Course Instructions

When creating your account, please enter your FULL name and driver's license number exactly how it appears on your driver's license. If not, it can hinder your ability to take the CDL skills test.

The course must be completed in order, from beginning to end. You must pass the quiz at the end of each chapter with a score of 80% or better before you can move to the next chapter. If you don’t pass, you can review the chapter and take the quiz again.

Pay close attention to any material that is highlighted in yellow.

After you complete the course you will be able to print your Certificate verifying that you have passed, and the results will automatically be sent to the FMCSA to allow you to proceed with your testing.

The course is available in Spanish, Russian and English. Choose your preferred language at the top right of the page. If you are on a mobile device, click the "Menu" button at the top right to see the language selector.

Course Curriculum

  1. 1

    • Instructions and Course Overview
  2. 2

    • Overview

    • Obtaining a Commercial Drivers License (CDL)

    • CDL Endorsements & Restrictions

    • Proper Cargo Securement

    • State, Local, and other Regulations

    • Disqualifications

    • Serious Traffic Violations

    • Railroad-highway Grade Crossing Violations

    • Drug & Alcohol Testing

    • Medical Requirements

    • Bridge Formula

    • Components of a combination vehicle

    • Weigh Stations

    • Low Clearance and CMV Height Restrictions

    • Chapter 1 Quiz: Orientation
  3. 3

    • Overview

    • Brake System

    • Transmission

    • Safety and Comfort Controls

    • Instrument Panel / Gauges

    • Chapter 2 Quiz: Control Systems / Dashboard
  4. 4

    • Overview

    • Pre-Trip Inspection

    • Safety Items

    • Engine Compartment

    • Axles

    • Outside the Truck

    • Inside the Truck

    • Air Brake Check

    • Enroute Inspection

    • Specialized Trailers

    • Post-Trip Inspection

    • Inspection locations

    • Chapter 3 Quiz: CMV Inspections
  5. 5

    • Overview

    • Starting and Shutting Down

    • Moving the CMV and stopping it.

    • Turning a Combination Vehicle

    • Driving in Traffic

    • Backing a Trailer

    • Chatper 4 Quiz: Basic Control
  6. 6

    • Overview

    • Basic Method for Shifting Up

    • Basic Procedures for Shifting Down

    • Multi-speed and dual range transmissions

    • Automatic Transmissions

    • Chapter 5 Quiz: Shifting Operating Transmissions
  7. 7

    • Unit A1.1.6 Backing and Docking

    • Some Basics of Backing

    • G.O.A.L. (Get Out and Look)

    • Straight Line Backing

    • Offset Backing (left and right)

    • Alley Docking

    • Using Spotters

    • Chapter 6 Quiz: Backing and Docking
  8. 8

    • Overview

    • Steps for coupling tractor-trailer combinations

    • Uncoupling Tractor-Semitrailers

    • Conclusion

    • Chapter 7 Quiz: Coupling and Uncoupling
  9. 9

    • Unit A1.2.1 Visual Search

    • Hazards Defined and How to Look For Them

    • Using Your Mirrors

    • Check Your Vehicle

    • In Traffic

    • Work Zones

    • Bus Stops

    • Move Over Law

    • Distracted / Hazardous Drivers

    • Blocked Vision

    • Pedestrians and Bicyclists

    • School Zones

    • Chapter 8 Quiz: Visual Search
  10. 10

    • Unit A1.2.2 Communication

    • Turns

    • Communicating Your Presence

    • Warning Devices (Triangles)

