Free Arkansas DMV CDL — General Knowledge Practice Test 2026
The Arkansas CDL — General Knowledge knowledge test has ~50 questions, and you need ~40 correct (80%) to pass. Practice free with questions written from the official Arkansas driver handbook — every one has a clear explanation, and you can retake as often as you like with no sign-up.
Content reviewed against official driver handbooks · August 12, 2026
What's on the Arkansas written test
The Arkansas CDL — General Knowledge knowledge test has ~50 questions; you need ~40 correct (80%) to pass.
Based on the official Arkansas exam format — always confirm current details with your state DMV.
Practice by topic
Focus on one area at a time — each topic has its own set of Arkansas practice questions.
Learn the shapes, colors, and meanings of regulatory, warning, and guide signs — from stop and yield to construction and school-zone signs.
Speed limits, turning and signaling rules, headlight and seat-belt requirements, and the everyday laws every driver must follow.
How to read traffic signals, lane lines, and pavement markings — including yellow and white lines, arrows, and flashing lights.
Who goes first at intersections, four-way stops, roundabouts, and crosswalks, and how to yield to pedestrians and emergency vehicles.
Following distance, scanning, blind spots, using your lights, and the habits that prevent crashes and keep you in control.
Driving safely around motorcycles, bicycles, large trucks, pedestrians, and school buses — and knowing who has the right of way.
Blood alcohol limits, zero-tolerance and implied-consent laws, and how alcohol and drugs — legal or not — affect your driving.
Legal and illegal parking, colored curbs, distances from hydrants and crossings, and how to park safely on hills.
Choosing a safe speed, keeping a space cushion, adjusting for weather and traffic, and understanding stopping distance.
What to do when things go wrong — brake failure, tire blowouts, skids, and stalling on railroad tracks.
The point system, license suspension, provisional-license rules, insurance requirements, and other licensing basics.
How to pass the first time
- Read the official Arkansas driver handbook at least once before test day.
- Practice by topic to find your weak spots, then fix them.
- Take full-length practice tests until you pass comfortably every time.
- Read every explanation — understanding beats memorizing.
Arkansas CDL — General Knowledge test — frequently asked questions
How many questions are on the Arkansas CDL — General Knowledge test?
The Arkansas CDL — General Knowledge knowledge test has ~50 questions, and you need ~40 correct (80%) to pass. Our practice tests mirror that format.
How many questions can I miss on the Arkansas CDL — General Knowledge test?
You can miss up to ~10 of the ~50 questions and still pass — you need ~40 correct, which is 80%.
Can I retake the practice test?
Yes — practice as often as you like, completely free. The questions and answer choices are shuffled each time.
Can I take the Arkansas practice test in Spanish?
Yes. Every question here is available in English and Spanish — switch languages anytime. Many states also offer the real knowledge test in languages other than English; confirm what Arkansas offers with your DMV.
Can I practice on my phone?
Yes. The practice tests work in any mobile or desktop browser — no app or sign-up needed — so you can study anywhere.
Are these the real DMV test questions?
No. Our questions are original, written from the current official Arkansas driver handbook to match the real test's topics and style. We are not affiliated with any DMV or government agency.
What's the best way to study?
Read the Arkansas driver handbook, practice by topic to target weak areas, and finish with full-length tests until you consistently pass.
Other Arkansas practice tests
Take the CDL — General Knowledge test in another state
Every Arkansas question is written from the official Arkansas driver handbook and checked against its current edition. DMV Test Free is a free, independent study resource — not affiliated with any DMV or government agency. About DMV Test Free
Arkansas CDL — General Knowledge questions with answers
20 sample questions from the Arkansas CDL — General Knowledge question bank — each with the correct answer, a short explanation, and the section of the official handbook it comes from.
Show all 20 questions with answers
1. In a vehicle towing a trailer, what can a drive-wheel braking skid cause?
Correct answer: A jackknife, as the trailer pushes the towing vehicle sideways
When the rear drive wheels lock, they slide sideways. With a trailer, that lets the trailer shove the towing vehicle sideways into a sudden jackknife; a bus or straight truck spins out instead.
Source: Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 2.19, Skid Control and Recovery
2. During a right turn in a large vehicle, why keep the rear of the vehicle close to the curb?
Correct answer: It stops drivers behind you from squeezing by on your right
Take right turns slowly. If the turn can't be made without using another lane, swing wide only as you finish it, holding the rear near the curb so nobody slips past on your right.
Source: Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 2.7, Managing Space
3. Your skills test vehicle has air-over-hydraulic brakes. What restriction goes on your CDL?
Correct answer: Z: you may not drive a CMV with full air brakes
Testing with air-over-hydraulic brakes earns the Z restriction, which bars CMVs whose brakes work entirely on air. The L code is a separate restriction for drivers who skip or fail the air brake knowledge test or test in a vehicle without air brakes.
Source: Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 1, CDL Endorsements & Restrictions
4. You are hauling battery fluid in placard-level amounts. Which hazard class name goes with it?
Correct answer: Corrosives (Class 8)
The hazard class table lists hydrochloric acid and battery fluid as Class 8, corrosives. Propane is a Class 2 gas, fireworks are Class 1 explosives, and matches are Class 4 flammable solids.
