Mississippi CDL General Knowledge study plan
Mississippi CDL General Knowledge · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 7 hours per week
Driving Safely
Read the Mississippi CDL general knowledge manual sections on basic driving rules and write a one-page summary of speed limits, right-of-way, and following distance rules
Memorize the standard following-distance formulas (one second per 10 feet of vehicle length under 40 mph, plus one second above 40 mph) and recite them from memory
List ten common driving-safely violations (tailgating, improper lane change, distracted driving, etc.) and state the correct behavior for each
Complete 40 practice questions on Driving Safely and log every missed item with the correct answer and why
Your checkpoint
A handwritten or typed cheat sheet covering following distance, speed management, and 10 violation corrections, plus a scored 40-question practice set (target 80% or better).
Driving Safely & Basic Control of Your Vehicle
Study hazard perception topics: construction zones, railroad crossings, sharp curves, and work-zone speed rules, and write five scenario responses
Practice the pre-trip and basic control sequence for starting, steering, shifting, and stopping on grades, and narrate each step aloud
Explain the procedure for driving in fog, rain, snow, and high wind, including when to slow down or pull off
Complete 50 mixed practice questions on Driving Safely and Basic Control and review all missed items
Your checkpoint
A written response to five hazard scenarios plus a scored 50-question practice set with a correction log for every wrong answer.
Air Brakes
Identify every air brake system component (compressor, governor, reservoirs, safety valve, foot valve, slack adjusters, chambers) and describe its function in one sentence each
Memorize the air brake leakage test limits and the low-air warning and spring brake pop-out thresholds
Recite the seven-step air brake check in order and explain what each step confirms
Complete 40 air brake practice questions and score at least 85%
Your checkpoint
A labeled air brake system diagram drawn from memory with component functions and the full seven-step check written out, plus a scored 40-question set.
Combination Vehicles
Describe the coupling and uncoupling procedures for a tractor-trailer in correct order, including the tug test and landing gear steps
Explain the causes and prevention of trailer swing, jackknifing, and off-tracking, and state the correct steering response for each
Memorize the inspection steps unique to combination vehicles and the brake check sequence for a rig
Complete 40 combination vehicle practice questions and review every miss
Your checkpoint
A written coupling and uncoupling checklist with the tug test and air line checks, plus a scored 40-question combination vehicle set.
Transporting Cargo Safely & Doubles and Triples
State the cargo securement requirements for weight distribution, tiedowns, and aggregate working load limits, and list the four tie-down rules for heavy vehicles
Explain the consequences of overloading axles and how to calculate allowable cargo weight from axle ratings
Describe the differences in handling, braking, and inspection for doubles and triples, including the converter dolly and shut-off valves
Complete 40 practice questions covering cargo and doubles/triples and log corrections
Your checkpoint
A one-page cargo securement and weight-distribution reference plus a scored 40-question set covering Cargo and Doubles/Triples.
Hazardous Materials & Tank Vehicles
Identify the nine hazard classes and the placarding rules, including when placards are required and the 1,001-pound rule
List the shipping paper requirements, emergency response information, and the driver's responsibilities at a hazardous materials incident
Explain tank vehicle surge, baffles, outage, and the special driving rules for smooth bore and divided tanks
Complete 50 practice questions on Hazardous Materials and Tank Vehicles and score at least 85%
Your checkpoint
A hazard class and placarding chart written from memory plus a scored 50-question set on Hazardous Materials and Tank Vehicles.
Transporting Passengers & School Buses
State the passenger-carrying rules on standing passengers, baggage, and the driver's responsibility for passenger safety and emergency evacuation
Describe the school bus loading and unloading procedure, including the danger zones, the stop arm, and when the driver must escort students
Explain the railroad crossing procedure for school buses and the required stop and look sequence
Complete 40 practice questions on Passenger Transport and School Bus and review all misses
Your checkpoint
A written school bus loading/unloading and railroad crossing procedure plus a scored 40-question set on Passenger and School Bus topics.
Vehicle Inspection & Driving Safely
Recite the full pre-trip inspection sequence for engine compartment, walk-around, and in-cab items in order
Re-take a full mixed 100-question practice exam across all domains and score at least 85%
Review every missed question from all eight weeks and rewrite the correct answer in your own words
Complete two timed full-length practice exams under test conditions
Your checkpoint
Two completed timed practice exams with scores of 85% or higher and a final one-page review sheet of every missed item.
Milestones
Week 2: Score 80% or higher on a 50-question Driving Safely and Basic Control practice set and explain the following-distance formula from memory.
Week 4: Recite the seven-step air brake check and the coupling/uncoupling sequence without notes, and score 85% or higher on the air brake and combination vehicle sets.
Week 6: Name all nine hazard classes, state the placarding rule, and explain tank vehicle surge, scoring 85% or higher on the combined Hazardous Materials and Tank Vehicle set.
Week 8: Score 85% or higher on two timed 100-question mixed practice exams and present the final review sheet of missed items.