CDL Practice Test Florida 2026: 25 Q&A + Pass Tips

Quick Answer

The Florida CDL general knowledge test has 50 questions and requires at least 40 correct answers (80%) to pass. You must be 18+ (in-state) or 21+ (interstate, FMCSA, 2026), hold a current DOT medical certificate, hold a CLP for ≥14 days, and complete the skills test at an FLHSMV-approved third-party site within 180 days. The Class A fee is $75 plus $7 per endorsement (FLHSMV, 2026).

Data last verified September 2026 from FLHSMV, the FMCSA CDL Manual, and the current Florida CDL Handbook.

Eligibility

• Age: 18+ (in-state) / 21+ (interstate) (FMCSA, 2026).
• Florida residency: Two proofs — utility bill, bank statement, rental agreement.
• Medical: Current MCSA-5876.
• CLP: Held for ≥14 days before skills test.
• Driving record: No active suspensions or major violations.

Test format

Source: FLHSMV CDL knowledge test specifications (2026).

Sample Q&A — General Knowledge (20 questions)

Q1. Minimum following distance at highway speed?

7 seconds. FMCSA §392.22 (2026).

Q2. When must you stop before railroad tracks?

Always for HazMat CMVs. FMCSA §392.10 (2026).

Q3. Pre-trip inspection cadence?

Before every trip + written report. FMCSA §396.11 (2026).

Q4. Legal CMV BAC?

0.04%. FMCSA §382.201 (2026).

Q5. Max driving hours per shift?

11 hours driving within 14 hours on duty after 10 off. FMCSA §395.3 (2026).

Q6. Diamond placard meaning?

HazMat load — UN number identifies class. 49 CFR §172.504 (2026).

Q7. Hazard lights while parked?

Required when stopped on the roadway unless using flares. FMCSA §392.22 (2026).

Q8. Steer-tire tread depth?

4/32 inch. FMCSA §393.75 (2026).

Q9. Air system leak rate (single)?

≤3 psi/min. FL CDL Handbook Ch. 5 (2026).

Q10. Stopping distance at 60 mph loaded tractor-trailer?

~300 ft. FMCSA study (2026).

Q11. Triangle placement?

10/100/200 ft behind, within 10 min. FMCSA §392.22 (2026).

Q12. Bridge formula purpose?

Limits weight on consecutive axles. 23 CFR §658.17 (2026).

Q13. ELD exemption?

150 air-mile radius drivers, pre-2000 vehicles, paper-log short-haul. FMCSA §395.1 (2026).

Q14. Max CMV width?

102 inches. 23 CFR §658.15 (2026).

Q15. On-duty window?

14 hours max after 10 off-duty. FMCSA §395.3 (2026).

Q16. Intrastate vs interstate?

Within Florida = intrastate; cross-state = interstate. FMCSA §390.5 (2026).

Q17. CDL downgrade?

CDLIS Voluntary Withdrawal → surrender CDL → receive Class E. FLHSMV (2026).

Q18. Fire extinguisher?

5-B:C UL-listed. FMCSA §393.95 (2026).

Q19. GCWR?

Gross combination weight rating; Class A > 26,001 lb. FMCSA §383.5 (2026).

Q20. Personal-vehicle DUI on CDL?

1-year disqualification (first), life (second). FMCSA §383.51 (2026).

Pass-mark and score interpretation

Each FLHSMV knowledge test must independently clear 80%. No averaged pass. Retake rule: 1-day waiting period (FLHSMV, 2026).

Where to book

FLHSMV-approved third-party CDL testing sites — primarily CDL training schools. Book directly with the school. Bring CLP, DOT medical card, SS card, and two residency proofs (FLHSMV, 2026).

Resources and next steps

Pair your study with the TutorsBot entrance-exams hub and the FMCSA CDL Manual for rule citations. The TutorsBot phishing-awareness sibling post is useful for fleet/dispatcher cybersecurity.

Florida CDL career outlook (2026)

Florida is the third-largest CDL employer market in the US, with major sectors including port drayage (Jacksonville, Tampa, Miami), long-haul refrigerated freight (citrus, produce), and tourism-related coach/bus (Orlando theme parks). The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS, 2026) reports heavy-truck driver median wage of $50,200 nationally and $52,800 in Florida, with top-10% earners exceeding $74,000. Florida-specific endorsements (H, N, T, P, S) add $0.50-$3.00/hour to base pay. Apprenticeship programs at major Florida carriers (Werner, Schneider, Knight-Swift, US Xpress) offer paid CDL training — most require a 12-24 month commitment post-CDL. Hurricane season (June-November) creates surge demand for CDL drivers for emergency response and recovery operations. FLHSMV-authorised third-party testers are concentrated in Jacksonville, Tampa, Orlando, Miami, and Tallahassee.

Florida CDL career outlook 2026

Florida is the third-largest CDL employer market in the US, with major sectors including port drayage (Jacksonville, Tampa, Miami), long-haul refrigerated freight (citrus, produce), and tourism-related coach and bus operations (Orlando theme parks). The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS, 2026) reports heavy-truck driver median wage of $50,200 nationally and $52,800 in Florida, with top-10% earners exceeding $74,000. Florida-specific endorsements (H, N, T, P, S) add $0.50-$3.00 per hour to base pay. Apprenticeship programs at major Florida carriers (Werner, Schneider, Knight-Swift, US Xpress) offer paid CDL training — most require a 12-24 month commitment post-CDL. Hurricane season (June through November) creates surge demand for CDL drivers for emergency response and recovery operations; catastrophe pay rates can reach 1.5x-2x standard wages. FLHSMV-authorised third-party testers are concentrated in Jacksonville, Tampa, Orlando, Miami, and Tallahassee. Average first-year Florida CDL driver total compensation (base + benefits) is approximately $58,000-$65,000 (BLS, 2026).

Florida CDL career outlook 2026

Florida is the third-largest CDL employer market in the US, with major sectors including port drayage (Jacksonville, Tampa, Miami), long-haul refrigerated freight (citrus, produce), and tourism-related coach and bus operations (Orlando theme parks). The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS, 2026) reports heavy-truck driver median wage of $50,200 nationally and $52,800 in Florida, with top-10% earners exceeding $74,000. Florida-specific endorsements (H, N, T, P, S) add $0.50-$3.00 per hour to base pay. Apprenticeship programs at major Florida carriers (Werner, Schneider, Knight-Swift, US Xpress) offer paid CDL training — most require a 12-24 month commitment post-CDL. Hurricane season (June through November) creates surge demand for CDL drivers for emergency response and recovery operations; catastrophe pay rates can reach 1.5x-2x standard wages. FLHSMV-authorised third-party testers are concentrated in Jacksonville, Tampa, Orlando, Miami, and Tallahassee. Average first-year Florida CDL driver total compensation (base + benefits) is approximately $58,000-$65,000 (BLS, 2026).

Florida CDL reciprocity with other states is broad — most states accept the Florida Class A licence without further written testing; however, you must transfer the licence within 30 days of establishing residency in another state (FLHSMV, 2026). Florida also issues a Class A Restricted licence for intra-state farm-haulage only, which has reduced testing requirements but no interstate recognition.