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Free Delaware CDL Practice Tests — Your Complete Study Guide

Pass your Delaware CDL permit exam with 80%+ on the first try

Trusted by CDL drivers — 65,000+ downloads
4 years helping drivers get their permit
Based on official Delaware CDL handbook

Updated: June 2026

What You Need to Study

General Knowledge

The foundation of your CDL exam. Covers traffic laws, safe driving techniques, vehicle inspection procedures, cargo handling, and federal regulations every commercial driver must understand.

Combination Vehicles

Essential for driving tractor-trailers. Covers coupling and uncoupling procedures, rollover prevention, inspecting combination vehicles, and safely maneuvering with attached trailers.

Air Brakes

Required for any vehicle equipped with air brakes. Covers how air brake systems work, dual air brake systems, inspecting air brakes, and using them safely in all conditions.

Endorsement Tests

HazMat

Required for transporting hazardous materials. Covers placarding, labeling, loading procedures, emergency response, and compliance with federal hazmat regulations.

Tanker

Required for driving tank vehicles used to transport liquids or gases in bulk. Covers safe loading, unloading, and driving techniques specific to tanker operations.

Doubles & Triples

Required for pulling double or triple trailers. Covers coupling and uncoupling multiple trailers, safe driving practices, and inspection procedures for multi-trailer rigs.

Passenger

Required for operating vehicles designed to transport 16 or more passengers. Covers passenger safety, loading, emergency exits, and pre-trip inspection requirements.

Free Delaware CDL Practice Tests — Your Complete Study Guide

  1. What should you do when merging?

    • Merge at a much lower speed than the flow of traffic.
    • Use your mirrors to make sure the gap in traffic is large enough for you to enter safely.
    • Merge without signaling.
  2. Documents related to hazardous materials transportation must be stored ___.

    • In the pouch of the driver door.
    • Attached to the sun visor.
    • In a box on the trailer.
  3. Which of these statements about driving through a tunnel is correct?

    • Keep windows open for fresh air.
    • Turn off all lights inside the truck.
    • There may be strong winds when exiting.
  4. Among these vehicles, which is more likely to experience off-tracking during turns?

    • Tractor with 45-feet trailer.
    • 28-feet box truck
    • 45-feet straight truck
  5. Under what circumstances should you sound your horn?

    • If it helps to avoid a crash.
    • To let others know you are running late.
    • To say hello to a friend on the sidewalk.
  6. Identify the incorrect statement regarding alcohol consumption.

    • A drinker can control how fast his or her body absorbs alcohol.
    • Alcohol goes directly from the stomach to the blood stream.
    • BAC is determined by how fast you drink; how much you drink and how much you eat.
  7. If your vehicle is missing ____ or more leaves from any leaf spring, it won't be allowed to be used.

    • 1/3
    • 1/4
    • 1/2
  8. Select the correct statement regarding the transportation of hazardous materials.

    • Any truck carrying any amount of hazardous materials must have placards.
    • Hazardous materials can be disposed of in regular trash bins if the containers are sealed.
    • All hazardous materials present health and safety danger.
  9. To figure out how much alcohol is in someone's blood (BAC), you need to know:

    • Their height.
    • The time of day they drink alcohol
    • Their weight.
  10. What is the right way to hold a steering wheel?

    • With one hand on the top of the wheel and the other on your lap.
    • With your knees, while using your hands to adjust the radio.
    • With both hands, on opposite sides of the wheel.

What Are You Preparing For?

Select one or more options so we can show you exactly which tests you need to take.

What You Need to Study

Semi truck on highway representing general CDL knowledge
1

General Knowledge

16 sections · 800 questions

The foundation of your CDL exam. Covers traffic laws, safe driving techniques, vehicle inspection procedures, cargo handling, and federal regulations every commercial driver must understand.

Section 1

50 questions

Fifth wheel coupling mechanism on a semi truck
2

Combination Vehicles

9 sections · 180 questions

Essential for driving tractor-trailers. Covers coupling and uncoupling procedures, rollover prevention, inspecting combination vehicles, and safely maneuvering with attached trailers.

