This commercial driver study guide covers relevant Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) concepts and Mississippi commercial driver knowledge topics. Review the regulations, procedures, and safety checklists below as part of your CDL and commercial learner permit (CLP) preparation.
Controlling study format
The official Mississippi CDL publication page currently links the March 2025 AAMVA Modernized Testing System manual. Its skills chapters replace the legacy parallel-parking and alley-dock study course with the current checklist and four-exercise format.
Vehicle Inspection
The applicant may use the official checklist and check completed items but may not add notes beforehand. The driver must name, point to or touch, and fully explain each required safety-critical item and why it is inspected.
Inspection safety
Use wheel chocks, do not crawl under the vehicle, secure the transmission and parking brake before leaving the seat, and maintain three points of contact when entering or exiting. Failure to follow instructions or an unsafe act can end the test.
Four exercises
The Basic Control Skills test uses Forward Stop, Straight-Line Backing, Forward Offset Tracking, and Reverse Offset Backing. Scoring considers pull-ups, looks, boundary encroachments, final position, and unsafe acts.
Exam focus
Apply the rule to the exact Mississippi vehicle, credential, date, trip, test stage, and operating facts. Current Mississippi DPS pages, current law, federal requirements, and the current official manual control when an older page label conflicts with a later rule.
Commercial Driver License Exam Readiness: Achieving a passing grade of 80% or higher on state DMV commercial driver knowledge exams requires mastery of federal vehicle inspection procedures, gross vehicle weight ratings (GVWR / GCWR), braking mechanics, and road safety regulations.