Massachusetts CDL practice test
Published Updated Licensing sources checked:
How do I prepare for the Massachusetts CDL knowledge test?
If you are preparing for your first permit, start with general knowledge and the official Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts state exam, and it does not copy state test questions. Check the official Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts application steps |
Massachusetts official CDL 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 Massachusetts.
Massachusetts RMV’s CLP page, checked November 13, 2026, prints question counts and the correct answers needed for each knowledge test below. Its official commercial manual explains the study topics. Our federal practice sessions do not reproduce the Massachusetts exam.
Which tests do I need in Massachusetts?
| 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 |
Check the current Massachusetts agency instructions for your vehicle, endorsements and application. Our federal study sets do not copy state exam questions or supply unprinted exam figures.
Before booking the exam, check Massachusetts CDL application steps and official fee lines.
| Test | Questions | To pass | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|
| General knowledge | 50 questions | 40 correct | State source |
| Combination vehicles, for Class A | 20 questions | 16 correct | State source |
| Air brakes, if applicable | 25 questions | 20 correct | State source |
| Passenger | 20 questions | 16 correct | State source |
| Tank vehicle | 20 questions | 16 correct | State source |
| School bus | 20 questions | 16 correct | State source |
| Hazardous materials | 30 questions | 24 correct | State source |
| Doubles and triples | 20 questions | 16 correct | State source |
Massachusetts language, permit and booking notes — checked 2026-11-13
RMV lists a $30 learner’s permit application fee. Each endorsement costs $10 with the permit application or in the same transaction, or $30 if taken on a different day. These are separate fee lines; no application total is estimated here. Official source — checked .
The CLP page says the general knowledge and endorsement exams are available in English, Spanish and Portuguese. An RMV Service Center appointment is required for the permit transaction. Official source — checked .
A CLP expires after 180 days and can be renewed once for another 180 days without a renewal fee. RMV says renewal must occur within 30 days of expiration to avoid new knowledge testing. Official source — checked .
The CLP page requires applicable entry-level driver training before the road test for first Class A or B permits, a Class B-to-A upgrade, or a first passenger or school bus endorsement. Hazmat training is required before its knowledge test. Official source — checked .
For unknown figures, check with the Massachusetts licensing agency. A blank count is not an estimate.
Federal study sets, not the Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts test.