New Jersey General Knowledge Test
From the Turnpike to Route 22, this test covers what NJ examiners actually ask — not just federal textbook stuff.
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This is the first test you need for any CDL in New Jersey. 50 questions, 80% to pass — and we've built it from the NJ CDL manual.
Key Topics
- •Air brakes and pre-trip inspection
- •Safe driving and accident procedures
- •Cargo handling and weather conditions
About the New Jersey General Knowledge Test
Topics Covered
- ✓Vehicle inspection procedures — NJ examiners watch for the full pre-trip routine, especially brake checks before you hit the Turnpike
- ✓Air brakes — you'll need to know the three braking systems and what happens if your air pressure drops below 60 psi on a hill like I-78
- ✓Safe driving techniques — how to handle tight merges on the Garden State Parkway and what to do when traffic stops suddenly on Route 1
- + 3 more topics
📘 Study Tips & State Info
Here's what NJ examiners focus on: air brakes, air brakes, air brakes. About a third of the General Knowledge test comes from that chapter. Know the dual air brake system, what the warning light means, and why you never drive with less than 100 psi. They also love questions about the pre-trip inspection sequence. Memorize it in order — outside, inside, engine compartment — because they test it on the road test too.
Second tip: read the questions carefully. The NJ test uses exact wording from the manual. They'll ask 'What is the minimum tread depth for front tires?' — that's 4/32 of an inch. Don't overthink it. If you studied the manual, you'll recognize the phrasing. Use our practice tests to get comfortable with that style.
Finally, don't skip the section on accident reporting. New Jersey law is specific: you must call police immediately if anyone is injured or killed, or if property damage exceeds $500. That's different from some other states. The examiners expect you to know that number. Same with the alcohol limit — 0.04% for CDL drivers, not the regular 0.08%.
The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) handles all CDL testing. You'll need to visit a Licensing Center — not all MVC offices do CDL testing. Major locations include Trenton, Newark, Eatontown, and Wayne. You must make an appointment online; walk-ins aren't accepted for CDL written tests. Bring your valid driver's license, Social Security card, and a valid Medical Examiner's Certificate (DOT physical).
The General Knowledge test costs $10 for the permit application, plus $5 for each written test you take. You can pay by credit card, debit card, or cash. If you fail, you can retake the test the next business day — no waiting period. But don't rush. Study until you're confident.
New Jersey also requires a vision screening before you get your CLP (Commercial Learner's Permit). You need at least 20/40 vision in each eye, with or without correction. If you wear glasses or contacts, bring them. The vision test is quick, but you won't get your permit without passing it.
About the New Jersey General Knowledge Test
New Jersey's roads aren't like anywhere else. You've got the Turnpike with its tight merges, Route 22 with constant stop-and-go, and I-78 cutting across the state with hills and heavy truck traffic. The General Knowledge test covers the basics every CDL driver needs — air brakes, vehicle inspection, accident procedures, and cargo handling. But the NJ MVC examiners also expect you to know how those rules apply to real New Jersey driving conditions.
This test is the foundation for all CDL classes: A, B, and C. You'll take it before any endorsement tests. The official NJ CDL manual has 14 chapters, and the General Knowledge test pulls from most of them. You need to know your air brake system inside and out — that's the section that trips up most people. New Jersey winters mean you'll also get questions about driving on snow and ice, plus what to do in a skid.
New Jersey follows federal CDL standards, but the state adds its own wrinkles. For example, NJ law requires you to use your headlights when it's raining — and that's something the examiners might ask. They also emphasize hazardous materials awareness even on the General Knowledge test, since so much freight moves through the Port of Newark and Elizabeth. You don't need a Hazmat endorsement to get these questions, but you do need to know basic placard recognition and what to do if you see a leak.
The test is 50 multiple-choice questions. You've got 60 minutes. You need 40 correct to pass — that's 80%. No tricks, no surprises. Just study the manual and practice with tests that match the real thing. That's what we've built here.
Topics Covered
Study Tips
Here's what NJ examiners focus on: air brakes, air brakes, air brakes. About a third of the General Knowledge test comes from that chapter. Know the dual air brake system, what the warning light means, and why you never drive with less than 100 psi. They also love questions about the pre-trip inspection sequence. Memorize it in order — outside, inside, engine compartment — because they test it on the road test too.
Second tip: read the questions carefully. The NJ test uses exact wording from the manual. They'll ask 'What is the minimum tread depth for front tires?' — that's 4/32 of an inch. Don't overthink it. If you studied the manual, you'll recognize the phrasing. Use our practice tests to get comfortable with that style.
Finally, don't skip the section on accident reporting. New Jersey law is specific: you must call police immediately if anyone is injured or killed, or if property damage exceeds $500. That's different from some other states. The examiners expect you to know that number. Same with the alcohol limit — 0.04% for CDL drivers, not the regular 0.08%.
New Jersey Specific Information
The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) handles all CDL testing. You'll need to visit a Licensing Center — not all MVC offices do CDL testing. Major locations include Trenton, Newark, Eatontown, and Wayne. You must make an appointment online; walk-ins aren't accepted for CDL written tests. Bring your valid driver's license, Social Security card, and a valid Medical Examiner's Certificate (DOT physical).
The General Knowledge test costs $10 for the permit application, plus $5 for each written test you take. You can pay by credit card, debit card, or cash. If you fail, you can retake the test the next business day — no waiting period. But don't rush. Study until you're confident.
New Jersey also requires a vision screening before you get your CLP (Commercial Learner's Permit). You need at least 20/40 vision in each eye, with or without correction. If you wear glasses or contacts, bring them. The vision test is quick, but you won't get your permit without passing it.