NJ CDL General Knowledge study guide
NJ CDL General Knowledge · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
A New Jersey Commercial Driver License (CDL) lets you legally operate commercial motor vehicles such as tractor-trailers, tank trucks, and buses on public roads. To get one, you must pass a series of written knowledge tests at a Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) agency, and the General Knowledge test is the one every CDL applicant takes regardless of which vehicle class or endorsement they are pursuing. The NJ CDL General Knowledge study guide has 11 sections and about 2,236 words.
01Vehicle Inspection and Basic Control
New Jersey's CDL general-knowledge test treats inspection and basic control as one system: can you find a defect before it becomes a crash, and can you move a heavy vehicle smoothly? Expect questions on the pre-trip sequence, tire and brake defects, emergency equipment, clutch use, steering, and stopping.
253 words, about 1 min02Shifting, Backing, and Turning
Manual-transmission CDL vehicles may be non-synchronized. Double-clutch: clutch in, neutral, clutch out, match engine speed, clutch in, shift, clutch out.
259 words, about 1 min03Seeing and Communicating
Look 12-15 seconds ahead in town and farther on the open road. Check mirrors every 5-8 seconds.
240 words, about 1 min04Speed and Space Management
Drive at a speed that lets you stop within the distance you can see. Stopping distance equals perception distance plus reaction distance plus brake lag plus braking distance.
224 words, about 1 min05Night Driving and Extreme Conditions
Overdriving headlights is the core hazard: drive so you can stop within the lighted distance. Use low beams in fog, rain, and snow; high beams reflect back.
201 words, about 1 min06Hazard Perception and Emergencies
Look for escape routes: shoulder, empty lane, or open field. Ask 'what if' - if the car ahead brakes, if a tire blows, if a light turns red.
182 words, under 1 min07Skid Control, Braking, and Vehicle Systems
Skids start with overbraking, oversteering, or too much speed. Rear-wheel skid: steer in the direction the rear is sliding; don't brake.
173 words, under 1 min08Cargo, Securement, and Weight Limits
Cargo must not shift. Use at least one tie-down per 10 feet of cargo, with a minimum of two.
177 words, under 1 min09Vehicle Combination and Air Brakes Overview
Check the fifth wheel, kingpin, landing gear, air lines, electrical cord, and trailer brakes. After coupling: tug test, visual check, raise landing gear, connect air lines, check trailer brake lights.
177 words, under 1 min10Driver Qualification, Hours of Service, and Safety Rules
A CDL requires the right class, endorsements, a valid medical examiner's certificate, and a clean driving record. Carry your license and medical card.
177 words, under 1 min11Alcohol, Drugs, and Personal Safety
For CDL drivers, 0.04% BAC is a violation; refusal to test is treated like a violation. A first offense can mean loss of CDL.
173 words, under 1 min