What's the Passing Score on the Indiana CDL General Knowledge Test?
You need 40 out of 50 correct — 80% — to pass Indiana's CDL general knowledge test. That figure comes from federal regulation, not the BMV, so it's a different standard than the state's own two-section regular permit test.
Where the 80% figure actually comes from
49 CFR Part 383 sets both the question count and the passing percentage for the CDL general knowledge test nationwide, independent of the BMV's own split sign/rules structure for the regular permit test.
A missed attempt costs more than just your time — Indiana's CLP costs $17, and while it can be renewed up to three times within two years, each round still means rescheduling.
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 Indiana 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 BMV administers that federal standard rather than setting its own.
Is the CDL test split into sections like Indiana's regular permit test?
No — unlike the regular permit test's separately-scored sign and rules sections, the CDL general knowledge test is one combined 50-question result.
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 Indiana cdl practice testLast reviewed: 2026-07-21