Alabama CDL practice test
Published Updated Licensing sources checked:
How do I prepare for the Alabama CDL knowledge test?
If you are preparing for your first permit, start with general knowledge and the official Alabama instructions below. If your vehicle needs air brakes or combination vehicles, add those federal study sets; for hazardous materials, use the separate hazmat set. Compare the state’s published test rules with its current manual before you test. These practice sets teach federal topics and do not copy the state exam.
This page is study material. It is not the Alabama state exam, and it does not copy state test questions. Check the official Alabama pages below before you test.
| Your situation | Start with… |
|---|---|
| A quick first try | Take a 10-question warm-up |
| Ready for a longer attempt | Take the 50-question general knowledge exam |
| Need state rules or documents | Check the Alabama application steps |
Alabama ALEA commercial driver manual (PDF) — link checked . Study its rules alongside our federal-standard bank. Our 50-question exam length is a study setting; use the official counts below for Alabama.
ALEA’s CDL manual section 1.1.1 lists knowledge tests for your vehicle and endorsements. That section and the CDL application instructions checked November 12, 2026 do not print question counts or a knowledge-test passing score. Those figures stay unknown here; federal practice lengths are study settings.
Which tests do I need in Alabama?
| Your vehicle or work | Required study and tests |
|---|---|
| All permit applicants | Start with general knowledge. Official requirements. Federal warm-up · Federal exam mode |
| Class A combination vehicle | Add combination vehicles. Official requirements. Federal warm-up · Federal exam mode |
| Vehicle with air brakes | Add air brakes and check restriction rules. Official requirements. Federal warm-up · Federal exam mode |
| Passenger vehicle | Add passenger testing. Official requirements. Federal warm-up · Federal exam mode |
| School bus | Study school bus and passenger topics; check state requirements. Official requirements. Federal warm-up · Federal exam mode |
| Tank vehicle | Add tank vehicle testing. Official requirements. Federal warm-up · Federal exam mode |
| Hazardous materials | Add hazmat testing and check approval and training steps. Official requirements. Federal warm-up · Federal exam mode |
| Doubles or triples | Add doubles and triples testing; check vehicle limits. Official requirements. Federal warm-up · Federal exam mode |
Use ALEA’s current manual and document checklist. Our federal topic sets do not copy Alabama exam questions or supply unprinted exam figures.
Before booking the exam, check Alabama CDL application steps and official fee lines.
| Test | Questions | To pass | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|
| General knowledge | Not printed on the pages checked | Not printed on the pages checked | State sourceState source |
| Combination vehicles, for Class A | Not printed on the pages checked | Not printed on the pages checked | State sourceState source |
| Air brakes, if applicable | Not printed on the pages checked | Not printed on the pages checked | State sourceState source |
| Passenger | Not printed on the pages checked | Not printed on the pages checked | State sourceState source |
| Tank vehicle | Not printed on the pages checked | Not printed on the pages checked | State sourceState source |
| School bus | Not printed on the pages checked | Not printed on the pages checked | State sourceState source |
| Hazardous materials | Not printed on the pages checked | Not printed on the pages checked | State sourceState source |
| Doubles and triples | Not printed on the pages checked | Not printed on the pages checked | State sourceState source |
Alabama language, permit and booking notes — checked 2026-11-12
ALEA’s CDL applicant fee list prints a $25 testing fee and $36.25 to purchase a commercial learner license. It separately lists a $20 skills-test fee. These are separate fee lines, not a calculated total. Official source — checked .
ALEA’s FAQ says a first-time or upgrading applicant needs a CLP held at least 14 days before CDL testing. The CLP is valid for 360 days and is not renewable; after expiration, all written tests must be retaken. Official source — checked .
ALEA requires a TSA background check when obtaining or transferring a hazardous-materials endorsement. Use the state manual and current document checklist before booking. Official source — checked .
For unknown figures, check with the Alabama licensing agency. A blank count is not an estimate.
Federal study sets, not the Alabama exam
Use general knowledge, air brakes, combination vehicles, and hazmat to study the federal topics. Finishing one of those sets does not mean you passed the Alabama test.