What's the Passing Score on the Nevada CDL General Knowledge Test?
40 out of 50 — 80% — passes Nevada's CDL General Knowledge test. The number itself is federal; the fee structure around it is entirely Nevada's own.
One federal standard, one state fee
49 CFR Part 383 sets the CDL general knowledge test at 50 questions and 80% nationwide, with the Nevada DMV administering that standard rather than writing its own.
Nevada charges $57.50 for the CLP itself, covering the permit that follows a passing knowledge test result.
The 14-day gap most applicants forget to plan for
Passing the knowledge test only gets you the CLP — Nevada still requires holding it at least 14 days before the skills test can happen.
Line up ELDT and any required Training Provider Registry course during that window rather than after, so the skills test isn't the bottleneck.
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 Nevada 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 Nevada DMV administers that federal standard rather than setting its own.
How long must I hold a Nevada CLP before the skills test?
At least 14 days.
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 Nevada cdl practice testLast reviewed: 2026-07-22