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Texas General Knowledge Test

We cover I-35 construction zones and the 85 mph speed limit on SH 130.

140
Questions
80%
To Pass
60
Minutes

140 questions · 60 min time limit · 80% to pass

Opens in a practice window — choose your mode inside.

JM

Reviewed by Jack Mahana, CDL Instructor (13+ years)

Last verified: August 2026

All questions sourced from the official Texas CDL handbook and FMCSA regulations.

About the Texas General Knowledge Test

Texas roads demand more from drivers. You'll haul oil equipment across West Texas or deliver livestock down I-10. Our practice test mirrors the real Texas General Knowledge exam. We focus on what you need to pass.

Summer heat and flash floods create unique hazards. You must know how to handle a blown tire on a 100-degree day. We teach you the rules that keep you safe on Texas highways.

You don't have to guess. Each question comes from the official Texas CDL handbook. We explain why the correct answer matters for your daily driving. Study with us, and you'll build real confidence.

Texas is a trucking state in the truest sense. With more highway miles and more freight tonnage than nearly any other state, commercial driving here means long hauls across open range, busy interstate corridors (I-10, I-20, I-35, I-45), and the largest metropolitan freight hubs in Houston, Dallas–Fort Worth, San Antonio, and Austin. Our general knowledge practice test mirrors the official Texas DPS CDL written exam, covering the core rules every commercial driver must master before hitting Texas roads.

Long straightaways tempt cruise control and driver fatigue. The wide-open stretches of West Texas and the Panhandle mean you must plan rest, watch for wind, and stay alert for wildlife and ranch traffic crossing unmarked roads. Oil-field traffic in the Permian Basin region adds heavy pickups, tankers, and oversized equipment moving between lease sites — a reminder that defensive driving and space management are central to the Texas exam.

Texas summers bring triple-digit heat that stresses cooling systems and tires, while spring storms can trigger sudden high winds, hail, and flash flooding on low-water crossings. Understanding how heat and load weight affect braking and handling is tested directly, so our questions cover the real conditions you will drive in.

Topics Covered

✓Air brakes – essential for hauling heavy loads across the Permian Basin.
✓Cargo securement – critical when you haul pipe or lumber on bumpy farm roads.
✓Pre-trip inspection – Texas winters can freeze air lines; you must spot problems early.
✓Hazardous materials – oil and gas shipping means you'll likely carry placarded loads.
✓Speed management – SH 130 lets you drive 85 mph, but you need to know when to slow down.
✓Night driving – long dark stretches between Lubbock and Amarillo require your full attention.

Study Tips

Study the Texas CDL handbook first. Don't skip the sections on Texas-specific laws. We recommend focusing on air brakes and combination vehicles because they appear on most tests.

Use our practice test to find your weak spots. Take it again until you score 90% or higher. The real test gives you 50 questions, and you need 40 correct. Pace yourself, and don't rush.

Texas Specific Information

You take the General Knowledge test at any Texas DPS office. Many offices now require appointments. Book yours online at Texas DPS's website. Walk-ins often face long waits.

The permit fee is $61. You also pay a skills test fee of $93 when you're ready. Bring your Social Security card, proof of Texas residency, and a medical examiner's certificate. Without these, you'll turn around.

  • The Texas DPS requires a commercial knowledge test before a skills test; the general knowledge exam is mandatory for every CDL class (A, B, and C).
  • Speed limits: 70-75 mph on many rural interstates for cars, but trucks must obey posted speed limits and reduced limits in urban and construction zones.
  • High winds are common across the Panhandle and Trans-Pecos; empty dry-van and flatbed trailers are especially vulnerable to rollover and lane drift.
  • Flash flooding on low-water crossings (often called 'low-water bridges') is a serious hazard during Texas storms — never attempt to cross flooded roadways.
  • Port traffic from the Port of Houston and Gulf Coast refineries means hazmat and tanker movement through congested urban interstates.
  • Texas winter storms can produce freezing rain and icing on bridges even in the south; walk-around checks and aware-speed driving prevent black-ice incidents.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is my Texas CDL permit valid?
Your permit lasts 120 days. You can renew it once for another 120 days. That gives you up to 8 months to take the skills test.
Do I need a medical card in Texas?
Yes. All commercial drivers must carry a valid medical examiner's certificate. You'll hand it over during the application process.
Can I take the CDL test in Spanish?
You can. The Texas DPS offers the written test in Spanish. But your skills test requires English enough to understand instructions.
What's the minimum age for an interstate CDL in Texas?
You must be 21 to drive across state lines. For intrastate only, you can get a CDL at 18.
How many questions is the Texas general knowledge test?
It's 50 multiple-choice questions. You need 40 correct to pass. That's 80%.
JM

Reviewed by Jack Mahana, CDL Instructor (13+ years)

Last verified: August 2026 · FMCSA-compliant content