Class B CDL Practice Test

A Class B CDL is for a large single vehicle. Under 49 CFR 383.91, that means any single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more, such as a straight truck, dump truck, or city transit bus, including one towing a trailer with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or less. Your state sets the exact test format; this page covers what the federal rules require everywhere.

What knowledge areas apply

Every CDL applicant, regardless of class, must have the General Knowledge listed at 49 CFR 383.111(a). If your vehicle is equipped with air brakes, 49 CFR 383.111(b) additionally requires air brake knowledge. Combination Vehicles knowledge is a separate area at 49 CFR 383.111(c); 49 CFR 383.135(a)(3) requires passing the combination-vehicle portion of the knowledge test to be issued a Group A (Class A) license specifically, so a Class B applicant isn't federally required to pass it. If you'll be towing anything, check with your state, since some states test combination knowledge more broadly than the federal floor requires. Practice both of the areas that do apply here:General KnowledgeandAir Brakes(25 questions).

The skills test

Under 49 CFR 383.113, the skills test has three parts: a pre-trip vehicle inspection, basic vehicle control skills, and safe on-road driving, each required for the vehicle class you're testing in. A Class B test is taken in a Class B vehicle, without the tractor-trailer special-features inspection item (383.113(a)(1)(ix)) a Class A test includes.

Getting there: permit, training, test

The sequence (permit, entry-level driver training if it applies to you, then the skills test) is the same one every CDL applicant follows; seehow to get your CDLfor the full steps and the regulation behind each one. Since February 7, 2022, 49 CFR 380.603 requires completing entry-level driver training (ELDT) from a provider on FMCSA's Training Provider Registry, and 49 CFR 383.71(a)(10) requires finishing it before a first-time Class A or B applicant can take the skills test, with exceptions for drivers already excepted from CDL requirements, restricted-CDL and qualifying military applicants, anyone only removing a restriction, and anyone who held a CLP before February 7, 2022 and gets their CDL before that CLP expires (380.603(a) and (c)). Training cost varies a lot; seewhat a CDL costsfor a real example. Most drivers also need aDOT medical card.

What this doesn't tell you

Your state DMV sets the exact knowledge test's question count, time limit, and the manual it's drawn from, and decides exactly what a Class B license authorizes beyond the Group B definition above. Confirm those details with your state before test day. See ourCDL study guidefor a topic-by-topic walkthrough of each section, orClass A CDL practice testif you'll be pulling a heavier trailer.