Penalties & Licensing

Study questions with answers

12 sample Penalties & Licensing questions with the correct answer, a short explanation, and the official handbook reference. Read through them, then take the quiz above.

1. 1. What is required before you can be issued a hazardous materials (H) endorsement?

   Correct answer: Fingerprinting and a background check

   The H endorsement requires submitting fingerprints and passing a background check in addition to a written test.

   Source: Louisiana CDL Manual, Section 1.3.6 (Hazardous Materials Endorsement Background Check)

2. 2. In Louisiana, what minimum age is required to drive a commercial vehicle in interstate commerce?

   Correct answer: 21 years old

   You must be at least 21 years old to operate a Louisiana CDL vehicle in interstate commerce.

   Source: Louisiana CDL Manual, Louisiana Classes of Driver's License

3. 3. Three or more serious traffic violations within three years cost your CDL for at least how long?

   Correct answer: At least 120 days

   Three or more serious traffic violations within three years result in a disqualification of at least 120 days.

   Source: Louisiana CDL Manual, Section 1.3.3 (Serious Traffic Violations)

4. 4. Which endorsement is required to pull double or triple trailers?

   Correct answer: The T endorsement

   The 'T' endorsement is needed to pull double or triple trailers.

   Source: Louisiana CDL Manual, Section 1.1 (CDL Endorsements)

5. 5. Excessive speeding, one of the serious traffic violations, means driving how far over the posted limit?

   Correct answer: 15 mph or more over the posted limit

   Excessive speeding is defined as traveling 15 mph or more above the posted speed limit.

   Source: Louisiana CDL Manual, Section 1.3.3 (Serious Traffic Violations)

6. 6. A Class A commercial driver license covers which vehicles?

   Correct answer: Combinations rated 26,001 pounds or more towing over 10,000 pounds

   Class A applies to combination vehicles rated at 26,001 pounds or more GCWR when the trailer being towed exceeds 10,000 pounds.

   Source: Louisiana CDL Manual, Section 1.1 (CDL Classifications)

7. 7. What does the CDL restriction code 'E' mean?

   Correct answer: No manual transmission

   An 'E' restriction means the driver may not operate a CMV equipped with a manual transmission, usually because the skills test was taken in an automatic.

   Source: Louisiana CDL Manual, Section 1.1 (Restrictions)

8. 8. A Class C CDL is required for a small vehicle only when it does what?

   Correct answer: Carries 16 or more people or placarded hazmat

   A small vehicle requires a Class C CDL only if it is built to carry at least 16 occupants counting the driver, or it transports placarded hazardous materials.

   Source: Louisiana CDL Manual, Section 1.1 (CDL Classifications)

9. 9. The first time a driver disobeys an out-of-service order, the CDL is lost for a minimum of how long?

   Correct answer: At least 180 days

   A first out-of-service order violation results in a disqualification of at least 180 days.

   Source: Louisiana CDL Manual, Section 1.3.4 (Violation of Out-of-Service Orders)

10. 10. Two serious traffic violations in a commercial vehicle within a three-year period cost your CDL for at least how long?

    Correct answer: At least 60 days

    Committing two serious traffic violations within three years results in losing your CDL for at least 60 days.

    Source: Louisiana CDL Manual, Section 1.3.3 (Serious Traffic Violations)

11. 11. The CDL skills test consists of which three segments, taken in order?

    Correct answer: Vehicle inspection, basic control, and on-road driving

    The skills test comes in three ordered segments: the vehicle inspection, basic control of the vehicle, and driving on the road.

    Source: Louisiana CDL Manual, Section 1.1.2 (Skills Tests)

12. 12. A first railroad-highway grade crossing violation costs your CDL for at least how long?

    Correct answer: At least 60 days

    The first railroad grade crossing violation results in losing your CDL for at least 60 days.

    Source: Louisiana CDL Manual, Section 1.3.5 (Railroad-highway Grade Crossing Violations)