How difficult is the CDL Exam? An Instructor's Take

How Difficult is the CDL Exam?

Some tests, like legal or medical exams, require years of in-depth studying and training to pass. Others, like blood tests, can be passed by most people without any preparation. Without proper insight, it can be hard to know where any given exam lands on this spectrum of difficulty. This leads us to one of the most common questions we get asked from our students, friends, and even strangers. When they see that we run a CDL School, everyone wants to know: How difficult is the CDL exam, anyway?

It’s no secret that commercial driving is difficult and dangerous. These vehicles are much larger than regular cars commuting along city streets and highways, so it’s incredibly important that commercial drivers and operators are competent and skilled. As a result, the CDL exam isn’t something that your average driver can simply walk into and pass without rigorous preparation and training.

In this guide, we’ll go over the components of the CDL exam, talk about the pass / fail rates, and explore how New Sound CDL School will give you the keys to succeed.

How is the CDL Exam Structured?

There are two parts to the CDL exam, and both must be passed in order to receive your Commercial Driver’s License: the Knowledge Test and the Skills Test. Depending on the class of CDL you're pursuing (Class A, B, or C), you may need to take additional tests for various endorsements like hazardous materials (Hazmat), passenger vehicles, or air brakes.

1. Knowledge Test

This is typically in a multiple-choice format and covers the essential rules and regulations for commercial driving. General road rules, vehicle safety, and specific information related to your endorsements (Hazmat, air brakes, etc.) will make up this portion.

2. Skills Test

This is the technical, hands-on portion where many applicants struggle. The Inspection and Control segments were recently updated in 2023 to be more relevant in today's industry:

• Pre-Trip Inspection: A detailed walk-through of the vehicle’s components (tires, brakes, lights, etc.), where you must explain and inspect each part for safety. Many students consider it the most challenging portion of the test, but with the right training you will be more than ready.
• Control Skills: Handling and maneuvering exercises at low-speed, like backing up, parking, and navigating tight spaces. This is something that our students practice extensively in our private lot so that they can get comfortable quickly.
• On-Road Driving Test: Examines your competency in real-world traffic situations, including signaling, lane changing, and turning. Our instructors have had great reviews over the years in how they guide students through this.

Why Is the Pre-Trip Inspection so Challenging?

The Pre-Trip Inspection is often referenced as the most difficult part of the CDL exam for a few reasons:

• Complexity: You are required to identify, inspect, and explain various parts of the truck, including the brake system, suspension, tires, lights, and fluid levels. Overlooking even a small detail can result in failing this portion.
• Memorization: The inspection demands a high-level of memorization and can be overwhelming, especially for those unfamiliar with vehicle maintenance. You will need to understand the vehicle’s mechanical functions well enough to thoroughly explain them to an examiner​. Luckily, our instructors all went through this at some point and are able to provide valuable advice.
• High Expectations: Since much of the safety of commercial driving rests on the proper working order of the vehicle, examiners require you to be a thorough inspector. A single mistake, like overlooking an essential safety component, can lead to failure – in the exam and on the road.

At New Sound CDL School, we focus on the Pre-Trip Inspection in our curriculum to equip our students with more than enough hands-on practice and step-by-step guidance to ensure full confidence and preparation for this difficult part of the exam.

What are the Pass / Fail Rates?

The CDL exam's pass rate is highly dependent on the person who is giving the exam and the CDL school that you sign up with. Generally speaking, 85% to 90% of people pass the Knowledge Test on their first attempt, while the Skills Test can have a failure rate of up to 30% for first-time takers, often due to the Pre-Trip Inspection. Since both portions must be passed in order to get your Commercial Driver’s License, you can see that it’s not a walk in the park. However, New Sound CDL School has proven through our 1500+ students that our instructors are true experts and have a proven track record of helping students not only pass their exams but then assist them with job placement afterward. Different schools produce varying pass rates due to their teaching competency, curriculum, methodology, and skills training. Your preparation for the CDL exam and your new career is highly dependent on selecting the right school.

What Makes New Sound CDL School Better?

Deciding between all of the various licensed CDL schools in the Tacoma/Seattle can be a difficult and overwhelming task. It’s also one of the most important decisions that you’ll make in your CDL journey, as it will impact your time, energy, finances, pass rate, job readiness, and how quickly you get a job and start earning good money.

New Sound CDL School offers a proven, structured program that's designed to ensure you pass the exam on your first try and begin commercial driving with everything you need to know. Our school has quickly become Washington state’s premier CDL school with a lively classroom culture, experienced instructors, and a professional facility with on-site trucks, trailers, new parking lots to practice in, comfortable and modern classrooms, and more. Enrolling in our CDL school provides you with endless advantages and opportunities:

• Comprehensive Curriculum: Every portion of the exam will be covered with instructors available to answer questions, peers to help you study, and direction to point you to the parts that matter most. If you speak Spanish, Ukrainian, or Russian, we have instructors who speak those languages and can guide you along.
• Hands-On Experience: You will receive real-world experience in modern commercial trucks, practicing the same maneuvers and inspections that you'll be tested on in the exam.
• Mock Tests: We will run you through mock tests to get you comfortable and familiar with the content and format.
• Higher Pass Rate: Students who graduate from our program pass the CDL exam more often than others. However, if you don't pass, we will help you find out what you need to improve on so you can pass on your next try.
• Job Readiness: Our goal is to prepare you for a career, not just an exam. You will begin commercial driving with the skills and knowledge to excel in your position. We stand behind our students, so we’ll even help you land your first driving job with our long list of trusted partners. We believe that our job placement is the best in the area - and the reviews students leave us speak to that as well!
• Expert Instructors: Our team has decades of real driving experience and formal teaching education to best guide you through the program; you get the best of both worlds at New Sound CDL.
• Pre-Trip Inspection Mastery: You will spend plenty of time with our commercial vehicles to ensure that you’re comfortable with every part of the Pre-Trip Inspection. Identifying and explaining the vehicle’s parts and safety will be a breeze for you, in the exam and on the road.

Experience the New Sound Difference

Taking on the transportation industry and learning to drive commercial vehicles can seem like a daunting task. The first hurdle of getting your Commercial Driver’s License can also be a challenge, unless you set yourself up for success. Enrolling into New Sound CDL School will greatly increase your chance at success on the CDL exam, help you land a high-paying job, and prepare you for a confident first day on the road. We provide comprehensive training in a comfortable atmosphere that goes way beyond test preparation. You’ll be plugged into the transportation industry with trusted partners and friends that will always support you on your journey.

Contact us today to learn more about our programs or to just simply speak with our team. We’d love to meet you, answer your questions, and launch you into a new career on the road.

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