General Knowledge is the foundation of all CDL testing — every CDL applicant regardless of class must pass it. Study Sections 1 through 4 of the DL-7C handbook. Key topics that appear frequently: pre-trip inspection procedure, stopping distance formula, cargo securement requirements, and emergency maneuver techniques.
What the Texas CDL General Knowledge Test Covers
The real Texas CDL General Knowledge exam has 50 questions, and you need 40 correct (80%) to pass. Topics tested include:
- Vehicle inspection
- Basic vehicle control and backing
- Shifting gears
- Space and speed management
- Driving in bad weather, mountains, and at night
- Hazard perception and skid control
- Hazardous materials basics
- Hours of service
- Emergency maneuvers
- Railroad crossings
Texas CDL General Knowledge Practice Questions
Texas CDL General Knowledge — Complete Study Guide
The General Knowledge test is required for every CDL applicant in Texas regardless of the class of vehicle they plan to drive. It covers Sections 1 through 4 of the Texas CDL Handbook (DL-7C) and tests your understanding of vehicle inspection, basic vehicle control, shifting, backing, space management, speed management, hazard perception, emergency maneuvers, night driving, adverse conditions driving, and cargo securement. The real exam has 50 questions — you need 40 correct (80%) to pass.
High-Weight Topics on the Texas Exam: Following distance formula, pre-trip inspection sequence, cargo securement intervals (first 50 miles, then every 150 miles or 3 hours), and emergency steering technique (steer then countersteer) appear on nearly every exam. Master these before moving to other topics.
Key Topics Covered
- Vehicle Inspection — The 7-step pre-trip inspection sequence. Minimum tire tread depths — 4/32 inch for steer axles, 2/32 inch for all others. Checking fluid levels, lights, brakes, and coupling devices.
- Basic Vehicle Control — Steering technique, visual scanning (12-15 seconds ahead), mirror checking every 5-8 seconds, backing using the GOAL method (Get Out And Look), and smooth braking technique.
- Speed Management — Following distance formula: 1 second per 10 feet of vehicle length, plus 1 extra second for speeds over 40 mph. Three components of stopping distance: perception, reaction, braking. Overdriving headlights at night.
- Space Management — Managing the 4 sides of your vehicle. No-zones (blind spots). Overhead clearance. Lane width requirements. Managing tailgaters by increasing following distance ahead.
- Hazard Perception — Scanning for road hazards, construction zones, school zones, and erratic drivers. Covering the brake in anticipation. Speed reduction at railroad crossings.
- Emergency Maneuvers — Emergency steering: steer quickly, then immediately countersteer to recover. Tire blowout: hold wheel firmly, do not brake immediately. Skid recovery: release brakes to restore steering on front-wheel skids.
- Night and Bad Weather Driving — Adjusting speed and following distance in rain, fog, ice, and darkness. Road surface most slippery at the START of rain. Bridge decks freeze before road surfaces. Hydroplaning: ease off accelerator, do not brake.
- Cargo Securement — Check cargo within first 50 miles, then every 150 miles or 3 hours. Tie-down WLL must be 1.5x cargo weight. Maximum 10 feet from cargo end to first tie-down. Minimum 2 tie-downs for cargo over 5 feet.