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Based on official Virginia exam questions

Free Virginia CDL Air Brakes Test 2025

  • Perfect for first-time and renewal CDL/CLP applicants, and those adding endorsements

Securing a CDL without an air brake restriction is vital for expanded job opportunities in Virginia. Most semi-trucks, tractor-trailers, and commercial buses rely on air brakes for safe navigation. If you don’t pass the Virginia DMV CDL Air Brakes Knowledge Test, your CDL will include the restriction “L,” prohibiting you from operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) with air brakes. The steep grades of the Appalachian Mountains and Blue Ridge Parkway, and the rolling hills of the Piedmont, demand air brakes on heavy CMVs. The coastal plains and tidewater region are prone to flooding and slick road conditions, and winter’s ice and snow add additional hazards. Failing the air brakes test in Virginia results in a one-day waiting period (and retest fee) should you decide to retake the test. Our Virginia DMV CDL Air Brakes Practice Tests help you pass your knowledge exam on the first attempt.

The stop-and-go traffic of Virginia’s urban areas and major highways compounds the need for reliable air brakes. Major transportation routes include I-81 (running through western Virginia, I-64 (connecting the Blue Ridge Mountains to the coast), I-95 (running north-south along the east coast), and US-58 (running east-west).

The Old Dominion relies on drivers with the air brake qualification in key industries, including manufacturing, agriculture, logistics, defense, and energy. Major companies requiring this qualification include Newport News Shipbuilding and Northrop Grumman in the manufacturing and heavy equipment sector and FedEx Freight, UPS Freight, and XPO Logistics in the freight and logistics industry. Smithfield Foods, Perdue Farms, and Southern States Cooperative also rely on air brake-qualified drivers in the agriculture industry, as do Dominion Energy and Alpha Metallurgical Resources in energy and mining. Greyhound Lines and Virginia Motorcoach use air brake-equipped buses, as do the state school districts on full-size school buses. The “L” restriction makes the above-listed jobs unattainable.

Our CDL Air Brakes Practice Tests cover all essential knowledge for the official DMV Air Brakes Knowledge Test. The information you learn will also aid your preparations for your skills test. The written Air Brakes knowledge test features 25 multiple-choice questions based on the state’s CDL manual (Virginia CDL Handbook 2025) and requires a minimum passing score of 80%.

Our Practice Tests mimic the official knowledge test and offer real-time feedback on all responses. This helps you learn faster and ensures you pass the test.

Pass the first time with Premium
97% of our Premium users pass first try
9 min to complete
Available in EN and ES
VA commercial driver's license
Real exam-style pitfalls you’ll practice:
Common Traps
Distractors
Trick Wording
Double Negatives

Verified for accuracy: October 2025

Reviewed by Steven Litvintchouk, M.S.
Chief Educational Researcher (ACES member)
Methodology & Editorial Policy

What to expect on the actual VA exam

25

questions

20

correct answers to pass

80%

passing score

Are you in another state?

4.39/5
44 votes
Click a star to add your vote
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