Mississippi CDL General Knowledge study guide
Mississippi CDL General Knowledge · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The Mississippi CDL General Knowledge exam is the written knowledge test that the Mississippi Department of Public Safety (DPS) requires before a commercial learner's permit or commercial driver's license can be issued. It is aimed at anyone who plans to drive a Class A, B, or C commercial vehicle on public roads, from tractor-trailer operators to delivery drivers and bus drivers. The Mississippi CDL General Knowledge study guide has 11 sections and about 3,399 words.
01Driving Safely
Driving Safely asks you to apply the basic speed law, choose a safe following distance, scan ahead, and respond correctly to skids, railroad crossings, night glare, and distractions. The exam favors scenarios where several answers sound reasonable but only one matches the rule.
328 words, about 2 min02Transporting Cargo Safely
Cargo questions test whether you can inspect a load, secure it against movement, distribute weight legally, and recognize when cargo blocks lights, plates, or the driver’s view. Expect practical scenarios about tiedowns, axle limits, and load shifts.
329 words, about 2 min03Transporting Passengers
Passenger transport questions focus on safe loading and unloading, emergency exits, baggage control, standee rules, and keeping riders from distracting the driver. The exam tests supervision and emergency readiness, not hospitality.
305 words, about 2 min04Air Brakes
Air brake questions test component knowledge, build-up and leak tests, low-pressure warning, spring brake operation, and stopping technique. You must know what the gauges and tests are telling you.
332 words, about 2 min05Combination Vehicles
Combination vehicle questions cover fifth-wheel coupling, air-line connections, trailer brake tests, off-tracking, rollover risk, and safe turning. The exam wants sequence and verification, not just component names.
306 words, about 2 min06Doubles and Triples
Doubles and triples questions test converter dolly coupling, safety chains, shut-off valves, air-line routing, and the handling effects of multiple trailers. The key hazard is rearward amplification.
318 words, about 2 min07Tank Vehicles
Tank vehicle questions focus on liquid surge, baffles, outage space, vents, and the high center of gravity. The exam tests whether you can predict how a partly filled tank will behave.
294 words, about 1 min08Hazardous Materials
Hazardous materials questions test placarding, shipping papers, emergency response information, parking, smoking, routes, and the nine hazard classes. The exam expects you to know when a placard is required.
287 words, about 1 min09School Buses
School bus questions test loading and unloading, the danger zone, stop arms and red lights, railroad crossings, student crossing procedures, and the post-trip check for sleeping children. The danger zone is the area within about 10 feet around the bus.
317 words, about 2 min10Vehicle Inspection
Vehicle Inspection tests the pre-trip, en-route, and post-trip checks, including tires, lights, fluids, belts, hoses, couplings, emergency equipment, and the air brake test sequence. Do a systematic pre-trip inspection: engine compartment, walk-around, lights, tires, brakes, coupling, and cargo.
286 words, about 1 min11Basic Control of Your Vehicle
Basic Control tests starting, shifting, steering, turning, stopping, and backing. The exam focuses on smooth control, proper gear selection, mirror use, and knowing when to stop and get out to look.
297 words, about 1 min