VA CDL Pre-Trip Inspection Practice Test 2025

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

Passing the Virginia CDL General Knowledge Exam is a mandatory step to obtaining a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP). Failing this exam results in a minimum one-day waiting period and an additional fee to reschedule. Once obtained, the CLP allows supervised driving for up to 180 days, with one renewal permitted. You must pass the CDL skills test within this window. After holding the CLP for at least 14 days, you’ll be eligible for the Virginia’s CDL skills exam, which includes the federally mandated Pre-Trip Inspection Test (49 CFR § 392.7 and 49 CFR § 396.13). The inspection test is one of three parts necessary to pass the Virginia’s CDL skills exam (the others being the basic control skills test and road test). Our Virginia Pre-Trip Inspection Practice Tests are your key to acing all pre-trip inspection questions on the General Knowledge Test.

The Virginia General Knowledge Exam and Pre-Trip Inspection Test evaluate your ability to inspect engine components, brakes, suspension, and lights, among other items. During the inspection, examiners must determine that you can properly ensure your vehicle is in safe operating condition. You must point to and explain each part’s function (the “Touch and Explain Rule”), why it must be checked, and its condition. For a vehicle with air brakes in Virginia, if you incorrectly perform any part of the four-step air brake check, you automatically fail the pre-trip inspection test. For hydraulic brakes, if you do not correctly complete both parts of the hydraulic brake check, you fail. If any portion is failed, you must retake the failed section after a one-day waiting period.

Mastering the pre-trip vehicle check is crucial for passing both the Virginia CDL General Knowledge Exam and the Pre-Trip Inspection Test. This process involves reviewing past inspections, inspecting the engine compartment, checking in-cab controls and gauges, verifying lights, conducting a full walk-around inspection, testing signal lights, and testing the brake system.

This 20-multiple-choice-question practice test is based on the most recent Virginia CDL manual (Virginia CDL Handbook 2025) and assesses your knowledge of pre-trip inspections. To speed learning, our tests provide detailed explanations after each response, speeding the learning process and ensuring you pass the General Knowledge test upon first attempt.

Please check out our other practice tests to prepare for different parts of the General Knowledge Test.