📅 Updated July 2026📌 Source: FLHSMV CDL Handbook⏱ 7 min read
Florida's retake rules have more real structure than most guides explain — a same-day retry option, a hard cutoff at 3 failures, and a genuinely surprising rule: you can be randomly selected for a mandatory retest even after you've already passed. Here's the exact format and rules for every Florida CDL test.
No statewide time limit on the General Knowledge test — most applicants finish in 60-90 minutes, though individual county tax collector offices may impose their own office-level cutoff (commonly around 60 minutes with a hard appointment cutoff time). Confirm with your specific testing office.
Exact Retake Rules
Attempt
What Happens
1st failure
Retake same day allowed once, for an additional fee, if started before the office's cutoff time
2nd failure
Must wait at least one day before your next attempt
3rd failure
Must pay a new application fee and restart the entire process
Class B specific rule
Failing 3 times within a 30-day period requires waiting a full 30 days before retesting
Each retake costs money — plan to pass the first time. One example county office charges $16.25 per retake attempt; fees vary by office, so confirm the exact retake fee at your specific testing location.
The Random Mandatory Retest — Even After Passing
This genuinely surprises most applicants: under Florida Statute 322.56(3)(b) and (e), if you pass your knowledge test through an authorized third-party administrator, you may be randomly selected for a no-fee mandatory re-test — without any prior notice. This is a quality-assurance mechanism, not a reflection of anything wrong with your original test. If you pass the mandatory re-test, your CLP or license issues normally. If you fail it, you'll need to pay a re-exam fee for your next attempt.
English-Only Testing
As of February 6, 2026, all Florida CDL knowledge tests are administered in English only, statewide, with no exceptions. This replaced a prior system that offered testing in Spanish, Haitian Creole, and other languages.
Practice All Florida CDL Tests Here — Free
500 practice questions with full rationale on every answer and a difficulty filter to focus your study.
How many questions are on the Florida CDL General Knowledge test?
50 questions, 40 correct (80%) to pass. No statewide time limit, though most finish in 60-90 minutes.
How many times can I retake the Florida CDL knowledge test?
Same-day retake once for an extra fee, then a 1-day wait, then a full restart with a new application fee after 3 failures. Class B has an additional 30-day rule after 3 failures within 30 days.
Can I be retested even after I pass?
Yes — under Statute 322.56(3)(b) and (e), passing via a third-party administrator can trigger a random, no-fee mandatory re-test without prior notice, as a quality-assurance measure.
How many questions are on each endorsement test?
20 questions each for Air Brakes, Combination Vehicles, Hazmat, Tanker, and other endorsements, requiring 16 correct (80%) to pass.
What language is the test administered in?
English only, as of February 6, 2026, with no exceptions statewide.
Sources: Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (flhsmv.gov); Florida Statutes 322.56(3)(b) and (e). Last verified July 2026.