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Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Syllabus
Federally regulated license, with written and skills tests, required to operate commercial trucks and buses. The full Commercial Driver's License (CDL) syllabus: 7 subjects, 25 chapters, 104 topics and 43 sub-topics, with 367 flashcards written against it.
Commercial Driver's License (CDL) subjects
Commercial Driver's License (CDL) has 7 subjects. Each one is listed below with its chapters in syllabus order; open a subject for every topic and sub-topic inside them.
CDL Fundamentals, Licensing, and Federal Regulations
- CDL Classes and Endorsements · 4 topics
- CDL Eligibility and Testing Process · 5 topics
- FMCSA Regulations and Disqualifications · 5 topics
- Medical Qualification and Drug/Alcohol Rules · 4 topics
Vehicle Inspection, Maintenance, and Control Systems
- Pre-Trip, En-Route, and Post-Trip Inspections · 4 topics
- Vehicle Systems and Components · 5 topics
- Basic Vehicle Control · 4 topics
Safe Driving Practices and Hazard Awareness
- Visual Search, Communication, and Space Management · 4 topics
- Speed Management and Adverse Conditions · 5 topics
- Hazard Perception and Emergency Handling · 4 topics
- Distracted, Impaired, and Fatigued Driving · 4 topics
Air Brakes and Combination Vehicles
- Air Brake System Fundamentals · 4 topics
- Air Brake Operation and Inspection · 4 topics
- Combination Vehicle Driving · 4 topics
- Coupling and Uncoupling · 4 topics
Cargo Handling and Hazardous Materials
- Cargo Securement and Weight Distribution · 4 topics
- Tank Vehicles (N Endorsement) · 4 topics
- Hazardous Materials Basics (H Endorsement) · 4 topics
- HazMat Loading, Transport, and Emergencies · 4 topics
Passenger Transport, School Bus, and Special Operations
- Passenger Vehicle Operation (P Endorsement) · 4 topics
- School Bus Operation (S Endorsement) · 4 topics
- Double/Triple Trailers (T Endorsement) · 4 topics
Trip Planning, Hours of Service, and Documentation
- Hours of Service (HOS) Regulations · 4 topics
- Records of Duty Status and ELDs · 4 topics
- Trip Planning and Roadside Procedures · 4 topics
Commercial Driver's License (CDL) flashcards
367 question-and-answer cards across 7 subject decks, each shown in full on its subject page.
- CDL Fundamentals, Licensing, and Federal Regulations — 50 cards
- Vehicle Inspection, Maintenance, and Control Systems — 52 cards
- Safe Driving Practices and Hazard Awareness — 52 cards
- Air Brakes and Combination Vehicles — 61 cards
- Cargo Handling and Hazardous Materials — 52 cards
- Passenger Transport, School Bus, and Special Operations — 50 cards
- Trip Planning, Hours of Service, and Documentation — 50 cards
Commercial Driver's License (CDL) syllabus FAQ
What subjects are in the Commercial Driver's License (CDL) syllabus?
Commercial Driver's License (CDL) covers 7 subjects: CDL Fundamentals, Licensing, and Federal Regulations, Vehicle Inspection, Maintenance, and Control Systems, Safe Driving Practices and Hazard Awareness, Air Brakes and Combination Vehicles, Cargo Handling and Hazardous Materials, Passenger Transport, School Bus, and Special Operations and Trip Planning, Hours of Service, and Documentation.
How many chapters and topics are in the Commercial Driver's License (CDL) syllabus?
25 chapters and 104 topics, broken down further into 43 sub-topics, across 7 subjects. CDL Fundamentals, Licensing, and Federal Regulations is the largest subject, with 18 topics in 4 chapters.
Are there Commercial Driver's License (CDL) flashcards?
Yes — 367 question-and-answer flashcards in 7 subject decks. Each deck is printed in full on its subject page here, and the same cards are in the Examius app with spaced repetition. The free plan covers one exam of your choice, including its flashcards; Examius Pro, a one-time purchase, unlocks every other exam and deck.
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