Section 1

20 questions

Air brake supply and parking brake controls in a truck cab
3

Air Brakes

6 sections · 150 questions

Required for any vehicle equipped with air brakes. Covers how air brake systems work, dual air brake systems, inspecting air brakes, and using them safely in all conditions.

Section 1

25 questions

Endorsement Tests

Additional endorsements you may need depending on the type of vehicle or cargo you plan to operate.

Hazardous materials placards for CDL endorsement test

HazMat

9 sections · 202 questions

Required for transporting hazardous materials. Covers placarding, labeling, loading procedures, emergency response, and compliance with federal hazmat regulations.

Section 1

30 questions

Tanker truck for CDL endorsement test

Tanker

6 sections · 133 questions

Required for driving tank vehicles used to transport liquids or gases in bulk. Covers safe loading, unloading, and driving techniques specific to tanker operations.

Section 1

20 questions

Double trailer truck for CDL endorsement test

Doubles & Triples

7 sections · 144 questions

Required for pulling double or triple trailers. Covers coupling and uncoupling multiple trailers, safe driving practices, and inspection procedures for multi-trailer rigs.

Section 1

20 questions

Passenger bus for CDL endorsement test

Passenger

6 sections · 123 questions

Required for operating vehicles designed to transport 16 or more passengers. Covers passenger safety, loading, emergency exits, and pre-trip inspection requirements.

Section 1

20 questions

CDL Help app on mobile device showing a practice test question

Your Path to a Commercial Driver's License

To get a CDL, you must first study for and pass the permit exam at the DMV. After you receive your permit, you can take commercial vehicle driving classes and complete the required training. The final step is passing the official driving exam to earn your CDL. Our practice tests help you prepare for the DMV permit exam with real-style questions, and we also provide extra study materials and helpful resources to guide you through the process.

To obtain a CDL in Delaware, you must pass three written permit tests — General Knowledge, Combination Vehicles, and Air Brakes — at the Delaware Department of Motor Vehicles. Similar to a regular driver's license permit exam, these are timed, multiple-choice tests based on the official Delaware CDL handbook.

All of our practice material is built from the official Delaware CDL handbook and federal resources, and curated by professionals with over 10 years of experience in the commercial transportation industry. Studying with practice tests that mirror the real exam format is one of the most effective ways to pass on your first try.

On this page you'll find free practice tests for all three sections. For the full question bank and additional study features, download the CDL Help app.

Delaware CDL Knowledge Test: Format & Requirements

The CDL knowledge (written) test follows the same federal standards in Delaware as nationwide. Here's what to expect.

80%
Passing score (every test)
50
General Knowledge questions
18/21
Min. age — in-state / interstate
14
Days holding permit before road test

Questions by test

General Knowledge50 questions
Air Brakes25 questions
Combination Vehicles20 questions
HazMat30 questions
Tanker20 questions
Passenger20 questions
Doubles & Triples20 questions
School Bus20 questions

Passing score, question counts, and test format are federal standards (FMCSA, 49 CFR Part 383). Always confirm current details with your state's official CDL handbook.

Delaware CDL Fees & Licensing

CDL permit (CLP)
$10
CDL license
$55

State-charged fees as of June 2026. Amounts change — confirm current fees with the official agency.

