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  • Updated for December 2024
  • Based on 2024 RI commercial driver's license manual

Free Rhode Island CDL Permit Practice Test: General Knowledge 2024

Welcome to our free Rhode Island CDL permit practice test! By taking this practice test, you can improve your chances of passing the official CDL General Knowledge test on commercial driving theory. The standard reference for commercial driving in Rhode Island is the official Rhode Island Commercial Driver License Manual (Rhode Island CDL Handbook 2024), which you should be reading. When you take this practice test, you’ll absorb the relevant information from the manual more easily. The practice test is based on the official state CDL manual, just like the official knowledge test. It’s up to date as of December, 2024 and has 50 multiple-choice questions. The questions on this practice test will assess your understanding of such topics as cargo management, emergency preparedness, following distance, and pre-trip inspections. Unlike the official knowledge test, this practice test comes with extra features 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 some 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.

Once you obtain a CDL and the endorsements you need for the vehicles you want to drive, the world of commercial driving will be open to you. Key economic sectors in Rhode Island include health services and manufacturing, which employ commercial drivers. In addition, the state serves as a vital hub for the movement of freight across the northeast United States, much of it by truck. The Port of Providence is New England’s second-largest deep-water port and a major intermodal transportation hub, located near Interstates 95 and 195. Note: Seaports, like airports, are secure facilities. You may need to obtain a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) card to pick up cargo at the Port of Providence.

Tourism is another important economic sector in Rhode Island, creating a demand for charter bus drivers. In addition, the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) hires bus drivers to operate over 60 transit bus routes.

In addition to the previously mentioned I-95, major commercial routes include Interstate 295 and U.S. Route 6, both of which enable drivers to bypass the frequent traffic congestion on I-95; and State Route 146, which connects Providence to Worcester in central Massachusetts.

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RI 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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Verified by Steven Litvintchouk, M.S., Chief Educational Researcher, Member of ACES. See our detailed commitment to accuracy and quality in our practice tests.
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What to expect on the actual RI DMV exam

50

questions

40

correct answers to pass

80%

passing score

List of questions (classic view)

  1. After you submit an Affidavit for CDL History Check, your CDL history for the past _______ will be checked.
  2. What is the best way to figure out how many seconds of following distance you have?
  3. What is the definition of a hazard?
  4. Before transporting a sealed load, you must check
  5. For how long will you lose your CDL driving privileges if you are convicted of a second DUI offense in either a CMV or your private vehicle?
  6. You should put the starter switch key into your pocket while you perform the pre-trip inspection because
  7. What is the gross vehicle weight (GVW)?
  8. You don't want to be a distracted driver, so you
  9. If you are traveling at 55 mph in a 30-foot vehicle, you should leave how many seconds of following distance?
  10. Why is it important to use a helper when backing?
  11. The minimum tire tread depth for front tires is
  12. To transport cargo safely, which of the following are you NOT responsible for?
  13. What is a common cause of tire fires?
  14. If you are confronted by an aggressive driver, what should you do?
  15. Always try to back toward the driver's side because
  16. Which of these is NOT part of the basic method for shifting up?
  17. Do empty trucks have the best braking?
  18. Letting the air out of hot tires
  19. To help you stay alert and safe while driving, you should
  20. Which of the following statements about retarders are correct?
  21. While driving at night, which lights should you use as often as you can?
  22. Which of the following should you NOT do if you experience a tire failure?
  23. How can you start moving without rolling backward?
  24. If you double your speed, how much more distance will it take to brake to a stop?
  25. Where should you place your warning devices if you must stop on a one-way road or divided highway?
  26. Starting the engine and inspecting the cab involves each of the following tasks EXCEPT
  27. Which of the following is NOT something you should check during a trip?
  28. What will help a drunk sober up?
  29. Why should you cover your cargo?
  30. On which of the following types of fires should you NOT use a B:C fire extinguisher?
  31. Hazardous materials placards are
  32. To maintain alertness on your trips, you should
  33. In which of the following two situations should you downshift?
  34. How often must you stop to check your cargo while on the road?
  35. What might happen if you swing wide to the left before you turn right?
  36. It has just reached freezing. Which of the following areas may be slippery?
  37. The most important hand signal that you and a helper should agree on is
  38. How can you determine if your vehicle is equipped with an antilock braking system (ABS)?
  39. How many tie-downs are required for a 20-foot load?
  40. Which of the following is a key steering component?
  41. You should inspect wheel bearing seals for
  42. If the engine is not overheated, is it completely safe to remove the radiator cap?
  43. Total stopping distance equals
  44. When you start to drive down a steep downgrade, which of the following should influence your choice of speed?
  45. An antilock braking system (ABS) will
  46. During your pre-trip test, when examining hoses with the instructor, you need to look for
  47. On wet roads, you should reduce your speed by
  48. How long does it take a typical tractor-trailer to clear a double railroad track?
  49. What can you do at an accident scene to help avoid another accident?
  50. Which is NOT one of the four basic skills that operating a commercial motor vehicle requires?
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