What's the Passing Score on Rhode Island's CDL General Knowledge Test?
40 out of 50 — 80% — passes Rhode Island's CDL General Knowledge test. The threshold is federal; the single testing location is Rhode Island's own arrangement.
A federal bar, one statewide location
49 CFR Part 383 sets the CDL general knowledge test at 50 questions and 80% nationwide, and Rhode Island administers that standard exclusively at DMV headquarters in Cranston.
The application itself costs $11.50, with each individual written knowledge test costing $10 on top of that.
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.
A Class A applicant also needs to pass a Combination Vehicles knowledge test, a section a Class B or C applicant doesn't study.
The material that actually costs points
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Rhode Island 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.
Where is the CDL knowledge test given in Rhode Island?
Only at DMV headquarters in Cranston, unlike some other license transactions available at local branches.
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 Rhode Island cdl practice testLast reviewed: 2026-07-24