CDL Requirements in Delaware

State DMV49 CFR §391.11

  • Must be at least 18 years old for intrastate (within Delaware) commercial driving.
  • Must be at least 21 years old for interstate commerce, hazardous materials, or transporting passengers across state lines.
  • Must be a Delaware resident and provide proof of Delaware residency. Anyone who has been a Delaware resident for 30 or more days may not drive a CMV under another state's CDL.
  • Must provide proof of legal presence and a valid Social Security card.
  • Must hold a valid Delaware driver's license.
  • Must pass vision screening and the General Knowledge written test (50 questions, 80% passing) to obtain a CLP. CLP fee: $5. CLP valid for 1 year, non-renewable.
  • Must hold CLP for at least 14 days before taking the CDL skills test.
  • Must provide a valid medical examiner's certificate from an FMCSA National Registry examiner. Effective June 23, 2025, medical certificates must be submitted electronically only — paper certificates no longer accepted.
  • Must self-certify driving status (interstate/intrastate, excepted/non-excepted).
  • Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) is required for first-time Class A or Class B CDL, upgrades from B to A, and first-time P, S, or H endorsements.
  • Delaware launched the modernized CDL skills test on February 26, 2025.
  • Skills test by appointment only (weekdays except Wednesday). Fees: $25 (Class A/B), $12.50 (Class C).
  • Hazmat (H) endorsement requires TSA background check and proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident status.
  • CDL classes: Class A (combined GVWR over 26,000 lbs towing over 10,000 lbs), Class B (single vehicle over 26,000 lbs), Class C (under 26,000 lbs for 16+ passengers or hazmat).

Official Delaware CDL Handbook

The official Delaware Commercial Driver's License Manual covers every topic tested on the state's CDL knowledge exam — but its dense, reference-style format makes it difficult for self-study. A more effective preparation tool is our set of General Knowledge practice tests. Our free Delaware CDL permit practice test is structured to closely match the format and content of the official exam and is fully updated as of February 2026. Each test includes 20 questions covering critical topics such as vehicle inspection, safe driving techniques, air brakes, cargo securement, driving emergencies, hazardous conditions, and Delaware-specific commercial driving regulations. Unlike the official test, every practice question comes with a helpful hint and a detailed explanation of the correct answer — so you learn from every question, not just the ones you get right.

  • Complete CDL regulations and Delaware-specific requirements
  • Safe driving techniques, vehicle inspection, and cargo handling
  • All endorsement categories and testing requirements

Non-Domiciled CDL Information

Important information about non-domiciled commercial driver's licenses in Delaware.

Federal regulations on non-domiciled CDLs are changing rapidly. The information below reflects the latest known state actions.

Delaware issues non-domiciled CDLs under 21 Del. C. § 2609 to applicants domiciled in a foreign jurisdiction where the U.S. Secretary of Transportation has determined testing/licensing standards do not meet federal requirements, or to applicants domiciled in a state prohibited from issuing CDLs. The word "non-domiciled" must appear on the face of the credential, and applicants must surrender any non-domiciled CDL/CLP issued by another state.

Under the FMCSA final rule published on February 13, 2026 (effective March 16, 2026), eligibility for non-domiciled CLPs and CDLs is now restricted to foreign-domiciled individuals holding specific, verifiable employment-based nonimmigrant statuses — specifically H-2A (agricultural workers), H-2B (non-agricultural workers), and E-2 (treaty investors) visa holders. Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) are no longer accepted as proof of eligibility, and states must use the SAVE system to verify immigration status. Existing valid non-domiciled CDLs/CLPs are not automatically cancelled; new restrictions apply at future issuances and renewals. This rule aligns the issuance of non-domiciled CDLs with FMCSA's statutory mandate to ensure the fitness of all CMV drivers, restoring the integrity of the CDL system and enhancing public safety.[FMCSA Final Rule]

English Language Proficiency (ELP)

Federal ELP enforcement applies to all CDL holders nationwide.

Federal ELP enforcement applies to all CDL holders nationwide. Here is how it is enforced in Delaware.

Delaware does not currently administer a separate state-level English Language Proficiency (ELP) test for CDL applicants. However, all Delaware CDL holders are subject to federal ELP enforcement, which took effect on June 25, 2025. Under FMCSA guidance, all roadside inspections must begin in English, and if a driver appears unable to understand or respond appropriately, the officer proceeds with a formal two-step English Proficiency Assessment — a conversational interview in English (no interpreters, translation apps, or other language facilitation tools are permitted), followed by a test on reading and interpreting standard U.S. traffic signs. Drivers who fail either step face citation and immediate out-of-service status under CVSA North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria.