What's the Passing Score on the Georgia CDL General Knowledge Test?
80% — 40 correct answers out of 50 — is the passing score on Georgia's CDL general knowledge test, a threshold set by federal regulation rather than the Georgia DDS, so it's identical to the standard used in nearly every other state.
The math behind the threshold
Missing up to 10 of the 50 questions still clears the 80% bar; miss an 11th and you'll need to retake the exam.
Georgia DDS has no authority to set this number differently, since 49 CFR Part 383 fixes it at the federal level — unlike Georgia's own permit test, where the state does control the passing threshold directly.
Build in a safety margin
Treat 80% as a floor, not a target — aim to consistently clear 90% across all 17 CDL topic areas in practice before you sit the real thing.
Our practice tests report your score immediately after each set and break it down by topic, so you can see exactly where the remaining gaps are instead of guessing.
The topics that trip people up
Hours-of-service limits and air brake mechanics tend to be the hardest sections, since both involve precise numeric rules that don't map onto everyday driving experience.
Cargo securement sequencing and pre-trip inspection steps are the other common weak spot — multi-step procedures are simply harder to hold in memory than a single fact.
Read the explanation behind every practice question, including the ones you got right, since surface-level pattern matching doesn't hold up on questions phrased differently than what you drilled.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many questions can I miss on the Georgia CDL general knowledge test?
With a passing score of 80% on 50 questions, you can miss up to 10 and still pass. This threshold is set by federal regulation and applies nationwide.
Does Georgia DDS have any say over this passing score?
No — unlike Georgia's own permit test, where the state sets its own threshold, the CDL general knowledge test's 80% standard is fixed by federal rule (49 CFR Part 383) and applies the same way in nearly every state.
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 Georgia cdl practice testLast reviewed: 2026-07-14