Kansas General Knowledge Test
We know I-70 crosswinds and grain elevator backing are part of your Kansas driving life — this test covers what the Kansas DMV actually asks.
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50 questions, 80% to pass. Covers inspection, basic control, and Kansas-specific hazards like crosswinds on I-70.
Key Topics
- •Pre-trip inspection (air brakes are key)
- •Basic driving skills (shifting, backing, speed control)
- •Hazard awareness (wind, deer, sudden weather)
About the Kansas General Knowledge Test
Topics Covered
- ✓Vehicle inspection (pre-trip) — Kansas examiners are strict about air brake checks, especially when temps drop below freezing on I-70.
- ✓Basic control and shifting — Long stretches on US-50 mean you need to manage speed and gears without riding the clutch.
- ✓Backing maneuvers — You'll back into loading docks at grain elevators in places like Colby and Dodge City; practice your straight-line backing.
- + 3 more topics
📘 Study Tips & State Info
Kansas DMV examiners watch one thing more than anything: the pre-trip inspection. They want you to walk through it step by step, especially the air brake check. If you skip the low air warning test or don't mention the slack adjusters, you're in trouble. Study the inspection section of the Kansas CDL Manual until you can do it in your sleep.
Another big one: high wind procedures. Kansas is windy — the manual has a whole section on crosswinds. Know when to slow down, when to pull over, and what to do if your trailer starts to sway. The test loves these questions.
Finally, practice the backing questions. Kansas has a lot of tight grain elevator docks. The test asks about jackknife prevention and proper use of mirrors. If you can picture yourself backing a 53-foot trailer into a gravel lot in Hays, you'll get those right.
Kansas CDL testing is run by the Kansas Department of Revenue, Driver's License Division. You'll find CDL testing at most full-service offices — the busiest are in Wichita (East and West), Topeka, Kansas City, Salina, and Garden City. Walk-ins are accepted, but appointments save you hours. Book online at ksrevenue.org.
The written test fee is $14. You'll need a valid Kansas driver's license, a Social Security card, and a current Medical Examiner's Certificate (DOT physical). If you're under 21, you'll also need a parent or guardian signature for the CLP.
Kansas doesn't offer online testing. You take it on a computer at the DMV office. The test is in English only. No time limit, but most people finish in 45–60 minutes. If you fail, you can retake the next business day — no waiting period in Kansas. Retake fee is another $14.
About the Kansas General Knowledge Test
Kansas is flat — but don't let that fool you. Driving I-70 across the state means dealing with 80 mph wind gusts, sudden thunderstorms that drop hail on US-50, and grain trucks that don't stop on a dime. The General Knowledge test is your first step toward a CDL here, and it's not just federal fluff. It covers the basics that keep you alive on Kansas roads.
The test has 50 multiple-choice questions. You need 40 correct — that's 80%. The Kansas DMV follows federal standards, so the material lines up with the FMCSA guidelines. But examiners here have a few favorite topics we'll cover below.
You'll take this test before you get your Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP). It covers vehicle inspection, basic control, shifting, backing, hazard awareness, and accident procedures. Every Class A, B, or C applicant in Kansas must pass it.
Kansas drivers haul a lot of wheat, cattle, and oil field equipment. The test expects you to know how to secure that cargo, manage speed in high winds, and inspect your rig before you roll. Study smart, and you'll be fine.
Topics Covered
Study Tips
Kansas DMV examiners watch one thing more than anything: the pre-trip inspection. They want you to walk through it step by step, especially the air brake check. If you skip the low air warning test or don't mention the slack adjusters, you're in trouble. Study the inspection section of the Kansas CDL Manual until you can do it in your sleep.
Another big one: high wind procedures. Kansas is windy — the manual has a whole section on crosswinds. Know when to slow down, when to pull over, and what to do if your trailer starts to sway. The test loves these questions.
Finally, practice the backing questions. Kansas has a lot of tight grain elevator docks. The test asks about jackknife prevention and proper use of mirrors. If you can picture yourself backing a 53-foot trailer into a gravel lot in Hays, you'll get those right.
Kansas Specific Information
Kansas CDL testing is run by the Kansas Department of Revenue, Driver's License Division. You'll find CDL testing at most full-service offices — the busiest are in Wichita (East and West), Topeka, Kansas City, Salina, and Garden City. Walk-ins are accepted, but appointments save you hours. Book online at ksrevenue.org.
The written test fee is $14. You'll need a valid Kansas driver's license, a Social Security card, and a current Medical Examiner's Certificate (DOT physical). If you're under 21, you'll also need a parent or guardian signature for the CLP.
Kansas doesn't offer online testing. You take it on a computer at the DMV office. The test is in English only. No time limit, but most people finish in 45–60 minutes. If you fail, you can retake the next business day — no waiting period in Kansas. Retake fee is another $14.