Indiana Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Testing Manual - Introduction - Knowledge - Skills

Sep 29, 2026

Indiana Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) testing materials outline eligibility requirements, required documentation, and the testing path for applicants in Indiana. The guide explains how to obtain a CDL, including passing written knowledge tests, completing a CDL skills test, and undergoing a DOT physical examination. It covers implied consent for alcohol testing, disqualifying and serious offenses, and key knowledge study areas such as safe driving, cargo and passenger transport, and air brake systems.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages147

Reading Time6 h 10 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

How to get a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)

Providing Physical Examination Information

Implied Consent for Alcohol Testing, Serious and Disqualifying Offenses

Vehicle Class/Groups/Endorsements, Sections to be studied

Knowledge

Section 1: CDL tests, Driver Disqualiﬁcations, Safety Rules

Section 2: Driving safely

Section 3: Transporting Cargo Safely

Section 4: Transporting Passengers Safely

Section 5: Air Brakes

Section 6: Combination Vehicles

Section 7: Doubles and Triples

Section 8: Tank Vehicles

Section 9: Hazardous Materials

Section 10: School Buses

Skills

Overview

Section 11: Pre-Trip Inspection

Section 12: Basic Vehicle Control Exercise

Section 13: On Road Driving

NOTE: The contents of this test booklet are ONLY for Indiana Commercial Driver’s License testing on or after July 1, 2007. All applicants testing on or before June 30, 2007, must obtain a 2006 CDL test booklet at [www.in.gov/dor/mcs/cdl.html](www.in.gov/dor/mcs/cdl.html) Please call our CDL Services line at (317) 615-7335 if you have any questions. TABLE OF CONTENTS Please Note: This manual consists of three sections. • Introduction-general licensing information. • Knowledge-study material for the written test. • Skills-study material for the skills test. Introduction How to get a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) ........................................................................ 2 Providing Physical Examination Information ................................................................................ 3 Implied Consent for Alcohol Testing, Serious and Disqualifying Offenses .................................... 4 Vehicle Class/Groups/Endorsements, Sections to be studied .................................................... 12 Knowledge Section 1: CDL tests, Driver Disqualiﬁcations, Safety Rules.................................................... 14 Section 2: Driving safely ........................................................................................................... 17 Section 3: Transporting Cargo Safely....................................................................................... 59 Section 4: Transporting Passengers Safely .............................................................................. 62 Section 5: Air Brakes ................................................................................................................ 65 Section 6: Combination Vehicles .............................................................................................. 75 Section 7: Doubles and Triples ................................................................................................. 86 Section 8: Tank Vehicles........................................................................................................... 90 Section 9: Hazardous Materials................................................................................................ 92 Section 10: School Buses .........................................................................................................112 Skills Overview .................................................................................................................................... 124 Section 11: Pre-Trip Inspection ................................................................................................. 124 Four Point Air Brake Check Illustration .................................................................. 126 Inspection Items/Scoring Standards ...................................................................... 130 Section 12: Basic Vehicle Control Exercise ............................................................................... 141 Section 13: On Road Driving...................................................................................................... 144 To take the skills test you must make an appointment with a third party CDL test site. To get a list of test sites visit any Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles License Branch or visit the Motor Carrier Services Web [site ](site www.in.gov/dor/mcs/test-sites.html)[www.in.gov/dor/mcs/test-sites.html](site www.in.gov/dor/mcs/test-sites.html) If you have any CDL licensing questions please call our CDL services line at (317) 615-7335. INTRODUCTION How to Get a Commercial Driver’s License All drivers of Commercial Motor Vehicles (CMV) must have a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) . To get a CDL, you will need to pass written knowledge tests, a skills test and a DOT physical examination. This manual is a study guide for passing the written knowledge tests and the CDL skills test. The booklet and a phy

FAQs

What are the main requirements to obtain a CDL in Indiana?

Applicants must pass written knowledge tests, complete a skills test, and undergo a DOT physical examination. The manual also requires valid Indiana operator’s license and a valid U.S. Social Security card.

Which written knowledge tests might a driver need to take?

All drivers take the general knowledge test. Others depend on vehicle and endorsements, including passenger transport, air brakes, combination vehicles, hazardous materials, tanker, doubles/triples, and school bus endorsements.

How does the manual describe implied consent and serious/disqualifying offenses?

The introduction section includes implied consent for alcohol testing and outlines serious and disqualifying offenses as part of the required understanding for CDL licensing.

Sep 29, 2026

Upload by Alexandar