Massachusetts CDL — General Knowledge practice
Massachusetts CDL — General Knowledge: Traffic Laws practice test
Speed limits, turning and signaling rules, headlight and seat-belt requirements, and the everyday laws every driver must follow.
Content reviewed against official driver handbooks · August 12, 2026
16 questions · pass with 13 correct. You get instant feedback and an explanation after every answer.
Choose your level
Up to 20 questions on this topic, with feedback after every answer.
Study questions with answers
12 sample Traffic Laws questions with the correct answer, a short explanation, and the official handbook reference. Read through them, then take the quiz above.
Show all 12 questions with answers
1. A driver must hold a CDL to operate a single vehicle whose gross vehicle weight rating is at least how many pounds?
Correct answer: 26,001 pounds
Federal standards require a CDL for any single vehicle rated at 26,001 pounds or more, one of the basic thresholds that defines a commercial motor vehicle.
Source: Massachusetts CDL Manual — Section 1: Introduction
2. A tank-vehicle endorsement is required when hauling liquid or gas in a tank whose aggregate rated capacity is at least how much?
Correct answer: 1,000 gallons
The tank endorsement applies to tanks rated above 119 gallons individually whose combined capacity reaches 1,000 gallons or more, whether or not the liquid is hazardous.
Source: Massachusetts CDL Manual — Section 1: Introduction
3. A driver whose skills test was taken in a truck with an automatic transmission receives which restriction?
Correct answer: An E restriction — no manual transmission
Testing in an automatic earns the E restriction, which forbids the driver from operating any CMV that has a manual (clutch-and-shift) transmission.
Source: Massachusetts CDL Manual — Section 1: Introduction
4. Within how many days of a traffic conviction (other than parking) must a CDL holder notify their employer?
Correct answer: 30 days
You must tell your employer within 30 days of any traffic conviction other than parking, whatever kind of vehicle you were driving at the time.
Source: Massachusetts CDL Manual — Section 1.4: Other CDL Rules
5. Within what time must a driver tell their employer that their license has been suspended, revoked, or canceled?
Correct answer: Two business days
A suspension, revocation, cancellation, or disqualification must be reported to the employer within two business days, sooner than the 30-day rule for ordinary convictions.
Source: Massachusetts CDL Manual — Section 1.4: Other CDL Rules
6. What does federal regulation say about a CMV driver reading or typing text messages while driving?
Correct answer: It is prohibited while driving
Texting while driving a commercial vehicle is prohibited because it takes the eyes off the road and combines physical and mental distraction at the same time.
Source: Massachusetts CDL Manual — Section 2.9: Distracted Driving
7. You may drive a vehicle carrying hazardous materials without a hazmat endorsement only when what is true?
Correct answer: The load does not require placards
You can drive a hazmat-carrying vehicle without the endorsement only if the load does not require placards; if placards are required, you must hold the hazmat endorsement.
Source: Massachusetts CDL Manual — Section 2.23: Hazardous Materials Rules
8. Regardless of its weight, any vehicle designed to carry how many people (including the driver) requires a CDL?
Correct answer: 16 or more
A vehicle built to transport 16 or more occupants, counting the driver, falls under the CDL program because of the risk involved in carrying that many passengers.
Source: Massachusetts CDL Manual — Section 1: Introduction
9. How many tie-downs are required, at minimum, for cargo based on its length?
Correct answer: One tie-down for every 10 feet of cargo
Cargo needs at least one tie-down for each 10 feet of length; a 20-foot load, for example, would need at least two tie-downs on that basis.
Source: Massachusetts CDL Manual — Section 3.3: Securing Cargo
10. A driver testing in a vehicle without air brakes, or who fails the air-brake portion of the knowledge test, receives which restriction?
Correct answer: An L restriction — no air-brake CMV
Failing or skipping the air-brake test, or testing in a vehicle without air brakes, results in the L restriction, which bars operating any CMV equipped with air brakes.
Source: Massachusetts CDL Manual — Section 1: Introduction
11. How many licenses may a CDL holder legally possess at one time?
Correct answer: Only one
A commercial driver may hold only a single driver license; keeping more than one can lead to a court fine of up to $5,000 or jail.
Source: Massachusetts CDL Manual — Section 1.4: Other CDL Rules
12. Federal rules require a CMV driver to be restrained by a safety belt at what times?
Correct answer: At all times while operating the vehicle
A commercial driver must wear the safety belt whenever operating the vehicle; a belted driver stays behind the wheel in a crash and is far less likely to be thrown out and killed.
Source: Massachusetts CDL Manual — Section 1.4: Other CDL Rules
More CDL — General Knowledge topics
Practice Traffic Laws in another state
Every Massachusetts question is written from the official Massachusetts 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