What's the Passing Score on the Arizona CDL General Knowledge Test?
You need 40 out of 50 correct — 80% — to pass Arizona's CDL general knowledge test. That figure is set by federal regulation, not the MVD, so it's the same number used almost everywhere in the country.
Where the 80% figure actually comes from
49 CFR Part 383 fixes both the question count and the passing percentage nationwide, which is why this number stays constant from state to state in a way a regular permit test's threshold might not.
Arizona's own contribution to the process is procedural rather than scoring-related: the knowledge test happens at any MVD office, while the skills test is scheduled separately at a CDL office — two different stops, not two different passing standards.
Building in a safety margin
Treat 80% as a floor, not a target — aim for 90%+ across all 18 topic areas in practice, since a real exam under time pressure tends to run a few points below your practice average.
Our practice tests break your score down by topic immediately after each set, so a weak spot doesn't stay hidden inside an otherwise decent overall percentage.
The parts of the test that pull scores down
Air brake systems and hours-of-service limits are the two topics most likely to cost points, since both hinge on exact numbers (PSI thresholds, hour caps) rather than driving intuition.
Cargo securement sequencing is another common miss — remembering that the first check happens within 50 miles, then every 150 miles or 3 hours after, is easy to get backwards under pressure.
Read the explanation on every practice question, correct or not — it's what actually closes these gaps, not just re-answering until you get lucky.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Arizona require a higher passing score than 80%?
No. 49 CFR Part 383 fixes the CDL general knowledge test at 50 questions and an 80% passing threshold nationwide — the Arizona MVD administers that federal standard rather than setting its own.
Is the passing score higher for the motorcycle endorsement, like it is for Arizona's regular motorcycle license test?
No — CDL endorsement tests follow the same federally-set thresholds as the general knowledge test; the higher 83% figure is specific to Arizona's standalone motorcycle license test, not any CDL endorsement.
What score should I aim for on practice tests?
Aim for 90% or higher consistently before your appointment. That buffer above the 80% minimum accounts for first-attempt nerves and any last-minute rule changes.
Ready to put this into practice?
Start a free Arizona cdl practice testLast reviewed: 2026-07-20