What's the Passing Score on the Louisiana CDL General Knowledge Test?
40 out of 50 — 80% — passes Louisiana's CDL General Knowledge test. The number itself is federal, but what happens if you miss it is genuinely a Louisiana story.
Where the number comes from, and where it doesn't matter as much
49 CFR Part 383 fixes the CDL general knowledge test at 50 questions and 80% nationwide — no state input, Louisiana included.
What actually differs here: a failed attempt costs nothing extra to retake. The test can be sat up to twice a day, across multiple days, with no additional fee — a real departure from states that charge per retake.
Why the 60-day CLP window still matters
Free retakes remove the financial penalty for failing, but they don't stretch the clock — a Louisiana CLP is only valid for 60 days, and federal rule still requires holding it 14 days before the full CDL application.
Treat the generous retake policy as a safety net for nerves, not a reason to skip preparation; time, not money, is the scarcer resource here.
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 Louisiana require a higher passing score than 80% for the CDL test?
No. 49 CFR Part 383 fixes the CDL general knowledge test at 50 questions and an 80% passing threshold nationwide — the OMV administers that federal standard rather than setting its own.
Does it cost extra to retake the Louisiana CDL knowledge test?
No — it can be retaken up to twice daily, across multiple days, at no additional fee.
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 Louisiana cdl practice testLast reviewed: 2026-07-22