Study guide / 7CDL
Your CDL curriculum, step by step
Search a topic or choose a section. Lessons, practice, and answer reviews are all here.
A suggested study route. Air brakes depend on the vehicle; check your state handbook and required endorsements.
No lessons match. Try a topic such as “brakes” or “inspection”.
Permit (CLP) tests
Check your understanding ↗General Knowledge
Required for every CDL class.
- 01Who needs a CDL, and the three license classes✓ Done
- 02Endorsements and restriction codes✓ Done
- 03CDL tests, the learner permit (CLP) and entry-level training (ELDT)✓ Done
- 04Medical certificate and self-certification (interstate / intrastate)✓ Done
- 05CDL disqualifications: alcohol, serious violations, out-of-service and railroad crossings✓ Done
- 06Other CDL rules: one license, reporting duties, phones, seat belts and the hazmat background check✓ Done
- 07Vehicle inspection: why, when, and what defects to look for✓ Done
- 08The seven-step inspection, Steps 1–4: overview, engine, cab and lights✓ Done
- 09The seven-step inspection, Steps 5–7, plus checks during and after the trip✓ Done
- 10Basic control: accelerating, steering, stopping and backing✓ Done
- 11Shifting gears, automatic transmissions and retarders✓ Done
- 12Seeing: looking ahead and using your mirrors✓ Done
- 13Communicating: signals, being seen and warning triangles✓ Done
- 14Stopping distance and matching speed to the road surface✓ Done
- 15Speed for curves, sight distance, traffic, downgrades and work zones✓ Done
- 16Managing space ahead, behind and to the sides✓ Done
- 17Space overhead, below, for turns, and to cross or enter traffic✓ Done
- 18Seeing hazards early: road hazards and move-over laws✓ Done
- 19Drivers and people who are hazards✓ Done
- 20Distracted driving: types, effects and how to prevent it✓ Done
- 21Cell phones and texting: federal rules and penalties✓ Done
- 22Aggressive drivers and road rage✓ Done
- 23Driving at night: vision, glare, fatigue and headlights✓ Done
- 24Driving in fog, snow, ice and through water✓ Done
- 25Getting your vehicle ready for winter✓ Done
- 26Driving in very hot weather✓ Done
- 27Railroad-highway crossings✓ Done
- 28Mountain driving and brake fade✓ Done
- 29Emergencies: steering to avoid a crash✓ Done
- 30Quick stops, brake failure and tire failure✓ Done
- 31Antilock braking systems (ABS)✓ Done
- 32Skid control and recovery✓ Done
- 33Accident procedures and vehicle fires✓ Done
- 34Alcohol, other drugs and illness✓ Done
- 35Hazardous materials rules for all drivers✓ Done
- 36Cargo inspection, weight and balance✓ Done
- 37Securing cargo and special loads✓ Done
Permit (CLP) tests
Check your understanding ↗Air Brakes
Needed to drive a vehicle with air brakes without an "L" restriction.
- 01Air brake parts: making, storing and using the air✓ Done
- 02Gauges, low-air warning, valves and dual air systems✓ Done
- 03Spring brakes, parking brake controls and ABS✓ Done
- 04Inspecting air brakes: belt, slack adjusters, drums and hoses✓ Done
- 05Step 7: the final air brake check, test by test✓ Done
- 06Using air brakes: normal stops, ABS, emergency stops and brake lag✓ Done
- 07Brake fade, downhill braking, low air and parking✓ Done
Permit (CLP) tests
Check your understanding ↗Combination Vehicles
Needed for Class A (tractor-trailers).
- 01Rollover, crack-the-whip and braking early✓ Done
- 02Railroad crossings, trailer skids, wide turns and backing✓ Done
- 03Combination air brakes: valves, air lines and trailer brakes✓ Done
- 04Antilock brakes (ABS) on trailers and combinations✓ Done
- 05Coupling and uncoupling a tractor-semitrailer, step by step✓ Done
- 06Pintle hooks, drawbars and gooseneck hitches✓ Done
- 07Inspecting a combination and checking its air brakes✓ Done
Endorsements
Check your understanding ↗Doubles and Triples (T)
Endorsement to pull two or three trailers.
Endorsements
Check your understanding ↗Tank Vehicles (N)
Endorsement for tanks carrying liquids or gases.
Endorsements
Check your understanding ↗Hazardous Materials (H)
Endorsement to haul placarded hazardous materials. Also needs a TSA background check.
- 01Hazmat endorsement, the intent of the rules, and who does what✓ Done
- 02The nine hazard classes and their divisions✓ Done
- 03Shipping papers, emergency information and the hazardous waste manifest✓ Done
- 04Labels, package markings, placards and the placard tables✓ Done
- 05The Hazardous Materials Table, ID numbers and the two appendix lists✓ Done
- 06Loading and unloading hazardous materials✓ Done
- 07Bulk packaging: cargo tanks, portable tanks, marking and tank loading✓ Done
- 08Driving and parking rules for hazardous materials✓ Done
- 09Hazmat emergencies: ERG, crashes, fires, leaks and required reports✓ Done
Endorsements
Check your understanding ↗Passenger (P)
Endorsement to drive buses that carry 16 or more people.
Endorsements
Check your understanding ↗School Bus (S)
Endorsement for school buses. Requires the Passenger endorsement too.
- 01School bus danger zones and mirrors✓ Done
- 02Approaching the stop, loading and unloading on the route✓ Done
- 03Unloading at school, special dangers and post-trip inspection✓ Done
- 04Emergency exit and evacuation✓ Done
- 05School bus at railroad-highway crossings✓ Done
- 06Student management, ABS and special safety situations✓ Done
Skills test
Check your understanding ↗Skills test guide
Pre-trip inspection, basic control and road test, step by step, with the English phrases to say.
- 01Vehicle Inspection test: the rules and how to talk to the examiner✓ Done
- 02In-cab and engine start checks, plus the lights check✓ Done
- 03The air brake check and the hydraulic brake check✓ Done
- 04Bus and school bus inspection items✓ Done
- 05Front of vehicle, engine area and steering axle✓ Done
- 06Side, rear, coupling system and trailer✓ Done
- 07Basic Control Skills test: the four exercises and how they are scored✓ Done
- 08The Road Test: what the examiner scores✓ Done