CertQuestUSA
Transportation70+AK/AL/AR +moreConstruction & Safety39+CAEnvironmental98+AL/AR/AZ +moreHealthcare & Clinical183+AL/AR/AZ +moreProfessional Licensing307+AL/AR/AZ +moreEducation & Teacher Certification17Aviation & FAA Certification9Finance & Securities Licensing19View all sectors ›

CDL General Knowledge (Indiana)

First published: September 3, 2026Last verified: September 3, 2026Reviewed by the CertQuestUSA team
TL;DR

CDL General Knowledge (Indiana): a 124-question practice bank for the real CDL Permit & Endorsement Exams standard, 2 full papers of 50 questions each with no repeats, every question citing the real regulation it comes from.

Where these questions come from

Every question in this bank cites a real source -- primarily FMCSA CDL Manual (77%) and 49 CFR (23%) of this exam's citations.

Not sure where you stand? Take the free diagnostic — 10 real questions across the exam's domains, no sign-up required, with a domain-by-domain breakdown at the end.
Start diagnostic
2
full papers, no repeats
50
questions per paper
124
questions in the bank
What this exam covers
Real Indiana CDL requirements

The knowledge tested here is federal (FMCSA) and identical nationwide -- what varies by state is who administers it and under what terms. Researched directly from Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV)'s own site, verified 2026-09-03.

Administering agency
Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV)
CLP (permit) fee
$17.00 (per BMV fee chart, in.gov/bmv/files/Fee_Chart.pdf)
CDL license fee
$35.00; adding/removing a CDL endorsement: $19.00 (per BMV fee chart)
Minimum CLP hold before road test
14
Spanish-language knowledge test
English only

Indiana's standard (non-CDL) driver knowledge exam is offered directly in about 20 languages including Spanish, confirmed on the official BMV knowledge-exam page (secure.in.gov). However, Indiana House Enrolled Act 1200, signed into law by Gov. Mike Braun in 2026, requires ALL CDL holders to pass both the knowledge and skills exam in English or American Sign Language (ASL) only — confirmed by multiple 2026 news reports (FreightWaves, WTHR, IPM, CDLLife) on the bill's passage and ceremonial signing. HEA 1200 also revoked roughly 1,800-2,000 non-domiciled CDLs held by drivers without qualifying visa status, effective April 1, 2026, and separately, the BMV ended the use of live foreign-language interpreters for knowledge exams generally as of May 2, 2026 (per BMV interpreter-request materials referenced in search results, not independently re-confirmed via direct fetch). Net effect: Indiana's CDL knowledge test is English/ASL-only as of 2026, a real and significant 2025/2026 change.

5 real sample questions
What is the most important reason for performing a pre-trip inspection before every trip?
A. To satisfy your dispatcher that the truck left on time
B. To find problems that could cause a crash or breakdown before they happen on the road
C. To reduce the number of miles logged for the day
D. To avoid having to fill out any paperwork later
Source: FMCSA CDL Manual §2.1.1
A roadside inspector determines that a commercial motor vehicle has a safety defect serious enough to be an immediate hazard. What is the inspector authorized to do under 49 CFR 396.9?
A. Issue a warning only, since only the motor carrier can pull a vehicle from service
B. Declare the vehicle "out of service" until the defect is corrected
C. Impound the vehicle permanently
D. Fine the driver but allow the vehicle to continue to the next scheduled stop
Source: 49 CFR 396.9
Under the federal tire tread depth standard, what is the minimum tread depth allowed in any major tread groove on a steering axle tire?
A. 1/32 inch
B. 2/32 inch
C. 4/32 inch
D. 6/32 inch
Source: 49 CFR 393.75
What is the minimum tread depth required on non-steering axle tires of a commercial motor vehicle?
A. 1/32 inch
B. 2/32 inch
C. 3/32 inch
D. 4/32 inch
Source: 49 CFR 393.75
Under 49 CFR 392.7, a driver may not operate a commercial motor vehicle unless satisfied that certain systems are in good working order. Which of the following is included in that pre-trip requirement?
A. The radio and cab air-conditioning system
B. Service brakes, trailer brake connections, parking brake, tires, lights, and mirrors
C. The cruise control set speed
D. The fuel economy displayed on the dashboard computer
Source: 49 CFR 392.7
Same exam, other states
AKALARAZCACOCTDCDEFLGAHIIAIDILKSKYLAMAMDMEMIMNMOMSMTNCNDNENHNJNMNVNYOHOKORPARISCSDTNTXUTVAVTWAWIWVWY

Frequently asked questions

How many questions are on the CertQuestUSA CDL General Knowledge (Indiana) practice test?
124 questions total, split into 2 full papers of 50 each with no repeats across papers.
What topics does the CDL General Knowledge (Indiana) test cover?
13 domains, with the heaviest weight on Vehicle Inspection (14%), Basic Control & Shifting (10%), and Emergency Maneuvers & Skid Control (10%).
Where do CertQuestUSA's CDL General Knowledge (Indiana) questions come from?
Primarily FMCSA CDL Manual (77%) and 49 CFR (23%) of this bank's citations -- computed directly from this exam's own question sources, not a generic description.
Is there a free diagnostic for CDL General Knowledge (Indiana)?
Yes -- 10 real questions across the exam's domains, no sign-up required, with a domain-by-domain breakdown at the end.
Still need a CDL school, a DOT physical, or tuition help?
CDL Schools USA, our sister site, lists FMCSA-registered schools by state, paid training programs, DOT physical clinics, and WIOA and GI Bill funding.
Find a CDL school
Composing your paper...