West Virginia CDL Practice Test

Correct answer: 18 years old with at least one year of licensed driving experience

West Virginia requires you to be at least 18 years old and to have held a driver’s license for at least one year before you can get a CDL or CLP. Drivers under 21 are limited to intrastate (in-state) operation.

Correct answer: 21 years old

You may hold a WV CDL at 18 for intrastate driving, but federal rules (49 CFR 391.11) require you to be at least 21 to drive a CMV in interstate commerce or to haul hazardous materials.

Correct answer: 180 days

A WV CLP may not be issued for a period longer than 180 days. You must also hold the CLP for at least 14 days before you are eligible to take the road skills test.

Correct answer: One time within a two-year period — after two CLPs you must reapply and retake all knowledge tests

Only one renewal or re-issuance is allowed within a two-year period. If you have been issued two CLPs, you must reapply and retest on all parts of the knowledge test before another permit can be issued.

Correct answer: At least 14 days

You must hold the CLP for a minimum of 14 days before you are eligible to take the road skills test — a federal floor (49 CFR 383.25) that West Virginia applies directly.

Correct answer: A CDL holder age 21 or older, valid for that type of vehicle, seated beside you

A CLP holder may drive a CMV on a highway only when a driver age 21 or older who holds a CDL valid for the type of vehicle being driven occupies the seat beside them for instruction or testing.

Correct answer: At least 80%

The WV manual states the knowledge test must be passed with at least an 80% score — the federal standard (49 CFR 383.135) that applies in every state and to every CDL exam section.

Correct answer: Seven (7) days

If you fail any portion of the knowledge exam, you must wait seven days before retesting. A retake uses a different version of the test (49 CFR 383.133), so practice from a large pool rather than memorizing.

Correct answer: Three attempts, covering general knowledge, air brakes and combination

The $32.50 knowledge-test fee (which includes the duplicate-license fee) covers three attempts at the general knowledge, air brakes and combination tests. After three failed attempts you must pay the fee again.

Correct answer: A combination of vehicles with a GCWR of 26,001 lbs or more, where the towed unit’s GVWR is over 10,000 lbs

Class A covers a combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 pounds or more, provided the unit being towed has a GVWR greater than 10,000 pounds.

Correct answer: Turn on your headlights, using the low beams

When it is hard to see, turn on your headlights — the low beams, not just the identification or clearance lights. High beams can bother other drivers in the daytime as well as at night.

Correct answer: Turn on your four-way emergency flashers

When parked at the side of the road, turn on the four-way emergency flashers — this is important at night. Do not trust the taillights: drivers have crashed into parked vehicles thinking they were moving normally.

Correct answer: At 10 feet, 100 feet, and 200 feet toward the approaching traffic

On or by a one-way or divided highway, place the warning devices 10 feet, 100 feet, and 200 feet toward the approaching traffic. You must put out your warning devices within ten minutes of stopping.

Correct answer: Within 10 feet of the vehicle, and 100 feet behind and ahead of it

On a two-lane, two-way road or undivided highway, place one triangle within 10 feet of the front or rear corners, and one 100 feet behind and one 100 feet ahead of the vehicle, on the shoulder or in the lane you stopped in.

Correct answer: Move it farther back down the road so drivers get warning within 500 feet

Back beyond any hill, curve, or obstruction that keeps drivers from seeing the vehicle within 500 feet, move the rear-most triangle to a point back down the road so warning is provided before drivers reach the obstruction.

Correct answer: Between yourself and the oncoming traffic, so drivers can see you

Hold the triangles between yourself and the oncoming traffic for your own safety, so that other drivers can see you as you place them.

Correct answer: Use it when needed, but know it can startle others and be dangerous if used unnecessarily

Your horn can let others know you are there and help avoid a crash. Use it when needed — but it can startle others and could be dangerous when used unnecessarily.

Correct answer: At least one second for each 10 feet of vehicle length

One good rule: at speeds below 40 mph, allow at least one second for each 10 feet of vehicle length. So a 40-foot vehicle needs 4 seconds and a 60-foot rig needs 6 seconds of following distance.

Correct answer: Add one more second for safety

At speeds over 40 mph you must add 1 second for safety. A 40-foot vehicle that needs 4 seconds below 40 mph needs 5 seconds above 40 mph; a 60-foot rig needs 7 seconds.

Correct answer: Avoid tricks — do not speed up or flash your brake lights at them

You cannot stop others from tailgating, but do not speed up (it is safer to be tailgated at a low speed) and avoid tricks like flashing your brake lights. Instead, keep a safe gap ahead of you and increase your own following distance.