How Many Questions Are on the Indiana CDL General Knowledge Test?
Indiana's CDL general knowledge test has 50 multiple-choice questions, and you need to answer at least 40 of them correctly (80%) to pass. This format is set by federal rule and matches nearly every other state, including Indiana.
The official test format
Unlike Indiana's regular permit test, which splits into a separately-scored sign section and rules section, the CDL general knowledge test's length and passing score come from federal regulation (49 CFR Part 383) and are scored as one combined result.
The test covers commercial driving fundamentals common to nearly every CDL applicant nationwide, including vehicle inspection, air brakes, cargo securement, and hours-of-service rules.
Indiana's commercial learner's permit (CLP) costs $17 and is valid for 180 days, renewable up to three times within a two-year period.
How the questions are distributed by topic
The official test draws from a broad, federally-defined set of topics rather than any single area, which is why understanding the reasoning behind a rule matters more than memorizing an isolated fact.
Our free Indiana CDL practice tests cover 18 topic areas, including hours-of-service, cargo securement, and air brakes, so you can see which areas need more review.
How our practice tests are structured
Rather than mirroring the exact 50-question format, dmvwrittenexam.com splits its 100+ original Indiana CDL questions into multiple practice tests, giving you more total repetitions across more topics than one official-length test would.
Each question includes an explanation and a source reference, so you learn why an answer is correct instead of memorizing a letter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Indiana CDL test the same length as in other states?
Yes, generally. The CDL general knowledge test's 50-question, 80%-passing format is set by federal rule and is consistent across nearly every state, including Indiana.
How much does an Indiana CLP cost, and how many times can it renew?
$17, and it can be renewed up to three times within a two-year period — more generous than the single renewal many other states allow.
What happens if I don't pass?
Retake policies are set by the BMV and can vary. Since Indiana's CLP allows multiple renewals, plan any retakes within that broader window.
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Start a free Indiana cdl practice testLast reviewed: 2026-07-21