What's the Passing Score on the Nebraska CDL General Knowledge Test?
40 out of 50 — 80% — passes Nebraska's CDL General Knowledge test. The threshold is federal; the testing format around it is Nebraska's own.
A federal bar, delivered one specific way
49 CFR Part 383 sets the CDL general knowledge test at 50 questions and 80% nationwide, with Nebraska's DMV administering that standard rather than writing its own.
Nebraska gives the test in English only, in written form — there's no spoken or translated alternative offered.
Walk-in testing, but plan around the fees anyway
Nebraska allows walk-in CDL testing or an appointment, so scheduling flexibility isn't the constraint here — the fees paid at the County Treasurer's office are.
Passing the knowledge test moves you to the roughly $15 CLP, with the roughly $60 license fee following once the skills test is done.
The material that actually costs points
Air brake PSI thresholds and hours-of-service caps are memorization, not intuition — get the exact number wrong and the question is wrong, no partial credit for being close.
Cargo securement's 50-mile-then-150-mile recheck sequence is a common one to reverse under pressure.
A missed practice question is only useful if you read the full explanation — the correct letter alone teaches nothing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Nebraska 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 — Nebraska's DMV administers that federal standard rather than setting its own.
Is the Nebraska CDL test offered in any language besides English?
No — it's given in English only, in written form.
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.
Ready to put this into practice?
Start a free Nebraska cdl practice testLast reviewed: 2026-07-24