This commercial driver study guide covers relevant Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) concepts and Virginia commercial driver knowledge topics. Review the regulations, procedures, and safety checklists below as part of your CDL and commercial learner permit (CLP) preparation.
Required modules and passing standard
Every Class A, B, or C applicant takes General Knowledge and adds Air Brakes, Combination Vehicles, N, P, S, T, H, or other tests required by the intended credential. Virginia requires at least 80 percent on the general knowledge exam and one best answer per item.
Daily testing limit
Virginia permits CDL knowledge exams only once per business day. Using a cell phone terminates the exam and requires waiting until the next day to retest.
Language boundary
Most Virginia CDL knowledge exams are available in several languages on a computer. The HazMat exam is English-only, cannot be administered orally, and cannot use a translator. Translators also cannot be used during the skills test.
Result validity
Passed Virginia knowledge results remain valid for one year. The applicant must obtain the CLP or CDL within that period or retake the applicable knowledge test.
Credential fees
Virginia currently lists a standard eight-year CDL without endorsements at $64, a CLP at $3, and CDL endorsements at $1 per year. School-bus-only fee treatment and HazMat background fees follow their separate rules.
Exam focus
Apply each rule to the exact Virginia credential, age, residence, legal-presence status, medical category, test stage, date, vehicle group, brake system, passenger use, cargo, and route. Current Virginia DMV webpages supersede older supplement text when a procedure or transaction changed after May 1, 2023.
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.