What's the Passing Score on Alaska's CDL General Knowledge Test?
40 of 50 questions correct — 80% — passes Alaska's CDL general knowledge test.
The longest of Alaska's three knowledge tests
At 50 questions, the CDL general knowledge test runs well past the 20-question car permit test and the 25-question motorcycle test, though all three settle on the same 80% threshold.
That extra length means broad coverage matters more here — a handful of missed questions in one weak area can still cost you the 10-question buffer 80% allows.
Money on the line beyond the test itself
Failing means paying to retest, on top of fees already spent: $15 for the commercial learner's permit, $100 or $120 for the license itself, and a non-refundable $25 just to book the skills test.
Treating the knowledge test seriously the first time avoids stacking those costs a second time.
Setting a real practice target
Aim for a consistent 90% or better in practice, not just the 80% floor, since test-day pressure tends to shave a few points off a relaxed practice score.
A topic-by-topic breakdown after each attempt — air brakes, combination vehicles, cargo securement — reveals a specific weak spot an overall percentage would otherwise hide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many questions can I miss on Alaska's CDL general knowledge test?
Up to 10 and still pass with 40 correct (80%); an 11th miss fails the 50-question test.
Is the CDL passing score different from the car permit test?
No — Alaska uses 80% across the permit, motorcycle, and CDL knowledge tests, though the question counts differ.
What happens if I fail and need to retest?
You'll need to pay to retest, on top of the CLP, CDL, and skills-test fees already paid.
Ready to put this into practice?
Start a free Alaska cdl practice testLast reviewed: 2026-07-24