Kentucky CDL General Knowledge Practice Test 2025

The Kentucky CDL General Knowledge test has 50 questions requiring 40 correct (80%) to pass. Endorsement tests: HazMat (30 questions), Tanker (30 questions), Passenger (20 questions), School Bus (20 questions), Doubles/Triples (20 questions), Air Brakes (25 questions). All require 80%. Contact KYTC for current testing fees and locations.

Kentucky CDL holders in a CMV face the federal 0.04% BAC DUI limit. A DUI conviction in any vehicle triggers FMCSA CDL disqualification: 1 year for first offense, lifetime for second. Brent's Law escalates a DUI with a child passenger under 12 to a minimum Class D felony — which triggers lifetime CDL disqualification under FMCSA rules. Kentucky is a no-fault auto insurance state, but CDL commercial insurance follows federal standards.

Kentucky I-64 (eastern Kentucky) and I-75 (Corbin/Jellico Mountain area) have significant Appalachian mountain grades with long descents. CDL hazards: (1) brake fade if brakes overheat from continuous application; (2) runaway situations if brake fade occurs; (3) fog in mountain cuts that reduces visibility suddenly; (4) deer crossing activity on forested grade sections; (5) seasonal ice on shaded north-facing cuts. Runaway truck ramps are provided on major descents. CDL drivers should downshift before the grade begins and use engine braking as primary speed control.

Kentucky CDL skills tests are administered at KYTC-approved Third Party Testing sites. Knowledge tests are available at KYTC Driver Licensing Regional Offices statewide. Kentucky has CDL testing in Louisville, Lexington, Bowling Green, Owensboro, Covington, and other cities. Contact KYTC Division of Driver Licensing for current approved testing site lists.

Louisville is one of the U.S.'s most important logistics cities: UPS Worldport (world's largest air package sorting facility), Amazon Air Hub, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky (Georgetown), Ford Truck Assembly, and major rail (CSX, Norfolk Southern) interchange points. CDL Class A freight employment in Louisville is concentrated around the I-64/I-65/I-71 interchange ('Spaghetti Junction') and the Louisville Metro Industrial areas west of downtown. CDL skills in this environment include tight maneuvering in warehouse dock configurations and navigating the complex I-64/I-65 interchange.

A Class A CDL allows you to operate any combination of vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 26,001 lbs or more, provided the towed unit exceeds 10,000 lbs — this includes tractor-trailers and double/triple trailer rigs. A Class B CDL covers single vehicles with a GVWR of 26,001 lbs or more, or any such vehicle towing a unit not exceeding 10,000 lbs — this includes straight trucks and large buses. A Class C CDL is required for vehicles designed to carry 16 or more passengers (including the driver) or for vehicles transporting hazardous materials that require placarding, when those vehicles do not qualify for Class A or B.

CDL fees vary by state and by the class and endorsements you obtain. Most states charge separate fees for the CDL knowledge test ($10–$30 per attempt), the CDL skills test ($50–$150), and the CDL license itself ($50–$100). Additional fees apply for each endorsement (HazMat, Tanker, Passenger, etc.). The HazMat endorsement also requires a TSA security threat assessment fee of approximately $86. Check your Kentucky DMV website for current fee schedules.

Federal regulations (49 CFR 383.133) require that CDL applicants be able to read and speak the English language sufficiently to understand highway traffic signs and signals and to respond to official inquiries. Many states offer CDL knowledge tests in Spanish and other languages for non-commercial knowledge questions, but the actual CDL test must be taken in a language that allows the driver to meet the English proficiency requirement. Check with the Kentucky DMV for available language options.

In most states, a CDL is valid for 4–8 years (commonly 4–5 years). To renew your Kentucky CDL, you typically need to visit a DMV office, pass a vision test, pay the renewal fee, and update your medical certification (DOT physical). If you hold a HazMat endorsement, your TSA background check must also be current. CDLs cannot generally be renewed online due to federal requirements for in-person verification of medical certification.

If you fail the CDL General Knowledge test in Kentucky, you are typically required to wait a specified period (commonly 1–7 days) before retaking it. Most states allow 2–3 attempts before requiring additional waiting periods or study requirements. There is usually a retest fee for each attempt. Focus on the areas you missed — most states provide a score sheet showing which topic areas you need to review.