Source: Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 2.23, Hazardous Materials Rules For All Commercial Drivers
5. A CDL holder is convicted a second time within three years of breaking a state law against hand-held phone use in a CMV. What is the minimum disqualification?
Correct answer: 60 days
Two hand-held phone convictions in a CMV within three years lead to a 60-day disqualification, and three or more within three years lead to 120 days. Civil penalties can apply on top of that.
Source: Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 2.9, Distracted Driving
6. About how many people die each year in traffic accidents involving people who have been drinking, according to the manual?
Correct answer: Over 20,000
According to the manual, traffic accidents involving drinkers cause more than 20,000 deaths a year.
Source: Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 2.22, Alcohol, Other Drugs, and Driving
7. During the road test's stop/start maneuver, where should your vehicle end up?
Correct answer: Parallel to the curb or shoulder and out of traffic, not blocking driveways, hydrants, or intersections
For this maneuver the vehicle must sit parallel to the curb or shoulder, safely out of the traffic flow, without blocking driveways, fire hydrants, intersections, or signs.
Source: Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 13, On-road Driving
8. Why is the road especially slippery just after rain begins?
Correct answer: The water mixes with oil that vehicles have left on the pavement
Early rain mixes with oil left by traffic and makes a very slick film. If the rain keeps falling, it eventually washes the oil away.
Source: Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 2.6, Controlling Speed
9. An oncoming driver at night keeps high beams on. What does the manual tell you to do?
Correct answer: Keep your low beams on and look slightly to the right at a lane or edge marking
Don't get back at the other driver with your own high beams; that adds glare and raises crash risk. Avoid looking straight into the lights and use the right lane line or edge marking as a guide.
Source: Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 2.11, Driving at Night
10. You must drive near another vehicle in heavy traffic. What should you do so its driver knows you are there?
Correct answer: Drop back or pull forward so the other driver can see you
Avoid traveling next to other vehicles. If you must be near them, keep as much space as you can and drop back or move ahead so the other driver can see you.
Source: Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 2.7, Managing Space
11. As you walk up to the vehicle to start an inspection, what should you look for underneath it?
Correct answer: Fresh leaks of oil, coolant, grease, or fuel
On the approach, note the general condition, any damage or lean to one side, fresh leaks under the vehicle, and hazards nearby such as people, other vehicles, low wires, or limbs.
Source: Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 2.1, Vehicle Inspection
12. Your engine catches fire. What should you do?
Correct answer: Shut off the engine and, if possible, keep the hood closed
For an engine fire, shut the engine off as soon as you can and avoid opening the hood. Direct the agent through the louvers or radiator, or from under the vehicle.
Source: Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 2.21, Fires
13. Which vehicles does the manual say are required to stop at public railroad-highway crossings?
Correct answer: All vehicles carrying passengers or hazardous materials
Along with explaining the advance warning sign, the manual states that every passenger-carrying and hazmat-carrying vehicle must stop at the crossing.
Source: Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 2.15, Railroad-highway Crossings
14. An Arkansas applicant testing in a Class B school bus must check the frame at which locations?
Correct answer: In the engine compartment and at the back of the vehicle by the rear axle
For Class B and C vehicles, passenger and school buses included, Arkansas requires a frame check in two places: the engine compartment and the rear of the vehicle at the rear axle.
Source: Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 11, Arkansas Applicants Vehicle Inspection Test
15. When do the posted speed limits in a work zone apply?
Correct answer: At all times while approaching and driving through the zone
The manual names speeding as the leading cause of work-zone injuries and deaths. Obey posted limits at all times as you approach and pass through.
Source: Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 2.6, Controlling Speed
16. You will haul hazardous materials that require placards in a tank vehicle. Which endorsement must your CDL show?
Correct answer: X, the combined hazardous materials and tank vehicle endorsement
Tank drivers who haul hazardous materials or waste in placard-level amounts need the X endorsement. It shows they passed the knowledge tests for both tank vehicles and hazardous materials.
Source: Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 1, CDL Endorsements & Restrictions
17. When using the manual's chart to estimate BAC from the number of drinks, how much should you subtract for time spent drinking?
Correct answer: 0.01% for each 40 minutes of drinking
A note on the BAC chart says to subtract .01% for every 40 minutes spent drinking.
Source: Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 2.22, Alcohol, Other Drugs, and Driving
18. Your coolant temperature gauge climbs above the highest safe reading. What should you do?
Correct answer: Stop driving as soon as you safely can and find out what is wrong
A reading above the safe range may mean a problem that could lead to engine failure or even fire. Stop as soon as it is safe and look for the cause.
Source: Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 2.14, Driving in Very Hot Weather
19. The road surface is icy. What does the manual tell you to do?
Correct answer: Creep along very slowly and get off the road at the first safe chance
On ice, reduce speed to a crawl and get off the road at the first safe opportunity.
Source: Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 2.6, Controlling Speed
20. During the in-cab part of the inspection test, which dashboard indicator must you check if your vehicle has one?
Correct answer: The Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) indicator
The lighting indicator check covers the left and right turn signal indicators, the four-way indicator, the high beam indicator, the ABS indicator, and the DEF indicator if equipped.
Source: Commercial Driver's License Manual — Section 11, Vehicle Inspection Test