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.
Three test parts
Virginia's CDL skills test consists of Vehicle Inspection, Basic Vehicle Control, and On-Road Driving. The current 165-page DMV 60A is labeled for the modernized testing system and replaces the older 2005-system control course.
Four modernized exercises
The current control test uses Forward Stop, Straight-Line Backing, Forward Offset Tracking, and Reverse Offset Backing. Scoring covers pull-ups, encroachments, permitted looks, final position, instructions, and unsafe acts as applicable to each exercise.
Representative safe vehicle
The applicant supplies a properly registered vehicle of the requested type in safe working condition with required inspection, plates, decals, registration, brakes, belts, horn, lights, signals, mirrors, and speedometer. Equipment used determines restrictions.
Appointment and attempt
Virginia schedules the three-part test through CDL testing locations, estimates about 90 minutes, and allows the skills test only once per business day. Only the applicant and DMV representative ride during the road test.
Missed appointment and results
An unreported missed skills appointment produces a $50 fee. It must be paid within 31 days; otherwise a $10 administrative fee and transaction block may follow. Passed skills results remain valid for six months.
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.