My buddy, Big Tony, he’s a total legend in the trucking game, right? He told me once that the Georgia CDL knowledge test was easier than a Sunday morning crossword puzzle. Man, was he pulling my leg! When I walked into that DDS office, feeling all pumped and ready to become a Class A driver, it felt like I was staring up at a skyscraper, not just a multiple-choice quiz. The thing is, when you ask, "How many questions are on the Georgia CDL test?", it's like asking "How many stars are in the sky?" The real answer is: It depends, dude. It's not one single test, but more like a buffet of brain-busters that you gotta take depending on what kind of massive rig you wanna drive. Let's break this down so you don't end up sweating bullets like I was. We're talking about the knowledge exams here, the ones you need to pass to get your Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) before you even touch a real big rig.
🚚 The Big Question Breakdown: Not One Test, But a Whole Squad
The whole Georgia CDL knowledge test situation is broken up into mandatory tests and optional endorsement tests. You have to take some, and you might need others. It all adds up, and that’s why the question count is super high if you go for the whole shebang. You gotta get an 80% or better on each separate test to pass it. No passing score on one test helps you on another. It’s brutal, but that’s the deal for handling a 40-ton beast on the highway.
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| How Many Questions Are On The Georgia Cdl Test |
Step 1: The Non-Negotiable Core Tests (You Must Take These!)
Every single person who wants a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) in Georgia has to pass these main knowledge tests. No exceptions. This is the absolute minimum to get your foot in the door.
1.1. General Knowledge: The Big Kahuna
This is the main event. It covers basically everything you need to know about operating a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) safely. Think of it as the ultimate pop quiz on all things trucking.
Question Count: 50 multiple-choice questions.
Passing Score: You need to nail 40 of those questions correctly. That's a solid 80%, folks.
This test is mega-important. It asks about stuff like vehicle inspections, basic control, how much space you need to stop, and what to do if you're stuck in the middle of a major emergency. It's the foundation. If you try to skip studying for this, you're gonna have a bad time.
1.2. Air Brakes Test (If Your Rig Has 'Em)
Listen up, most big trucks have air brakes, not the regular hydraulic ones in your pickup. If your future CMV is rockin' air brakes, which it most likely is (especially Class A and Class B vehicles), you have to pass this test. It’s all about knowing how the air brake system works, how to inspect it, and what happens when stuff goes sideways.
Question Count: 25 multiple-choice questions.
Tip: Focus on clarity, not speed.Passing Score: You gotta get 20 right. Again, an 80% passing grade.
Don’t slack off here. Knowing your air brake systems could be the difference between a normal day and a news headline.
1.3. Combination Vehicles Test (Class A Only!)
If you're aiming for that big boy Class A CDL—the one that lets you drive the tractor-trailers, semis, and any combination where the towed unit is over 10,000 pounds—then this test is mandatory. It’s all about coupling and uncoupling trailers, how to inspect a combination vehicle, and the dangers of trailer sway.
Question Count: 20 multiple-choice questions.
Passing Score: You need 16 correct answers. You guessed it: 80%.
If you’re just trying for a Class B (like a straight truck or big bus), you can totally skip this one. But for Class A, this is part of your core requirement.
Step 2: The Endorsement Extravaganza (Pile on the Questions!)
Now, this is where the question count really starts to multiply. Endorsements are special certifications that let you drive specific types of CMVs or haul special kinds of cargo. Each one is a separate test with its own set of questions. Want to drive a school bus? That's an endorsement. Haul gasoline? That’s another. It adds up fast!
2.1. Passenger Endorsement (P)
Got dreams of driving a motor coach, a city bus, or any vehicle designed to transport 16 or more passengers (including you, the driver)? You'll need the "P" endorsement. This test focuses on things like pre-trip inspection specific to passenger vehicles, handling unruly passengers, and emergency evacuations.
Question Count: 20 multiple-choice questions.
Passing Score: 16 correct. Easy math, still 80%.
QuickTip: Skim for bold or italicized words.
2.2. School Bus Endorsement (S)
If you're going to haul the most precious cargo of all—kids—you need the "S" endorsement in addition to the "P" endorsement. It’s way more specialized, dealing with things like school bus stops, safety barriers, and strict rules about crossing railroad tracks. This one is serious business, and the questions reflect that.
