Free Louisiana CDL Practice Tests — Your Complete Study Guide
Pass your Louisiana CDL permit exam with 80%+ on the first try
To obtain a CDL in Louisiana, you must pass three written permit tests — General Knowledge, Combination Vehicles, and Air Brakes — at the Louisiana Department of Motor Vehicles. Similar to a regular driver's license permit exam, these are timed, multiple-choice tests based on the official Louisiana CDL handbook.
All of our practice material is built from the official Louisiana 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.
What Are You Preparing For?
Select one or more options so we can show you exactly which tests you need to take.
Most drivers choose Class A CDL. It's required for any combination vehicle over 26,001 lbs — tractor-trailers, semis, and 18-wheelers. If you're not sure, this is the safest pick.
Class A CDL
Combination vehicles over 26,001 lbs GVWR. Required for tractor-trailers, tanker trucks, flatbeds, and most long-haul jobs.
Class B CDL
Single vehicles over 26,001 lbs GVWR. Common for straight trucks, large buses, dump trucks, and box trucks.
Endorsements
HazMat, Tanker, Doubles & Triples, and Passenger are add-ons for specific job requirements. If you're unsure, you don't need them — they can be added later.
What You Need to Study
Endorsement Tests
Additional endorsements you may need depending on the type of vehicle or cargo you plan to operate.
CDL Requirements in Louisiana
publicexpresslane49 CFR §391.11
- To obtain a Commercial Driver License (CDL) in Louisiana, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Must be at least 18 years old for intrastate (within Louisiana) commercial driving.
- Must be at least 21 years old for interstate commercial driving or to transport hazardous materials.
- Must hold a valid Louisiana driver's license.
- Must be domiciled in Louisiana. Two original documents showing name and Louisiana street address from separate sources are required.
- Must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. Acceptable citizenship documentation includes a certified birth certificate, valid U.S. passport, or Certificate of Citizenship (Form N-560 or N-561).
- Must complete a medical examination and provide a valid Medical Examiner's Certificate to the Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV). All Louisiana CDL holders — regardless of self-certification category — must submit a current Medical Examiner's Certificate. Medical exams must be renewed every two years.
- Must pass the General Knowledge written test (80% passing score) and any applicable endorsement knowledge tests.
- Must obtain a Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) before taking the CDL skills test; the CLP must be held for at least 14 days.
- Must pass a three-part skills test: vehicle inspection, basic vehicle controls, and road test. Must be completed in the type of vehicle the driver will operate.
- Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) is required for all original Class A and Class B CDL applicants, as well as those adding Passenger (P), School Bus (S), or Hazmat (H) endorsements.
- Must not have a "prohibited" status in the federal Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse (DACH).
- Must pass a TSA security threat assessment for Hazmat endorsement.
- CDL classes: Class A (combination vehicles over 26,001 lbs GCWR), Class B (single vehicles over 26,001 lbs GVWR), Class C (vehicles designed to transport 16+ passengers or hazmat).
- Endorsements available: H (Hazmat), N (Tank), P (Passenger), S (School Bus), T (Double/Triple Trailers), X (Hazmat + Tank), M (Motorcycle). Endorsement fee: $7.50 each; Motorcycle: $12.
- CDL fees: Application fee $15, CDL license fee $61.50, handling fee $0–$6. Estimated total: $76.50–$82.50 (Orleans Parish: $91.50–$97.50).
- Louisiana CDLs are valid for 6 years.
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.
Official Louisiana CDL Handbook
The official Louisiana Commercial Driver's License Manual covers every topic tested on the state's CDL knowledge exam — but it reads like a dense reference manual, not a structured study guide. A more effective way to prepare is with our General Knowledge practice tests. Our free Louisiana CDL permit practice test mirrors the format and content of the official exam and is fully up to date as of February 2026. Each practice test features 20 questions covering essential topics such as vehicle inspection, safe driving techniques, air brakes, cargo securement, driving emergencies, hazardous conditions, and Louisiana-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 actually learn from every question you answer.
- Complete CDL regulations and Louisiana-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 Louisiana.
Federal regulations on non-domiciled CDLs are changing rapidly. The information below reflects the latest known state actions.
Louisiana stopped issuing all non-domiciled CLPs and CDLs on October 2, 2025, in response to the FMCSA Interim Final Rule titled "Restoring Integrity to the Issuance of Non-Domiciled Commercial Drivers Licenses." Louisiana has confirmed that it will not resume issuing non-domiciled CLPs or CDLs — even following the U.S. Court of Appeals administrative stay issued on November 13, 2025. Holders of current non-domiciled Louisiana CLPs/CDLs seeking renewal or duplicates are required to downgrade rather than renew. Previously, Louisiana required non-domiciled applicants to provide an unexpired foreign passport with approved I-94/I-94A, proof of Louisiana residency, identification, and a valid Medical Examiner's Certificate; the credential expired at the shorter of the I-94 expiration date or one year. Under the FMCSA final rule published on February 13, 2026, eligibility for non-domiciled CLPs and CDLs is now limited to H-2A, H-2B, and E-2 visa holders. Affected drivers should contact the Louisiana OMV for more information.[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 Louisiana.
Louisiana does not currently administer a separate state-level English Language Proficiency (ELP) test for CDL applicants. However, all Louisiana CDL holders are subject to federal ELP enforcement, which took effect on June 25, 2025. Under this enforcement, roadside inspectors conduct a two-step assessment: first, a conversational interview in English — no interpreters or translation tools are permitted — to evaluate whether the driver can communicate sufficiently in English; second, the driver must demonstrate the ability to read and interpret standard U.S. traffic signs. Drivers who fail either step of the assessment are placed out of service under CVSA guidelines. Louisiana CDL applicants should be prepared to demonstrate English proficiency during any roadside inspection or compliance review.