at the _______ o'clock positions on the steering wheel.

FAQs

How do you obtain a CDL in Illinois?

To get a CDL in Illinois, start by obtaining a commercial learner's permit (CLP) after passing the required knowledge tests. Hold the CLP for at least 14 days, then complete CDL training (optional but recommended) and pass the skills test. Ensure you meet all medical and legal requirements.

What is the cost of getting a CDL?

The cost for a CDL in Illinois includes a $50 fee for the CDL, plus additional fees for endorsements and CDL training programs, if you choose to enroll in one.

What are the different types of CDL?

In Illinois, CDL types include Class A (for combination vehicles), Class B (for heavy straight vehicles), and Class C (for vehicles designed to transport 16 or more passengers or hazardous materials).

What is the first step in getting a CDL?

The first step in getting a CDL in Illinois is to obtain a commercial learner's permit (CLP) by passing the written knowledge tests for the type of vehicle you plan to drive.

How long does CDL training last?

CDL training duration in Illinois varies by program. Typically, it can range from a few weeks to several months, depending on the type of training (full-time or part-time) and the specific requirements of the CDL class you are pursuing.

Is CDL school required in Illinois?

CDL school is not mandatory in Illinois, but it is highly recommended. Proper training can significantly increase your chances of passing the skills test and being better prepared for a career in commercial driving.

Are you in another state?

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