Vermont General Knowledge Test
We wrote this for the driver who's hauled maple syrup down Route 100 in a snow squall — the real Vermont test, not some generic quiz.
Select Test Mode
Fifty questions, 80% to pass, 60 minutes. Start practicing now — the Vermont DMV expects you to know winter driving and air brakes cold.
Key Topics
- •Vehicle inspection
- •Air brakes & winter driving
- •Safe driving & cargo handling
About the Vermont General Knowledge Test
Topics Covered
- ✓Vehicle inspection procedures — Vermont examiners ask you to identify defects that cause winter breakdowns, like frozen air lines
- ✓Basic control and backing — tight farm roads and narrow village streets in Vermont demand precise maneuvering
- ✓Shifting and gear selection — you need to know proper gear for long grades on I-89 and I-91, especially when loaded with timber or gravel
- + 3 more topics
📘 Study Tips & State Info
Vermont DMV examiners love to ask about air brakes and winter driving. That's not a guess — it's what I've seen for 15 years. If you skip the air brake section, you'll fail. Period. Focus on the parts about moisture in the system: what happens when water freezes in your air tanks, how to drain them, and why alcohol evaporators work. Also, know your pre-trip inspection cold. The Vermont test has more inspection questions than most states because examiners want you to catch problems before you roll onto a mountain road.
For winter driving, don't just memorize the textbook. Think about real Vermont conditions. When they ask about reducing speed for curves, picture the sharp turn on Route 100 near Waitsfield in a snow squall. When they ask about following distance, double the rule for ice. The Vermont manual says 4 seconds for normal conditions. On ice, that's 8 seconds minimum. That's not in the book, but it's what the examiners expect you to know.
Finally, practice the backing and parking questions. Vermont has tight loading docks at small farms and sawmills. The test might ask about jackknife prevention during backing or proper use of mirrors in tight spaces. Understand the principles, not just the steps.
Vermont DMV handles all CDL testing. You'll need to schedule an appointment at one of these offices: Montpelier (headquarters), South Burlington, Rutland, St. Johnsbury, or Bennington. Walk-ins are rarely accepted. Call ahead or book online at dmv.vermont.gov. Testing fees: the initial learner's permit application costs $40. That covers the General Knowledge test and any endorsements you add the same day.
You must bring a valid Medical Examiner's Certificate (DOT physical) — no exceptions. The Vermont DMV checks it before you sit for the test. You also need proof of identity and residency: a passport or birth certificate plus two documents with your Vermont address. Out-of-state applicants need to show they've established residency.
Vermont follows the federal CDL knowledge testing standards, but the state adds a few questions about winter driving and chain laws. You'll also see questions about hazardous materials if you're going for that endorsement later. The test is computer-based, results are immediate, and you can retake it after a 24-hour wait if you fail.
About the Vermont General Knowledge Test
The Vermont General Knowledge test is the first thing you'll take for any CDL — Class A, B, or C. It covers the basics every commercial driver needs: vehicle inspection, basic control, shifting, backing, air brakes, and safe driving habits. But here in Vermont, the test also puts extra weight on winter driving and mountain roads. That's because you're not just driving on flat interstates. You're hauling logs down Route 7 in a snowstorm or pulling a tanker of maple sap over the Green Mountains on I-89.
The test is 50 multiple-choice questions. You need 80% — that's 40 correct out of 50. The Vermont DMV follows federal standards, so the content matches the FMCSA manual. But don't expect generic questions. Vermont examiners have their own emphases. For example, you'll see more questions about controlling a skid on ice and proper use of tire chains than you might in Florida.
You'll take this test at one of Vermont's DMV offices — Montpelier, South Burlington, Rutland, or a few others. You need an appointment, and you'll need your Medical Examiner's Certificate before you walk in. The test is computer-based. You get 60 minutes, which is plenty if you study the right material. Most people finish in 30-40 minutes.
Don't memorize answers. Understand the concepts. The Vermont manual is your study guide — it's free online at the DMV website. And remember: a lot of the questions are about judgment, not just facts. If you can explain why you'd downshift before a long downgrade on I-91, you're ready.
Topics Covered
Study Tips
Vermont DMV examiners love to ask about air brakes and winter driving. That's not a guess — it's what I've seen for 15 years. If you skip the air brake section, you'll fail. Period. Focus on the parts about moisture in the system: what happens when water freezes in your air tanks, how to drain them, and why alcohol evaporators work. Also, know your pre-trip inspection cold. The Vermont test has more inspection questions than most states because examiners want you to catch problems before you roll onto a mountain road.
For winter driving, don't just memorize the textbook. Think about real Vermont conditions. When they ask about reducing speed for curves, picture the sharp turn on Route 100 near Waitsfield in a snow squall. When they ask about following distance, double the rule for ice. The Vermont manual says 4 seconds for normal conditions. On ice, that's 8 seconds minimum. That's not in the book, but it's what the examiners expect you to know.
Finally, practice the backing and parking questions. Vermont has tight loading docks at small farms and sawmills. The test might ask about jackknife prevention during backing or proper use of mirrors in tight spaces. Understand the principles, not just the steps.
Vermont Specific Information
Vermont DMV handles all CDL testing. You'll need to schedule an appointment at one of these offices: Montpelier (headquarters), South Burlington, Rutland, St. Johnsbury, or Bennington. Walk-ins are rarely accepted. Call ahead or book online at dmv.vermont.gov. Testing fees: the initial learner's permit application costs $40. That covers the General Knowledge test and any endorsements you add the same day.
You must bring a valid Medical Examiner's Certificate (DOT physical) — no exceptions. The Vermont DMV checks it before you sit for the test. You also need proof of identity and residency: a passport or birth certificate plus two documents with your Vermont address. Out-of-state applicants need to show they've established residency.
Vermont follows the federal CDL knowledge testing standards, but the state adds a few questions about winter driving and chain laws. You'll also see questions about hazardous materials if you're going for that endorsement later. The test is computer-based, results are immediate, and you can retake it after a 24-hour wait if you fail.