NC CDL Pre-Trip Inspection Practice Test 2025

Federal regulations require all commercial drivers to pass the Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) General Knowledge Exam and the CDL Pre-Trip Inspection Test (with additional requirements) to obtain a CDL. Without a CDL, you cannot legally drive a commercial vehicle unsupervised. These tests ensure that drivers can properly inspect critical vehicle components to prevent mechanical failures on the road. Failing the knowledge exam results in a mandatory one-day waiting period before retesting and paying an additional fee. Federal law (49 CFR § 392.7 and 49 CFR § 396.13) mandates the pre-trip inspection as part of the CDL skills exam, which includes basic control skills and a road test. Our North Carolina CDL Pre-Trip Inspection Practice Tests are designed to cover all necessary topics, ensuring you ace all the pre-trip inspection questions on your General Knowledge exam on the first attempt.

To obtain a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP), you must pass the General Knowledge Exam. Once you hold a CLP, you must pass all three sections of the CDL Skills Test within your CLP’s 180-day validity period (one renewal is allowed before requiring a full retest). According to the North Carolina Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Manual (North Carolina CDL Handbook 2025), if you fail any section of the skills test, you must retake only the failed section. If you fail the road/skills test twice, a fee will be charged for any additional attempts. The North Carolina CDL Pre-Trip Inspection Test requires you to demonstrate your knowledge and hands-on inspection skills by identifying and explaining essential vehicle parts.

The North Carolina’s required pre-trip inspection process involves thoroughly checking the vehicle’s engine compartment, cab controls, lights, tires, brakes, suspension, and cargo securement. Your examiner must declare that you can ensure all parts are in good working condition and defect-free. To do this, you must successfully point to, touch, and name each component during your Pre-Trip Inspection test and explain why it is being inspected.

This North Carolina CDL Pre-Trip Practice Test is based on the most recent North Carolina CDL manual and contains 20 multiple-choice questions to assess your knowledge of pre-trip inspections. It includes immediate and detailed explanations for each response, ensuring you pass the official knowledge test on your first attempt.

We have three more Pre-Trip Inspection practice tests. Please check them out!