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View All Plans| 90-100 | => | 17% |
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| 70-79 | => | 67% |
| 60-69 | => | 0% |
| <60% | => | 8% |
Before you can train for a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), you must hold a Iowa Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP), which attests to your knowledge of pre-trip inspections and other aspects of driving theory. You should be able to identify deficiencies in the systems and components of your vehicle that could put your safety at risk. By using a checklist to thoroughly inspect the most vital parts of your vehicle, such as the tires, battery, mirrors, and engine, you can prevent an accident or mechanical malfunction. Federal regulation 49 CFR § 396.13 requires drivers to conduct a pre-trip inspection to verify the safety of their vehicle before driving on public roads. Some public roads, such as I-80 in Des Moines, can be heavily congested; a malfunctioning commercial vehicle could affect a large number of motorists.
This Iowa DOT CDL Pre-Trip Inspection Practice Test contains the most valuable and authoritative information to teach you about this safety measure. Although there are several requirements for getting a CLP, one of the most important is passing the CDL General Knowledge Test. There is no shortage of important skills you must demonstrate on the official knowledge test, including pre-trip inspections. If you are nervous about needing to display your understanding, the practice test will put you at ease with its stress-free approach to your study. The official knowledge test requires you to answer 80% of the 20 questions correctly to receive a passing score. The practice test will effectively train you to reach that target in a time-efficient manner.
M.S., Chief Educational Researcher (ACES member)
Last verified for accuracy on
The CDL Pre-Inspection Practice Test uses an innovative approach that outperforms every other on-line resource available. Since pre-trip inspections are vital to your safety, you don’t want to skimp on important details. The practice test is based on the most recent Iowa DOT CDL driver’s manual (Iowa CDL Handbook 2026) and up to date as of January 2026. It is interactive and provides additional instruction to fill any knowledge gaps. If you submit an incorrect answer, the practice test provides a detailed explanation of the correct one. This approach helps you track your readiness to take the official knowledge test while helping you overcome all the obstacles to passing it. In comparison, a study guide will not give you any information to help you understand why your answer was incorrect. It is designed to merely help you memorize the answers to the questions. You can rely on the practice test to elevate you to an expert knowledge of pre-trip inspections that will keep you on the road with safety in mind.
Clint Eastwood made Madison County bridges famous, and you can claim your driving fame with practice tests for other U.S. states and Washington D.C. at https://driving-tests.org/academy/drivers-license.
Driver’s Ed is - nobody wants to set foot inside the DOT. That’s why millions of learners trust us for simple, visual, effective prep.
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.
Our trademarked system automatically saves questions you miss, creating personalized tests that target your weak spots until you’ve mastered the material.
Get smarter as you study. Our new AI-powered feedback provides detailed, question-level insights to help you understand the why behind each answer.
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.
We build our practice questions from the current 2026 IA Driver Handbook and refine them using patterns recent test‑takers report.
Driver handbook • Knowledge‑test/permit overview • Fees & ID requirements • Office/appointment info
We mirror recurring themes (e.g., right‑of‑way traps, sign look‑alikes) and use similar distractors and wording styles.
We don’t collect or publish actual test items and we’re not affiliated with DOT.