Question Count: 20 multiple-choice questions.
Passing Score: 16 right.
2.3. Hazardous Materials Endorsement (H)
This one is the big one for many high-paying driving jobs. If you're gonna haul anything that the government says is "hazardous material" (like certain chemicals, explosives, or radioactive stuff), you need the "H" endorsement. You also gotta pass a TSA background check for this one, so they know you’re not a shady character.
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Question Count: 30 multiple-choice questions.
Passing Score: You must get 24 correct.
This test has more questions than the others because the rules for HazMat are extensive. It’s not just about driving; it’s about paperwork, placards, and knowing which materials can’t be next to each other.
2.4. Tanker Vehicles Endorsement (N)
If you are going to drive a tank vehicle—a big cylindrical tank hauling liquids or gases—you need the "N" endorsement. The main focus here is understanding the slosh and surge of liquids. It makes driving way different because the weight shifts a ton.
Question Count: 20 multiple-choice questions.
Passing Score: 16 right.
QuickTip: Keep a notepad handy.
2.5. Doubles and Triples Endorsement (T)
This one is just for the Class A drivers who want to pull two or three trailers at once. Can you imagine? This test focuses on coupling/uncoupling the extra trailers and the extreme dangers of tail-swing and managing multiple points of articulation. It's high-level driving.
Question Count: 20 multiple-choice questions.
Passing Score: 16 correct.
Step 3: Tallying Up the Total Damage (The Grand Total)
So, how many questions are on the Georgia CDL test? Well, let’s do the math for the most complicated scenario—a Class A driver who wants every single endorsement possible (except for the HazMat endorsement, since you need formal training for that one now, but we'll include the questions for completeness). This is what you'd be looking at:
Two hundred and five questions! That's a lot of bubbling. Most people won't take all of them. The typical Class A driver might only take General Knowledge, Air Brakes, and Combination Vehicles, which is 95 questions total. That's still a marathon, not a sprint, so you need to be prepared.
3.1. Pro Tip: Study the Georgia CDL Manual Hard
Seriously, do not rely on practice tests alone. The official Georgia Commercial Driver's License Manual is your bible. Every single question comes straight from those pages. Read it. Re-read it. Write notes. The language can be dry, but that dry language is exactly what's on the test. You need to know the specific terms.
3.2. Test Day Jitters and Strategy
Remember, you have to pass each section individually. A common mistake is bombing one section and being so bummed you flub the next one. Don't do that! If you fail one test, you can usually retake it the next business day (check with your local DDS, rules can change), but you only have to retake the one you failed. "Just focus on passing the one you are doing," that’s what my buddy Tony told me, and for once, he was absolutely right. Take your time, read the question and all the answer choices carefully. They try to trick you with similar-sounding answers!
QuickTip: Break reading into digestible chunks.
🧐 FAQ Questions and Answers
How to calculate the minimum passing score for a Georgia CDL knowledge test?
The minimum passing score for all Georgia CDL knowledge tests (General Knowledge and all endorsements) is 80%. To calculate the number of questions you need to get right, just multiply the total number of questions by 0.8. For example, on a 50-question test, correct answers are needed.
How long do I have to complete the CDL knowledge tests?
The Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) typically allows one hour for the General Knowledge test (the 50-question one). The shorter endorsement tests often have a proportional amount of time, but you should always check the official DDS rules or ask a clerk at the testing center for the exact time limit before you begin.
How many times can I take the written CDL tests if I fail in Georgia?
You can take the CDL knowledge tests up to four times under a single application fee (often called a 'CAP' fee). If you fail an individual test four times, you will need to pay a new application fee to try again. There is also a rule where if 360 days pass between your test attempts, a new application and fee is required. So don't wait too long!
How many core knowledge tests are required for a Class A CDL in Georgia?
For a basic, non-endorsed Class A CDL, you must pass three knowledge tests: General Knowledge (50 questions), Air Brakes (25 questions), and Combination Vehicles (20 questions). That’s a minimum of 95 questions total to get your Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP).
How to prepare for the Georgia CDL knowledge test effectively?
The most effective way is to read the official Georgia CDL Manual cover-to-cover multiple times. Then, use high-quality practice tests (like the ones based directly on the manual) to check your knowledge and identify your weakest sections. Focus your studying on the areas where you keep missing questions.
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