New Jersey CDL Practice Test

Correct answer: 18 years old

You must be at least 18 to get a New Jersey CDL. Federal rules still require you to be 21 before driving a commercial vehicle across state lines, so drivers aged 18–20 are limited to New Jersey (intrastate) driving.

Correct answer: Drive only within New Jersey, and may not hold hazmat or passenger endorsements

Drivers under 21 are restricted to intrastate commerce — driving within New Jersey only — and cannot receive a hazardous materials (H) or passenger (P) endorsement.

Correct answer: A valid basic New Jersey driver license

A valid basic New Jersey (Class D) driver license is required before you can apply for a commercial learner’s permit, and the CLP must be accompanied by that license when you drive a commercial vehicle.

Correct answer: 20/40 in each eye, with or without glasses, and you must recognize red, green, and amber

New Jersey requires 20/40 vision in each eye, with or without corrective lenses, and the ability to recognize red, green, and amber colors.

Correct answer: 6 Points of ID, including your Social Security card, proof of address, and proof of legal presence

New Jersey uses the 6 Points of ID system: you must present documents worth six points, including your Social Security card, proof of address, and proof of legal presence.

Correct answer: Before taking the hazmat knowledge test

Applicants for a hazmat endorsement must complete ELDT from a provider on FMCSA’s Training Provider Registry before taking their knowledge test. First-time Class A/B applicants must complete ELDT before the skills test.

Correct answer: $125, non-refundable

The commercial examination permit costs $125 and is non-refundable. ($42 plus $2 per endorsement is the fee for the four-year CDL itself, paid after you pass.)

Correct answer: 180 days

A New Jersey CLP is valid for 180 days — shorter than the one-year federal maximum. It must be accompanied by your New Jersey driver license when you operate a commercial vehicle.

Correct answer: A 50-question test requiring a score of at least 80% to pass

The MVC publishes the format: the general knowledge test has 50 questions, with separate additional tests for each endorsement, and you must answer at least 80% correctly — the federal CDL passing standard.

Correct answer: Seven days

New Jersey imposes a mandatory seven-day waiting period before you can retake a failed CDL knowledge test — and federal rules require the retake to be a different version of the test.

Correct answer: The driver is uncertain and might suddenly return to the highway in front of you

The braking, uncertain driver might suddenly return to the highway. Right now the car is a hazard; if it cuts in front of you, it becomes an emergency. Plan an escape while it is still only a hazard.

Correct answer: May be safe for cars but too fast for larger or heavily loaded vehicles

Ramp speed signs may be safe for automobiles but not for larger or heavily loaded vehicles. Ramps that go downhill and turn at the same time are especially dangerous — be sure you are slow enough before the curved part.

Correct answer: People who cannot see others may move into your path without knowing you are there

People who cannot see others are a very dangerous hazard. Watch for vans, loaded station wagons, rental trucks whose drivers are not used to limited vision, and in winter, vehicles with frosted, ice-covered, or snow-covered windows.

Correct answer: Assume the driver cannot see you and be prepared to stop

If you can only see the rear or front of a vehicle but not the driver, then the driver cannot see you. Be alert — the vehicle may back out or pull into your lane — and always be prepared to stop.

Correct answer: Movement inside the vehicle, brake lights, backup lights, or exhaust

Parked vehicles become hazards when people start to get out or the vehicle suddenly pulls away. Watch for movement inside the vehicle, brake lights, backup lights, exhaust, and other clues that a driver is about to move.

Correct answer: Packages or open doors can block the driver’s vision, and drivers in a hurry may suddenly step out

Packages or vehicle doors often block a delivery driver’s vision. Drivers of step vans, postal vehicles, and local delivery vehicles are often in a hurry and may suddenly step out or pull into the traffic lane.

Correct answer: They may have their back to traffic or wear headsets, hats, or umbrellas and not see or hear you

Walkers, joggers, and bicyclists may be on the road with their back to traffic and cannot see you; some wear headsets and cannot hear you. On rainy days, hats and umbrellas block their view and they may hurry without watching traffic.

Correct answer: They tend to act quickly without checking traffic

Children tend to act quickly without checking traffic. Children playing with one another may not look, and someone selling ice cream is a hazard clue that children may be nearby and may not see you.

Correct answer: They often are not watching for traffic and may step or run into the road

People changing a tire or involved in an accident often do not pay attention to roadway traffic. Passing drivers stare at the scene, people run across the road without looking, and vehicles slow or stop suddenly.

Correct answer: Sudden changes of direction or stopping, hesitation, or out-of-state plates near an interchange

Confused drivers change direction suddenly or stop without warning, common near interchanges and major intersections. Clues to tourists include car-top luggage and out-of-state plates; hesitation and frequent braking are clues to confusion.