Texas General Knowledge Test
You'll face I-35 construction zones, West Texas crosswinds, and oil field traffic — this test prepares you for all of it.
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50 questions, 80% to pass, 60 minutes. Texas DPS uses this test for your CLP — so let's get you ready.
Key Topics
- •Pre-trip inspection
- •Basic vehicle control & backing
- •Speed, hazards & night driving
About the Texas General Knowledge Test
Topics Covered
- ✓Vehicle inspection — Texas DPS examiners hammer this on the pre-trip. You need to know brake checks, lights, tires, and coupling inside out.
- ✓Basic control and backing — Tight loading docks in Houston and Dallas warehouses mean you'll back into spots with inches to spare.
- ✓Communicating with other drivers — Rural two-lane highways like US-287 need proper signaling and eye contact with oncoming trucks.
- + 3 more topics
📘 Study Tips & State Info
Texas DPS examiners focus on the pre-trip inspection. They'll ask you the exact steps from the manual — not just what you think is right. Memorize the inspection sequence for air brakes, coupling, and emergency equipment. Don't skip the in-cab checks like the parking brake and gauges.
Know your weight limits. Texas has specific bridge laws and weight restrictions on some state highways. The test includes questions about gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) and axle weights. Also, understand how weather affects stopping distance — Texas heat can cause brake fade, and rain on I-45 can turn roads into slicks.
Use our practice test to find your weak spots. Focus on the questions you get wrong. Read the explanation. Then retake the section. That's the fastest way to pass.
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) handles all CDL testing. You'll need to schedule an appointment online at the DPS website — walk-ins are rare and usually turned away. Bring your valid Texas driver's license, Social Security card, proof of Texas residency (like a utility bill), and a current Medical Examiner's Certificate (DOT physical).
The General Knowledge test costs $11. You pay when you take the test. Cash and card are accepted at most offices. If you fail, you can retake it the next business day — no waiting period. But you pay the fee again each time. Popular DPS offices for CDL testing include Austin (North Lamar), Houston (Gessner), Dallas (Southeast), and Fort Worth (South). Appointments fill up fast, so book at least two weeks ahead.
You must pass the General Knowledge test before you can take any endorsement tests or the skills exam. After passing, you get your Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP), which you hold for at least 14 days before taking the road test. Your CLP is valid for 180 days.
About the Texas General Knowledge Test
Texas isn't like other states. You've got I-35 from the Red River to the border — construction zones that change weekly, traffic that doesn't stop, and exits that sneak up on you. Then there's I-10 across West Texas, where the wind can push an empty trailer into the next lane. The General Knowledge test covers the basics every commercial driver needs, but you have to apply them to Texas roads.
This test is your first step toward a Texas CDL. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) administers it at driver license offices statewide. You'll answer 50 multiple-choice questions on vehicle inspection, basic control, shifting, communication, speed management, and hazard awareness. Pass this, and you can get your Commercial Learner's Permit.
Texas has its own quirks. We've got low-water crossings that flood without warning in the Hill Country. We've got 85 mph speed limits on some highways — but also sudden slowdowns for small towns. The oil fields in the Permian Basin mean heavy truck traffic on two-lane roads. The test doesn't mention these directly, but understanding them helps you answer the general questions better.
Our practice test pulls from the official Texas CDL manual. It's the same format, same question types. We don't waste your time with fluff. Take it until you're scoring 90% or higher, and you'll walk into the DPS office confident.
Topics Covered
Study Tips
Texas DPS examiners focus on the pre-trip inspection. They'll ask you the exact steps from the manual — not just what you think is right. Memorize the inspection sequence for air brakes, coupling, and emergency equipment. Don't skip the in-cab checks like the parking brake and gauges.
Know your weight limits. Texas has specific bridge laws and weight restrictions on some state highways. The test includes questions about gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) and axle weights. Also, understand how weather affects stopping distance — Texas heat can cause brake fade, and rain on I-45 can turn roads into slicks.
Use our practice test to find your weak spots. Focus on the questions you get wrong. Read the explanation. Then retake the section. That's the fastest way to pass.
Texas Specific Information
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) handles all CDL testing. You'll need to schedule an appointment online at the DPS website — walk-ins are rare and usually turned away. Bring your valid Texas driver's license, Social Security card, proof of Texas residency (like a utility bill), and a current Medical Examiner's Certificate (DOT physical).
The General Knowledge test costs $11. You pay when you take the test. Cash and card are accepted at most offices. If you fail, you can retake it the next business day — no waiting period. But you pay the fee again each time. Popular DPS offices for CDL testing include Austin (North Lamar), Houston (Gessner), Dallas (Southeast), and Fort Worth (South). Appointments fill up fast, so book at least two weeks ahead.
You must pass the General Knowledge test before you can take any endorsement tests or the skills exam. After passing, you get your Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP), which you hold for at least 14 days before taking the road test. Your CLP is valid for 180 days.