North Dakota's CDL manual and DMV CDL Practice Tests

for all endorsements

North Dakota's CDL Manual

Commercial Driver Handbook

To apply for a CDL in North Dakota, applicants need to be 21 years old to cross state lines or haul hazardous materials, and 18-20 years old to apply for an intrastate CDL. Applicants who are 16 years of age may test for a CDL restricted to custom harvesting operations only. More information can be found at the North Dakota Official DOT site.

CDL Endorsements

  • T - Double/Triple Trailers (requires a knowledge test).
  • P - Passenger Vehicles (Requires knowledge and road test in a representative vehicle).
  • N - Tank Vehicles (requires a knowledge test).
  • H - Hazardous Materials (Federal Background check and knowledge test required each time an H endorsement is added or renewed).
  • S - School Bus (requires knowledge and road test in representative school bus equipped with flashing red lights for loading/unloading school children.) If you road test in a school bus under 26,001 GVWR, you will be restricted to "No Class A or B Passenger Bus".

CDL Restrictions Airbrake Restrictions (L or Z) - North Dakota does not classify Airbrakes as an endorsement, but will restrict the CDL to “No Airbrake Equipped CMV” or “No Full Airbrake Equipped CMV”. To avoid the restriction, the driver must have successfully passed both a knowledge and road test in a vehicle equipped with either a full or partial airbrake system.

Minimum Requirements For Getting A CDL In North Dakota:

  • Be 21 years old to cross state lines, 18-20 years old to apply for an intra-state CDL, or at 16 years old, you may test for a CDL restricted to custom harvesting operations only.
  • Read, write and speak English.
  • Must meet all Federal Medical Requirements in 49 CFR 391.
  • pass the required knowledge test(s) for the CDL Class to be driven, and purchase a Commercial Learners Permit (CLP).
  • Current and valid Driver License.
  • Proof of legal presence.
  • Proof of residence address.
  • Pass an eye examination.
  • Certify that you are in agreement with state motor carrier safety regulations.
  • Proof of Identification
  • Demonstrate your ability to operate the vehicle by passing a road test in a representative commercial vehicle.

DMV CDL Practice Tests

General Knowledge

The general knowledge test is the first of several tests that you will have to complete in order to get your CDL. The questions cover general information about commercial vehicles, driving, and vehicle inspections. The test has a total of 50 questions, and requires at least 40 correct answers to pass.

Air Brakes

You must have an Air brake endorsement on your driver's license to drive a vehicle equipped with an air brake system. This test will test your knowledge of the function, parts, and braking distance of air brakes. The test will consist of 25 questions, and at least 20 correct answers are needed to pass.

Combination

The combination endorsement allows you to drive a vehicle with a power unit and one trailer. This test will cover the "ins and outs" of operating articulated vehicles. The exam consists of 25 questions, and requires at least 20 correct to pass.

Hazardous Material

The Hazardous Material endorsement allows the driver to operate a vehicle containing items such as poisons, explosives, flammables, etc. You will also have to pass the TSA Hazardous Material Threat Assessment to get this endorsement. There are 30 questions, 24 correct required to pass.

Tanker

The Tanker endorsement allows the driver to operate a vehicle weighing more than 26,000 pounds designed to transport any liquid or gaseous material within a tank that is permanently or temporarily attached to the vehicle. There are 20 questions, 16 correct required to pass.

Doubles / Triples

The Doubles/Triples endorsement is required for drivers to pull 2 trailers (doubles) or 3 trailers (triples) connected to a single power unit. There are 20 questions on this test, and 16 correct answers are required to pass.

Passenger

Bus drivers must have a commercial driver's license with a passenger endorsement in order to operate a vehicle which seats 16 or more, including the driver. There are 20 questions on this test, and 16 correct answers are required to pass.

School Bus

School Bus Endorsement is required for any driver who operates a school bus. After the permit tests the training can be only completed by a local school district. There are 20 questions on this test, and 16 correct answers are required to pass.

Pre Trip Inspection

The Pre-Trip exam is an oral exam where you are expected to check the vehicle parts to insure it is safe for road use. The amount of parts you need to check increase with the size of the vehicle, and by type of vehicle.