New York CDL Practice Test and Test Prep (2026)
New York gives CDL tests through New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (NY DMV). Here is what you will be tested on, which of our practice quizzes match each test, and what the skills test involves in New York.
Knowledge tests for a New York permit
- General Knowledge (all applicants) — practice General Knowledge (60 questions)
- Combination Vehicles (Class A) — practice Combination Vehicles (30 questions)
- Air Brakes (if your vehicle has air brakes) — practice Air Brakes (40 questions)
- Any endorsement tests you need (P, S, H, N, T)
Permit minimum age: 18 (in-state driving) or 21 (interstate). Holding period before the skills test: 14 days. Permit validity: 365 days.
New York endorsement tests and practice
- Hazmat (H) practice
New York notes for this endorsement
Hazardous Materials. Requires you to be age 21+, pass the hazmat knowledge test (English only, $5), and clear a fingerprint-based TSA Security Threat Assessment. New York manages the endorsement through the DMV HazMat Unit in Albany: you apply/renew by mail (form HAZ-44) — you cannot do it by phone or at a DMV office. Fingerprinting is handled by IdentoGO (IDEMIA/MorphoTrust) by appointment; NY's fingerprint fee is about $104.50 as of Jan 1, 2026 (confirm current amount). The endorsement is valid 5 years and requires re-fingerprinting and passing the hazmat test again within the renewal cycle.
- Tanker (N) practice
New York notes for this endorsement
Tank vehicles. Knowledge test required.
- Passenger (P) practice
New York notes for this endorsement
Passenger transport. First-time P requires ELDT; school bus drivers must hold or simultaneously apply for P.
- School bus (S) practice
New York notes for this endorsement
School bus. Requires the P endorsement (held or applied for at the same time), plus S knowledge and skills tests and ELDT for first-timers.
- Doubles/triples (T) practice
New York notes for this endorsement
Doubles/triples. Knowledge test only; no separate skills test.
The New York skills test
Components: Pre-trip vehicle inspection, Basic control skills, On-road driving test.
Test vehicle: You must test in a commercial vehicle representative of the class of CDL you are seeking. Third-party testers run their own basic-control-skills site and road-test route; vehicle availability depends on the specific tester (some provide one, some require you to bring your own).
Where and how to book: You can take the CDL road test at a DMV office or through NY's Third-Party CDL Testing Program, which certifies qualified entities (including trucking, school bus, and tour bus companies) to administer Class A, B, and C skills tests in representative vehicles. A tester cannot test an individual it trained; non-governmental testers must post a $20,000 surety bond. Governor Hochul expanded the program to reduce road-test backlogs.
Waits and retests: DMV road-test slots commonly book about 3-5 weeks out, and up to roughly 10 weeks during peak summer/school-break periods — a key reason many applicants use third-party testers (rough planning estimates, not an official DMV figure).
Practice the inspection part with our pre-trip inspection guide. Research dated 2026-10-12; confirm testing details with New York.
All practice tests
- General Knowledge (60 questions)
- Air Brakes (40 questions)
- Combination Vehicles (30 questions)
- Hazardous Materials (H) (30 questions)
- Tank Vehicles (N) (25 questions)
- Passenger (P) (25 questions)
- School Bus (S) (25 questions)
- Doubles/Triples (T) (20 questions)
Ready to apply? See the full New York CDL requirementsor build your New York checklist.