What's the Passing Score on the Oregon CDL General Knowledge Test?
40 out of 50 — 80% — passes Oregon's CDL General Knowledge test. The number itself is federal, but what happens after you pass is genuinely an Oregon detail.
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, Oregon included.
What actually differs here: passing doesn't lock in your progress indefinitely. Oregon gives you 6 months from a passing result to finish the rest of the CLP application, or the tests have to be retaken.
Why the 6-month clock matters more than it seems
Between the knowledge test, the CLP itself, and eventually the skills test with a Third Party CDL Tester, there are several separate steps to line up — and each carries its own scheduling lead time.
Treat the 6-month window as a planning deadline, not a formality; waiting too long between steps means retaking a test you already passed.
Where applicants actually lose points
Numeric details are the real trap on this test — a PSI threshold for an air brake warning, an hourly cap under federal hours-of-service rules, a mileage marker for a cargo recheck. None of it comes from intuition; it has to be memorized precisely.
Skim the explanation on a missed practice question and the same gap resurfaces later under time pressure. Read it fully instead, every time, correct answer or not.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Oregon 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 — Oregon DMV administers that federal standard rather than setting its own.
How long do passing knowledge test results stay valid in Oregon?
6 months. The rest of the CLP application needs to be completed within that window, or the tests must be retaken.
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 Oregon cdl practice testLast reviewed: 2026-07-22