What's the Passing Score on Maine's CDL General Knowledge Test?
40 out of 50 — 80% — passes Maine's CDL General Knowledge test. The threshold is federal; the fee structure and delivery method around it are Maine's own.
A federal bar, administered at a BMV office
49 CFR Part 383 sets the CDL general knowledge test at 50 questions and 80% nationwide, with Maine's BMV administering that standard rather than writing its own.
The $70 exam fee covers both the knowledge test and the skills test together, not two separate charges.
What passing gets you, and what still waits after
Passing earns you a commercial learner's permit, though federal rule still requires entry-level driver training (ELDT) through an authorized provider before your first CDL, regardless of how quickly you passed the written portion.
Any additional endorsement — passenger, school bus, tank vehicles, hazmat, or doubles/triples — needs its own knowledge test and its own $20 fee.
Where a strong overall score can still hide a weak spot
A specific air brake PSI figure or an hours-of-service cap either matches the manual exactly or it doesn't — there's no partial credit for landing close to the right number.
The cargo securement recheck sequence trips up plenty of otherwise well-prepared test takers, since the mile and time thresholds are easy to swap under pressure.
Treat every practice question as a chance to read the reasoning behind it, not just confirm the letter you picked — that's what actually sticks on test day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Maine 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.
Does the $70 exam fee cover the skills test too?
Yes — Maine's $70 CDL exam fee covers both the knowledge test and the skills test.
What score should I aim for on practice tests?
A consistent 90% or better gives you a real margin above the 80% minimum, since nerves on the actual test day tend to cost a few points that don't show up in relaxed practice.
Ready to put this into practice?
Start a free Maine cdl practice testLast reviewed: 2026-07-24