How many questions are on the North Carolina CDL General Knowledge test?

50 questions. You must answer at least 40 correctly (80%) to pass. Required for every CDL applicant.

How many questions are on the North Carolina CDL Air Brakes test?

25 questions, requiring 20 correct (80%) to pass. Required if your vehicle has air brakes.

How many questions are on the North Carolina CDL Combination Vehicles test?

20 questions, requiring 16 correct (80%) to pass. Required for Class A CDL applicants.

What is the North Carolina traffic sign recognition test?

A separate, additional test required alongside the standard CDL knowledge tests, testing recognition of common traffic signs — a genuine North Carolina-specific requirement most other states do not have.

North Carolina CDL Test Questions 2026

Q: What passing score applies to all North Carolina CDL knowledge tests?

80%, consistently applied across General Knowledge, Air Brakes, Combination Vehicles, and the traffic sign recognition test.

North Carolina's three core knowledge tests use the same 80% passing threshold as most states — but the traffic sign recognition test is a genuine, distinctive addition.

General Knowledge Test

50 Questions 40 to Pass (80%) Required for All Applicants

Covers vehicle inspection, basic vehicle control, driving safety, cargo transport, hazardous materials awareness, night driving and adverse conditions, emergency procedures, speed management, and North Carolina-specific rules. Required for every CDL applicant.

Air Brakes Test

25 Questions 20 to Pass (80%) Required for Air Brake Vehicles

Covers air brake system basics, dual air brake systems, inspecting air brakes, using air brakes correctly, spring brakes and parking brakes, and malfunctions/emergencies. Required if your vehicle has air brakes.

Combination Vehicles Test

20 Questions 16 to Pass (80%) Required for Class A

Covers coupling and uncoupling, inspecting combination vehicles, off-tracking and steering, rollover prevention, skid control and jackknifing, doubles and triples, and antilock brakes. Required for Class A CDL applicants.

Traffic Sign Recognition Test

North Carolina requires a separate traffic sign recognition test, testing your ability to identify common traffic signs, in addition to the three standard knowledge tests above. This is a genuine North Carolina-specific requirement most other states do not have — build dedicated study time for it into your preparation.

Passing Score Consistency

North Carolina applies an 80% passing score consistently across all of its knowledge tests, including General Knowledge, Air Brakes, Combination Vehicles, and the traffic sign recognition test.

Practice All 3 Core Tests Free

500 real practice questions across General Knowledge, Air Brakes, and Combination Vehicles.

Start North Carolina CDL Practice Tests Full CDL Process Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the General Knowledge test?

50 questions, 40 correct (80%) needed to pass.

How many questions are on the Air Brakes test?

25 questions, 20 correct needed.

How many questions are on the Combination Vehicles test?

20 questions, 16 correct needed.

What is the traffic sign recognition test?

A separate, additional test required alongside the standard knowledge tests — a genuine NC-specific requirement.

What passing score applies across all tests?

80%, consistently applied across every North Carolina CDL knowledge test.