    • Chapter 9 Quiz: Communicating
  11. 11

    • Unit A1.2.3 Distracted Driving

    • Distractions from inside the vehicle

    • Distractions from outside the vehicle

    • Distraction types

    • Cell Phones – A Major Distraction

    • Texting in CMVs

    • Mobile Phone Use and Penalties

    • Driving Safely

    • Other Technology

    • Chapter 10: Distracted Diving
  12. 12

    • Unit A1.2.4 Speed Management

    • Stopping Distance – Following Distance

    • Matching Speed to the Road Surface

    • Hydroplaning

    • Speed and Curves

    • Speed and Distance Ahead

    • Speed at Night

    • Speed and Traffic Flow

    • Speed on Downgrades

    • Roadway Work Zones

    • Chapter 11 Quiz: Speed Management
  13. 13

    • Managing Space

    • Space for Entering/Crossing Traffic

    • Turning Space

    • Space Ahead

    • Space Behind your Vehicle

    • Space to the Side

    • Space Above

    • Space Under

    • Chapter 12 Quiz: Managing Space
  14. 14

    • Unit A1.2.6 Night Operation

    • With the Roadway

    • With the Driver

    • With the CMV

    • Chapter 13 Quiz: Night Driving
  15. 15

    • Extreme Driving Conditions

    • Driving in Very Hot Weather

    • Driving in Very Cold Weather

    • Emergency Equipment

    • Putting Tire Chains on a CMV

    • Inclement Weather Hazards to CMVs

    • Negotiating Sharp Curves

    • Driving on Steep Grades and Mountains

    • Braking on Down Grades

    • Escape Ramps

    • Chapter 14 Quiz: Extreme Driving Conditions
  16. 16

    • Unit A1.3.1 Hazard Perception

    • Recognize Potential Hazards

    • Driving Emergencies

    • Construction or work zone

    • Visual search and surveillance

    • Chapter 15 Quiz: Hazard Perception
  17. 17

    • Chapter Overview

    • Emergencies While Driving

    • Braking During an Emergency

    • Skidding and Recovery

    • CMV Jackknife

    • Vehicle Rollovers

    • Chapter 16 Quiz: Skid Control & Recovery, Jackknifing, and Other Emergencies
  18. 18

    • Chapter Overview

    • Types of Crossings

    • Warning Signs and Devices

    • Safety Concerns

    • Use Caution!

    • Emergency Notification Systems

    • Regulations

    • Stopping Procedures

    • Disqualifications

    • Chapter 17 Quiz: Railroad - Highway Grade Crossings
  19. 19

    • Overview

    • Engine

    • The Fuel System

    • Drivetrain

    • Air Brake System

    • ABS (Antilock Braking System)

    • Coupling Area

    • Suspension

    • Tires

    • Chapter 18 Quiz: Malfunctions
  20. 20

    • Roadside Inspections

    • Roadside Inspection Focus

    • Levels of inspections

    • Preparing for an inspection

    • After a Roadside inspection

    • Violating an OOS Order

    • Chapter 19 Quiz: Roadside Inspections
  21. 21

    • Overview

    • Why Maintenance Is Important

    • Regularly Scheduled Maintenance

    • Driver Responsibility

    • Annual Inspections

    • Chapter 20 Quiz: Maintenance
  22. 22

    • Overview

    • Driver Responsibilities

    • Loading the Vehicle

    • Loading and Unloading

    • Bill of Lading

    • Quiz 21: Handling and Documenting Cargo
  23. 23

    • Overview

    • Pollution

    • Driving and Emissions

    • Idling and Emissions

    • New Equipment to reduce CMV idling times

    • Chapter 22 Quiz: Environmental Compliance Issues
  24. 24

    • Overview

    • HOS Log Status

    • Hours of Service Rules

    • Sleeper Berth Provision

    • Who Must Comply?

    • Special Cases and Exceptions

    • The ELD rule:

    • Violating HOS regulations

    • Chapter 23 Quiz: Hours of Service Requirements
  25. 25

    • Overview

    • Causes of Fatigue

    • Fatigue Warning signs

    • Preventing Fatigue

    • Driver Health

    • Healthy Diets

    • Exercise and Physical Activity

    • Back health

    • Posture

    • Stress

    • Chapter 24 Quiz: Fatigue and Wellness
  26. 26

    • Overview

    • Basic Steps Following An Accident

    • Documentation

    • Post-crash Drug and Alcohol Testing

    • Fires

    • Fighting a Fire

    • Containing the Fire

    • Extinguish the Fire

    • Chapter 25 Quiz: Post Crash Procedures
  27. 27

    • Overview

    • Verbal Communication

    • Nonverbal Communication

    • Roadside Inspections

    • Consequences for Roadside Violations

    • Communication in English

    • Quiz 26: External Communications
  28. 28

    • Whistleblower / Coercion

    • OSHA

    • Whistleblower Protection

    • Coercion

    • Chapter 27 Quiz: Whistleblower-Coercion
  29. 29

    • Trip Planning

    • Route Planning Factors

    • Documentation

    • Chapter 28 Quiz: Trip Planning
  30. 30

    • Overview

    • Who's Impacted

    • Alcohol

    • Other Drugs

    • Types of Testing

    • Post-crash Drug and Alcohol Testing

    • Conducting Tests

    • Refusal to Submit to an Alcohol or Drug Test

    • Quiz 29: Drugs and Alcohol
  31. 31

    • Overview

    • Medical Qualifications

    • Medical Examination Process

    • Drivers General Qualifications

    • Disqualifications

    • Serious Traffic Violations

    • Chapter 30 Quiz: Medical Requirements