North Carolina CDL Practice Test

Correct answer: $25.50

NCDMV charges $25.50 for a commercial learner permit. The separate $51.50 CDL application fee covers your knowledge-test attempts.

Correct answer: 180 days, with one renewal of another 180 days

An NC commercial learner permit is valid for 180 days and is eligible for one renewal, which is also valid for 180 days. That is stricter than the federal one-year ceiling.

Correct answer: Vision, traffic sign recognition, and the CDL knowledge tests

To get an NC commercial learner permit you take the required vision, traffic sign recognition, and CDL knowledge tests at a driver license office. The road skills test comes later, after training.

Correct answer: A licensed CDL holder of the same class or higher, including the needed endorsements

An NC CLP holder must be accompanied in the front seat by a driver licensed for the same CDL class or higher — including the endorsements for the vehicle being driven.

Correct answer: You must retake all of the written tests

If a commercial learner permit is more than 30 days past its expiration date, NCDMV requires the driver to retake all of the written tests.

Correct answer: One attempt per test per day

Only one attempt at each knowledge test is allowed per day in North Carolina. If you fail, you must come back another day to try again.

Correct answer: You must pay another application fee to receive three more attempts

The NCDMV application fee ($51.50) covers three attempts at the knowledge tests. If you have not passed after three attempts, another application fee buys three more — and so on for each set of three.

Correct answer: 90 days from the test date

All test scores are valid for 90 days from the test date in NCDMV computer files, so plan to complete the remaining steps before your scores expire.

Correct answer: The road skills test — knowledge tests need no appointment

You do not need an appointment for the CDL knowledge tests, but the road skills test must be scheduled with NCDMV — and you must provide your own commercial vehicle representative of the license class you want.

Correct answer: Hold the permit at least 14 days and complete Entry-Level Driver Training from a registered provider

NCDMV requires you to hold the CLP for at least 14 days and complete the ELDT course from a school on the federal Training Provider Registry — classroom plus behind-the-wheel training that usually takes about four weeks — before the road skills test.

Correct answer: Time — nothing else, not black coffee, a cold shower, or fresh air, will speed it up

The liver removes alcohol at a fixed rate, so only time will sober you up. Black coffee, a cold shower, or fresh air do nothing to lower your blood alcohol concentration.

Correct answer: Roughly one drink per hour — less than the alcohol in a single standard drink

The liver can process only about one drink per hour — less than the alcohol in a standard drink. If you drink faster than that, alcohol builds up in your body and your driving is affected more.

Correct answer: For some people, one drink is all it takes to show signs of impairment

All drivers are affected by drinking alcohol. For some people, one drink is all it takes to show signs of impairment — alcohol impairs judgment, vision, coordination, and reaction time.

Correct answer: Judgment, vision, coordination, and reaction time

Alcohol impairs muscle coordination, reaction time, depth perception, and night vision, and it affects the parts of the brain that control judgment and self-control — all of which are needed for safe driving.

Correct answer: How much alcohol you drink, how fast you drink it, and your body weight

BAC is determined by the amount of alcohol you drink (more means higher BAC), how fast you drink (faster means higher BAC), and your weight (a smaller person reaches the same BAC with less alcohol).

Correct answer: A 12-ounce beer, a 5-ounce glass of wine, and a 1.5-ounce shot of 80-proof liquor

A 12-ounce glass of 5% beer, a 5-ounce glass of 12% wine, and a 1.5-ounce shot of 80-proof liquor all contain the same amount of alcohol. It makes no difference which one you drink.

Correct answer: 0.04 — half the 0.08 limit that applies to non-commercial drivers

Federal law makes operating a CMV at a BAC of 0.04 or greater a disqualifying offense — half the 0.08 limit for non-commercial driving. Commercial drivers are held to a stricter standard.

Correct answer: The driver is placed out of service immediately for 24 hours

Federal rules prohibit any measured alcohol concentration (or detected presence of alcohol) while on duty or operating a CMV. A driver found in violation is placed out of service immediately for 24 hours.

Correct answer: Disqualification of the CDL for 1 year (3 years if carrying placarded hazardous materials)

A first major offense — including operating a CMV at 0.04 BAC or greater — disqualifies the driver for 1 year, or 3 years if the vehicle was carrying placarded hazardous materials. A second major offense means a lifetime disqualification.

Correct answer: Half as much — 0.04

The commercial limit of 0.04 is half the 0.08 limit that applies to non-commercial drivers. Because a CMV is larger and harder to control, commercial drivers are held to a stricter alcohol standard.