- 0 Incorrect (6 allowed to pass)
- 0 Correct
- Updated for February 2025
- Based on 2025 CA commercial driver's license manual
Free California CDL Air Brakes Test 2025
Planning to drive commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) equipped with air brakes? Our practice materials prepare you for the California CDL Air Brake DMV test so you can pass on the first attempt. Without passing, your CDL will include an “L” restriction, banning you from operating CMVs with air brakes. Since most semi-trucks and tractor-trailers use air brakes, the air brakes qualification is essential for employment. In California, steep grades (Sierra Nevada) and tight curves (I-80 and I-50, especially) make the air brakes qualification a practical necessity. The coastal cliffs and hills along Highway 1 feature narrow, winding roads and steep cliffs, and even urban traffic congestion requires air brakes for larger rigs. Not having this certification severely limits you as a CMV driver.
Industries across the Golden State rely on drivers with the air brake qualification: technology (Silicon Valley), entertainment (Hollywood, Los Angeles), agriculture (fruits, vegetables, wine), manufacturing (electronics, aerospace, construction), and tourism (beaches, national parks, and cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco). Key companies include trucking outfits like XPO Logistics (San Bernardino) and Swift Transportation (Los Angeles). Charter bus companies, including Greyhound Lines (Los Angeles, San Francisco) and Coach USA (San Francisco), require air brake certification. Buses used in California’s school districts use air brakes. Agricultural companies like California Fresh (Salinas) and Produce Express (Sacramento) rely on qualified drivers. Construction and heavy equipment companies, like Bechtel and Turner Construction, do likewise. Simply put, the “L” restriction makes operating CMVs equipped with air brakes illegal, thus limiting your job prospects.
There are two parts to the DMV test, which covers parts of an air brake system, effective operation, and air-brake inspection procedures. The skills test requires you to physically inspect an air brake system, identify its components, and operate a vehicle equipped with air brakes. This test includes checking air pressure, testing the brakes for leaks, and more. The multiple-choice written knowledge test requires a score of at least 80% (20 out of 25) to pass and features questions directly from material found in the state’s official CDL manual (California CDL Handbook 2025).
Our CDL Air Brakes Practice Tests mimic the content and format you will face on the official DMV written test. Additionally, our practice test questions and answers provide responses in real time, which has been scientifically proven to speed the learning process and increase your confidence in passing the official exam.
- Perfect for first-time and renewal CDL/CLP applicants, and those adding endorsements
- Triple-checked for accuracy
What you need to know
What to expect on the actual CA DMV exam
questions
correct answers to pass
passing score
List of questions (classic view)
- How would you check your truck's slack adjusters?
- How do brakes work on a long, steep downgrade?
- Why must you study air brakes in the state of California?
- The purpose of a supply pressure gauge is
- Why must air tanks be drained?
- Which of the following is NOT part of the drum brake?
- Which conditions are ideal for front wheel brakes?
- Which of the following is NOT part of the braking process when driving a tractor-trailer combination vehicle with an anti-lock braking system (ABS)?
- How can you tell if your vehicle is equipped with an anti-lock braking system (ABS)?
- Which vehicles must have low air pressure warning signals?
- What is the best way to test if your vehicle's spring brakes come on automatically?
- Spring brakes are
- Which of the following is true about a dual air brake system?
- Slack adjusters are
- An anti-lock braking system (ABS)
- Which of the following is NOT part of the air brake system?
- Which of the following will be true about your brake function if your ABS fails?
- The tractor protection valve
- When should you use the parking brake?
- At what measurement is the safety valve USUALLY set to open?
- What is the best way to test your vehicle's low air pressure warning signal?
- When should you drain your air tanks?
- Which of the following can cause brakes to fail or fade?
- The maximum leakage rates per minute after the initial pressure drop are
- Which of the following should you do before leaving your vehicle unattended?
- The low air pressure warning signal will come on before the pressure in the air tanks falls below
- A low pressure warning signal is required on
- All vehicles equipped with air brakes have
- With air brake-equipped vehicles, the parking brakes should be used
- The use of air brakes on a downgrade is only a supplement to the
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- Alignment with Official Manuals:
Every question we develop is based on the most recent version of each state's official driving manual. Our team regularly monitors each state DMV's website for the latest updates to ensure our practice tests are always aligned with the most current information. - Community Feedback Integration:
We leverage feedback from our vast community of users to understand which topics are most frequently tested. This helps us focus on the areas that are most relevant and beneficial for your preparation. - Expert Content Creation:
Our in-house editor, Steven, who has extensive experience in driver education, crafts each question with precision. He conducts a thorough review of each question against the official manuals to ensure accuracy. - Rigorous Review Process:
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Our thorough quality control process ensures that you have access to practice tests that are as accurate and up-to-date as possible. We believe in the power of well-prepared drivers and are dedicated to providing you with the best study tools to help you succeed on your DMV exam.
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